Steak Frites [Event Series Development]

Steak Frites is a collective of DIY artists who value the unconventional. Art and music blend with raw creative energy to form this offbeat exhibition series featuring visual artists, musicians, and creatives of all types interested in pushing the envelope of the underground. Featuring works by visual artists from the northeast and beyond with DJs curated by the collective, Steak Frites is anything but a typical gallery opening.

The series started as a string of private parties that resonated throughout the art scene. In a short time, it grew to a point beyond what the initial format could logistically support. We connected with founders of the concept, The Sticky Brand, to help grow the idea and bring the philosophy of the artists to the greater public. From there, the events moved into our venue and gained added support from our production and marketing teams to help manage the wildly flourishing concept. We worked with artists and designers to create custom merch and on-site print materials. Being a non-traditional showcase of art, we opted for a non-traditional approach to marketing and utilized our networks to encourage word-of-mouth activity among relevant communities. We created an online store and coordinated with artists from all over New England and beyond while taking on the task of managing a multitude of work from up to 20 artists at each event. To top it all off, we connected with Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. for an ongoing sponsorship to help fund the events and further the concept.

The events were uncontrollably successful and always at capacity with lines snaking around the building. Artists and enthusiasts from all over New England showed up to support the unconventional philosophy and the artists who brought the idea to life. Popular Burlington publication Seven Days picked up on the hype for a front page story on the emerging art scene that the events were fostering, commenting “this series, rooted in underground social gatherings, seems to be coming of age, attracting both new and larger audiences, as well as new artists […] Steak Frites is broadening its reach as it gains word-of-mouth momentum.” Read the full story here.