You Don’t Have to “Get” It: Trusting Your Eye in Contemporary Art

A panel discussion about letting go of the right answer and engaging with contemporary art on your own terms. Confidence around contemporary art does not begin with knowing the right words or finding the correct interpretation. It begins with trusting your own response, following your curiosity, and feeling comfortable asking questions. Join Square One Gallery for an open conversation with Marina May Schleicher, Gallery Director of Opaque Gallery, and Matt Mercer, Director of Editions & Artist Relations at Lococo Fine Art Publisher. Together, they will discuss how to engage with art more confidently, whether visiting a gallery, exploring a museum, joining a conversation, or considering their first purchase. The discussion will look at how to move beyond the pressure to immediately “get” an artwork, recognize what holds your attention, and form your own opinions. The conversation will consider how context can deepen an initial response, why different interpretations can be equally valid, and how visitors can feel more comfortable asking questions in galleries and museums. Marina and Matt will share practical insight into developing personal taste, beginning an art collection, and becoming more connected to St. Louis’s arts community. Date: Saturday, October 3rd // 4-5pm Panel discussion to begin at 4:10pm Location: Square One Gallery 4814 Washington Blvd, 3rd floor, St. Louis Admission: Free Seating on a first come, first serve basis Registration: Please RSVP Presented as part of the Central West End "Art & Taste" Event. Marina May Schleicher is a writer, curator, communications strategist, semi-professional talker, and STL hype-girl. She founded and co-hosts cool WIP, a contemporary arts and culture podcast featuring conversations with artists, curators, and cultural organizers, primarily centering St. Louis. May Schleicher is the current Gallery Director of Opaque Collective where she organizes exhibitions, helps develop public programming, and co-leads marketing and communications alongside the members. She is a past member of Monaco and former curatorial assistant at the Contemporary Art Museum. Across all the projects, her work consistently emphasizes collaboration and connection between artists, institutions, collectors, and audiences. Her writing and projects can be found at coolwipofficial.com. Connect with her on Instagram: @marinamae_west Matt Mercer is the Director of Editions and Artist Relations at Lococo Fine Art Publisher, a St. Louis based publisher specializing in contemporary fine art prints and sculpture, as well as select artist monographs. Working closely with artists and master printers throughout the development of new editions, Matt helps guide each project from its initial concept through production, presentation by galleries and placement in private and institutional collections. His role connects the creation of contemporary art with the audiences who experience and collect it. Connect with him on instagram at @mattmercer Parking For The Event