In Provo, Utah, a once-disused stairwell has been transformed into a unique cultural destination. Artist McKay Lenker Bayer has established the Tiny Art Show, a fully operational art gallery built to a 1:6 scale. The project, which now has a permanent home accessible from street level, showcases original miniature artworks from various artists and functions as a commercial gallery, complete with opening events and art for sale.
Key Takeaways
- Tiny Art Show is a 1:6 scale art gallery located in a repurposed stairwell in Provo, Utah.
- Founded by artist McKay Lenker Bayer in 2018, the project provides a platform for miniature art.
- The gallery operates like a full-size commercial space, with art sales, exhibitions, and community events.
- Beyond the physical space, the project engages the community through a subscription club and art kits.
The Origin of a Small Idea
The concept for the Tiny Art Show began in 2016, while founder McKay Lenker Bayer was still an undergraduate student. A class assignment required students to exhibit their work, a prospect that Bayer found daunting. Instead of a traditional public showing, she chose to downsize her presentation significantly.
She created miniature paintings and displayed them with equally small labels. This experience planted the seed for what would later become a community-focused art project. The initial hesitation to present work in a conventional setting led to an innovative solution that made art more approachable and whimsical.
From College Project to Community Fixture
The journey from a single academic assignment to a permanent public gallery illustrates a creative approach to art exhibition. The project's evolution highlights how unconventional ideas can address common challenges faced by emerging artists, such as finding accessible and affordable exhibition space.
A Nomadic Beginning Finds a Permanent Home
After its formal establishment in 2018, Tiny Art Show operated as a nomadic project. Bayer utilized various unique and unexpected spaces around Provo to display works, bringing miniature art directly to the community in surprising locations. This mobile approach helped build an audience and establish the project's identity.
This year, the project secured its first dedicated, permanent space. The gallery is ingeniously installed within a former stairwell, making creative use of overlooked urban architecture. The entrance is at street level, inviting passersby to peer into its miniature world. Its distinctive blue facade is designed to evoke the classic storefronts of cities like New York or London, adding to its charm.
Built to Scale
The entire gallery is meticulously constructed at a 1:6 scale. This is a common scale used for fashion dolls and action figures, which helps visitors contextualize the size of the artworks and the space itself. Everything from the wall height to the tiny furniture is proportionally accurate.
A Fully Functional Miniature Gallery
Despite its small size, the Tiny Art Show operates with all the functions of a conventional commercial art gallery. The primary mission is to exhibit and sell original pieces of art created by a diverse roster of artists. This provides a legitimate, albeit tiny, platform for artists to gain exposure and sell their work.
McKay Lenker Bayer describes the space as "a fully functional, commercial art gallery… that just happens to be tiny."
The gallery hosts opening events for new exhibitions, which draw crowds to the sidewalk outside. To match the theme, these gatherings often feature tiny snacks and drinks, further enhancing the miniature experience. The attention to detail is a key part of the project's appeal.
Inside the gallery, visitors can spot intricate details that mimic a real-world art space. Near the door, a tiny vending machine dispenses a miniature newspaper called The Tiny Times, adding another layer of interactive fun to the experience.
Engaging the Community Beyond the Walls
The Tiny Art Show extends its reach far beyond its physical location. The project has developed several initiatives to build a community around miniature art. One of the most popular is the Monthly Mini Mail Club, a subscription service for enthusiasts.
Subscribers to the mail club receive several items each month, including:
- A copy of the miniature periodical, The Tiny Times.
- A small booklet featuring work from that month’s gallery show.
- Other surprise miniature items.
This subscription model allows people from anywhere in the world to participate in the project and collect miniature art-related items. In addition to the club, the project's shop sells tiny art kits, allowing individuals to try their hand at creating miniature works. Prints of featured artworks and other merchandise are also available for purchase, providing financial support for the gallery's operations.
Featured Artists and Future Exhibitions
The gallery has showcased work from numerous artists, including notable pieces by Brian Kershisnik and Merrilee Liddiard. By featuring both established and emerging artists, the Tiny Art Show contributes to the local arts ecosystem and provides a unique venue for creative expression.
The project maintains an active online presence to keep its audience informed. Those interested in current and upcoming shows, featured artists, or joining the mail club can find more information on the project's official website. Regular updates, including photos and videos from exhibitions, are also posted on its Instagram account, offering a digital window into the miniature world.