Dashboard Co-op breaks for artists

Meet Courtney and Beth. They like art. What’s more, they like artists. And Atlanta. So they started Dashboard Co-op, a virtual gallery intended to promote and create more opportunities for local artists. They also throw parties — Dash hosts its coming out party Sat., March 20 at the Blue Tower Gallery with music (Jeffrey Butzer & Tom Cheshire, Walker Talbott, Joseph War, DJ Luis Ponce and the Back Pockets), art, dancing, motorcycles and fire(!).  (Beth also places in fiction contests.)

What’s Dashboard Co-op and who’s behind the wheel?

Courtney Hammond: Dashboard is an arts empowerment cooperative. We work alongside other nonprofits, publications, galleries and artists in an effort to better streamline arts initiatives in Atlanta. By connecting everyone involved and playing the role of mediator, we think we’ll have a stronger influence on the city as a whole.

Beth Malone: Simply put, we’re an online art gallery that promotes artists to spur creative momentum and, hopefully, lucrative opportunity. Court’s a sculptor, I’m a writer; we’re capable people but still have a hard time getting our work recognized, let alone purchased, without help.

We started Dash because we want to help artists support themselves financially through their work. One of the site’s artists has already caught the eye of an international collector! Yay Emily! Ok, collector is a loose term. It’s my friend Paul who moved to Thailand to smoke weed without hassle. Nonetheless, he’s got dough and, after checking out our site, he’s giving it to an ATL artist.