Get out your phones and get ready for some paper-flinging fun! It's the Go to the Whistle Stop Gallery... Man... game.

Now for the really, really short version.

The world needs art. You’re part of the world. You need art. So, you need artists. Artists need to succeed to create the art you need. Help me help artists succeed.

Back my campaign. You get cheap cool stuff, artists get cheap cool stuff. Help me get to my goal, and you get free cool stuff. Help me get more than my goal, and both you and artists get free cool stuff.

That’s pretty much it.

I wish you’d read the long version though. It’s a lot more fun.

Follow the Whistle Stop Gallery on Twitter and like us on Facebook!

How does this help artists?

Entering art shows can get expensive real quick. I’d like to change that. I want to charge $5 (USD) per accepted work – not submitted, accepted. Trust me, it’s a big deal. The Whistle Stop Gallery also takes no commissions on sales from the web Shows. That’s a big deal too. Like what you’re seeing? Read on!

My website is all set for the next 10 years! Well, the hosting and the domains are. All I have to do is to write it and run it. That shouldn’t be too hard, right? And it only cost me $1436! Well, that’s not really only to me, no matter how many times the salesperson says it’s a ‘good deal’. Their ‘good deal’ is almost 2 months of expenses to me. This is where you come in. I’d like at least 1436 of you reading this to chip in $1.

What do you get out of it? You get to finish a sentence. Not just any sentence… a really special one. Why do you care? Because your name will appear with it, at the bottom of the main website, for at least the next 10 years. Of course, only one will display at a time – otherwise the page would get kind of long. Each will have an opportunity to display in a random fashion. Each sentence will also appear in The Big List (yes, I named it The Big List), which is a list of all the quotes. It’s your chance to be famous… well, sort of. No, I don’t get many visitors right now, but your $1 will help me concentrate on that.

You never know what the future holds. This one sentence of yours might result in fame and fortune. Probably not, but we can dream, right? Your words will inspire artists – that I can promise. Plus, you get to share your thoughts with everyone who visits my site. As long as I approve them, anyway. I know you’re thinking “riiight, he’s going to post what I have to say.” I really will, as long as it’s family-friendly (c’mon, you know what that is). Not hateful, nasty, racist, obscene… you get the idea. Oh, and I might have to discuss shortening it with you, but only if you write extremely long, run on sentences. We’ll need to work together to eradicate spelling and punctuation errors, too.

I do have one more rule: I only speak English. I tried to learn another language – it didn’t go smoothly. I doubt I’d get many Latin submissions, though. I have to be able to read what you wrote. You don’t have to write it in English, but what you give me needs to be. It’s also only fair, since the rest of the site is in English too.

Here’s the mysterious sentence that I’m sure you have a burning desire to know. Here it comes.

Art is:

Yes, that’s it. If you’re serious about it, you’ll have trouble finishing the sentence. If not, you get to dazzle us with your amazing wit. You could even go severely minimalist and put nothing… but I’d rather not get too many of those or it will look like my website is broken.

Still not sure? Really? Can you name one really great reason you shouldn’t? Didn’t think so. Try it! It’ll be fun! Or serious, or meditative, or comedic, or thoughtful…

Your words might even appear in a book someday.

You’ll need to provide me and the Whistle Stop Gallery the right to display the final approved quote for free and forever, as long as it has your name (or whatever name you provided) displayed with it. If a book is ever in the works, you’ll get a request for that specifically.

Really don’t want to be Quoted? Looking for something else? I have other Perks, too!

What I need

I already paid the $1436. It includes 8 domains and web hosting. And by paid I mean paying little bits each month, with interest. You see where I’m heading. I really need that money for other expenses, like taxes.

My goal is to start offering at least 2 web Shows a year that artists can submit to, starting with a show later this year. And of course to get the rest of the website running smoothly, which is mostly done.

Stretch Goals

• $250 more than my goal: The next Best of Show award becomes $250, instead of $50 like I originally planned. This would be for the Whistle Stop Gallery Winter*16 web Show.

• $1000 more: Winter*16 becomes free for artists. No fees to submit, no fees to be in the show. And I’ll award a $250 Best of Show. How’s that sound?

• $5000 – the next 4 web Shows after Winter*16 get the same treatment!

• $10,000 – 4 more web Shows get the same treatment. This would be incredible!

• $100,000 – Oh my! Didn’t expect that. Is that some kind of record? Uhh… I know! EVERY web Show for the Whistle Stop Gallery becomes free starting with Winter*16, with a $250 Best of Show prize awarded in each!

What you get:

Everybody who backs this campaign gets a badge! Show off your support for the arts - back this campaign at any level and you get a nifty badge image.

I’m offering another really special gift to all Quoted Project supporters. If I reach my goal, every backer gets an artsy photo taken especially for them. I’ll send each of you a file that you can print, use in and for ‘stuff’, and pretty much anything (other than selling the file to someone else, because you got it for free). I enjoy photography, but don’t get much chance.

Give me an excuse to take a few thousand photos! Get this campaign through its goal!

• Quoted. For $1 you get to be Quoted and have it displayed on my website with your name, as I described earlier. Missed it? Go back and read it again – make sure you read the rules.

• You want a thank you, too? For $2 you can be Quoted and I’ll post a personal thank you @1938State on Twitter and Facebook.

• "But I don’t LIKE writing!" If you REALLY can’t come up with anything to say, for $3 I can write a Quote for you, and it becomes yours. You have to pick the subject though. You can choose intellectual, serious, funny, weird, or art-specific. Can’t decide? Too bad. If I’m writing it for you, you at least need to pick. If you’d like to modify the Quote to suit your taste, I can do that too.

• Enjoy a card now and then? For $5 I’ll draw a card, personalize it, and send it to you. I’m covering the shipping for the card.

• Like puzzles? For $10 I’ll create, personalize, and send you a hand drawn card, and I’ll make you one of my fun hand-drawn paper puzzles too! The puzzle comes in the card. I’m covering the shipping.

• You’re an artist? Well maybe you’d like a Joseph’s ReMedia™ or Joseph’s ReSurface™ artist’s panel! Artist meet Joseph’s ReMedia(tm) - the gesso-coated Artist’s Panel made of plastics destined for the landfill. You don’t want canvas on a surface, you want a Joseph’s ReSurface(tm). The panel’s reused plastics make a perfect backing for new primed canvas. It’s your choice, either one, in portrait or landscape format. The panel is paired with a frame and hanging hardware. It also includes an opportunity to display your finished work. Normally I charge shipping for these, but right now there is absolutely no shipping cost. Get one today for only $15!

• Your Quote deserves more. For just $20 get an original Joseph A. Langley typography design of your Quote. As an added bonus, commercial use is included! That means you can even print it on t-shirts, cards, etc. and sell them! You also get the source file. I’ve added a few examples of my typography work.
  
  
  
  
  

• Need a little extra security? For $25 get 100 sheets (yes, a hundred sheets) of my ReSecure™ paper. I draw on old catalog pages with marker. I can’t guarantee it will be completely secure, but I can guarantee it’s an improvement over not using any! Each sheet is about 8.25 inches by 10.25 inches. Once again, I’m covering shipping.

• The Web Tour: Want a tour of the Gallery’s web home? For only $30 you get a tour of the website. After that, I’ll answer up to 50 of your questions about it – as long as you don’t ask me to reveal the security, which I won’t do. Sorry web vandals, no secrets for you. I’ll also give you special early information for a whole year about what’s going on with the site, before the public can see it. That includes new content and upcoming shows. Nosy people take notice!

• Like the Quoted logo? For only $35 you get the graphite idea sketch of the Quoted project logo! It’s signed, too. I’ll mat and frame it, so it’s ready to display! Wouldn’t you like to own the only one? Get it before someone else does! Shipping is included in the $35, by the way.

• Participate and be named! For $50 you get to help me test the website. I’ll tell you what I expect – it’s nothing more than using the site and telling me about it in plain language. I’ll thank you personally on the site for your work, and write you a reference letter. You also get to provide a link for me to display, subject to approval. It must be family friendly. No link farms or spam pages either. Applying for a job soon? Note: I can't give you the reference letter until you actually do the testing.

• Like artwork? Like free shipping? Like great deals? Well, here’s one for you! My selling price for 8x10 inch paintings is $135 framed. I have two listed on my personal shop right now for exactly that price, and there’s also a shipping charge. If a few of you will help me out, I’ll paint a new 8x10, frame it, and ship it to you for only $75! You don’t have to pay shipping, and you’re getting it for $60 cheaper!

• Art for all seasons. For $100 get this amazing photo set. I chose these four photos of mine to represent the four seasons. Only two sets were made. Display them all, or change them each season for your own mini one-work gallery! They’re printed at 8 inches by 10 inches (landscape) on aluminum with rounded corners. Four mounting blocks and a storage box are included! I’ll be covering the shipping.
  
  

• The Gallery Tour: Maybe you really want to see the Gallery in person. It isn’t open to the public right now, but for $250 you get to visit the Whistle Stop Gallery’s Granite City home. Step inside, hear about the history of the building and what I know about the area, and about what I’m trying to do! You also get to TAKE HOME a piece of the Gallery with you! The building’s old brick, and some of it is damaged. I save the pieces, which get turned into original paintings by local artists. I’ll give it to you while you’re here. Feel free to take photos if you want, too. You also get a map of downtown points of interest, and a list of city-wide points of interest. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE YOUR TRAVEL AND LODGING; YOU MUST GET HERE ON YOUR OWN. The Gallery is located in Granite City, Illinois, 62040, USA. I’ll give you the address by email. You MUST work out a time to visit, you cannot just stop by! You may bring one guest.

• The Gallery Tour - remotely: (also $250) Can’t make it to Granite City, Illinois but still want to see it? I’ll record a video tour for you and send it to you. You can also ask questions after and I’ll send you a video with responses. You also get a piece of the Gallery with an original painting on it! I’ll have to ship the art to you, so I have to limit where I can send it. Due to this being a larger contribution, I can do some (but not all) international shipping while just covering the cost. You also get the map and points of interest too, if you make it to Granite City in the future. If you don’t see your home country and want this Perk, contact me and I’ll personally check to see if it’s possible.

Risks and challenges

I’m writing the site myself, so there’s a small chance the randomizer won’t work well at first. It will work, even if I have to use the ugliest code imaginable. But I’m very confident it will work nicely, especially since I finally gave in and agreed to use a database. The Big List is a simple page, so there’s not much that can go wrong there. There’s a tiny possibility that your Quote might end up with a typo, but I’d be more than happy to fix it. I’m really stubborn and persistent, so if it’s between me and the server, the server loses. Seriously, I prepared in advance. The major parts of the new site are already operating. This is a really cool addition to an operating website.

It’s also hard to get people to visit the website. One of the reasons for this campaign is to use everything I can to get the word out in new and different ways. Hey, you’re looking, right? I’ve got other really great ideas that I can’t concentrate on right now, but your contribution could change that.

Other ways you can help

If you absolutely, positively can’t spare a dollar, you could share this campaign with others. Of course, it doesn’t really help if you tell people not to participate, but I think you already know that. Use the Indiegogo share tools! Visit the Whistle Stop Gallery website, too. Know any artists? Tell them how much you like the Whistle Stop Gallery! Share this with friends and followers, many or few. You might try #art_is, #WhistleStopGallery, and #QuotedProject!

If you think of something else, great! Get in touch – I’d like to hear from you.

Questions and Answers

Are you NOT displaying the quotes if you DON’T get all the money?

It doesn’t matter how many I get, every one that follows my rules will be displayed as I’ve described. If yours is the only one, it will be displayed every time, but please don’t prevent other people from participating – contact me for other opportunities instead of doing that.

I’ve never heard of the Whistle Stop Gallery. Are you new?

No. The Whistle Stop Gallery has been around since our first show in 2008. You’ve just never heard of us until now.

Is the Whistle Stop Gallery only online?

No. There is a physical gallery too, but it’s closed for renovations right now.

Is the Whistle Stop Gallery a commercial gallery?

Yes it is. It’s a for-profit, but its purpose isn’t to make a profit.

Where’s the rest of your staff?

When I told people that I could pay them in thanks and warm wishes, they didn’t want the job. Go figure. Seriously, the Whistle Stop Gallery can’t afford staff. I don’t even get paid yet.

I see you’re giving away art as perks. Who’s the artist?

That would be me. Would you like to offer something too? Contact me and we’ll discuss it.

Is whistlestop-gallery.com going to disappear if you aren’t fully funded?

No. It’s been around since 2007, and it’s not going anywhere, especially since it’s already paid for.

Do I have to be an artist to participate?

Definitely not. I’d really like to hear from everyone, artists, art lovers, and even art haters too!

How long will it be before my quote appears on the website?

Hmmm. Well, I work on the website by hand – with the keyboard. And fingers. So, your quote should show up in the Big List within a week (unless something goes wrong). The randomizer isn’t done yet, but as soon as it is I’ll start loading the quotes in there too. If you’d like updates by email, contact me and let me know. I can let you know when yours is posted too.

I’ll be keeping offline backups too, so the worst that could happen is that I have to (sigh) retype each one.

The basics of the new website are already in place. Soon, you’ll be able to find The Big List by visiting whistlestop-gallery.com/project and clicking on Quoted.

Where exactly will the quotes be?

Each one will be on The Big List. Visit the Whistle Stop Gallery Project Directory at www.whistlestop-gallery.com/project and click on Quoted. Visit whistlestop-gallery.com/site to see a random single quote.

What if you get more than 1436 quotes? Will some not display?

All of the quotes will appear in The Big List, and all of them will be available to the randomizer, no matter how many or how few I get.

Can I put something else instead of my name, like a website?

I’d really like your name. If you’d rather not, I can put anonymous instead. But no, you can’t put advertisements in there, like a website. If it’s advertisement you’re looking for, I may have something else for you. Check out my other Perks. You can also contact me.

My name is too big. What do I do?

Wow. Your name is more than 255 characters? I guess I’ll have to modify the randomizer backend. Until then, it will still be in The Big List.

My quote is too big. What do I do?

That’s a pretty long quote. Let’s review it and I’ll decide if it needs to be shorter, or if the randomizer needs to be modified for longer lengths.

Do I have to put my name?

You can be anonymous, or only use a first or last name or a nickname if you want. Pen names work too.

How can I contact you?

You can contact me on this site directly, or via my form on the Whistle Stop Gallery website. You can even mail me a letter – the address is on the Whistle Stop Gallery Site too. If you’re using the Whistle Stop Gallery form, please remember it’s not a secure form, so don’t put bank or credit card stuff in there. If you’re having trouble getting a hold of me, you can reach out to Indiegogo too – they can get in touch as well.

How much will it cost to ship my Perk?

It doesn’t. I pay the shipping. If it can be shipped to your address, the shipping's free.

Why do some of the Perks only ship to the United States?

I can offer better Perks that way. Have an idea of how I can ship Perks internationally without outrageous shipping costs? Contact me and tell me about it!

Why do you keep capitalizing Show and Shows?

It’s a part of the Whistle Stop Gallery website. It’s divided into Shows, Galleries, Projects, and Proposals. And last but not least the main Site, which displays the randomized quotes. That’s why Site is sometimes capitalized too - it’s the Site section of the Whistle Stop Gallery website. Confused yet?