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Artist Kelvin Henderson.
From left to right: Evelyn Redcross and entertainer Isaac Hayes.

Te OG organization attempts to attract attendees lady who stopped Mercer was saying in so many words:
by educating them about the value of art. PIAE has “Look! You work for me and I am just checking to see if

unique and creative educational strategies that continue you are doing the job.” Mercer said to her, “I agree. We
to target a new generation of art buyers. Perhaps new represent you. We work for you. And all that Evelyn
Football great Troy Vincent.
“art candidates” come to the Expo “art conscious” and and I desire is that you will ask us to do it for years October Gallery’s Judith White (center) with Isaac Hayes to
her left.
without the traditional “art fear” because of previous to come.”
teaching sessions (i.e., at the gallery, on the Web site
Our employees know that the Expo is not about them.
and in Paint Magazine or other sources). Perhaps they
It is about the people who come. Before each Expo
are searching for venues, such as the Expo, to test their
Mercer always cautions the staf, “Don’t complain that
knowledge.
your feet hurt or that you are tired.” Luckily, the level
Here is an experience that Mercer recently had of cooperation is high. We feel very strongly about

with a customer: our philosophies, and the people who work with us
respect our philosophies.
He was in the grocery store one day before an Expo. From left to right: Kandi Pitts and exhibitor John King.
Someone tapped his shoulder emphatically. As he Working at the Expo is more than a notion. We say

turned around a lady began to barrage him with that because no matter how diligently we train our staf,
questions to which she obviously knew the answers. we have found that those new to the event can be easily
Quite like a teacher, she drilled him on the when, overwhelmed by the constant demands for problem

where and who of the Expo. And in conclusion she solving and public service. Te energy in the Liacouras
said, “Good! My sister and brother are coming up from Center seems to spiral up, and can leave one in a state
Washington, DC, and we are planning to spend the of constant excitement if one is not careful to balance it
entire weekend at the show. Keep up the good work!” with calming energy. Once in a while, our new stafers
become inundated, but they learn, as we all do, how to
We wanted to relay this story because we believe that Exhibitor Dominique Carrie. October Gallery’s Ari Redcross (left), Isaac Hayes (center)
fow with the tide. and October Gallery’s Eric Norris.
many people feel as if the Expo belongs to them. Te

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