Media Credit: Christina Rowland/ NT Daily Art Prostitute is holding an art show all week in the University Union Courtyard where students, for the first time, can look at and purchase prints from artists in Los Angeles and New York. [Click to enlarge]

Denton's modern art haven, Art Prostitute, is temporarily expanding its display. This week, featured artists' prints are moving from portfolios kept in the building, located at 210 E. Hickory St., to the University Union Courtyard. The prints are also available for purchase.

The prints have previously been available, folded within the pages of Art Prostitute's quarterly publication, but according to co-owner Brian Gibb, this is the first time they have been on public display and available for purchase.

Gibb finds that most of the revenue comes from outside Denton via online purchases. By setting up on campus, he hopes to expose new art that comes from beyond the Denton art scene.

"This is just a chance for us to let people know that we're here, and to kind of educate them about artists that are working outside of Texas and outside of school," he said. "People get so wrapped up in their routine that they don't really take time to figure out what's going on outside of that, so we're able to offer some kind of direction in that way."

The 26 featured pieces, mostly full-color silkscreens, were created by 24 unsung artists, including Cody Hudson, Tiffany Bozic, Gary Baseman and Matt Hawthorne. Many are from major cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Chicago. Even Gibb himself has a few on display, but he admits the more graphic prints, such as those by Jeff Soto, have been the most popular so far.

Besides prints, the sale also features T-shirts, magazines, books (some autographed), skateboards and handmade handbags.

Benjamin Phillip, McKinney sophomore, carries a copy of The Believer, a "phenomenal" art magazine he purchased from the sale.

"I recognize some of the artwork from the Art Prostitute Obey series," he said. "This [display] is just kind of an introduction of what they're all about, like a preview."

He said buying magazines is just one way he supports little-known artists. He also makes donations to their creative capacities and buys art from smalltime artists to put up in his home.

Brian Washington, McKinney junior, was impressed with the collection.

"I think it's good," he said. "Every single time I have been here there has been regular Van Gogh and typical paintings and posters. This is kind of refreshing."

Gibb pointed out that these pieces are printed on mat paper and are better quality than typical glossy poster paper. Since the Art Prostitute is a gallery, they offer framing for less than it would cost at most other places.

Twenty-two of the prints are priced at $10 and the others range from $20 to $80. The sale runs through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Courtyard on the first floor of the Union before the prints are moved back into their portfolios on Hickory Street.

"This is a chance for people to actually see everything that we have done over the last two years in a setting that has high traffic and is pretty accessible to a lot of people," Gibb said.

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