Imagine walking through a virtual reality art gallery filled with local artists.
Enter Chantelle Fulce, an artist and founder of Creatively Enhanced Virtual – spelled Cev and pronounced sev – Art Gallery. This new digital space that takes detailed 2D and 3D renderings of artwork and puts them in an online gallery gives Maricopa artists access to an international audience.
“Even though I’m based in Maricopa, I’ve been able to make international connections, and the virtual gallery opens doors for other artists to do the same,” said Fulce, 39. “This is about giving artists the opportunity to grow their careers and build their businesses, regardless of location.”
The new digital gallery currently showcases Fulce’s art — it’s proof of concept as she seeks other artists to join. A completed gallery will have paintings, sculptures and digital installations. For sculptures and three-dimensional works, artists submit images and dimensions, which are then used to create high resolution digital copies of their pieces. These digital works are displayed in a way that allows viewers to navigate and study the works, much like they would in a physical exhibition.
In addition to exposure, Cev Art Gallery offers mentorships, scholarships and grants to support emerging artists. Fulce explained her gallery’s mentorship program gives artists hands-on experience in the art world, whether through involvement in curating, jurying exhibitions or helping with administrative tasks.
“We want to help artists build their resumes and gain the credibility they need to succeed in the industry,” she said. “Whether it’s through direct support or offering scholarships to help fund their work, it’s all about giving back to the creative community.”
Looking ahead, Fulce said she plans to take the concept even further. She envisions a physical art space in Maricopa within the next three to five years, where artists can gather, collaborate and display their work in person.
“Maricopa has been such a supportive place for me and my career,” Fulce said. “I see the need for more art spaces here. We hope to eventually open a brick-and-mortar gallery, but it’s all about the community’s feedback and support.”
For now, the virtual gallery provides a launching pad for artists to reach new audiences and gain recognition. Fulce said she believes the platform will become an essential resource for both established and up-and-coming artists in the digital age.
