​Rochester Art Collectors partnered with Rochester Contemporary Arts Center to REVEAL the results of Rochester's first fantasy art collecting game, Red Dot Challenge, Season 1, on February 5th. 

This program was held during the Rochester Contemporary Arts Center's 34th Annual Members Exhibition.

Bleu Cease, Executive Director/Curator of Rochester Contemporary Arts Center, welcomed the group and kicked off the evening with background about the 34th Annual Members Exhibition before introducing Rome Celli, organizer of Rochester Art Collectors and gamemaster for Red Dot Challenge, Season 1.

Rome Celli thanked all the people who helped develop and support Red Dot Challenge, Season 1. Then he provided a brief background about the game, described the rules of the game and introduced Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 players by matching them with their Fantasy Art Collections using a slideshow presentation (see below).

Each player, in turn, had a chance to talk about their fantasy art collection, what inspired them, any goals or themes for their collections and how they responded to the game itself. The final slides in the presentation provided a statistical summary of gameplay activity.

Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is a program of Rochester Art Collectors.
​
Participating in Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is FREE and open to the public. None of the players are paying to play or receiving any compensation. The program is privately funded and entirely non-commercial. Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is not a fundraiser of any kind for any organization.

​The works of art chosen by Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 players for their fantasy art collections are not being purchased with real money. Red Dot Challenge is a FANTASY art collecting GAME. Players are having fun PRETENDING to buy/collect the art and modeling art collecting behaviors.

In all instances the artists retain the copyright for their work as well as all other rights and privileges provided by the law.

Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is a program of Rochester Art Collectors.
​
Participating in Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is FREE and open to the public. None of the players are paying to play or receiving any compensation. The program is privately funded and entirely non-commercial. Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is not a fundraiser of any kind for any organization.

​The works of art chosen by Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 players for their fantasy art collections are not being purchased with real money. Red Dot Challenge is a FANTASY art collecting GAME. Players are having fun PRETENDING to buy/collect the art and modeling art collecting behaviors.

In all instances the artists retain the copyright for their work as well as all other rights and privileges provided by the law.

It's all over! After three months of gameplay Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 ended last night, January 31, 2025 at 11:59pm.

Nearly 100 works of art worth over $49,000 were identified by players for their respective fantasy art collections during gameplay resulting in an average of slightly over $500/work of art. ​On average more than one work of art was identified for each day of gameplay. Two players dropped out without having identified any works of art during gameplay. Of the ten players who added works to their fantasy art collections the average was ​just under ten works​ for each player. Player #5 identified 18 works. Player #1 identified only six works (one short of the game minimum).

I suppose it should come as no surprise to anyone that Week #13 - the second to last week of gameplay (Tuesday, January 21st through Monday, January 27th) - was very quiet. Two players posted one work each to their respective fantasy art collections.

Player #1 is just one item shy of filling their seven work minimum contribution. Failure to identify that last work before the end of gameplay would quite disappointing.

Players #6 and #8 have yet to identify any works of art for their fantasy art collections. The big mystery right now is whether either player will participate at all. With only a handful of days left in gameplay their prospects look quite dim indeed.  Gameplay ends at 11:59 pm on Friday, January 31st.

Here's the breakdown of gameplay from Week #13:

• Player #11 added one work valued at $40 to Fantasy Art Collection #11.
• Player #12 added one work valued at $2,500 to Fantasy Art Collection #11.

CLICK HERE to take a look at each of the players fantasy art collections to get a sense of what sorts of works the players have identified.
​
​CLICK HERE to see a complete list of the Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 players. ​​

Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is a program of Rochester Art Collectors.
​
Participating in Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is FREE and open to the public. None of the players are paying to play or receiving any compensation. The program is privately funded and entirely non-commercial. Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is not a fundraiser of any kind for any organization.

​The works of art chosen by Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 players for their fantasy art collections are not being purchased with real money. Red Dot Challenge is a FANTASY art collecting GAME. Players are having fun PRETENDING to buy/collect the art and modeling art collecting behaviors.

In all instances the artists retain the copyright for their work as well as all other rights and privileges provided by the law.

Player #12 has been allocated a fantasy art budget of $10,000 to identify at least seven works of art for their fantasy art collection (Fantasy Art Collection #12).

Each player's fantasy art collection page is updated every week on "Red Dot Mondays" (if they have posted additions to their fantasy art collections in the week prior). Players have until January 31, 2025 at 11:59 pm to complete their fantasy art collections.

​Followers are encouraged to comment on this particular fantasy art collection at the bottom of this post this or go to the Fantasy Art Collection #12 album on Facebook HERE.  (Click here to see ALL the fantasy art collections on Facebook.)
​
Click here to find all the Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 fantasy art collections on this site.

The date of this post indicates the most recent date this fantasy art collection has been updated.
Each player must identify at least seven works between November 1, 2024 & January 31, 2025.​

Player #11 has been allocated a fantasy art budget of $10,000 to identify at least seven works of art for their fantasy art collection (Fantasy Art Collection #11).

Each player's fantasy art collection page is updated every week on "Red Dot Mondays" (if they have posted additions to their fantasy art collections in the week prior). Players have until January 31, 2025 at 11:59 pm to complete their fantasy art collections.

​Followers are encouraged to comment on this particular fantasy art collection at the bottom of this post this or go to the Fantasy Art Collection #11 album on Facebook HERE.  (Click here to see ALL the fantasy art collections on Facebook.)
​
Click here to find all the Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 fantasy art collections on this site.

Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is a program of Rochester Art Collectors.
​
Participating in Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is FREE and open to the public. None of the players are paying to play or receiving any compensation. The program is privately funded and entirely non-commercial. Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is not a fundraiser of any kind for any organization.

​The works of art chosen by Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 players for their fantasy art collections are not being purchased with real money. Red Dot Challenge is a FANTASY art collecting GAME. Players are having fun PRETENDING to buy/collect the art and modeling art collecting behaviors.

In all instances the artists retain the copyright for their work as well as all other rights and privileges provided by the law.

If you are interested in purchasing a work of art you've seen during Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 gameplay, please inquire at the venue where the work is exhibited.

​Week #12 (Tuesday, January 14th through Monday, January 20th) saw a burst of gameplay activity! Six players identified twelve works of art with a combined value of over $6,000 for their respective fantasy art collections this past week. In total, since gameplay began on November 1, 2024, 96 works worth over $45,000 have been identified by all the players.

In particular, Player #4 posted two works to their fantasy art collection and, in doing so, joined eight other players to meet or exceed the seven work minimum called for in the rules. 

Here's the breakdown of gameplay from Week #12:

• Player #1 added one work valued at $955 to Fantasy Art Collection #1.
• Player #3 added two works valued at $220 to Fantasy Art Collection #3.
• Player #4 added two works valued at $400 to Fantasy Art Collection #4.
• Player #9 added one work valued at $200 to Fantasy Art Collection #9.
• Player #10 added one work valued at $800 to Fantasy Art Collection #10.
• Player #11 added five works valued at $4,320 to Fantasy Art Collection #11.

​CLICK HERE to take a look at each of the players fantasy art collections to get a sense of what sorts of works the players have identified.

​CLICK HERE to see a complete list of the Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 players. ​​

Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is a program of Rochester Art Collectors.
​
Participating in Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is FREE and open to the public. None of the players are paying to play or receiving any compensation. The program is privately funded and entirely non-commercial. Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is not a fundraiser of any kind for any organization.

​The works of art chosen by Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 players for their fantasy art collections are not being purchased with real money. Red Dot Challenge is a FANTASY art collecting GAME. Players are having fun PRETENDING to buy/collect the art and modeling art collecting behaviors.

In all instances the artists retain the copyright for their work as well as all other rights and privileges provided by the law.

The date of this post indicates the most recent date this fantasy art collection has been updated.
Each player must identify at least seven works between November 1, 2024 & January 31, 2025.​

Player #10 has been allocated a fantasy art budget of $10,000 to identify at least seven works of art for their fantasy art collection (Fantasy Art Collection #10).

Each player's fantasy art collection page is updated every week on "Red Dot Mondays" (if they have posted additions to their fantasy art collections in the week prior). Players have until January 31, 2025 at 11:59 pm to complete their fantasy art collections.

​Followers are encouraged to comment on this particular fantasy art collection at the bottom of this post this or go to the Fantasy Art Collection #10 album on Facebook HERE.  (Click here to see ALL the fantasy art collections on Facebook.)
​
Click here to find all the Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 fantasy art collections on this site.

Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is a program of Rochester Art Collectors.
​
Participating in Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is FREE and open to the public. None of the players are paying to play or receiving any compensation. The program is privately funded and entirely non-commercial. Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is not a fundraiser of any kind for any organization.

​The works of art chosen by Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 players for their fantasy art collections are not being purchased with real money. Red Dot Challenge is a FANTASY art collecting GAME. Players are having fun PRETENDING to buy/collect the art and modeling art collecting behaviors.

In all instances the artists retain the copyright for their work as well as all other rights and privileges provided by the law.

If you are interested in purchasing a work of art you've seen during Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 gameplay, please inquire at the venue where the work is exhibited.

The date of this post indicates the most recent date this fantasy art collection has been updated.
Each player must identify at least seven works between November 1, 2024 & January 31, 2025.​

The date of this post indicates the most recent date this fantasy art collection has been updated.
Each player must identify at least seven works between November 1, 2024 & January 31, 2025.​

Player #4 has been allocated a fantasy art budget of $1,000 to identify at least seven works of art for their fantasy art collection (Fantasy Art Collection #4).

Each player's fantasy art collection page is updated every week on "Red Dot Mondays" (if they have posted additions to their fantasy art collections in the week prior). Players have until January 31, 2025 at 11:59 pm to complete their fantasy art collections.

​Followers are encouraged to comment on this particular fantasy art collection at the bottom of this post this or go to the Fantasy Art Collection #4 album on Facebook HERE.  (Click here to see ALL the fantasy art collections on Facebook.)
​
Click here to find all the Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 fantasy art collections on this site.

Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is a program of Rochester Art Collectors.
​
Participating in Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is FREE and open to the public. None of the players are paying to play or receiving any compensation. The program is privately funded and entirely non-commercial. Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is not a fundraiser of any kind for any organization.

​The works of art chosen by Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 players for their fantasy art collections are not being purchased with real money. Red Dot Challenge is a FANTASY art collecting GAME. Players are having fun PRETENDING to buy/collect the art and modeling art collecting behaviors.

In all instances the artists retain the copyright for their work as well as all other rights and privileges provided by the law.

If you are interested in purchasing a work of art you've seen during Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 gameplay, please inquire at the venue where the work is exhibited.​

The date of this post indicates the most recent date this fantasy art collection has been updated.
Each player must identify at least seven works between November 1, 2024 & January 31, 2025.​

Player #1 has been allocated a fantasy art budget of $1,000 to identify at least seven works of art for their fantasy art collection (Fantasy Art Collection #1).

Each player's fantasy art collection page is updated every week on "Red Dot Mondays" (if they have posted additions to their fantasy art collections in the week prior). Players have until January 31, 2025 at 11:59 pm to complete their fantasy art collections.

​Followers are encouraged to comment on this particular fantasy art collection at the bottom of this post this or go to the Fantasy Art Collection #1 album on Facebook HERE.  (Click here to see ALL the fantasy art collections on Facebook.)

Click here to find all the Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 fantasy art collections on this site.

Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is a program of Rochester Art Collectors.
​
Participating in Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is FREE and open to the public. None of the players are paying to play or receiving any compensation. The program is privately funded and entirely non-commercial. Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is not a fundraiser of any kind for any organization.

​The works of art chosen by Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 players for their fantasy art collections are not being purchased with real money. Red Dot Challenge is a FANTASY art collecting GAME. Players are having fun PRETENDING to buy/collect the art and modeling art collecting behaviors.

In all instances the artists retain the copyright for their work as well as all other rights and privileges provided by the law.

If you are interested in purchasing a work of art you've seen during Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 gameplay, please inquire at the venue where the work is exhibited.​​

The date of this post indicates the most recent date this fantasy art collection has been updated.
Each player must identify at least seven works between November 1, 2024 & January 31, 2025.​

Player #3 has been allocated a fantasy art budget of $1,000 to identify at least seven works of art for their fantasy art collection (Fantasy Art Collection #3).

Each player's fantasy art collection page is updated every week on "Red Dot Mondays" (if they have posted additions to their fantasy art collections in the week prior). Players have until January 31, 2025 at 11:59 pm to complete their fantasy art collections.

​Followers are encouraged to comment on this particular fantasy art collection at the bottom of this post this or go to the Fantasy Art Collection #3 album on Facebook HERE.  (Click here to see ALL the fantasy art collections on Facebook.)
​
Click here to find all the Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 fantasy art collections on this site

Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is a program of Rochester Art Collectors.
​
Participating in Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is FREE and open to the public. None of the players are paying to play or receiving any compensation. The program is privately funded and entirely non-commercial. Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is not a fundraiser of any kind for any organization.

​The works of art chosen by Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 players for their fantasy art collections are not being purchased with real money. Red Dot Challenge is a FANTASY art collecting GAME. Players are having fun PRETENDING to buy/collect the art and modeling art collecting behaviors.

In all instances the artists retain the copyright for their work as well as all other rights and privileges provided by the law.

If you are interested in purchasing a work of art you've seen during Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 gameplay, please inquire at the venue where the work is exhibited.​

Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is Rochester's fantasy art collecting game.

<<<outside the frame>>> is a limited series, interactive podcast recorded on ZOOM covering the game and discussing the regional art scene in the greater Rochester area. Members of the public are invited to participate in each episode alongside the invited guests and players on the show.*

The final episode, Episode #3, recorded on Tuesday, January 14th at 7:00 pm, included a number of featured guests who - along with attendees - contributed to a vibrant conversation about the game and the regional art scene.

Episode #3 kicks off with an overview of the game that includes an update on gameplay through January 14, 2025 accented by comments from several of the Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 players. Following the overview we'll hear from our first featured guest before announcing details associated with Red Dot Challenge, Season 1's culminating event, The BIG REVEAL!

All this leads into descriptions of two important exurban arts venues, the Village Gallery in Caledonia, NY and the Mill Art Center & Gallery in Honeoye Falls, NY by the leaders of those creative centers. The episode concludes with a freewheeling discussion of the current arts scene in exurban areas that ring Rochester's suburbs.

The featured guests on this episode were:

• Bleu Cease, Executive Director and curator at Rochester Contemporary Art Center
• Linda & Bill White, owners of The Village Gallery in Caledonia, NY
• Kathryn Bevier, executive director of the Mill Art Center & Gallery in Honeoye Falls, NY

The Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 players who joined the conversation were:

• Ludmilla Begley
• Susan "Su" Begy
• Mike Molaire​

Click here to find all the players.

The host and moderator was Rome Celli, organizer of Rochester Art Collectors and Gamemaster of Red Dot Challenge, Season 1​
​

Bill White is the owner of The Village Gallery in Caledonia, New York. He's also a practicing artist and a retired educator.

Bill spent 39 years as a Professor of Painting at Hollins University in Roanoke, VA.  He has received grants from the Cabell, Mellon & Ford Foundations and in 2012 was honored with the Kendig Individual Artist award. Bill is a member of the Midwest Paint Group, and has been a guest artist with the Zeuxis Gallery. He has had residencies at the Cite International des Art, Paris, France and the Vermont Studio Center.
 
In 2017 Bill and his wife Linda moved to Caledonia, NY to be near family and enjoy their retirement years by opening The Village Gallery. In addition to the gallery,  Bill offers classes and lectures throughout the year.

​Instagram: @billwhitepainter (Bill White)​​

Kathryn Bevier is Director of the Mill Art Center and Gallery in Honeoye Falls, New York.

​Kathryn earned her BFA at Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts.  From 2008 till 2016, Kathryn was the General Manager of Enkaustikos, an artist paint manufacturing company in Rochester, NY.

​Of her many responsibilities, development of education was an integral part of her position. She is very active in the local Rochester arts community through her involvement in teaching. As of the Fall of 2018 she proudly assumed the role as director of the Mill Art Center and Gallery.

​Instagram: @kathtrynbevier (Kathryn Bevier)​​

Ludmilla "Luda" Begley is an artist and a poet with a multicultural and multilingual background. She moved to Rochester five years ago after a lifetime of nomadic adventure and an array of careers stretching from advertising creative director to Royal Shakespeare Company interpreter, from university professor to freelance fiction editor. Currently her studio is located upstairs from Rochester Contemporary Arts Center.

Michael is a serious financial professional during office hours, a rock star by night, and a passionate punk poet around the clock. With a solid filmmaking and musical background,  he has been prominent on the Rochester music scene for over two decades with his main band Cavalcade and other alternative projects. He is currently exploring and expanding his artistic palette, branching out into new milieus and genres.

Unfortunately, Michael will not be able to join us on the podcast.

Luda & Michael are playing as a team. They are considered ONE player in Season 1.
​
Instagram: @lunar_berserkr_art (Ludmilla Begley)​​

Sue "Su" Begy is an interdisciplinary artist with an MFA from School of Visual Arts in NYC (2010). She creates stone and steel sculpture, graphite drawings, and collaborative projects. Her most recent work explores what we share as humans, what connects rather than divides us.
​
Su has lived in New York City, Los Angeles, Colorado, Santa Fe. She returned to Rochester (her hometown) about three years ago. Su says she has been fortunate to share studio space, collaborate, and exhibit with some amazing artists in the cities she's lived in. She also tells us she's traded for some fantastic artworks over the years!

Su likes to ski, hike, and read science fiction. She also loves to attend all types of live performances. She can spend hours and hours in art museums. Su and her husband, Clay Simmons, raised 3 children and now live in Brighton.

​Instagram: @susanbegy (Susan Begy)

The date of this post indicates the most recent date this fantasy art collection has been updated.
Each player must identify at least seven works between November 1, 2024 & January 31, 2025.​

Player #2 has been allocated a fantasy art budget of $1,000 to identify at least seven works of art for their fantasy art collection (Fantasy Art Collection #2).

Each player's fantasy art collection page is updated every week on "Red Dot Mondays" (if they have posted additions to their fantasy art collections in the week prior). Players have until January 31, 2025 at 11:59 pm to complete their fantasy art collections.

​Followers are encouraged to comment on this particular fantasy art collection at the bottom of this post this or go to the Fantasy Art Collection #2 album on Facebook HERE.  (Click here to see ALL the fantasy art collections on Facebook.)
​
Click here to find all the Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 fantasy art collections on this site.

Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is a program of Rochester Art Collectors.
​
Participating in Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is FREE and open to the public. None of the players are paying to play or receiving any compensation. The program is privately funded and entirely non-commercial. Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is not a fundraiser of any kind for any organization.

​The works of art chosen by Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 players for their fantasy art collections are not being purchased with real money. Red Dot Challenge is a FANTASY art collecting GAME. Players are having fun PRETENDING to buy/collect the art and modeling art collecting behaviors.

In all instances the artists retain the copyright for their work as well as all other rights and privileges provided by the law.

If you are interested in purchasing a work of art you've seen during Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 gameplay, please inquire at the venue where the work is exhibited.​​

Week #10 (Tuesday, December 31st through Monday, January 6th) saw a nice uptick in gameplay compared to the prior week. Four players identified seven works of art with a combined value of $5,650 for their respective fantasy art collections. In total, 80 works worth over $36,000 have been identified by the players since gameplay began on November 1, 2024.

​At this point in the game half of the players have met all the requirements to complete gameplay. Four of the players are close to reaching the same goal.  Two players have yet to post any works to their respective fantasy art collections.

Here's the breakdown of gameplay from Week #10:

• Player #2 added one work valued at $150 to Fantasy Art Collection #2.
• Player #3 added two works valued at $200 to Fantasy Art Collection #3.
• Player #11 added two work valued at $3,400 to Fantasy Art Collection #11.
• Player #12 added two works valued at $1,900 to Fantasy Art Collection #12.

​CLICK HERE to take a look at each of the players fantasy art collections to get a sense of what sorts of works the players have identified.

​CLICK HERE to see a complete list of the Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 players. ​

Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is a program of Rochester Art Collectors.
​
Participating in Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is FREE and open to the public. None of the players are paying to play or receiving any compensation. The program is privately funded and entirely non-commercial. Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is not a fundraiser of any kind for any organization.

​The works of art chosen by Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 players for their fantasy art collections are not being purchased with real money. Red Dot Challenge is a FANTASY art collecting GAME. Players are having fun PRETENDING to buy/collect the art and modeling art collecting behaviors.

In all instances the artists retain the copyright for their work as well as all other rights and privileges provided by the law.

The date of this post indicates the most recent date this fantasy art collection has been updated.
Each player must identify at least seven works between November 1, 2024 & January 31, 2025.​

After three very busy weeks of gameplay Week #9 (Tuesday, December 24th through Monday, December 30th) was quiet. It's not surprising since Week #9 fell within the Christmas-New Years period of time. Players can be forgiven for focusing other matters, right?!

Just one player posted works to their fantasy art collection this past week.

Here's the breakdown from Week #2:

• Player #7 added two works valued at $625.00 to Fantasy Art Collection #7.

​CLICK HERE to take a look at each of the players fantasy art collections to get a sense of what sorts of works the players identified.

​CLICK HERE to see a complete list of the Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 players. 

Friday, January 3rd is the first First Friday* of 2025. This will be the third and final First Friday during gameplay. Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 ends on January 31, 2025. Over a dozen venues will host events on Friday, January 3rd. All will be open to the public.

Larger exhibitions that will be open to the public on January 3rd include: Rochester Contemporary Art Center's "34th Annual Members Exhibition"; The Yards Collective "Members Exhibition"; Image City's "The Magic Of Light 2025" Exhibition; Anderson Arts Studios "Open Studios"; Hart Gallery 27's "Happy Birthday Baby!" exhibition; and Studio 402's "Self Portrait" exhibition. In all, over 600 works of art will on exhibit until the various exhibitions close one-by-one; usually within 30 days or so.
--
*If you don't already know, the first Friday night of each month is a big deal in the Rochester arts scene. Many art venues hold special exhibition events (read: parties!) on the first Friday of every month. It's so popular that Rochester Contemporary Arts Center (RoCo) hosts a special page on their website to share information about events scheduled on "First Fridays": FirstFridayRochester.org

​Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is a program of Rochester Art Collectors.
​
Participating in Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is FREE and open to the public. None of the players are paying to play or receiving any compensation. The program is privately funded and entirely non-commercial. Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is not a fundraiser of any kind for any organization.

​The works of art chosen by Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 players for their fantasy art collections are not being purchased with real money. Red Dot Challenge is a FANTASY art collecting GAME. Players are having fun PRETENDING to buy/collect the art and modeling art collecting behaviors.

In all instances the artists retain the copyright for their work as well as all other rights and privileges provided by the law.

If you are interested in purchasing a work of art you've seen during Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 gameplay, please inquire at the venue where the work is exhibited.​​

Week #8 (Tuesday, December 17th through Monday, December 23rd) saw another very strong week of gameplay. It was the second most active week of Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 so far.

Four players added a total of twelve items to their fantasy art collections over the past week. The value of items players identified for their fantasy art collections totaled $5,150. 10 of 12 players have added 68 works valued at $29,745 to their fantasy art collections since gameplay began on November 1st.

Here's the breakdown from Week #8:

• Player #3 added one works valued at $150 to Fantasy Art Collection #3.
• Player #5 added five works valued at $1,750 to Fantasy Art Collection #5.
• Player #7 added five works valued at $950 to Fantasy Art Collection #7.
• Player #10 added one work valued at $945 to Fantasy Art Collection #10.

As you scroll through the numbers and graphs below take a close look at those players who have met or exceeded the minimum collecting requirements of Red Dot Challenge, Season 1.  Then consider each of the player's collecting strategies. Some have opted for a higher number of works while others a higher value for each work. How would you approach collecting art: more works or higher valued work?

​CLICK HERE to take a look at each of the players fantasy art collections to get a sense of what sorts of works the players identified.

​CLICK HERE to see a complete list of the Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 players. 

The date of this post indicates the most recent date this fantasy art collection has been updated.
Each player must identify at least seven works between November 1, 2024 & January 31, 2025.​

Player #5 has been allocated a fantasy art budget of $5,000 to identify at least seven works of art for their fantasy art collection (Fantasy Art Collection #5).

Each player's fantasy art collection page is updated every week on "Red Dot Mondays" (if they have posted additions to their fantasy art collections in the week prior). Players have until January 31, 2025 at 11:59 pm to complete their fantasy art collections.

​Followers are encouraged to comment on this particular fantasy art collection at the bottom of this post this or go to the Fantasy Art Collection #5 album on Facebook HERE.  (Click here to see ALL the fantasy art collections on Facebook.)
​
Click here to find all the Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 fantasy art collections on this site.

Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is a program of Rochester Art Collectors.
​
Participating in Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is FREE and open to the public. None of the players are paying to play or receiving any compensation. The program is privately funded and entirely non-commercial. Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is not a fundraiser of any kind for any organization.

​The works of art chosen by Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 players for their fantasy art collections are not being purchased with real money. Red Dot Challenge is a FANTASY art collecting GAME. Players are having fun PRETENDING to buy/collect the art and modeling art collecting behaviors.

In all instances the artists retain the copyright for their work as well as all other rights and privileges provided by the law.

If you are interested in purchasing a work of art you've seen during Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 gameplay, please inquire at the venue where the work is exhibited.​​​

Week #7 (Tuesday, December 10th through Monday, December 16th) is just about the halfway point in Red Dot Challenge, Season 1. There are seven more weeks to go until the end of gameplay on January 31, 2025.

As you read this post and scroll through the various fantasy art collections keep in mind players must identify AT LEAST seven works of art for each of their fantasy art collections before the end of gameplay on January 31, 2025. The players are permitted to include more than seven so long as they stay within their respective fantasy art budgets.

We had another burst of gameplay this past week. Five of the players added a total of thirteen items to their fantasy art collections. The value of items players identified totaled $5,250. Since gameplay began on November 1st 10 of 12 players have added 59 works valued at $24,595 to their fantasy art collections.​

Here's the breakdown from Week #7:

• Player #1 added three works valued at $235 to Fantasy Art Collection #1.
• Player #2 added one work valued at $40 to Fantasy Art Collection #2.
• Player #3 added two works valued at $125 to Fantasy Art Collection #3.
• Player #9 added six works valued at $4,450 to Fantasy Art Collection #9.
• Player #10 added one work valued at $400 to Fantasy Art Collection #10.

Most of the players are acquiring works at a pace well ahead of schedule with six out of twelve players having already identified at least five items at the halfway point of gameplay. Player #5 has clocked in with 13 items in their fantasy art collection leaving plenty of fantasy dollars to spare. Player #9 has completed the minimum requirement of seven items and they, too, have fantasy dollars still in hand. Player #12 is posting at pace with the gameplay calendar. Four items have been identified since the beginning of gameplay. Player #11 has only identified two works. Players #6 & #8, on the other hand, are holding back. Neither has posted a single item for their fantasy art collections. The three players at the very bottom of gameplay activity have some serious work ahead of them.

If you look closely at player expenditures, it becomes apparent most of the players are taking a very conservative tack. The results so far indicate players are keeping their expenditures relatively low and, as a result, their financial reserves are high. Are they playing it safe to make sure they don't run out of resources before they meet the minimum? OR are they following Player #5's lead and planning to assemble larger collections than the required minimum? We'll have to wait-and-see...

Let's breakdown player expenditures based on the three fantasy art budget categories: To refresh, there are three fantasy art budget categories: $1,000; $5,000 and $10,000. Four players are collecting in each of the three categories.

The four players in the $1,000 budget category have identified 22 pieces with total expenditures of $2,000 out of a $4,000 maximum in this fantasy art budget category. As of this week their average is just $90.91 per item collected; very conservative. There's quite a bit of headroom in this group for extra acquisitions in each of the fantasy art collections associated with this category. 

In the $5,000 fantasy art budget category players have spent a total of $5,080 on 18 works. $20,000 is the combined maximum expenditure for all the players in this budget category.  The average value per item in this group comes in at only $282.22. BUT, remember, players #6 & #8 haven't identified any works at all thus far. So, in this category a calculation of the average expenditure isn't particularly instructive. Looking only at the two players who HAVE posted works, they are accumulating them at very modest prices. Both have room to build up their respective collections beyond the minimum number, if they choose.

In the highest fantasy art budget category the players have expended just $17,515 out a combined cap of $40,000. All four players in the $10,000 fantasy budget category have posted choices; seventeen in all. The average value per piece is $1,030.29. Like most of the other players in Season 1, there's lots of room for these players to expand their fantasy art collections; unless they start spending a lot more on each work of art going forward.
​
The week ahead may well see another burst of gameplay. "Small Show" at Lumiere Photo and "Small Works" at Main Street Arts are both set to close this coming Saturday, December 21st. That puts pressure on players to make sure they've identified all the works they're interested in at those two venues. Why? In order to qualify for the game a work of art must be on public display at the time of submission.

Players #6, #8 & #11, the clock is ticking!

​​Audio-only link below will open in the iTunes app, if you have it, or a new browser window.

Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is Rochester's fantasy art collecting game.

<<<outside the frame>>> is a limited series, interactive podcast recorded on ZOOM covering the game and discussing the regional art scene in the greater Rochester area. Members of the public are invited to participate in each episode alongside the invited guests and players on the show.*

Episode #2, recorded on Tuesday, December 10th at 7:00 pm, included a number of featured guests who - along with attendees - contributed to a vibrant conversation about the game and the regional art scene.

Episode #2 kicks off with an introduction to the game that includes an update on gameplay through December 10, 2024 with comments by several of the players. Then our featured guests talk a little about their activities in the arts. The episode concludes with a freewheeling discussion of the current arts scene in Rochester, New York.

The featured guests on this episode were:

• Adam Eaton, artist/photographer and executive director of Rochester Artist Collaborative
• Erich S. Lehman, artist, gallerist (Gallery 1975), itinerate curator, prodigious art collector, arts producer as well as co-curator of WALL/THERAPY.
• Nick Koch, artist/photographer, curator

The Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 players who joined the conversation were:

• Reaghan McCan
• Mike Molaire
• Matt Vanderlee
• Susan Mandl & Seth Oser (playing as a team)
• Kelly Cheatle 

Click here to find all the players.

The host and moderator was Rome Celli, organizer of Rochester Art Collectors and Gamemaster of Red Dot Challenge, Season 1​

Looking ahead to our last episode during Red Dot Challenge, Season 1
​

• Episode #3:  Tuesday, January 14th at 7:00 pm EST (Click to register & get the link.)*

The Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 "BIG REVEAL" event in February will be the focus of the first part of the final episode. We'll also update you on gameplay as we approach the closing days of Season 1. After that we'll talk about the local art market in 2024 among other topics.

Each of the three podcasts has it's own registration & ticketing. Please look closely when you register to make sure you have the correct dates.

All the podcasts are FREE and open to the public with registration in advance on Eventbrite.

* All the episodes will be recorded live and posted here on reddotchallenge.org

Week #6 (Tuesday, December 3rd through Monday, December 9th) was EXPLOSIVE!

Six players added TWENY-FOUR items valued at $10,345 to six fantasy art collections. Week #6 was the easily the most active week of gameplay to date.

The next few weeks promise to deliver very exciting gameplay. Dozens of new exhibitions opened on Friday, December 6th including the biggest exhibition of the season, Rochester Contemporary's "Members Exhibition" with over 460 pieces! Two of the larger shows that opened last month ("Small Show" at Lumiere Photo and "Small Works" at Main Street Arts) will close on December 21st. That puts pressure on players to make sure they've identified all the works they're interested in at those two venues before the exhibitions close. In order to qualify for the game a work must still be public display at the time of submission.
 
Here's the breakdown from Week #6:

• Player #2 added two works valued at $245 to Fantasy Art Collection #2.
• Player #4 added three works valued at $320 to Fantasy Art Collection #4.
• Player #5 added TEN works valued at $2,360 to Fantasy Art Collection #5.
• Player #7 added FIVE works valued at $1,895 to Fantasy Art Collection #7.
• Player #10 added two works valued at $3,925 to Fantasy Art Collection #10.
• Player #12 added two works valued at $1,600 to Fantasy Art Collection #12.

Now that the players have accumulated quite a bit in their fantasy art collections, in addition to seeing the numbers on a spreadsheet, we think it will be helpful to see gameplay illustrated through graphic representations. So, starting this week followers on this site will see seven graphs:

• The week-by-week look at the number of works collected by players.
• The week-by-week look at the amount expended by players on their fantasy art collections.
• A comparison of the total number or works collected by each player so far.
• The percentage each player's fantasy art budget that has been expended by each player so far.​
• A look at players' gameplay expenditures grouped by fantasy budget levels ($1,000; $5,000; and $10,000).  The total fantasy dollar amount expended by each player and the average fantasy dollar amount expended on each work by each player.