HUBMASTER'S
CHOICE
FOR
AUGUST 1996
ArtNet proposes itself as "Arizona's premiere interactive guide to Art and Artists." It is not quite all that yet, but is indeed an impressive effort. The site is attractive, fairly functional, and modestly rich in content. Interested users are no doubt finding it useful.
It's focus thus far is on the art gallery scene in Tucson, the rest of the state to follow, I suppose. The city is divided up into four regions: North, Central, East, and the Arts District (the more southerly city of Tubac is tossed in for good measure.) Each area name is a navigation icon leading further into the site. A click on any one of them brings you to an appropriate listing. Some entries here are hyperlinks to a detailed brochure, others merely a name with address, phone and fax.
It's a bit disappointing that not half of the listings are links. The brochures are nicely done, giving not only the basic "Fast Facts," but offering also "History and Background," "Shows and Events," and a "Virtual Showroom." It's a concise way of handsomely rendering the gallery info and would be nice if more of the listed galleries were brought on board.
There are three other functional features rounding out the site. The clickable "Sensitive Map" allows you to browse across Tucson to pick among the galleries as well as selected restaurants. The drawback here is that only some of the listed galleries are found on the map. On the upside, the restaurant links lead to detail rich brochures that give, of course, the what, when, and where, but also really helpful bits such as menus, wine lists, reviews, and chef bios. Gourmands will appreciate the attention to these details.
There is also "Gallery Categories" where the listing can also be browsed by kind, and a "Featured Galleries" area. Somewhat strangely, nothing makes clear what distinguishes the galleries listed in this latter section.
Finally, there is a form you can fill in if you are interested in purchasing any art from the galleries. Your info is taken and forwarded to the gallery(s) in question whose responsibility it is then to contact you. Not quite cutting edge, but there is plenty of time to catch up on this score. Internet commerce hasn't exactly gone so far as to leave anyone in the dust.
