Conversations with Andrew Martin Scott

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Martin Scott

Andrew Martin, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
And Pens started off as the publishing imprint for my SF store Needles & Pens. I moved to LA in 2013 from SF to start an all art book and gallery space here. It’s taken on many shapes and forms over the last ten years from a giant brick and mortar space in Culver City to art book pop-ups all over LA that lived inside retail stores and coffee shops, to it’s latest incarnation of the micro gallery space in Eagle Rock.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s not always been a smooth road as most art-based businesses go, but I’ve enjoyed every step of the way. And Pens at the end of the day has always been done in the name of love rather than for money. I love operating a space and curating exhibitions by artists I love. I’ve always maintained freelance design gigs on the side to pay the bills.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a designer, curator, and an art event organizer. I started Needles & Pens in SF in 2003 and have been running arts spaces ever since. These spaces have been super influential in the SF and grass roots level art scenes. Many bluechip artists of today like Tauba Auerbach, Hilary Pecis, Katie Ryan, etc… all showed work in the gallery early in their careers. What sets what I do apart from a standard gallery is that it’s always been community based and more of an artist run space than an unapproachable big money gallery.

What matters most to you? Why?
Aesthetics, progressive politics, and inclusivity. I’ve always had an agenda of working with artists that were sort of underdogs in the greater art world.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://andpenspress.bigcartel.com
• Instagram: @andpens