The Hunger Artists

It’s a well-known fact in art circles that most artists feel they do their best work on empty stomachs. The whole “suffering for my art” ploy adds a tragic wrinkle to the work, making it more desirable among wealthy (and suitably well-fed) collectors. This week no art will be made in St. Louis, because all the artists will be fat and happy thanks to the Starvin’ Artist Barbecue at the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis (3750 Washington Boulevard; 314-535-0770, extension 215 or www.contemporarystl.org). Following the City-Wide Open Studios Tour, which takes place Saturday and Sunday (July 21 and 22; maps available at the Contemporary), all hungry art lovers are welcome to return to the Contemporary for ´Cue at 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 a person and free for the participating artists, so be sure to wear your buffet pants – those artists are like locusts when food is around and they don’t have to paint a still-life of it.