Slideluck was a 501(c)3 dedicated to building and strengthening community through food and art. Founded in 2000 in Casey Kelbaugh’s tiny backyard in Seattle with about 50 people, Slideluck grew organically and by demand, with chapters in over 100 cities worldwide. By combining multimedia slideshows with potluck dinners, Slideluck carved out a dynamic, inspiring and unique platform which infused the arts community with a non-commercial vitality and refreshing exchange. The evenings began with dining on the attendee’s home-cooked dishes while mingling in a relaxed and spirited atmosphere. Following the potluck, the lights dimmed and the crowd hushed as a spectacular slideshow commenced.
Curated tightly around a compelling theme, 20 local artists - from art world icons to those who had never shown work publicly before - presented 5 minute pieces in each slideshow. Roughly 10,000 artists participated in Slidelucks around the world, including Chuck Close, Lauren Greenfield, Elliott Erwitt, Shepard Fairey, Gregory Crewdson, Alex Prager, Spencer Tunick, Edward Burtynsky and Inez & Vinoodh.
The model was exceptionally scalable and as engaging with 50 attendees as it was with a thousand. Though consistent in feel, each event was singular. The venues were fresh (vast photo studios, grand hotels, art museums, World Heritage Sites); the partners unique (art fairs, festivals, breweries, magazines, universities, embassies) and the press coverage varied (The New York Times, NPR, VOGUE Italia, Fox News, ELLE Paris, The New Yorker). The attendees varied depending on which artists were selected - as did their favorite homemade dishes.
Named one of the New York 100 "most innovative, rule-breaking, model-changing ideas to come out of the Big Apple,” Slideluck published art books, launched careers, enabled collaborations, initiated romantic partnerships and broke the Guinness World Record for the Largest Potluck on Earth in 2011. In addition, the Slideluck Youth Initiative empowered students in underserved communities and Slideluck Editorial pushed the boundaries of multimedia storytelling.
From the Slideluck headquarters at Sandbox Studios in Brooklyn, a team of passionate and dedicated staff and volunteers supported numerous endeavors, including the local and regional Slideluck directors planning events around the globe, a Youth Initiative with chapters in four states and activities abroad, as well as special projects to benefit the victims of hurricanes, floods and fires.But more than anything else, for 18 years Slideluck brought people together in a unique, inspiring and authentic way to appreciate food, art and those around them.