With the help of 58 Kickstarter backers, Ayla Rexroth and Clayton Skidmore raised $2,773 to cover the installation of a hot tub in their basement apartment, which doubles as an art gallery. The Jacuzzi, which was donated by an exhibiting artist's parents, served as a wet, hot podium for a series of three discussions that included regional curators, artists and an architect. An audience of 30 (mostly Kickstarter backers; $25 donations earned two tickets) squeezed into tiny plastic folding chairs to eavesdrop on a brilliant mix of high- and lowbrow art talk. The Hot Tub Dialogues encouraged speakers to reveal a little more (skin and theory) than usual, when discussing art, life and their careers. File under Best Talent Pool.
