Trenches: An Ad-Free Social Media Platform for Artists, Curators, Collectors, and the Art-Loving Community
In response to the rise of generative AI and social media companies' data mining artists' works, Trenches is an ad-free social media space where visual artists who create original works by hand can connect with curators, art writers, collectors, dealers, and gallerists. We are dedicated to building a community that celebrates authentic, handmade artwork, ensuring that the focus remains solely on the art and the relationships between creators and art professionals—without the distraction of ads.
Many platforms allow AI-created content and are heavily driven by advertisements, which can dilute the user experience. At Trenches, we provide a clean, ad-free environment for artists and art professionals who value the integrity of traditional, hands-on artistic practices.
Our stance on AI and Ads:
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We do not support the current use of generative AI tools for imagery creation due to ethical and data privacy concerns, and we will not host AI-generated portfolios unless proper legal protections for artists are in place.
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Artists who create by hand—whether through painting, drawing, sculpture, or other mediums—are the core of Trenches. Their work can be discovered by a community of curators, art collectors, and gallerists without the interference of ads or fear of having images of their work mined for AI-data training.
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If regulations are introduced to safeguard artists' rights, any AI-generated content will be clearly labeled, ensuring that human-made art remains easily searchable and recognizable.
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Paid ads are the way other social media companies make their money. More and more ads have contaminated the experience of looking at the art and learning about the artists and their communities. Trenches will not accept advertisers. If the artist would like to promote their works for sale and related activities, then that is fine. Trenches does not look at the artists as advertisers and understands that self-promotion is an essential aspect of gaining recognition. The same is true of galleries and any other facet of the art community wishing to promote what they do but remember, we are not selling ad space!
With Trenches, we aim to create a genuine connection between artists and art professionals in an environment that is free from advertisements and distractions. Curators, collectors, art lovers, and gallerists can explore and engage with real, handmade art, while writers and art enthusiasts can discover new talents and stories—all within a safe platform that values creativity, ethics, and focus.
Welcome to Trenches, a thriving community built for artists, curators, collectors, and art lovers who believe in the power and integrity of art made with one's hands using traditional materials. We are more than just a platform—we are a movement dedicated to preserving the authenticity of traditional artistic practices in a world increasingly dominated by generative AI and ad-driven models.
Our community is grounded in the belief that true art is made by human hands, and we are committed to creating a space where visual artists can thrive, discover, and be discovered. Trenches stands apart as a place where the art takes center stage, uninterrupted by ads or algorithms, allowing for meaningful connections between artists and professionals.
A home for working artists in the Trenches, we recognize that many artists with long-standing practices have labored tirelessly through the ups and downs of their careers as artists. These are the artists "in the trenches," working with dedication and resilience, producing powerful work while riding the waves of the fickle art worlds they may choose to either be a part of, or not. Here, we honor these creators and provide them with a space where their work is seen, appreciated, and celebrated by a community that values the depth of their practice.
Trenches is not just for artists. Curators, collectors, writers, and gallerists are invited to dive deep into a pool of authentic, handmade art. Whether you’re looking for emerging talent or underappreciated veterans of the art world, this is a space where you can discover without distraction. Our platform allows for genuine engagement, thoughtful curation, and real relationships to form between creators and the professionals who champion them.
In Trenches, art speaks for itself. Free from ads, free from AI manipulation—this is where true art belongs. Join us and become part of a community that cherishes the soul of creation.
About
Anna Patalano is a visual artist, master teacher, curator, and managing director of the 112-year-old Greenwich Art Society in Greenwich, CT. Anna's work as a managing director has secured funding from federal arts programs, CT Arts, the Ford Foundation, and other institutions and private donors. As part of her job in helping create exhibition opportunities for local and regional artists, she has engaged with curators from all of the major museums in NYC, employing them as judges for highly competitive, juried exhibitions.
A native of NYC, Anna lived in the Southwest U.S. for many years where she taught at the Univ. of Texas, El Paso and El Paso Community College. She also operated a private, commercial art studio in Albuquerque, NM where she held painting workshops for artists from all over the U.S.
Anna is most recently the founder of The Trenches, a new, AD-FREE social media platform for artists, gallerists, writers, and collectors, designed to protect artists' images from AI mining and provide a safe space for the art community to connect and share without being exploited.
She continues her own studio practice in NY while advocating for artists and thinking of new ways to find meaning as a contemporary artist.