Image by Eye Level ArtImage by 20091030-eye.jpg If you can dish out $1K for the premier level, you can sport this cool bit of iconography -- and, you know, support the gallery.

Continuing their push to immerse a new generation in the tradition of art appreciation, Eye Level Art is spinning the concept of a gallery by doing many events and offering membership program.

Read more stories on this subject in our Eye Level Art topic page.On it's head the idea is simple: It's a gallery that throws lots of events, so buy a membership to get more perks and discounts on admission.

Memberships start at $25 and $45 and will get you special invites to private events, discounts, and so on. 

So that's it in a nutshell, but if you'd like to hear my musings on the concept, keep reading ... 

The social effect of the member program probably deeper reaching. Consider how this will make the gallery's patrons more frequent visitors, increasing the likelihood that one who is simply a party goer will be converted to one who also has a meaningful appreciation of art.

It's an interesting way to reach out to the new generation that approaches things from a different angle.

I don't have the background to tell if it's been done in other cities, but it certainly seems unique in Charleston, perhaps getting only incidental competition from Kulture Klash. 

At any rate, the membership program officially launches on Halloween, coinciding with the gallery's Dark Arts Ball.

Here's more details: Membership levels, FAQ, and press release.

Oh, and just as I was rounding this out their new section & blog went live; you can learn oodles more over there.