Now call me old fashioned, but I remember my grade school putting quite a lot of time into each student's artistic side. Not just glue and glitter, but serious study, of the drawings of Leonardo Da Vinci. I remember the teacher talking about him like they were old buds, Leonardo did this and Leonardo did that. In fact, she never said Da Vinci. In my innocence, I said, "Leonardo is one of my ancestors." Which flabbergasted my young teacher. She was absolutely sure that I was not, but I insisted. Leonardo Saladino, from Sicily He is my great grandfather. Then she realized her mistake. Anyway, I recall writing papers about Fauvists, about Picasso and Robert Smithson. Remember the guy who built Spiral Jetty in the Great Salt Lake? In fact, before I got to middle school, I had the opportunity to produce films and build massive papier mache' creatures. Crafting an art city is as exhilarating and as fun as those early art adventures, but the materials, the substance you have to use to create your larger environment is people. To create an art city requires commitment and tenacity, but the rewards are multi-fold and great compared to the actual time you spend contributing to the project.
Listening to Wisconsin Public Radio the other day, they had a whole hour about scoring art cities and I am drawing on what they said about it to some extent, but I have also been a foot soldier in the process of artsy-ing up whatever places I have traveled through on my life's adventures, whether it was making films in Colorado or painting signs in Union City or Ashland or wearing epic Halloween costumes that made the newspaper, or doing the same with my own children. Creating an art city is inter-generational. It breathes, from the tiniest first breaths to the last death rattle. The art communities that I have been a part of virtually vibrated, resonating with the combined energies of a whole cadre of folks who were more than neighbors, they were friends who were closer than some of our own families. co creators of events, rituals and rites that only occurred between us, for the moment, yet suspended beyond time through channeling our creative energies which almost magically complemented one another and created something out of next to nothing. This is a lot of words to say that whether we were painting murals or hosting an art fair, making theater or rocking out at a festival, the buzz was us.
First and foremost an art city needs to be walkable. The more impediments to radical pedestrian-ism, the harder it is to create a sense of community. Now, like any other art, the science of this can be thrown completely out the window if the participants are committed enough to getting around to see one another regularly. If any community seeks to become more of an art city, it is possible, but certain sacrifices need to be made. Even in the places where we were isolated, we were able to get to town to participate, organize and instigate way of bringing art to the community. you can check your city's walkability score at walkscore. This is also possible by having vibrant retail/service areas close to plenty of population density. Generally speaking, within a mile or two at most you should be able to get nearly every type of retail and/or service business that you might need. The closer the better. Within this, having some nice green space for gathering never hurts.
another factor that is critical is NO CHAIN STORES! Independent local operators are open to quirky, in fact, they thrive on it. The types of tourists that will flock to art cities are not looking for the same old Burger King or Wal-Mart they could see at home, they want unique texture and local flavor. Family-owned businesses and co-ops involve more local people in decision-making and make it possible for everyone to work symbiotically to push for the betterment of all.
There are legions of "creatives" in every community. Drawing them out and enlisting their cooperation is where the true creativity that makes things hum lies. Once you uncork the reservoir, however, watch the fun begin. The art cities that exist today did not spring up like mushrooms overnight, but once a few people discover the liberating sensation of making art, it can be profoundly contagious. On a microcosmic level, I have noticed that people that I have painted artistic signs for, have, in turn, put more effort into making better temporary signs as well. On a macrocosmic level I have enlisted dozens of bored young people to help paint a mural on an old concrete abutment, in the coal regions of Pa (Pennsylvania), and seen it stop graffiti for generations. When beauty starts to break out in any community, you would be surprised at how it affects the rest of the population. Perhaps the most sublime change is created because somewhere, often in surprising places, there are repressed folks who see the art and are urged by their own passion to reciprocate by making something of their own.
Making your city more of an art city requires increasing the opportunities for residents to have creative occupations. I have seen home school groups hire an art teacher, that led her to be able to stay in the community and do her own art as well as patronize many of the local shops. sign painters are always in demand and the "Quick Signs" type places are often part of a mega chain or at least their materials are from one. Unique Craft versus hum-drum quantity is always an issue. creatives can find a niche in so many areas, it is hard to limit the list, but theater folks, graphic artists, writers, teachers, musicians and chefs are the first to come to my mind. I know artists who are landscapers, welders, cobblers, chiropractors, doctors (although these are few) and tailors. Making things can be done artfully and even services can be rendered in creative and fresh ways. Allowing people to be creative is easier in those mom and pop stores as I was mentioning before. If done properly, even running a chamber of commerce can be done with panache' and style, amping up the community through support for the arts. In whatever respect you choose to participate in community, it is possible to bring creativity to your discipline.
Having Arts related not for profit organizations is critical. These groups can draw on the resources in the community, and often over a larger region to enhance individual efforts and provide services to the growing art city. The relationships built through service and shared commitment lead to the tightly knit sense of identity within a community of respected peers. Even committing a few Saturdays each year to an organization can lead to life-long friendships and a sense of belonging that many communities lack.
Finally, Arts related commercial space is the icing on the cake. Being able to host locally-made bling, or pottery, sculpture and art says, "We respect and admire the talents of our neighbors." We feel safe to be ourselves and we are not afraid to do our best, offering our creative efforts for you. I am brought back in time to the North shore of Lake Superior. A restaurant that used the unique locale to full advantage, jutting out into the marina like a dock. Artistically timber framed to strike awe in the guests. Their food was spectacular and came from humble local origins. The sign was one-of a kind and so were the waiters. You guessed it, a thriving art city clinging to the side of a mountain. They had art to purchase right on their walls, like a gallery and even on a cold grey day, the exuberance of the place was infectious.
Developing relationships with other creatives is not as hard as one might think. Just bring artistic flair to your own life and understand that our creative potential never leaves, just our attention to it. Let your own self be more creative and share the fruits of your creative efforts with others. Let them know that their own skills and talents deserve development. Stretch your boundaries, include seeing yourself as a creative, you may never know how wonderful it can feel if you don't at least give it a try.
Listening to Wisconsin Public Radio the other day, they had a whole hour about scoring art cities and I am drawing on what they said about it to some extent, but I have also been a foot soldier in the process of artsy-ing up whatever places I have traveled through on my life's adventures, whether it was making films in Colorado or painting signs in Union City or Ashland or wearing epic Halloween costumes that made the newspaper, or doing the same with my own children. Creating an art city is inter-generational. It breathes, from the tiniest first breaths to the last death rattle. The art communities that I have been a part of virtually vibrated, resonating with the combined energies of a whole cadre of folks who were more than neighbors, they were friends who were closer than some of our own families. co creators of events, rituals and rites that only occurred between us, for the moment, yet suspended beyond time through channeling our creative energies which almost magically complemented one another and created something out of next to nothing. This is a lot of words to say that whether we were painting murals or hosting an art fair, making theater or rocking out at a festival, the buzz was us.
First and foremost an art city needs to be walkable. The more impediments to radical pedestrian-ism, the harder it is to create a sense of community. Now, like any other art, the science of this can be thrown completely out the window if the participants are committed enough to getting around to see one another regularly. If any community seeks to become more of an art city, it is possible, but certain sacrifices need to be made. Even in the places where we were isolated, we were able to get to town to participate, organize and instigate way of bringing art to the community. you can check your city's walkability score at walkscore. This is also possible by having vibrant retail/service areas close to plenty of population density. Generally speaking, within a mile or two at most you should be able to get nearly every type of retail and/or service business that you might need. The closer the better. Within this, having some nice green space for gathering never hurts.
another factor that is critical is NO CHAIN STORES! Independent local operators are open to quirky, in fact, they thrive on it. The types of tourists that will flock to art cities are not looking for the same old Burger King or Wal-Mart they could see at home, they want unique texture and local flavor. Family-owned businesses and co-ops involve more local people in decision-making and make it possible for everyone to work symbiotically to push for the betterment of all.
There are legions of "creatives" in every community. Drawing them out and enlisting their cooperation is where the true creativity that makes things hum lies. Once you uncork the reservoir, however, watch the fun begin. The art cities that exist today did not spring up like mushrooms overnight, but once a few people discover the liberating sensation of making art, it can be profoundly contagious. On a microcosmic level, I have noticed that people that I have painted artistic signs for, have, in turn, put more effort into making better temporary signs as well. On a macrocosmic level I have enlisted dozens of bored young people to help paint a mural on an old concrete abutment, in the coal regions of Pa (Pennsylvania), and seen it stop graffiti for generations. When beauty starts to break out in any community, you would be surprised at how it affects the rest of the population. Perhaps the most sublime change is created because somewhere, often in surprising places, there are repressed folks who see the art and are urged by their own passion to reciprocate by making something of their own.
Making your city more of an art city requires increasing the opportunities for residents to have creative occupations. I have seen home school groups hire an art teacher, that led her to be able to stay in the community and do her own art as well as patronize many of the local shops. sign painters are always in demand and the "Quick Signs" type places are often part of a mega chain or at least their materials are from one. Unique Craft versus hum-drum quantity is always an issue. creatives can find a niche in so many areas, it is hard to limit the list, but theater folks, graphic artists, writers, teachers, musicians and chefs are the first to come to my mind. I know artists who are landscapers, welders, cobblers, chiropractors, doctors (although these are few) and tailors. Making things can be done artfully and even services can be rendered in creative and fresh ways. Allowing people to be creative is easier in those mom and pop stores as I was mentioning before. If done properly, even running a chamber of commerce can be done with panache' and style, amping up the community through support for the arts. In whatever respect you choose to participate in community, it is possible to bring creativity to your discipline.
Having Arts related not for profit organizations is critical. These groups can draw on the resources in the community, and often over a larger region to enhance individual efforts and provide services to the growing art city. The relationships built through service and shared commitment lead to the tightly knit sense of identity within a community of respected peers. Even committing a few Saturdays each year to an organization can lead to life-long friendships and a sense of belonging that many communities lack.
Finally, Arts related commercial space is the icing on the cake. Being able to host locally-made bling, or pottery, sculpture and art says, "We respect and admire the talents of our neighbors." We feel safe to be ourselves and we are not afraid to do our best, offering our creative efforts for you. I am brought back in time to the North shore of Lake Superior. A restaurant that used the unique locale to full advantage, jutting out into the marina like a dock. Artistically timber framed to strike awe in the guests. Their food was spectacular and came from humble local origins. The sign was one-of a kind and so were the waiters. You guessed it, a thriving art city clinging to the side of a mountain. They had art to purchase right on their walls, like a gallery and even on a cold grey day, the exuberance of the place was infectious.
Developing relationships with other creatives is not as hard as one might think. Just bring artistic flair to your own life and understand that our creative potential never leaves, just our attention to it. Let your own self be more creative and share the fruits of your creative efforts with others. Let them know that their own skills and talents deserve development. Stretch your boundaries, include seeing yourself as a creative, you may never know how wonderful it can feel if you don't at least give it a try.
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