Public art

It's been a while! Anyway this is short and sweet. Sometimes it's hard to remember that folks underestimate the value of art. Not neccessarily because they don't appreciate it, but rather they don't consider
the amount of forethought and planning that goes into it. The execution or a piece of public art is a big deal. From surface to maintaince to materials to weather to scaffolding to proper preservation measures to impact on the eye to scaling a draft correctly to preparation to everything else that imacts the final product. Sorry about the lack of punctuation. Anyway I'm done. But just remember all that when you see a mural or ome other form of public art. It's

City government

I met with another group of Springfielders interested in getting some culture going in town. It's the same everywhere in the seveteen neighborhoods in the city: nobobdy has any clue how to connect artists. So, here's the obvious solution: city government has to create a post within city hall for arts and culture. A minister of culture, if you will. Things need to be centralized in Springfield. So much talk and so little action. That's got to change soon or I'll go nuts!

meeting of the minds

I met with Evan Plotkin last Friday to talk about arts in downtown Springfield. Evan's a cool guy with great ideas. I think we can do alot for the cause. At any rate, I'm going to put a call for artists out. Artists who want to be a part of recreating the city's cultural component.
But before that I've got to finish up my Salon at the Academy of Music show in Northampton. I saw the space on Monday--it's great! The Academy of Music gala is Oct. 1; my work will be up for that event, as well. I'll keep my fingers crossed believing that some art lover will invest in my art!

LIttle note

Just completed a painting called Vahine ("woman" in Tahitian) as an ode to one of my fave artists Paul Gaugin. I love reading about artists' lives. It's always a thrill to read about their emotional rollercoasters. Gaugin was really annoying--a deadbeat dad, a self-absorbed whiner, but a true artist nonetheless. All I could think though, when I read his letters was it's no wonder Vincent Van Gogh cut off part of his ear while arguing with Gaugin. I wouldn't want to listen to him either.

Welcome

Don't get your hopes up; this blog will not document any deep dark secrets. Rather, it's just some thoughts about the city of Springfield and the arts and sometimes some random thoughts that I would love you to respond to.

Being an artist in Springfield is not an easy job. There's not alot of culture--at least not for the average person. And thus there's not alot of beauty. Inspite of phenomenal architecture and Forest Park, the city seems determined to drown in cultural mediocrity--or worse. And I can't figure out for the life of me why it just can't come together--especially when you see the arts thrive in other towns and cities. Springfield is as close to imperfect as you can get but it's affordable...it's accessible to major Eastern cities, it's surrounded by ivy league, community, private, and state institutions and it has a museum system! And it's STILL culturally dead! I'm perplexed.

I've lived here for 11 years (nine of them downtown on Mattoon Street) and I have seen so little change in the art community. I go back and forth between being hopeful and disgusted, but mostly (oddly) hopeful. I just can't seem to give up. I have this fantasy about Springfield: one day Main Street will be filled with viable shops, galleries, and eateries. Parking will be a no brainer and there might even be a monthly gallery crawl in the summer months! Maybe even artist living spaces and working studios in one or some of the vacant buildings. Quality of life will draw young professionals and the downtown economy will thrive. It's good to dream!