DEFEND YOUNGSTOWN arts
Note: Posting entire Valley24 entry here because it holds dear meaning to me and I would like as much visibility for this writing(cause) as possible. Original publishing found here where mayhaps you care to comment? And the WWYD started in sarcasm but I had too much fun in Photoshop to NOT use it, level of seriousness open to interpretation.
From here on out, new blogations about local topics will be placed under the header term: WWYD.
That is...What Would You Defend?
Today I defend Art Youngstown. Not only the organization that holds this title but also the sum of local people, ideas, goals and aspirations it embodies whether or not they even know they are involved.
In some cities local artists are highly regarded and respected members of society. Larger metropoli have their creative groups organized so well that they even have monthly gallery crawls, where block after block of brightly-lit spaces open up for patrons to view art being made right there in their city. And even better: *it’s a cool thing to do on a friday night.* It's usually accompanied by wine, beer, loud people, eccentric personalities and live music. Where is an artist to proudly display and sell their creations around Youngstown and be celebrated in such a manner? Good question.
In downtown Youngstown there are several cultural niches being filled currently: coffee shops, theaters, bars, technology centers, convention center, etc. What is missing? A local arts gallery. Sure there are other places to exhibit around the region. The McDonough caters to YSU, the Butler to the professionals. The Oakland has a great little space for shows. Warren has TAG, and even the Eastwood Mall has a gallery. The closest thing we have at the moment to a unified show group is the studios of the Mahoning Commons, which is the largest collection of artists working under one roof in our area.
Youngstown is a large enough city to have at LEAST one downtown space dedicated to these creative professionals, there are more than enough artists starved (not intended) for a place to showcase their work. Let’s give it to them! Wouldn’t it be great to retain more professional artists and be able to boast of them as our hometown celebrities? What is there to entice YSU’s blossoming Fine Arts program graduates to remain in the area? Honestly, I’ve let the idea run through my mind many a time to move on to greener pastures if I wanted to have an honest chance in the art world. But with this wonderful globally unifying device called the Internets, I’m beginning to believe that artists CAN choose where they live and still have a proper effect on the world, and perhaps more importantly, their community.
And do we have a group of people motivated to grow this opportunity in the Mahoning Valley? YES finally we do! It’s called Art Youngstown Inc. It has been gaining momentum and progressing more in its potential with every public showing. I've put in some hours helping them with events and promotions such as their online photo gallery, which showcases all artists’ work from the exhibitions. Those dedicated to AYI hope to unite local artists and provide for them what they deserve and what we should have had all along--a public space with easy access to all residents and visitors. Inviting, non-discriminating, non-exclusive. And so far it's gotten incredible response from residents and patrons. We can only hope to keep the momentum up at full speed.
Their intention is to obtain a permanent space downtown, but in the meantime they have been a floating gallery, moving around as owners allow them to borrow rooms. Within weeks they magically transform a lifeless space into a thriving temporary gallery and then move on, leaving a lasting imprint on the space and in the minds of the viewers that experienced its fleeting aesthic treasury.
This friday March 14, Art Youngstown Inc. has geared up for their Second Exhibition downtown.
It’s being held in the Great Room of the Ohio One building on East Boardman St from 7pm to 10:30pm... leaving plenty of time before or after for you to pack in other events of the evening. It really doesn’t take long to walk around and absorb the visual display of talent, and you never know if you might find a piece just perfect to add to your decor or collection. You get to meet the person who created the painting, sculpture or photograph. It’s way more classy than getting a print out of the bin at Wal*Mart, and a ton more affordable than going after a Warhol original. Most importantly your presence is a present to the arts community, showing interest and support in a group of people who thrive on it.
DEFEND YOUNGSTOWN ARTS
From here on out, new blogations about local topics will be placed under the header term: WWYD.
That is...What Would You Defend?
Today I defend Art Youngstown. Not only the organization that holds this title but also the sum of local people, ideas, goals and aspirations it embodies whether or not they even know they are involved.
In some cities local artists are highly regarded and respected members of society. Larger metropoli have their creative groups organized so well that they even have monthly gallery crawls, where block after block of brightly-lit spaces open up for patrons to view art being made right there in their city. And even better: *it’s a cool thing to do on a friday night.* It's usually accompanied by wine, beer, loud people, eccentric personalities and live music. Where is an artist to proudly display and sell their creations around Youngstown and be celebrated in such a manner? Good question.
In downtown Youngstown there are several cultural niches being filled currently: coffee shops, theaters, bars, technology centers, convention center, etc. What is missing? A local arts gallery. Sure there are other places to exhibit around the region. The McDonough caters to YSU, the Butler to the professionals. The Oakland has a great little space for shows. Warren has TAG, and even the Eastwood Mall has a gallery. The closest thing we have at the moment to a unified show group is the studios of the Mahoning Commons, which is the largest collection of artists working under one roof in our area.
Youngstown is a large enough city to have at LEAST one downtown space dedicated to these creative professionals, there are more than enough artists starved (not intended) for a place to showcase their work. Let’s give it to them! Wouldn’t it be great to retain more professional artists and be able to boast of them as our hometown celebrities? What is there to entice YSU’s blossoming Fine Arts program graduates to remain in the area? Honestly, I’ve let the idea run through my mind many a time to move on to greener pastures if I wanted to have an honest chance in the art world. But with this wonderful globally unifying device called the Internets, I’m beginning to believe that artists CAN choose where they live and still have a proper effect on the world, and perhaps more importantly, their community.
And do we have a group of people motivated to grow this opportunity in the Mahoning Valley? YES finally we do! It’s called Art Youngstown Inc. It has been gaining momentum and progressing more in its potential with every public showing. I've put in some hours helping them with events and promotions such as their online photo gallery, which showcases all artists’ work from the exhibitions. Those dedicated to AYI hope to unite local artists and provide for them what they deserve and what we should have had all along--a public space with easy access to all residents and visitors. Inviting, non-discriminating, non-exclusive. And so far it's gotten incredible response from residents and patrons. We can only hope to keep the momentum up at full speed.
Their intention is to obtain a permanent space downtown, but in the meantime they have been a floating gallery, moving around as owners allow them to borrow rooms. Within weeks they magically transform a lifeless space into a thriving temporary gallery and then move on, leaving a lasting imprint on the space and in the minds of the viewers that experienced its fleeting aesthic treasury.
This friday March 14, Art Youngstown Inc. has geared up for their Second Exhibition downtown.
It’s being held in the Great Room of the Ohio One building on East Boardman St from 7pm to 10:30pm... leaving plenty of time before or after for you to pack in other events of the evening. It really doesn’t take long to walk around and absorb the visual display of talent, and you never know if you might find a piece just perfect to add to your decor or collection. You get to meet the person who created the painting, sculpture or photograph. It’s way more classy than getting a print out of the bin at Wal*Mart, and a ton more affordable than going after a Warhol original. Most importantly your presence is a present to the arts community, showing interest and support in a group of people who thrive on it.
DEFEND YOUNGSTOWN ARTS