From jane.video at gmail.com Thu Mar 1 08:00:24 2007 From: jane.video at gmail.com (Jane Hudson) Date: Thu, 1 Mar 2007 08:00:24 -0500 Subject: [Forum] creative economy Message-ID: <866D6DF8-9031-4F2B-95A2-5C3F54E0B514@gmail.com> Hi all...sorry to have been so out of the loop lately, but Jeff and I have been working on the shop which is now officially open. North Adams Antiques, 49 Main St., North Adams, MA, 413-662-2221, 10-6 daily (or when we can be there!). Now that's done! I'm writing a piece about the creative economy for an online magazine in Boston (Big Red and Shiny) and would love to hear from the forum what you all think this means. We began to address the subject at our meeting, but drifted into other issues. So if you want to wax utopian or dystopian, or just plain practical, give it a shot here. Thanks, Jane http://officialjeffandjane.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/pipermail/forum/attachments/20070301/224fd7a8/attachment.html From esedarbaum at verizon.net Sat Mar 3 11:34:16 2007 From: esedarbaum at verizon.net (Ed Sedarbaum) Date: Sat, 03 Mar 2007 11:34:16 -0500 Subject: [Forum] A Compendium of Blogs, Sites, and Pages from the Creatively Afflicted of Northern Berkshire Message-ID: <05ff01c75db1$c9aa3c40$6500a8c0@home8017e31a31> (Apologies if this is a duplication.) As suggested at the Feb. 15 Art Forum, a continually growing list of blogs and Web sites from the creative community of Northern Berkshire. Let me know yours and I'll add it. Rachel Barenblat: http://velveteenrabbi.com Rachel's blog: http://velveteenrabbi.blogs.com/blog/ and of course: www.inkberry.org Daniel Beck: http://danielbeck.net Seth Brown: www.RisingPun.com Timothy Callahan: http://geniusboyfiremelon.blogspot.com Kay Canavino: www.kaycanavino.com Ed Carson: www.edcarson.com Sharon Carson: www.sharoncarson.com Edward Cating: www.catingarts.com & http://catingarts.tripod.com Jana Christy: www.janachristy.com Howard Cruse: www.howardcruse.com Howard's blog: www.howardcruse.com/loosecruse Steven Dansky: http://www.StevenDansky.com Barry Goldstein: http://www.bgoldstein.net/ Joe Goodwin: www.jgoodwinstudio.com Jerid Hohn: www.newenglandconceptual.com Jane and Jeff Hudson: http://officialjeffandjane.com Jane's blog: http://myspace.com/videoart1 Ross Jacobs: www.Berkshiresense.blogspot.com Kurt Kolok (Kolok Gallery): http://www.kolokgallery.com Blog: http://www.kolokgallery.com/wordpress/ Myspace: http://myspace.com/kolokgallery David Lane: http://www.porchlightpaintings.blogspot.com/ Joe Manning: www.morningsonmaplestreet.com John Mitchell: www.lastvisibledog.org/blog. Viola Moriarty: www.violamoriarty.com Jennifer K. Mulcahy: http://www.beyond3sigma.com Art store: http://jmulcahy.etsy.com Art website: http://www.jenniferkmulcahy.com Jared Polens: http://www.wintergreentrio.com Len "Doc" Radin: Drury H.S. Drama Team: www.drurydrama.com Doc's photographer daughter: http://bengal.missouri.edu/~kdgrz9/DMCGWS06/project3_website/index.html Greg Scheckler: http://www.GregScheckler.com Ed Sedarbaum: http://mysite.verizon.net/esedarbaum/resume (Okay, so I'm not an artist, and it's a resume, not a website. But I'm the one who put this list together and I wanted to be in it. And you have to admit it's a very websitish resume.) Laini Sporbert: www.railwaycafe.org Joshua Szmajda: http://haven.loki.ws Megan Whilden's www.culturalpittsfield.com (and sign up for the Cultural Pittsfield This Week e-mail newsletter) Adam Zaretsky: www.emutagen.com & www.ovarium.org & www.pfarm.org/ussmeac.pdf -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/pipermail/forum/attachments/20070303/d3c89c40/attachment.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpeg Size: 40016 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/pipermail/forum/attachments/20070303/d3c89c40/attachment.jpe From joshua at joshuafield.com Sat Mar 3 18:57:19 2007 From: joshua at joshuafield.com (Joshua Field) Date: Sat, 03 Mar 2007 18:57:19 -0500 Subject: [Forum] Studio Available in downtown Pittsfield: $50 a month, plus 5 hours a month of volunteer time In-Reply-To: <05ff01c75db1$c9aa3c40$6500a8c0@home8017e31a31> References: <05ff01c75db1$c9aa3c40$6500a8c0@home8017e31a31> Message-ID: <45EA0B5F.9000603@joshuafield.com> Studio Available in downtown Pittsfield The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, a city-owned community arts center in downtown Pittsfield, features nine artist studios for working artists. Currently our smallest studio is available for rent. It is approximately 12 feet by 10 feet, with high ceilings, and a large window facing north. Rent is $50 a month, plus 5 hours a month of volunteer time. To schedule a time to see the space, please contact Lichtenstein manager Kristen Luttinen at kluttinen at pittsfieldch.com or 413-499-9348. You will also need to fill out an application. -- // www.joshuafield.com // joshua at joshuafield.com // +1 [413] 329-4789 // 121 Union Street, Studio 1E // North Adams, MA 01247 USA From jane.video at gmail.com Sun Mar 4 16:37:39 2007 From: jane.video at gmail.com (Jane Hudson) Date: Sun, 4 Mar 2007 16:37:39 -0500 Subject: [Forum] The Gallery at North Adams Antiques Message-ID: <31A3D5AE-14E9-45F4-970A-27E0539704C7@gmail.com> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE North Adams Antiques 49 Main St. North Adams, MA 01247 Jeff and Jane Hudson, artists from North Adams, are proud to announce the opening of North Adams Antiques, a gallery of collectible decorative and fine art objects. Drawing from the aesthetic resources of the Berkshires for Mission and Arts and Crafts furniture, ceramics, and vintage art and photography, the shop will also include a variety of Persian rugs in tribal designs, slag glass lamps and other lighting fixtures, as well as assorted silver and glassware. The work of some local as well as nationally recognized artists will also be included in periodic installations in the Gallery at North Adams Antiques. The Spring Group Show in the Gallery will open Saturday, March 24, 2007, 3:00-6:00 PM and run through May 20. Artists included in the exhibition are: Joseph Beuys, Fritz Buehner, Brantner DeAtley, Dan Field, Laurie Hogin, Douglas Huebler, Jane Hudson, Jeff Hudson, Brian Jewett, Cindy Lewis, Piotr Parda, Shoshanna Phillips, Katherine Porter, Rachel Porter and Diana Wolczak. The Hudsons have taken over the space on Main Street previously occupied by Papyri Books, which has now moved to its new location on Eagle Street. The addition of North Adams Antiques will contribute to the shopping options in the downtown area. Starting March 1, the shop will be open Wed.-Sun., 10-6. After Memorial Day, hours will be extended. For more information call 413-622-2221, or email Visit our website at http://www.northadamsantiques.com ??Storefront on Main St., North Adams ?'Brightness' by Piotr Parda, oil on board ?'Fashion Victim' by Laurie Hogin, oil on canvas ?North Adams Antiques interior -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/pipermail/forum/attachments/20070304/732ccccf/attachment.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: e card gallery 3 keeper!!.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 217486 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/pipermail/forum/attachments/20070304/732ccccf/attachment.jpg -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/pipermail/forum/attachments/20070304/732ccccf/attachment-0001.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... 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URL: http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/pipermail/forum/attachments/20070304/732ccccf/attachment-0005.html From jane.video at gmail.com Mon Mar 5 15:03:00 2007 From: jane.video at gmail.com (Jane Hudson) Date: Mon, 5 Mar 2007 15:03:00 -0500 Subject: [Forum] Meeting Notes Message-ID: <5BBEE68E-551C-41C4-BF26-77CE7DD08BCC@gmail.com> Veronica Bosley kindly provided these comprehensive notes from the January meeting. There is a lot of content for further discussion. Thanks Veronica!! Meeting notes: submitted by Veronica Bosley Recap of January Northern Berkshire Community Coalition meeting abut Artists and Arts Community in the Berkshires Intros/those in attendance at meeting and associated occupations & organizations (please excuse any misspellings): Jonathan Secor: Director of Special Programs at MCLA Dan Field: Artist, Owner of Widgitz Noman Thomas: Painter Howard Cruse: Cartoonist/Teacher Jason Morin: Digital Artist, owner of ? Kurt Kolok: Owner, Kolok Gallery Josh Field: Artist/Graphic Designer Mia Singer: Artist Zhee Singer: Artist Gail Burns: Writer, Theatre Critic (www.gailsez.com) Mark Mulherrin: Artist, Teacher, Writer for iBerkshires Sally Sussman: Visual Artist, Teacher Leanne Jewett: Writer, Business Owner Brian Jewett: Artist Sharon Carson: Painter Karen Kane: Painter, Writer Dianne Sullivan: Artist, Teacher Dot Rasbird: Business owner, Teacher, Artist John Sherman: Designer, Theater Rachel Porter: Ceramicist, Teacher, SVC Coordinator Greg Scheckler: Artist, MCLA Professor Sandra Thomas: Director of Images Cinema, Willinet, Cultural Council Debbie Pendell, painter, printmaker Barry Goldstein: Photographer, Teacher Glen Shalan: Owner of Stained Glass Studio, MASS MoCA volunteer, Cultural Council, Music Community Susan Groves: Berkshire Community College ? Visual Arts and Film Ed Sedarbaum: NBCC, politics, community organizer John Leary: ? Veronica Bosley: Program Coordinator, Berkshire Cultural Resource Center, MASS MoCA tour guide, Conference Coordinator at Williams College Jane Hudson: Video Atist, Photographer, Teacher, Open Studios Organizer Charles Bonenti, Arts Editor/Critic for Berkshire Eagle Rob Cubie_____: Artist Rebecca DeWitt: Director of Northern Berkshire Community Arts Hezzie Phillips: Director, Contemporary Artists Center John ____: Artist Martha Rose, artists____: Some of the issues of interest raised during the introductions: How artists and the arts community can work with the traditions and lifestyles of the already standing general community in order to integrate ourselves? If we have reached some kind of critical mass (which most of us think we have) how can we make the Northern Berkshires an arts destination instead of a community made up of individual studios, galleries, etc.? The arts community needs to come up with a ?business plan? with very specific goals and methods to reach those goals in order for any of our ideas to go forward. How can we identify certain goals and areas of interest and then effectively implement those ideas? How can we use local media (t.v., radio, internet) to further our causes/spread word of our events? Is the current artist community of the Northern Berkshires like new immigrants, with separate living areas, separate culture, separate identity from that of the rest of the community? Thoughts on geography of the Berkshires in relation to arts community: Traditionally the Berkshires have been isolated from major cities, etc. Now that is changing due to innovations in technology and communications so that artists can make a living through internet sales/publicity. It makes it possible for a artists to support themselves outside of major urban centers. Role of technology in relation to arts community: There was an overall consensus that technology is now a major part of the arts economy and most artists lives. Jason Morin will be designing this year?s Open Studios webpage Kurt Kolok is currently writing a blog featured on the webpage of the Kolok Gallery, and proposed that we get a list of all arts-related blogs and get them together in one place. Ed Sedarbaum offered to send rounds of e-mails where we can get a comprehensive list of people?s websites who are involved with the local creative community The local access stations will soon have the technology to have streaming video and videos on download. Politics: Some people want to organize the arts community around particular agendas or issues, as the community has enough members to hold a significant amount of votes in the area Sandra Thomas from Images said that she wants to organize groups of artists to go to the North Adams City Council meetings. People commented that in order to be successful in politics or have political influence in the area artists need to become more involved with community activities, events, politics ? we can not just decide to run for a position and win if we are not part of the rest of the community Artists need to come together and organize for a successful political campaign or to hold political power in the area. People also noted that we need to look at the context of the area?s politics ? do city council members have any political sway? How likely is it artists can break into the political world, etc? Do we have any influence with city council members? It was stated that we need to actively support those in politics who are supporting us. People like Dan Bosley or Ben Downing, who are supporters of many arts programs and initiatives. Maybe we should invite local officials like Megan Whilden, from the Mayor?s Office in Pittsfield or other local officials (especially those involved with arts and tourist industries) to our meetings. It was concluded that the arts community needs to become involved with the local community, we need to get people with connections in various local institutions, etc. MASS MoCA: People mentioned that the arts community is paternalistic, and MASS MoCA is the type of world-class arts institution that should be having a ?trickle-down? effect. It was suggested that MASS MoCA should be more supportive of local artists by having a gallery or some sort of space dedicated to the exhibition of local artwork. There seemed to be a general consensus that MASS MoCA could be doing more to support the local arts community and the creative economy ? particularly in relation to smaller non-profits and individual artists. Some people suggested that we should entirely forget about MASS MoCA and try to operate autonomously, and others argued that this is impossible, as the arts community is located here because of MASS MoCA and other similar, large institutions. How artists can become more connected (public forums and physical locations): ArtStart (www.berkshireartstart.org) Offers open forum for artists, announcements, arts calendars ?Drinking Liberally? ? North Adams Chapter (www.drinkingliberally.org), a place to get together and talk politics over a few drinks. Going to local bars or other public spaces that the rest of the community frequents ie: Freightyard Pub. Organizing ?mixers? where arts community can get to know one another ? Jonathan Secor offered Gallery 51 as a site for one of these gatherings. The gallery also has openings the last Thursday of every month. Ed Sedarbaum mentioned a monthly ?Second-Sunday Potluck for the Creatively Afflicted? -- he will invite everyone on the artist list- serve. Misc: Howard Cruse is going to start a Zine called the ?North County Perk? and will be looking for cartooning, writing, etc. You can get info on this at www.howardcruse.com , and Howard?s e-mail address is on there as well. ? http://officialjeffandjane.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/pipermail/forum/attachments/20070305/48cd11c7/attachment.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Meeting notes, ArtForum at Eclipse Mill.doc Type: application/octet-stream Size: 35840 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/pipermail/forum/attachments/20070305/48cd11c7/attachment.obj -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/pipermail/forum/attachments/20070305/48cd11c7/attachment-0001.html From kurt at kolokgallery.com Mon Mar 5 15:51:10 2007 From: kurt at kolokgallery.com (Kurt Kolok) Date: Mon, 05 Mar 2007 15:51:10 -0500 Subject: [Forum] Meeting Notes In-Reply-To: <5BBEE68E-551C-41C4-BF26-77CE7DD08BCC@gmail.com> References: <5BBEE68E-551C-41C4-BF26-77CE7DD08BCC@gmail.com> Message-ID: <45EC82BE.7050503@kolokgallery.com> Thanks to Veronica for taking notes. I would like to make sure that my comments re: Mass MoCA are captured as I believe they represent a viewpoint not mentioned in the existing notes. Mass MoCA was VERY supportive of the Open Studios event by including it in their fall calendar brochure, by being very receptive to working out the "free admission" details even though that was not planned, and by mentioning the OS event for a Wall Street Journal article. (On a side note--I spoke with several attendees that weekend who came specifically because they read the Wall Street Journal piece). MoCA leadership appears to be much more receptive and supportive when presented with a specific, detailed and well-organized plan and approached with very specific requests. Thanks, Kurt Jane Hudson wrote: > Veronica Bosley kindly provided these comprehensive notes from the > January meeting. There is a lot of content for further discussion. > Thanks Veronica!! > > Meeting notes: submitted by Veronica Bosley > > Recap of January Northern Berkshire Community Coalition meeting abut > Artists and Arts Community in the Berkshires > > Intros/those in attendance at meeting and associated occupations & > organizations (please excuse any misspellings): > > Jonathan Secor: Director of Special Programs at MCLA > Dan Field: Artist, Owner of Widgitz > Noman Thomas: Painter > Howard Cruse: Cartoonist/Teacher > Jason Morin: Digital Artist, owner of ? > Kurt Kolok: Owner, Kolok Gallery > Josh Field: Artist/Graphic Designer > Mia Singer: Artist > Zhee Singer: Artist > Gail Burns: Writer, Theatre Critic (www.gailsez.com > ) > Mark Mulherrin: Artist, Teacher, Writer for iBerkshires > Sally Sussman: Visual Artist, Teacher > Leanne Jewett: Writer, Business Owner > Brian Jewett: Artist > Sharon Carson: Painter > Karen Kane: Painter, Writer > Dianne Sullivan: Artist, Teacher > Dot Rasbird: Business owner, Teacher, Artist > John Sherman: Designer, Theater > Rachel Porter: Ceramicist, Teacher, SVC Coordinator > Greg Scheckler: Artist, MCLA Professor > Sandra Thomas: Director of Images Cinema, Willinet, Cultural Council > Debbie Pendell, painter, printmaker > Barry Goldstein: Photographer, Teacher > Glen Shalan: Owner of Stained Glass Studio, MASS MoCA volunteer, > Cultural Council, Music Community > Susan Groves: Berkshire Community College ? Visual Arts and Film > Ed Sedarbaum: NBCC, politics, community organizer > John Leary: ? > Veronica Bosley: Program Coordinator, Berkshire Cultural Resource > Center, MASS MoCA tour guide, Conference Coordinator at Williams College > Jane Hudson: Video Atist, Photographer, Teacher, Open Studios Organizer > Charles Bonenti, Arts Editor/Critic for Berkshire Eagle > Rob Cubie_____: Artist > Rebecca DeWitt: Director of Northern Berkshire Community Arts > Hezzie Phillips: Director, Contemporary Artists Center > John ____: Artist > Martha Rose, artists____: > Some of the issues of interest raised during the introductions: > > > > How artists and the arts community can work with the traditions and > lifestyles of the already standing general community in order to > integrate ourselves? > > > > If we have reached some kind of critical mass (which most of us think > we have) how can we make the Northern Berkshires an arts destination > instead of a community made up of individual studios, galleries, etc.? > > > > The arts community needs to come up with a ?business plan? with very > specific goals and methods to reach those goals in order for any of > our ideas to go forward. How can we identify certain goals and areas > of interest and then effectively implement those ideas? > > > > How can we use local media (t.v., radio, internet) to further our > causes/spread word of our events? > > > > Is the current artist community of the Northern Berkshires like new > immigrants, with separate living areas, separate culture, separate > identity from that of the rest of the community? > > > > Thoughts on geography of the Berkshires in relation to arts community: > > > > Traditionally the Berkshires have been isolated from major cities, > etc. Now that is changing due to innovations in technology and > communications so that artists can make a living through internet > sales/publicity. It makes it possible for a artists to support > themselves outside of major urban centers. > > > > Role of technology in relation to arts community: > > > > There was an overall consensus that technology is now a major part of > the arts economy and most artists lives. > > > > Jason Morin will be designing this year?s Open Studios webpage > > > > Kurt Kolok is currently writing a blog featured on the webpage of the > Kolok Gallery, and proposed that we get a list of all arts-related > blogs and get them together in one place. > > > > Ed Sedarbaum offered to send rounds of e-mails where we can get a > comprehensive list of people?s websites who are involved with the > local creative community > > > > The local access stations will soon have the technology to have > streaming video and videos on download. > > > > > > > > Politics: > > > > Some people want to organize the arts community around particular > agendas or issues, as the community has enough members to hold a > significant amount of votes in the area > > > > Sandra Thomas from Images said that she wants to organize groups of > artists to go to the North Adams City Council meetings. > > > > People commented that in order to be successful in politics or have > political influence in the area artists need to become more involved > with community activities, events, politics ? we can not just decide > to run for a position and win if we are not part of the rest of the > community > > > > Artists need to come together and organize for a successful political > campaign or to hold political power in the area. > > > > People also noted that we need to look at the context of the area?s > politics ? do city council members have any political sway? How likely > is it artists can break into the political world, etc? Do we have any > influence with city council members? > > > > It was stated that we need to actively support those in politics who > are supporting us. People like Dan Bosley or Ben Downing, who are > supporters of many arts programs and initiatives. > > > > Maybe we should invite local officials like Megan Whilden, from the > Mayor?s Office in Pittsfield or other local officials (especially > those involved with arts and tourist industries) to our meetings. > > > > It was concluded that the arts community needs to become involved with > the local community, we need to get people with connections in various > local institutions, etc. > > > > MASS MoCA: > > > > People mentioned that the arts community is paternalistic, and MASS > MoCA is the type of world-class arts institution that should be having > a ?trickle-down? effect. > > > > It was suggested that MASS MoCA should be more supportive of local > artists by having a gallery or some sort of space dedicated to the > exhibition of local artwork. > > > > There seemed to be a general consensus that MASS MoCA could be doing > more to support the local arts community and the creative economy ? > particularly in relation to smaller non-profits and individual artists. > > > > Some people suggested that we should entirely forget about MASS MoCA > and try to operate autonomously, and others argued that this is > impossible, as the arts community is located here because of MASS MoCA > and other similar, large institutions. > > > > How artists can become more connected (public forums and physical > locations): > > > > ArtStart (www.berkshireartstart.org > ) Offers open forum for artists, > announcements, arts calendars > > > > ?Drinking Liberally? ? North Adams Chapter (www.drinkingliberally.org > ), a place to get together and talk > politics over a few drinks. > > > > Going to local bars or other public spaces that the rest of the > community frequents ie: Freightyard Pub. > > > > Organizing ?mixers? where arts community can get to know one another ? > Jonathan Secor offered Gallery 51 as a site for one of these > gatherings. The gallery also has openings the last Thursday of every > month. > > > > Ed Sedarbaum mentioned a monthly ?Second-Sunday Potluck for the > Creatively Afflicted? -- he will invite everyone on the artist list-serve. > > > > Misc: > > > > Howard Cruse is going to start a Zine called the ?North County Perk? > and will be looking for cartooning, writing, etc. You can get info on > this at www.howardcruse.com , and > Howard?s e-mail address is on there as well. > > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > http://officialjeffandjane.com > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > Forum mailing list > Forum at berkshirevisualarts.org > http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/mailman/listinfo/forum > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/pipermail/forum/attachments/20070305/c7d72a4f/attachment.html From esedarbaum at verizon.net Mon Mar 5 18:23:55 2007 From: esedarbaum at verizon.net (Ed Sedarbaum) Date: Mon, 05 Mar 2007 18:23:55 -0500 Subject: [Forum] Meeting Notes References: <5BBEE68E-551C-41C4-BF26-77CE7DD08BCC@gmail.com> Message-ID: <006701c75f7d$589d4100$6500a8c0@home8017e31a31> Yes, thank you, indeed, Veronica, for taking such careful notes. And for doing the work of organizing them so coherently. One direct result of the meeting -- and an apparently successful one -- is this very list-serve we are communicating on. I've received a number of worthwhile notices, and so far we haven't fallen into any argumentation. That's great. Here's my question: Do folks want to continue these "conversations"? If so, should they be organized around a theme, or should we just go around the room again and see what the consensus topic happens to be that night? I'd be happy to take a hand in pulling together the next conversation, assuming someone would share the load. We would need a place to hold it. (The mill was a great space, but I don't live there, so I can't very well volunteer it.) And really, that's about all. My impulse is not to demand too much formal organizing of people in order to make this happen. The Open Studio planning has just begun (thank you, Sharon), and that might be a more important recipient of people's organizing energy. But getting together to talk? That should be easy, and we can see where it goes from there. I don't want to speak for other people, so if people have other suggestions about what to do about our conversations -- including dump them -- let's all put our ideas out there and see what takes hold of people's imagination. Ed ----- Original Message ----- From: Jane Hudson To: FORUM Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 3:03 PM Subject: [Forum] Meeting Notes Veronica Bosley kindly provided these comprehensive notes from the January meeting. There is a lot of content for further discussion. Thanks Veronica!! Meeting notes: submitted by Veronica Bosley ? Recap of January Northern Berkshire Community Coalition meeting abut Artists and Arts Community in the Berkshires ? Intros/those in attendance at meeting and associated occupations & organizations (please excuse any misspellings): ? Jonathan Secor: Director of Special Programs at MCLA Dan Field: Artist, Owner of Widgitz Noman Thomas: Painter Howard Cruse: Cartoonist/Teacher Jason Morin: Digital Artist, owner of ? Kurt Kolok: Owner, Kolok Gallery Josh Field: Artist/Graphic Designer Mia Singer: Artist Zhee Singer: Artist Gail Burns: Writer, Theatre Critic (www.gailsez.com) Mark Mulherrin: Artist, Teacher, Writer for iBerkshires Sally Sussman: Visual Artist, Teacher Leanne Jewett: Writer, Business Owner Brian Jewett: Artist Sharon Carson: Painter Karen Kane: Painter, Writer Dianne Sullivan: Artist, Teacher Dot Rasbird: Business owner, Teacher, Artist John Sherman: Designer, Theater Rachel Porter: Ceramicist, Teacher, SVC Coordinator Greg Scheckler: Artist, MCLA Professor Sandra Thomas: Director of Images Cinema, Willinet, Cultural Council Debbie Pendell, painter, printmaker Barry Goldstein: Photographer, Teacher Glen Shalan: Owner of Stained Glass Studio, MASS MoCA volunteer, Cultural Council, Music Community Susan Groves: Berkshire Community College ? Visual Arts and Film Ed Sedarbaum: NBCC, politics, community organizer John Leary: ? Veronica Bosley: Program Coordinator, Berkshire Cultural Resource Center, MASS MoCA tour guide, Conference Coordinator at Williams College Jane Hudson: Video Atist, Photographer, Teacher, Open Studios Organizer Charles Bonenti, Arts Editor/Critic for Berkshire Eagle Rob Cubie_____: Artist Rebecca DeWitt: Director of Northern Berkshire Community Arts Hezzie Phillips: Director, Contemporary Artists Center John ____: Artist Martha Rose, artists____: Some of the issues of interest raised during the introductions: ? How artists and the arts community can work with the traditions and lifestyles of the already standing general community in order to integrate ourselves? ? If we have reached some kind of critical mass (which most of us think we have) how can we make the Northern Berkshires an arts destination instead of a community made up of individual studios, galleries, etc.? ? The arts community needs to come up with a ?business plan? with very specific goals and methods to reach those goals in order for any of our ideas to go forward. How can we identify certain goals and areas of interest and then effectively implement those ideas? ? How can we use local media (t.v., radio, internet) to further our causes/spread word of our events? ? Is the current artist community of the Northern Berkshires like new immigrants, with separate living areas, separate culture, separate identity from that of the rest of the community? ? Thoughts on geography of the Berkshires in relation to arts community: ? Traditionally the Berkshires have been isolated from major cities, etc. Now that is changing due to innovations in technology and communications so that artists can make a living through internet sales/publicity. It makes it possible for a artists to support themselves outside of major urban centers. ? Role of technology in relation to arts community: ? There was an overall consensus that technology is now a major part of the arts economy and most artists lives. ? Jason Morin will be designing this year?s Open Studios webpage ? Kurt Kolok is currently writing a blog featured on the webpage of the Kolok Gallery, and proposed that we get a list of all arts-related blogs and get them together in one place. ? Ed Sedarbaum offered to send rounds of e-mails where we can get a comprehensive list of people?s websites who are involved with the local creative community ? The local access stations will soon have the technology to have streaming video and videos on download. ? ? ? Politics: ? Some people want to organize the arts community around particular agendas or issues, as the community has enough members to hold a significant amount of votes in the area ? Sandra Thomas from Images said that she wants to organize groups of artists to go to the North Adams City Council meetings. ? People commented that in order to be successful in politics or have political influence in the area artists need to become more involved with community activities, events, politics ? we can not just decide to run for a position and win if we are not part of the rest of the community ? Artists need to come together and organize for a successful political campaign or to hold political power in the area. ? People also noted that we need to look at the context of the area?s politics ? do city council members have any political sway? How likely is it artists can break into the political world, etc? Do we have any influence with city council members? ? It was stated that we need to actively support those in politics who are supporting us. People like Dan Bosley or Ben Downing, who are supporters of many arts programs and initiatives. ? Maybe we should invite local officials like Megan Whilden, from the Mayor?s Office in Pittsfield or other local officials (especially those involved with arts and tourist industries) to our meetings. ? It was concluded that the arts community needs to become involved with the local community, we need to get people with connections in various local institutions, etc. ? MASS MoCA: ? People mentioned that the arts community is paternalistic, and MASS MoCA is the type of world-class arts institution that should be having a ?trickle-down? effect. ? It was suggested that MASS MoCA should be more supportive of local artists by having a gallery or some sort of space dedicated to the exhibition of local artwork. ? There seemed to be a general consensus that MASS MoCA could be doing more to support the local arts community and the creative economy ? particularly in relation to smaller non-profits and individual artists. ? Some people suggested that we should entirely forget about MASS MoCA and try to operate autonomously, and others argued that this is impossible, as the arts community is located here because of MASS MoCA and other similar, large institutions. ? How artists can become more connected (public forums and physical locations): ? ArtStart (www.berkshireartstart.org) Offers open forum for artists, announcements, arts calendars ? ?Drinking Liberally? ? North Adams Chapter (www.drinkingliberally.org), a place to get together and talk politics over a few drinks. ? Going to local bars or other public spaces that the rest of the community frequents ie: Freightyard Pub. ? Organizing ?mixers? where arts community can get to know one another ? Jonathan Secor offered Gallery 51 as a site for one of these gatherings. The gallery also has openings the last Thursday of every month. ? Ed Sedarbaum mentioned a monthly ?Second-Sunday Potluck for the Creatively Afflicted? -- he will invite everyone on the artist list-serve. ? Misc: ? Howard Cruse is going to start a Zine called the ?North County Perk? and will be looking for cartooning, writing, etc. You can get info on this at www.howardcruse.com , and Howard?s e-mail address is on there as well. ? ? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://officialjeffandjane.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Veronica Bosley kindly provided these comprehensive notes from the January meeting. There is a lot of content for further discussion. Thanks Veronica!! Meeting notes: submitted by Veronica Bosley Recap of January Northern Berkshire Community Coalition meeting abut Artists and Arts Community in the Berkshires Intros/those in attendance at meeting and associated occupations & organizations (please excuse any misspellings): Jonathan Secor: Director of Special Programs at MCLA Dan Field: Artist, Owner of Widgitz Noman Thomas: Painter Howard Cruse: Cartoonist/Teacher Jason Morin: Digital Artist, owner of ? Kurt Kolok: Owner, Kolok Gallery Josh Field: Artist/Graphic Designer Mia Singer: Artist Zhee Singer: Artist Gail Burns: Writer, Theatre Critic (www.gailsez.com) Mark Mulherrin: Artist, Teacher, Writer for iBerkshires Sally Sussman: Visual Artist, Teacher Leanne Jewett: Writer, Business Owner Brian Jewett: Artist Sharon Carson: Painter Karen Kane: Painter, Writer Dianne Sullivan: Artist, Teacher Dot Rasbird: Business owner, Teacher, Artist John Sherman: Designer, Theater Rachel Porter: Ceramicist, Teacher, SVC Coordinator Greg Scheckler: Artist, MCLA Professor Sandra Thomas: Director of Images Cinema, Willinet, Cultural Council Debbie Pendell, painter, printmaker Barry Goldstein: Photographer, Teacher Glen Shalan: Owner of Stained Glass Studio, MASS MoCA volunteer, Cultural Council, Music Community Susan Groves: Berkshire Community College ? Visual Arts and Film Ed Sedarbaum: NBCC, politics, community organizer John Leary: ? Veronica Bosley: Program Coordinator, Berkshire Cultural Resource Center, MASS MoCA tour guide, Conference Coordinator at Williams College Jane Hudson: Video Atist, Photographer, Teacher, Open Studios Organizer Charles Bonenti, Arts Editor/Critic for Berkshire Eagle Rob Cubie_____: Artist Rebecca DeWitt: Director of Northern Berkshire Community Arts Hezzie Phillips: Director, Contemporary Artists Center John ____: Artist Martha Rose, artists____: Some of the issues of interest raised during the introductions: How artists and the arts community can work with the traditions and lifestyles of the already standing general community in order to integrate ourselves? If we have reached some kind of critical mass (which most of us think we have) how can we make the Northern Berkshires an arts destination instead of a community made up of individual studios, galleries, etc.? The arts community needs to come up with a ?business plan? with very specific goals and methods to reach those goals in order for any of our ideas to go forward. How can we identify certain goals and areas of interest and then effectively implement those ideas? How can we use local media (t.v., radio, internet) to further our causes/spread word of our events? Is the current artist community of the Northern Berkshires like new immigrants, with separate living areas, separate culture, separate identity from that of the rest of the community? Thoughts on geography of the Berkshires in relation to arts community: Traditionally the Berkshires have been isolated from major cities, etc. Now that is changing due to innovations in technology and communications so that artists can make a living through internet sales/publicity. It makes it possible for a artists to support themselves outside of major urban centers. Role of technology in relation to arts community: There was an overall consensus that technology is now a major part of the arts economy and most artists lives. Jason Morin will be designing this year?s Open Studios webpage Kurt Kolok is currently writing a blog featured on the webpage of the Kolok Gallery, and proposed that we get a list of all arts-related blogs and get them together in one place. Ed Sedarbaum offered to send rounds of e-mails where we can get a comprehensive list of people?s websites who are involved with the local creative community The local access stations will soon have the technology to have streaming video and videos on download. Politics: Some people want to organize the arts community around particular agendas or issues, as the community has enough members to hold a significant amount of votes in the area Sandra Thomas from Images said that she wants to organize groups of artists to go to the North Adams City Council meetings. People commented that in order to be successful in politics or have political influence in the area artists need to become more involved with community activities, events, politics ? we can not just decide to run for a position and win if we are not part of the rest of the community Artists need to come together and organize for a successful political campaign or to hold political power in the area. People also noted that we need to look at the context of the area?s politics ? do city council members have any political sway? How likely is it artists can break into the political world, etc? Do we have any influence with city council members? It was stated that we need to actively support those in politics who are supporting us. People like Dan Bosley or Ben Downing, who are supporters of many arts programs and initiatives. Maybe we should invite local officials like Megan Whilden, from the Mayor?s Office in Pittsfield or other local officials (especially those involved with arts and tourist industries) to our meetings. It was concluded that the arts community needs to become involved with the local community, we need to get people with connections in various local institutions, etc. MASS MoCA: People mentioned that the arts community is paternalistic, and MASS MoCA is the type of world-class arts institution that should be having a ?trickle-down? effect. It was suggested that MASS MoCA should be more supportive of local artists by having a gallery or some sort of space dedicated to the exhibition of local artwork. There seemed to be a general consensus that MASS MoCA could be doing more to support the local arts community and the creative economy ? particularly in relation to smaller non-profits and individual artists. Some people suggested that we should entirely forget about MASS MoCA and try to operate autonomously, and others argued that this is impossible, as the arts community is located here because of MASS MoCA and other similar, large institutions. How artists can become more connected (public forums and physical locations): ArtStart (www.berkshireartstart.org) Offers open forum for artists, announcements, arts calendars ?Drinking Liberally? ? North Adams Chapter (www.drinkingliberally.org), a place to get together and talk politics over a few drinks. Going to local bars or other public spaces that the rest of the community frequents ie: Freightyard Pub. Organizing ?mixers? where arts community can get to know one another ? Jonathan Secor offered Gallery 51 as a site for one of these gatherings. The gallery also has openings the last Thursday of every month. Ed Sedarbaum mentioned a monthly ?Second-Sunday Potluck for the Creatively Afflicted? -- he will invite everyone on the artist list- serve. Misc: Howard Cruse is going to start a Zine called the ?North County Perk? and will be looking for cartooning, writing, etc. You can get info on this at www.howardcruse.com , and Howard?s e-mail address is on there as well. ? http://officialjeffandjane.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ Forum mailing list Forum at berkshirevisualarts.org http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/mailman/listinfo/forum -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/pipermail/forum/attachments/20070305/f0d08bfd/attachment.html From kurt at kolokgallery.com Mon Mar 5 19:04:09 2007 From: kurt at kolokgallery.com (Kurt Kolok) Date: Mon, 05 Mar 2007 19:04:09 -0500 Subject: [Forum] Meeting Notes & List Discussions In-Reply-To: <006701c75f7d$589d4100$6500a8c0@home8017e31a31> References: <5BBEE68E-551C-41C4-BF26-77CE7DD08BCC@gmail.com> <006701c75f7d$589d4100$6500a8c0@home8017e31a31> Message-ID: <45ECAFF9.3090401@kolokgallery.com> I think we could accomplish a great deal more if we have some of these discussions online (on this list-serve). I sent out a message a couple of weeks ago with a suggestion on how we might actually begin to make some progress on achieving some of our goals (first by identifying what they might be) and only noticed one response. It may be that many of you have never used something like this for a discussion tool. I think it's critical that we literally record that type of information to begin putting words into action and I think it's much easier to do that via email than in person. It is my opinion that if we're to accomplish any long term/community-wide goals we need to be communicating between meetings and social gatherings. With this forum, we can do that whenever each of us has the time. To take full advantage of this great opportunity driven by Joshua Field's generosity...we should remind ourselves what the definition of a forum is... --the center of judicial and business affairs and a place of assembly for the people. --an assembly, meeting place, television program, etc., for the discussion of questions of public interest. Food for thought, Kurt Ed Sedarbaum wrote: > Yes, thank you, indeed, Veronica, for taking such careful notes. And > for doing the work of organizing them so coherently. > > One direct result of the meeting -- and an apparently successful one > -- is this very list-serve we are communicating on. I've received a > number of worthwhile notices, and so far we haven't fallen into any > argumentation. That's great. > > Here's my question: Do folks want to continue these "conversations"? > If so, should they be organized around a theme, or should we just go > around the room again and see what the consensus topic happens to be > that night? > > I'd be happy to take a hand in pulling together the next conversation, > assuming someone would share the load. We would need a place to hold > it. (The mill was a great space, but I don't live there, so I can't > very well volunteer it.) And really, that's about all. > > My impulse is not to demand too much formal organizing of people in > order to make this happen. The Open Studio planning has just begun > (thank you, Sharon), and that might be a more important recipient of > people's organizing energy. But getting together to talk? That should > be easy, and we can see where it goes from there. > > I don't want to speak for other people, so if people have other > suggestions about what to do about our conversations -- including dump > them -- let's all put our ideas out there and see what takes hold of > people's imagination. > > Ed -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/pipermail/forum/attachments/20070305/4bbf0129/attachment.html From joshua at joshuafield.com Mon Mar 5 19:40:29 2007 From: joshua at joshuafield.com (Joshua Field) Date: Mon, 05 Mar 2007 19:40:29 -0500 Subject: [Forum] Meeting Notes & List Discussions In-Reply-To: <45ECAFF9.3090401@kolokgallery.com> References: <5BBEE68E-551C-41C4-BF26-77CE7DD08BCC@gmail.com> <006701c75f7d$589d4100$6500a8c0@home8017e31a31> <45ECAFF9.3090401@kolokgallery.com> Message-ID: <45ECB87D.6040706@joshuafield.com> i have a topic that i would love to hear thoughts on. lately, it feels like pittsfield is kicking north county's (depending on where you draw that line) butt in the promotion of all things cultural. some think this to be largely attributable to the the great job that Megan Whilden is doing running the "cultural pittsfield" initiative and the buy-in of their city government (the cultural council grant of $65 two years ago, the $40k last year and $50k year toward that initiative can't hurt either!). my question/topics for the group: 1) is it okay that pittsfield take the lead in promoting the berkshires as a cultural destination? should there be a similar effort in north county? should the effort be berkshire-wide? whose job is it anyway?? 2) north adams may be home to mass moca, the eclipse mill, gallery 51, a burgeoning arts community and soon an arts focused program at mcla - but how does this fit under a broader umbrella that is something people outside of this community will understand/appreciate/be drawn to? my feeling is that ,while north county has the advantage of number of large arts organizations (moca, the clark, wcma/williams, mcla) who often cooperate, the arts community and smaller organizations seems to have a hard time breaking into that group (due to lack of coordination, funds, etc?) in order to take advantage of big summer marketing initiatives, group grants, etc. i personally feel that we would really benefit from someone in a role like megan's with buy-in from local gov't. if you aren't comfortable sending responses to the group, feel free to send them directly to me and i'll try to synthesize. thanks!! -- // www.joshuafield.com // joshua at joshuafield.com // +1 [413] 329-4789 // 121 Union Street, Studio 1E // North Adams, MA 01247 USA Kurt Kolok wrote: > I think we could accomplish a great deal more if we have some of these > discussions online (on this list-serve). > > I sent out a message a couple of weeks ago with a suggestion on how we > might actually begin to make some progress on achieving some of our > goals (first by identifying what they might be) and only noticed one > response. It may be that many of you have never used something like > this for a discussion tool. I think it's critical that we literally > record that type of information to begin putting words into action and > I think it's much easier to do that via email than in person. It is > my opinion that if we're to accomplish any long term/community-wide > goals we need to be communicating between meetings and social > gatherings. With this forum, we can do that whenever each of us has > the time. > > To take full advantage of this great opportunity driven by Joshua > Field's generosity...we should remind ourselves what the definition of > a forum is... > > --the center of judicial and business affairs and a place of assembly > for the people. > --an assembly, meeting place, television program, etc., for the > discussion of questions of public interest. > > Food for thought, > > Kurt From Gregory.Scheckler at mcla.edu Tue Mar 6 07:46:14 2007 From: Gregory.Scheckler at mcla.edu (Gregory Scheckler) Date: Tue, 06 Mar 2007 07:46:14 -0500 Subject: [Forum] Meeting Notes & List Discussions In-Reply-To: <45ECB87D.6040706@joshuafield.com> References: <5BBEE68E-551C-41C4-BF26-77CE7DD08BCC@gmail.com> < > <006701c75f7d$589d4100$6500a8c0@home8017e31a31> < > <45ECAFF9.3090401@kolokgallery.com> <45ECB87D.6040706@joshuafield.com> Message-ID: Thank you all for helping do this and also get this forum going. Some responses to Joshua's excellent questions: >1) is it okay that pittsfield take the lead in promoting the berkshires >as a cultural destination? should there be a similar effort in north >county? should the effort be berkshire-wide? whose job is it anyway?? What I think is bizarre is the idea that ugly fiberglass baseball mitts (or palettes in VT, or moose, etc.) are in any way a reasonable investment in public art and/or tourist attraction. These types of projects always require artists to do something different than what they are already doing. Instead, let's celebrate what we each specialize in. I bet we can do better and a much classier job than the ventures Pittsfield attempts. re: community organizer like M.Whilden -- where's Rod Bunt in all of this? Can he help? >2) north adams may be home to mass moca, the eclipse mill, gallery 51, a >burgeoning arts community and soon an arts focused program at mcla - but >how does this fit under a broader umbrella that is something people >outside of this community will understand/appreciate/be drawn to? Good question! Maybe it is simply the unique work that we feature in the area. I'd like it to be the art that we're making, presenting, etc. Less of an umbrella and more of a groundswell. gjs From dianesullivanclay at msn.com Tue Mar 6 09:30:07 2007 From: dianesullivanclay at msn.com (Diane Sullivan) Date: Tue, 06 Mar 2007 09:30:07 -0500 Subject: [Forum] Meeting Notes & List Discussions In-Reply-To: <45ECB87D.6040706@joshuafield.com> Message-ID: I qgree with Greg. Artists need to spend their energy and time making the art that interests them. We don't need to copy Pittsfield but rather celebrate all the diverse artists here. I think the galleries and open studios have started doing just that. I would love to see some individual artists design their own public art projects that would show the comminity what we do. However, that has to be the mayor's idea and maybe Ron Bunt would help with that??? I would be willing to talk to him. Ron was helpful with the North Adams Open Studio event last fall and seems to be supportive in general. It's interesting to hear what people think about these topics. Keep talking. Thanks Josh! >From: Joshua Field >Reply-To: joshua at joshuafield.com >To: Kurt Kolok >CC: FORUM >Subject: Re: [Forum] Meeting Notes & List Discussions >Date: Mon, 05 Mar 2007 19:40:29 -0500 > >i have a topic that i would love to hear thoughts on. lately, it feels like >pittsfield is kicking north county's (depending on where you draw that >line) butt in the promotion of all things cultural. some think this to be >largely attributable to the the great job that Megan Whilden is doing >running the "cultural pittsfield" initiative and the buy-in of their city >government (the cultural council grant of $65 two years ago, the $40k last >year and $50k year toward that initiative can't hurt either!). my >question/topics for the group: > >1) is it okay that pittsfield take the lead in promoting the berkshires as >a cultural destination? should there be a similar effort in north county? >should the effort be berkshire-wide? whose job is it anyway?? > >2) north adams may be home to mass moca, the eclipse mill, gallery 51, a >burgeoning arts community and soon an arts focused program at mcla - but >how does this fit under a broader umbrella that is something people outside >of this community will understand/appreciate/be drawn to? > >my feeling is that ,while north county has the advantage of number of large >arts organizations (moca, the clark, wcma/williams, mcla) who often >cooperate, the arts community and smaller organizations seems to have a >hard time breaking into that group (due to lack of coordination, funds, >etc?) in order to take advantage of big summer marketing initiatives, group >grants, etc. i personally feel that we would really benefit from someone in >a role like megan's with buy-in from local gov't. > >if you aren't comfortable sending responses to the group, feel free to send >them directly to me and i'll try to synthesize. > >thanks!! > >-- > >// www.joshuafield.com >// joshua at joshuafield.com >// +1 [413] 329-4789 >// 121 Union Street, Studio 1E >// North Adams, MA 01247 USA > > >Kurt Kolok wrote: >>I think we could accomplish a great deal more if we have some of these >>discussions online (on this list-serve). >> >>I sent out a message a couple of weeks ago with a suggestion on how we >>might actually begin to make some progress on achieving some of our goals >>(first by identifying what they might be) and only noticed one response. >>It may be that many of you have never used something like this for a >>discussion tool. I think it's critical that we literally record that type >>of information to begin putting words into action and I think it's much >>easier to do that via email than in person. It is my opinion that if >>we're to accomplish any long term/community-wide goals we need to be >>communicating between meetings and social gatherings. With this forum, we >>can do that whenever each of us has the time. >> >>To take full advantage of this great opportunity driven by Joshua Field's >>generosity...we should remind ourselves what the definition of a forum >>is... >> >>--the center of judicial and business affairs and a place of assembly for >>the people. >>--an assembly, meeting place, television program, etc., for the discussion >>of questions of public interest. >> >>Food for thought, >> >>Kurt > > >_______________________________________________ >Forum mailing list >Forum at berkshirevisualarts.org >http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/mailman/listinfo/forum From kurt at kolokgallery.com Tue Mar 6 11:04:47 2007 From: kurt at kolokgallery.com (Kurt Kolok) Date: Tue, 06 Mar 2007 11:04:47 -0500 Subject: [Forum] Meeting Notes & List Discussions In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <45ED911F.7010405@kolokgallery.com> The disconnect between the arts communities of North Adams and Pittsfield seems obvious in these posts. I have to agree with Joshua. Pittsfield does not have a major contemporary arts venue to catapult from/with, yet they are doing amazing things in a fraction of the time we've had Mass MoCA. It is not all about baseball mitt sculptures--that is such a small fraction of what they're doing. Even though they may not be the most fascinating works of art they've accomplished their goal--to engage the local (non-art) Pittsfield community and raise awareness of the arts in their minds while bringing artists (who've chosen to paint large baseball mitts) together for a common cause. Pittsfield is making it happen for several reasons: --Megan and her work with the mayor and city --artists there are working with/reaching out to the city and are putting their ideas/words into action through organization and elbow grease (not to say some of the artists in this community haven't been doing that here). --June-Oct., the city of Pittsfield will be transformed by art every third Thursday. Storefronts will be displaying artwork, events/performers will begin filling the streets, and artists, businesses, city leaders, and museums will all be working hand-in-hand to accomplish this. --A MAJOR South County gallery will be opening a new, large space in a couple of months. --Pittsfield is already talking about placing ads in major art mags (Art in America and ArtForum) touting Pittsfield/Berkshires as a hub for contemporary art--there is no reason North Adams cannot tie into something like that. Part of the problem we've had in North Adams, in my opinion, is that there are some great ideas in the community but we continue to try to make them happen individually without organization or planning. If we continue working in this way our audience reach will remain limited, individuals will continue spending MORE money on advertising & promotion while getting limited results, collaboration/cooperation with Mass MoCA and other arts organizations will not expand, and the North Adams arts community will look the same in two years as it does today. I agree with Diane's statement that "Artists need to spend their energy and time making the art that interests them". However, as it has been throughout history, artists need to make a living like everyone else in order to do just that. That is the main reason I've chosen to sell art. Many artists in this area have the means to spend their time making the art they want to make, while many others do not have that option. If we are all to plug into the creative economy in the way that would benefit us all the most, we must become more organized not less. North Adams needs an "art czar"--someone working with/for the city who has the same passion for art as Megan Whilden does in Pittsfield. Rod's focus is "tourism" not specifically art. We need someone who will work with his office and the mayor's office to draw focus to the arts which are at the center of this creative economy we've been hearing so much about. This discussion thread is exactly what we need more of on this forum, with even more voices involved. Diane Sullivan wrote: > I qgree with Greg. Artists need to spend their energy and time making > the art that interests them. We don't need to copy Pittsfield but > rather celebrate all the diverse artists here. I think the galleries > and open studios have started doing just that. I would love to see > some individual artists design their own public art projects that > would show the comminity what we do. However, that has to be the > mayor's idea and maybe Ron Bunt would help with that??? I would be > willing to talk to him. Ron was helpful with the North Adams Open > Studio event last fall and seems to be supportive in general. It's > interesting to hear what people think about these topics. Keep > talking. Thanks Josh! > > >> From: Joshua Field >> Reply-To: joshua at joshuafield.com >> To: Kurt Kolok >> CC: FORUM >> Subject: Re: [Forum] Meeting Notes & List Discussions >> Date: Mon, 05 Mar 2007 19:40:29 -0500 >> >> i have a topic that i would love to hear thoughts on. lately, it >> feels like pittsfield is kicking north county's (depending on where >> you draw that line) butt in the promotion of all things cultural. >> some think this to be largely attributable to the the great job that >> Megan Whilden is doing running the "cultural pittsfield" initiative >> and the buy-in of their city government (the cultural council grant >> of $65 two years ago, the $40k last year and $50k year toward that >> initiative can't hurt either!). my question/topics for the group: >> >> 1) is it okay that pittsfield take the lead in promoting the >> berkshires as a cultural destination? should there be a similar >> effort in north county? should the effort be berkshire-wide? whose >> job is it anyway?? >> >> 2) north adams may be home to mass moca, the eclipse mill, gallery >> 51, a burgeoning arts community and soon an arts focused program at >> mcla - but how does this fit under a broader umbrella that is >> something people outside of this community will >> understand/appreciate/be drawn to? >> >> my feeling is that ,while north county has the advantage of number of >> large arts organizations (moca, the clark, wcma/williams, mcla) who >> often cooperate, the arts community and smaller organizations seems >> to have a hard time breaking into that group (due to lack of >> coordination, funds, etc?) in order to take advantage of big summer >> marketing initiatives, group grants, etc. i personally feel that we >> would really benefit from someone in a role like megan's with buy-in >> from local gov't. >> >> if you aren't comfortable sending responses to the group, feel free >> to send them directly to me and i'll try to synthesize. >> >> thanks!! >> >> -- >> >> // www.joshuafield.com >> // joshua at joshuafield.com >> // +1 [413] 329-4789 >> // 121 Union Street, Studio 1E >> // North Adams, MA 01247 USA >> >> >> Kurt Kolok wrote: >>> I think we could accomplish a great deal more if we have some of >>> these discussions online (on this list-serve). >>> >>> I sent out a message a couple of weeks ago with a suggestion on how >>> we might actually begin to make some progress on achieving some of >>> our goals (first by identifying what they might be) and only noticed >>> one response. It may be that many of you have never used something >>> like this for a discussion tool. I think it's critical that we >>> literally record that type of information to begin putting words >>> into action and I think it's much easier to do that via email than >>> in person. It is my opinion that if we're to accomplish any long >>> term/community-wide goals we need to be communicating between >>> meetings and social gatherings. With this forum, we can do that >>> whenever each of us has the time. >>> >>> To take full advantage of this great opportunity driven by Joshua >>> Field's generosity...we should remind ourselves what the definition >>> of a forum is... >>> >>> --the center of judicial and business affairs and a place of >>> assembly for the people. >>> --an assembly, meeting place, television program, etc., for the >>> discussion of questions of public interest. >>> >>> Food for thought, >>> >>> Kurt >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Forum mailing list >> Forum at berkshirevisualarts.org >> http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/mailman/listinfo/forum > > > From k.kane at roadrunner.com Tue Mar 6 11:13:05 2007 From: k.kane at roadrunner.com (Karen Kane) Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2007 11:13:05 -0500 Subject: [Forum] Meeting Notes & List Discussions In-Reply-To: References: <5BBEE68E-551C-41C4-BF26-77CE7DD08BCC@gmail.com> < > <006701c75f7d$589d4100$6500a8c0@home8017e31a31> < > <45ECAFF9.3090401@kolokgallery.com> <45ECB87D.6040706@joshuafield.com> Message-ID: I kinda like the baseball mitts (I'm a baseball fan, and you can sit in them!), and that stuff does evidently draw the public (and it is one way to invite the general public to the art scene)... but I agree that north berkshire / north adams public art should be the art that we are doing, not some painted icon. We should go our own way, but maybe get together with pittfield folks to get some ideas or inspiration. I think it would be valuable to have someone, like an "art czar" as Kurt says . . . someone who has the personality and skill to work with both the artists and the political establishment. On Mar 6, 2007, at 7:46 AM, Gregory Scheckler wrote: > Thank you all for helping do this and also get this forum going. > > Some responses to Joshua's excellent questions: > >> 1) is it okay that pittsfield take the lead in promoting the >> berkshires >> as a cultural destination? should there be a similar effort in north >> county? should the effort be berkshire-wide? whose job is it anyway?? > > What I think is bizarre is the idea that ugly fiberglass baseball > mitts > (or palettes in VT, or moose, etc.) are in any way a reasonable > investment > in public art and/or tourist attraction. These types of projects > always > require artists to do something different than what they are already > doing. Instead, let's celebrate what we each specialize in. I bet > we can > do better and a much classier job than the ventures Pittsfield > attempts. > > re: community organizer like M.Whilden -- where's Rod Bunt in all > of this? > Can he help? > >> 2) north adams may be home to mass moca, the eclipse mill, gallery >> 51, a >> burgeoning arts community and soon an arts focused program at mcla >> - but >> how does this fit under a broader umbrella that is something people >> outside of this community will understand/appreciate/be drawn to? > > Good question! Maybe it is simply the unique work that we feature > in the > area. I'd like it to be the art that we're making, presenting, etc. > Less > of an umbrella and more of a groundswell. > > gjs > > _______________________________________________ > Forum mailing list > Forum at berkshirevisualarts.org > http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/mailman/listinfo/forum From abashevkin at nbccoalition.org Tue Mar 6 11:24:12 2007 From: abashevkin at nbccoalition.org (Al Bashevkin) Date: Tue, 06 Mar 2007 11:24:12 -0500 Subject: [Forum] Meeting Notes & List Discussions In-Reply-To: <45ED911F.7010405@kolokgallery.com> Message-ID: I must say I am impressed by the communications that occur within this forum. If I may add one more thing, I'd say look to the North as well as the South. Bennington Vermont (my hometown) seems to have an active artists guild and has used art to both raise money and awareness for our local artists. And there is no art-czar to my knowledge within Bennington. It's people like y'all who do it. on 3/6/07 11:04 AM, Kurt Kolok at kurt at kolokgallery.com wrote: > The disconnect between the arts communities of North Adams and > Pittsfield seems obvious in these posts. I have to agree with Joshua. > Pittsfield does not have a major contemporary arts venue to catapult > from/with, yet they are doing amazing things in a fraction of the time > we've had Mass MoCA. It is not all about baseball mitt sculptures--that > is such a small fraction of what they're doing. Even though they may > not be the most fascinating works of art they've accomplished their > goal--to engage the local (non-art) Pittsfield community and raise > awareness of the arts in their minds while bringing artists (who've > chosen to paint large baseball mitts) together for a common cause. > > Pittsfield is making it happen for several reasons: > > --Megan and her work with the mayor and city > --artists there are working with/reaching out to the city and are > putting their ideas/words into action through organization and elbow > grease (not to say some of the artists in this community haven't been > doing that here). > --June-Oct., the city of Pittsfield will be transformed by art every > third Thursday. Storefronts will be displaying artwork, > events/performers will begin filling the streets, and artists, > businesses, city leaders, and museums will all be working hand-in-hand > to accomplish this. > --A MAJOR South County gallery will be opening a new, large space in a > couple of months. > --Pittsfield is already talking about placing ads in major art mags (Art > in America and ArtForum) touting Pittsfield/Berkshires as a hub for > contemporary art--there is no reason North Adams cannot tie into > something like that. > > Part of the problem we've had in North Adams, in my opinion, is that > there are some great ideas in the community but we continue to try to > make them happen individually without organization or planning. If we > continue working in this way our audience reach will remain limited, > individuals will continue spending MORE money on advertising & promotion > while getting limited results, collaboration/cooperation with Mass MoCA > and other arts organizations will not expand, and the North Adams arts > community will look the same in two years as it does today. > > I agree with Diane's statement that "Artists need to spend their energy > and time making the art that interests them". However, as it has been > throughout history, artists need to make a living like everyone else in > order to do just that. That is the main reason I've chosen to sell > art. Many artists in this area have the means to spend their time > making the art they want to make, while many others do not have that > option. If we are all to plug into the creative economy in the way that > would benefit us all the most, we must become more organized not less. > > North Adams needs an "art czar"--someone working with/for the city who > has the same passion for art as Megan Whilden does in Pittsfield. Rod's > focus is "tourism" not specifically art. We need someone who will work > with his office and the mayor's office to draw focus to the arts which > are at the center of this creative economy we've been hearing so much about. > > This discussion thread is exactly what we need more of on this forum, > with even more voices involved. > > > > Diane Sullivan wrote: >> I qgree with Greg. Artists need to spend their energy and time making >> the art that interests them. We don't need to copy Pittsfield but >> rather celebrate all the diverse artists here. I think the galleries >> and open studios have started doing just that. I would love to see >> some individual artists design their own public art projects that >> would show the comminity what we do. However, that has to be the >> mayor's idea and maybe Ron Bunt would help with that??? I would be >> willing to talk to him. Ron was helpful with the North Adams Open >> Studio event last fall and seems to be supportive in general. It's >> interesting to hear what people think about these topics. Keep >> talking. Thanks Josh! >> >> >>> From: Joshua Field >>> Reply-To: joshua at joshuafield.com >>> To: Kurt Kolok >>> CC: FORUM >>> Subject: Re: [Forum] Meeting Notes & List Discussions >>> Date: Mon, 05 Mar 2007 19:40:29 -0500 >>> >>> i have a topic that i would love to hear thoughts on. lately, it >>> feels like pittsfield is kicking north county's (depending on where >>> you draw that line) butt in the promotion of all things cultural. >>> some think this to be largely attributable to the the great job that >>> Megan Whilden is doing running the "cultural pittsfield" initiative >>> and the buy-in of their city government (the cultural council grant >>> of $65 two years ago, the $40k last year and $50k year toward that >>> initiative can't hurt either!). my question/topics for the group: >>> >>> 1) is it okay that pittsfield take the lead in promoting the >>> berkshires as a cultural destination? should there be a similar >>> effort in north county? should the effort be berkshire-wide? whose >>> job is it anyway?? >>> >>> 2) north adams may be home to mass moca, the eclipse mill, gallery >>> 51, a burgeoning arts community and soon an arts focused program at >>> mcla - but how does this fit under a broader umbrella that is >>> something people outside of this community will >>> understand/appreciate/be drawn to? >>> >>> my feeling is that ,while north county has the advantage of number of >>> large arts organizations (moca, the clark, wcma/williams, mcla) who >>> often cooperate, the arts community and smaller organizations seems >>> to have a hard time breaking into that group (due to lack of >>> coordination, funds, etc?) in order to take advantage of big summer >>> marketing initiatives, group grants, etc. i personally feel that we >>> would really benefit from someone in a role like megan's with buy-in >>> from local gov't. >>> >>> if you aren't comfortable sending responses to the group, feel free >>> to send them directly to me and i'll try to synthesize. >>> >>> thanks!! >>> >>> -- >>> >>> // www.joshuafield.com >>> // joshua at joshuafield.com >>> // +1 [413] 329-4789 >>> // 121 Union Street, Studio 1E >>> // North Adams, MA 01247 USA >>> >>> >>> Kurt Kolok wrote: >>>> I think we could accomplish a great deal more if we have some of >>>> these discussions online (on this list-serve). >>>> >>>> I sent out a message a couple of weeks ago with a suggestion on how >>>> we might actually begin to make some progress on achieving some of >>>> our goals (first by identifying what they might be) and only noticed >>>> one response. It may be that many of you have never used something >>>> like this for a discussion tool. I think it's critical that we >>>> literally record that type of information to begin putting words >>>> into action and I think it's much easier to do that via email than >>>> in person. It is my opinion that if we're to accomplish any long >>>> term/community-wide goals we need to be communicating between >>>> meetings and social gatherings. With this forum, we can do that >>>> whenever each of us has the time. >>>> >>>> To take full advantage of this great opportunity driven by Joshua >>>> Field's generosity...we should remind ourselves what the definition >>>> of a forum is... >>>> >>>> --the center of judicial and business affairs and a place of >>>> assembly for the people. >>>> --an assembly, meeting place, television program, etc., for the >>>> discussion of questions of public interest. >>>> >>>> Food for thought, >>>> >>>> Kurt >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Forum mailing list >>> Forum at berkshirevisualarts.org >>> http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/mailman/listinfo/forum >> >> >> > > _______________________________________________ > Forum mailing list > Forum at berkshirevisualarts.org > http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/mailman/listinfo/forum > ---------------- Al Bashevkin Northern Berkshire Community Coalition 85 Main Street Suite 624 North Adams, MA 01247 abashevkin at nbccoalition.org Ph:(413) 663-7588 Fax: (413) 663-9877 www.nbccoalition.org From Veronica.Bosley at mcla.edu Tue Mar 6 11:35:20 2007 From: Veronica.Bosley at mcla.edu (Veronica Bosley) Date: Tue, 06 Mar 2007 11:35:20 -0500 Subject: [Forum] Meeting Notes & List Discussions In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: I agree that although it would be nice to have someone like Megan working for the art in North Adams or North County in general, but I am unsure of the feasibility of this and think that if we as an arts community organize around certain causes/projects we could also become very successful. I think that a great way to invlove the local commuity is by trying to tap in to some of the long standing traditions here and carve out a space for artists. One idea I had (although not being an artist I don't know exactly how tihs idea will be received) was for artists to become more involved with the Fall Foliage Parade by working with corporate sponsors to make floats, design posters, ads, etc. surrounding this event. As a native of the Berkshires I know that the parade has been a long standing tradition that nearly everyone in the community attends. I also know that the parade used to be a lot more fun and full of life, mostly because there were more organizations around to promote it and make floats for it. If the arts community could work together or maybe with local businesses I think we could make direct positive contact with the community through involvement with this event. I understand artists wanting to be able to do their own kind of artwork only, but this would be a great way to market artists and get the community interested and in support of area artists so that everyone can ultimately "do their own thing". Al Bashevkin writes: >I must say I am impressed by the communications that occur within this >forum. If I may add one more thing, I'd say look to the North as well as >the South. Bennington Vermont (my hometown) seems to have an active >artists >guild and has used art to both raise money and awareness for our local >artists. And there is no art-czar to my knowledge within Bennington. It's >people like y'all who do it. > > >on 3/6/07 11:04 AM, Kurt Kolok at kurt at kolokgallery.com wrote: > >> The disconnect between the arts communities of North Adams and >> Pittsfield seems obvious in these posts. I have to agree with Joshua. >> Pittsfield does not have a major contemporary arts venue to catapult >> from/with, yet they are doing amazing things in a fraction of the time >> we've had Mass MoCA. It is not all about baseball mitt sculptures--that >> is such a small fraction of what they're doing. Even though they may >> not be the most fascinating works of art they've accomplished their >> goal--to engage the local (non-art) Pittsfield community and raise >> awareness of the arts in their minds while bringing artists (who've >> chosen to paint large baseball mitts) together for a common cause. >> >> Pittsfield is making it happen for several reasons: >> >> --Megan and her work with the mayor and city >> --artists there are working with/reaching out to the city and are >> putting their ideas/words into action through organization and elbow >> grease (not to say some of the artists in this community haven't been >> doing that here). >> --June-Oct., the city of Pittsfield will be transformed by art every >> third Thursday. Storefronts will be displaying artwork, >> events/performers will begin filling the streets, and artists, >> businesses, city leaders, and museums will all be working hand-in-hand >> to accomplish this. >> --A MAJOR South County gallery will be opening a new, large space in a >> couple of months. >> --Pittsfield is already talking about placing ads in major art mags (Art >> in America and ArtForum) touting Pittsfield/Berkshires as a hub for >> contemporary art--there is no reason North Adams cannot tie into >> something like that. >> >> Part of the problem we've had in North Adams, in my opinion, is that >> there are some great ideas in the community but we continue to try to >> make them happen individually without organization or planning. If we >> continue working in this way our audience reach will remain limited, >> individuals will continue spending MORE money on advertising & promotion >> while getting limited results, collaboration/cooperation with Mass MoCA >> and other arts organizations will not expand, and the North Adams arts >> community will look the same in two years as it does today. >> >> I agree with Diane's statement that "Artists need to spend their energy >> and time making the art that interests them". However, as it has been >> throughout history, artists need to make a living like everyone else in >> order to do just that. That is the main reason I've chosen to sell >> art. Many artists in this area have the means to spend their time >> making the art they want to make, while many others do not have that >> option. If we are all to plug into the creative economy in the way that >> would benefit us all the most, we must become more organized not less. >> >> North Adams needs an "art czar"--someone working with/for the city who >> has the same passion for art as Megan Whilden does in Pittsfield. Rod's >> focus is "tourism" not specifically art. We need someone who will work >> with his office and the mayor's office to draw focus to the arts which >> are at the center of this creative economy we've been hearing so much >about. >> >> This discussion thread is exactly what we need more of on this forum, >> with even more voices involved. >> >> >> >> Diane Sullivan wrote: >>> I qgree with Greg. Artists need to spend their energy and time making >>> the art that interests them. We don't need to copy Pittsfield but >>> rather celebrate all the diverse artists here. I think the galleries >>> and open studios have started doing just that. I would love to see >>> some individual artists design their own public art projects that >>> would show the comminity what we do. However, that has to be the >>> mayor's idea and maybe Ron Bunt would help with that??? I would be >>> willing to talk to him. Ron was helpful with the North Adams Open >>> Studio event last fall and seems to be supportive in general. It's >>> interesting to hear what people think about these topics. Keep >>> talking. Thanks Josh! >>> >>> >>>> From: Joshua Field >>>> Reply-To: joshua at joshuafield.com >>>> To: Kurt Kolok >>>> CC: FORUM >>>> Subject: Re: [Forum] Meeting Notes & List Discussions >>>> Date: Mon, 05 Mar 2007 19:40:29 -0500 >>>> >>>> i have a topic that i would love to hear thoughts on. lately, it >>>> feels like pittsfield is kicking north county's (depending on where >>>> you draw that line) butt in the promotion of all things cultural. >>>> some think this to be largely attributable to the the great job that >>>> Megan Whilden is doing running the "cultural pittsfield" initiative >>>> and the buy-in of their city government (the cultural council grant >>>> of $65 two years ago, the $40k last year and $50k year toward that >>>> initiative can't hurt either!). my question/topics for the group: >>>> >>>> 1) is it okay that pittsfield take the lead in promoting the >>>> berkshires as a cultural destination? should there be a similar >>>> effort in north county? should the effort be berkshire-wide? whose >>>> job is it anyway?? >>>> >>>> 2) north adams may be home to mass moca, the eclipse mill, gallery >>>> 51, a burgeoning arts community and soon an arts focused program at >>>> mcla - but how does this fit under a broader umbrella that is >>>> something people outside of this community will >>>> understand/appreciate/be drawn to? >>>> >>>> my feeling is that ,while north county has the advantage of number of >>>> large arts organizations (moca, the clark, wcma/williams, mcla) who >>>> often cooperate, the arts community and smaller organizations seems >>>> to have a hard time breaking into that group (due to lack of >>>> coordination, funds, etc?) in order to take advantage of big summer >>>> marketing initiatives, group grants, etc. i personally feel that we >>>> would really benefit from someone in a role like megan's with buy-in >>>> from local gov't. >>>> >>>> if you aren't comfortable sending responses to the group, feel free >>>> to send them directly to me and i'll try to synthesize. >>>> >>>> thanks!! >>>> >>>> -- >>>> >>>> // www.joshuafield.com >>>> // joshua at joshuafield.com >>>> // +1 [413] 329-4789 >>>> // 121 Union Street, Studio 1E >>>> // North Adams, MA 01247 USA >>>> >>>> >>>> Kurt Kolok wrote: >>>>> I think we could accomplish a great deal more if we have some of >>>>> these discussions online (on this list-serve). >>>>> >>>>> I sent out a message a couple of weeks ago with a suggestion on how >>>>> we might actually begin to make some progress on achieving some of >>>>> our goals (first by identifying what they might be) and only noticed >>>>> one response. It may be that many of you have never used something >>>>> like this for a discussion tool. I think it's critical that we >>>>> literally record that type of information to begin putting words >>>>> into action and I think it's much easier to do that via email than >>>>> in person. It is my opinion that if we're to accomplish any long >>>>> term/community-wide goals we need to be communicating between >>>>> meetings and social gatherings. With this forum, we can do that >>>>> whenever each of us has the time. >>>>> >>>>> To take full advantage of this great opportunity driven by Joshua >>>>> Field's generosity...we should remind ourselves what the definition >>>>> of a forum is... >>>>> >>>>> --the center of judicial and business affairs and a place of >>>>> assembly for the people. >>>>> --an assembly, meeting place, television program, etc., for the >>>>> discussion of questions of public interest. >>>>> >>>>> Food for thought, >>>>> >>>>> Kurt >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Forum mailing list >>>> Forum at berkshirevisualarts.org >>>> http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/mailman/listinfo/forum >>> >>> >>> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Forum mailing list >> Forum at berkshirevisualarts.org >> http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/mailman/listinfo/forum >> > >---------------- >Al Bashevkin >Northern Berkshire Community Coalition >85 Main Street Suite 624 >North Adams, MA 01247 >abashevkin at nbccoalition.org > >Ph:(413) 663-7588 >Fax: (413) 663-9877 > >www.nbccoalition.org > > > >_______________________________________________ >Forum mailing list >Forum at berkshirevisualarts.org >http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/mailman/listinfo/forum From k.kane at roadrunner.com Tue Mar 6 12:00:09 2007 From: k.kane at roadrunner.com (Karen Kane) Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2007 12:00:09 -0500 Subject: [Forum] Meeting Notes & List Discussions In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <0878E235-D80C-460D-8D49-23FF6606A989@roadrunner.com> I think that getting involved with the Fall Foliage Parade is a really really good idea, and we should do that... but, that's only one project, seen-one-afternoon-in-a-year public art. I think we need an ongoing development of relationship between art / the art community and the city of North Adams, at least. On Mar 6, 2007, at 11:35 AM, Veronica Bosley wrote: > I agree that although it would be nice to have someone like Megan > working > for the art in North Adams or North County in general, but I am > unsure of > the feasibility of this and think that if we as an arts community > organize > around certain causes/projects we could also become very successful. > > I think that a great way to invlove the local commuity is by trying > to tap > in to some of the long standing traditions here and carve out a > space for > artists. One idea I had (although not being an artist I don't know > exactly > how tihs idea will be received) was for artists to become more > involved > with the Fall Foliage Parade by working with corporate sponsors to > make > floats, design posters, ads, etc. surrounding this event. > > As a native of the Berkshires I know that the parade has been a long > standing tradition that nearly everyone in the community attends. I > also > know that the parade used to be a lot more fun and full of life, > mostly > because there were more organizations around to promote it and make > floats > for it. If the arts community could work together or maybe with local > businesses I think we could make direct positive contact with the > community through involvement with this event. > > I understand artists wanting to be able to do their own kind of > artwork > only, but this would be a great way to market artists and get the > community interested and in support of area artists so that > everyone can > ultimately "do their own thing". > > Al Bashevkin writes: >> I must say I am impressed by the communications that occur within >> this >> forum. If I may add one more thing, I'd say look to the North as >> well as >> the South. Bennington Vermont (my hometown) seems to have an active >> artists >> guild and has used art to both raise money and awareness for our >> local >> artists. And there is no art-czar to my knowledge within >> Bennington. It's >> people like y'all who do it. >> >> >> on 3/6/07 11:04 AM, Kurt Kolok at kurt at kolokgallery.com wrote: >> >>> The disconnect between the arts communities of North Adams and >>> Pittsfield seems obvious in these posts. I have to agree with >>> Joshua. >>> Pittsfield does not have a major contemporary arts venue to catapult >>> from/with, yet they are doing amazing things in a fraction of the >>> time >>> we've had Mass MoCA. It is not all about baseball mitt >>> sculptures--that >>> is such a small fraction of what they're doing. Even though they >>> may >>> not be the most fascinating works of art they've accomplished their >>> goal--to engage the local (non-art) Pittsfield community and raise >>> awareness of the arts in their minds while bringing artists (who've >>> chosen to paint large baseball mitts) together for a common cause. >>> >>> Pittsfield is making it happen for several reasons: >>> >>> --Megan and her work with the mayor and city >>> --artists there are working with/reaching out to the city and are >>> putting their ideas/words into action through organization and elbow >>> grease (not to say some of the artists in this community haven't >>> been >>> doing that here). >>> --June-Oct., the city of Pittsfield will be transformed by art every >>> third Thursday. Storefronts will be displaying artwork, >>> events/performers will begin filling the streets, and artists, >>> businesses, city leaders, and museums will all be working hand-in- >>> hand >>> to accomplish this. >>> --A MAJOR South County gallery will be opening a new, large space >>> in a >>> couple of months. >>> --Pittsfield is already talking about placing ads in major art >>> mags (Art >>> in America and ArtForum) touting Pittsfield/Berkshires as a hub for >>> contemporary art--there is no reason North Adams cannot tie into >>> something like that. >>> >>> Part of the problem we've had in North Adams, in my opinion, is that >>> there are some great ideas in the community but we continue to >>> try to >>> make them happen individually without organization or planning. >>> If we >>> continue working in this way our audience reach will remain limited, >>> individuals will continue spending MORE money on advertising & >>> promotion >>> while getting limited results, collaboration/cooperation with >>> Mass MoCA >>> and other arts organizations will not expand, and the North Adams >>> arts >>> community will look the same in two years as it does today. >>> >>> I agree with Diane's statement that "Artists need to spend their >>> energy >>> and time making the art that interests them". However, as it has >>> been >>> throughout history, artists need to make a living like everyone >>> else in >>> order to do just that. That is the main reason I've chosen to sell >>> art. Many artists in this area have the means to spend their time >>> making the art they want to make, while many others do not have that >>> option. If we are all to plug into the creative economy in the >>> way that >>> would benefit us all the most, we must become more organized not >>> less. >>> >>> North Adams needs an "art czar"--someone working with/for the >>> city who >>> has the same passion for art as Megan Whilden does in >>> Pittsfield. Rod's >>> focus is "tourism" not specifically art. We need someone who >>> will work >>> with his office and the mayor's office to draw focus to the arts >>> which >>> are at the center of this creative economy we've been hearing so >>> much >> about. >>> >>> This discussion thread is exactly what we need more of on this >>> forum, >>> with even more voices involved. >>> >>> >>> >>> Diane Sullivan wrote: >>>> I qgree with Greg. Artists need to spend their energy and time >>>> making >>>> the art that interests them. We don't need to copy Pittsfield but >>>> rather celebrate all the diverse artists here. I think the >>>> galleries >>>> and open studios have started doing just that. I would love to see >>>> some individual artists design their own public art projects that >>>> would show the comminity what we do. However, that has to be the >>>> mayor's idea and maybe Ron Bunt would help with that??? I would be >>>> willing to talk to him. Ron was helpful with the North Adams Open >>>> Studio event last fall and seems to be supportive in general. It's >>>> interesting to hear what people think about these topics. Keep >>>> talking. Thanks Josh! >>>> >>>> >>>>> From: Joshua Field >>>>> Reply-To: joshua at joshuafield.com >>>>> To: Kurt Kolok >>>>> CC: FORUM >>>>> Subject: Re: [Forum] Meeting Notes & List Discussions >>>>> Date: Mon, 05 Mar 2007 19:40:29 -0500 >>>>> >>>>> i have a topic that i would love to hear thoughts on. lately, it >>>>> feels like pittsfield is kicking north county's (depending on >>>>> where >>>>> you draw that line) butt in the promotion of all things cultural. >>>>> some think this to be largely attributable to the the great job >>>>> that >>>>> Megan Whilden is doing running the "cultural pittsfield" >>>>> initiative >>>>> and the buy-in of their city government (the cultural council >>>>> grant >>>>> of $65 two years ago, the $40k last year and $50k year toward that >>>>> initiative can't hurt either!). my question/topics for the group: >>>>> >>>>> 1) is it okay that pittsfield take the lead in promoting the >>>>> berkshires as a cultural destination? should there be a similar >>>>> effort in north county? should the effort be berkshire-wide? whose >>>>> job is it anyway?? >>>>> >>>>> 2) north adams may be home to mass moca, the eclipse mill, gallery >>>>> 51, a burgeoning arts community and soon an arts focused >>>>> program at >>>>> mcla - but how does this fit under a broader umbrella that is >>>>> something people outside of this community will >>>>> understand/appreciate/be drawn to? >>>>> >>>>> my feeling is that ,while north county has the advantage of >>>>> number of >>>>> large arts organizations (moca, the clark, wcma/williams, mcla) >>>>> who >>>>> often cooperate, the arts community and smaller organizations >>>>> seems >>>>> to have a hard time breaking into that group (due to lack of >>>>> coordination, funds, etc?) in order to take advantage of big >>>>> summer >>>>> marketing initiatives, group grants, etc. i personally feel >>>>> that we >>>>> would really benefit from someone in a role like megan's with >>>>> buy-in >>>>> from local gov't. >>>>> >>>>> if you aren't comfortable sending responses to the group, feel >>>>> free >>>>> to send them directly to me and i'll try to synthesize. >>>>> >>>>> thanks!! >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> >>>>> // www.joshuafield.com >>>>> // joshua at joshuafield.com >>>>> // +1 [413] 329-4789 >>>>> // 121 Union Street, Studio 1E >>>>> // North Adams, MA 01247 USA >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Kurt Kolok wrote: >>>>>> I think we could accomplish a great deal more if we have some of >>>>>> these discussions online (on this list-serve). >>>>>> >>>>>> I sent out a message a couple of weeks ago with a suggestion >>>>>> on how >>>>>> we might actually begin to make some progress on achieving >>>>>> some of >>>>>> our goals (first by identifying what they might be) and only >>>>>> noticed >>>>>> one response. It may be that many of you have never used >>>>>> something >>>>>> like this for a discussion tool. I think it's critical that we >>>>>> literally record that type of information to begin putting words >>>>>> into action and I think it's much easier to do that via email >>>>>> than >>>>>> in person. It is my opinion that if we're to accomplish any long >>>>>> term/community-wide goals we need to be communicating between >>>>>> meetings and social gatherings. With this forum, we can do that >>>>>> whenever each of us has the time. >>>>>> >>>>>> To take full advantage of this great opportunity driven by Joshua >>>>>> Field's generosity...we should remind ourselves what the >>>>>> definition >>>>>> of a forum is... >>>>>> >>>>>> --the center of judicial and business affairs and a place of >>>>>> assembly for the people. >>>>>> --an assembly, meeting place, television program, etc., for the >>>>>> discussion of questions of public interest. >>>>>> >>>>>> Food for thought, >>>>>> >>>>>> Kurt >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> Forum mailing list >>>>> Forum at berkshirevisualarts.org >>>>> http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/mailman/listinfo/forum >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Forum mailing list >>> Forum at berkshirevisualarts.org >>> http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/mailman/listinfo/forum >>> >> >> ---------------- >> Al Bashevkin >> Northern Berkshire Community Coalition >> 85 Main Street Suite 624 >> North Adams, MA 01247 >> abashevkin at nbccoalition.org >> >> Ph:(413) 663-7588 >> Fax: (413) 663-9877 >> >> www.nbccoalition.org >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Forum mailing list >> Forum at berkshirevisualarts.org >> http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/mailman/listinfo/forum > > > _______________________________________________ > Forum mailing list > Forum at berkshirevisualarts.org > http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/mailman/listinfo/forum From kurt at kolokgallery.com Tue Mar 6 12:15:23 2007 From: kurt at kolokgallery.com (Kurt Kolok) Date: Tue, 06 Mar 2007 12:15:23 -0500 Subject: [Forum] Meeting Notes & List Discussions In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <45EDA1AB.9060108@kolokgallery.com> Veronica--I wholeheartedly agree with your idea re: the Fall Foliage Parade. As a former board member of the CAC (about 6/7 years ago) I tried to build support for that there and as a current board member of NBCA have voiced that same idea for the last couple of years. Both times it came down to resources ($, volunteers, time). If the BCRC could be the organizing entity for something like that it would be incredibly helpful. At the very least, I think the CAC, Eclipse Mill, NBCA, MoCA, should each have their own float. If BCRC could help raise funds from local sponsors (banks, shops, chains, restaurants), collect a list of float-building volunteers from the community (both arts and non-arts), act as a collection hub for donated float materials and help organize workdays I think we could build enough interest and support from at least a couple of these organizations for this year. I've been telling people for years there is no reason the Fall Foliage Parade can't be (and shouldn't be) North Adams' own mardi-gras when it comes to extravagant floats/decorations. We've got so many talented artists here yet that's not typically reflected in the parade floats. All of those organizations I listed are so focused on the goals/objectives of their own organizational needs that without a "manager" helping with some of the high level tasks it's just too much to ask. Personally, I'd like to see the BCRC take on some of these responsibilities and act as the driving force behind this and other community activities/events. Veronica Bosley wrote: > I agree that although it would be nice to have someone like Megan working > for the art in North Adams or North County in general, but I am unsure of > the feasibility of this and think that if we as an arts community organize > around certain causes/projects we could also become very successful. > > I think that a great way to invlove the local commuity is by trying to tap > in to some of the long standing traditions here and carve out a space for > artists. One idea I had (although not being an artist I don't know exactly > how tihs idea will be received) was for artists to become more involved > with the Fall Foliage Parade by working with corporate sponsors to make > floats, design posters, ads, etc. surrounding this event. > > As a native of the Berkshires I know that the parade has been a long > standing tradition that nearly everyone in the community attends. I also > know that the parade used to be a lot more fun and full of life, mostly > because there were more organizations around to promote it and make floats > for it. If the arts community could work together or maybe with local > businesses I think we could make direct positive contact with the > community through involvement with this event. > > I understand artists wanting to be able to do their own kind of artwork > only, but this would be a great way to market artists and get the > community interested and in support of area artists so that everyone can > ultimately "do their own thing". > > > > > From edwardcating at gmail.com Tue Mar 6 12:29:24 2007 From: edwardcating at gmail.com (Edward Cating) Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2007 12:29:24 -0500 Subject: [Forum] Meeting Notes & List Discussions In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <6f660d80703060929i3f162eep36e808557e1dc844@mail.gmail.com> It's said that contemporary artists frequently narrow their focus to the point where they are speaking only to other contemporary artists - preaching to the choir. It seems to me that the artists in Pittsfield have been able to present themselves to the community as a presence and that that presence has an inertia that keeps is moving forward, always in the public eye. Most of us know that mindshare - that cognitive real-estate that means people are either aware of you or not - is critical for the success of any endevour. How mindshare is generated is not so important. Generating it is. In North Adams, we are seeing an increase in vacancies in downtown storefronts. It seems overly obvious to state that when Pittsfield was presented with a similar circumstance, it generated the Storefront Artists project. Storefront galleries - even when they attract artists from outside the community on a temporary basis - add momentum to the art scene as a whole. Passersby see art, indeed cannot escape it. There is an ogoing reason for flyers in windows and cards on countertops all over town. Landlords get nice mention in the papers. The papers have more to write about, and so it goes. Momentum builds. We all understand that there are artists in North Berkshire for whom connections to the local community are not critical. Some were attracted by large, inexpensive studio space, but have a public elsewhere to satisfy their commercial and social needs. I daresay that not all of us fall into this category, though, as bourne out by this forum's postings. For those who seek to become more engaged in North Berkshire, more rooted, there is, as Kurt said a need to organize, to reach out to the community, and to make our presense felt in an ongoing way. I think that a lot of things could work but the most expedient is an "art czar". How else can we focus our sometimes diffuse energies into constantly pushing the stone up the hill? On 3/6/07, Veronica Bosley wrote: > > I agree that although it would be nice to have someone like Megan working > for the art in North Adams or North County in general, but I am unsure of > the feasibility of this and think that if we as an arts community organize > around certain causes/projects we could also become very successful. > > I think that a great way to invlove the local commuity is by trying to tap > in to some of the long standing traditions here and carve out a space for > artists. One idea I had (although not being an artist I don't know exactly > how tihs idea will be received) was for artists to become more involved > with the Fall Foliage Parade by working with corporate sponsors to make > floats, design posters, ads, etc. surrounding this event. > > As a native of the Berkshires I know that the parade has been a long > standing tradition that nearly everyone in the community attends. I also > know that the parade used to be a lot more fun and full of life, mostly > because there were more organizations around to promote it and make floats > for it. If the arts community could work together or maybe with local > businesses I think we could make direct positive contact with the > community through involvement with this event. > > I understand artists wanting to be able to do their own kind of artwork > only, but this would be a great way to market artists and get the > community interested and in support of area artists so that everyone can > ultimately "do their own thing". > > Al Bashevkin writes: > >I must say I am impressed by the communications that occur within this > >forum. If I may add one more thing, I'd say look to the North as well as > >the South. Bennington Vermont (my hometown) seems to have an active > >artists > >guild and has used art to both raise money and awareness for our local > >artists. And there is no art-czar to my knowledge within Bennington. It's > >people like y'all who do it. > > > > > >on 3/6/07 11:04 AM, Kurt Kolok at kurt at kolokgallery.com wrote: > > > >> The disconnect between the arts communities of North Adams and > >> Pittsfield seems obvious in these posts. I have to agree with Joshua. > >> Pittsfield does not have a major contemporary arts venue to catapult > >> from/with, yet they are doing amazing things in a fraction of the time > >> we've had Mass MoCA. It is not all about baseball mitt > sculptures--that > >> is such a small fraction of what they're doing. Even though they may > >> not be the most fascinating works of art they've accomplished their > >> goal--to engage the local (non-art) Pittsfield community and raise > >> awareness of the arts in their minds while bringing artists (who've > >> chosen to paint large baseball mitts) together for a common cause. > >> > >> Pittsfield is making it happen for several reasons: > >> > >> --Megan and her work with the mayor and city > >> --artists there are working with/reaching out to the city and are > >> putting their ideas/words into action through organization and elbow > >> grease (not to say some of the artists in this community haven't been > >> doing that here). > >> --June-Oct., the city of Pittsfield will be transformed by art every > >> third Thursday. Storefronts will be displaying artwork, > >> events/performers will begin filling the streets, and artists, > >> businesses, city leaders, and museums will all be working hand-in-hand > >> to accomplish this. > >> --A MAJOR South County gallery will be opening a new, large space in a > >> couple of months. > >> --Pittsfield is already talking about placing ads in major art mags > (Art > >> in America and ArtForum) touting Pittsfield/Berkshires as a hub for > >> contemporary art--there is no reason North Adams cannot tie into > >> something like that. > >> > >> Part of the problem we've had in North Adams, in my opinion, is that > >> there are some great ideas in the community but we continue to try to > >> make them happen individually without organization or planning. If we > >> continue working in this way our audience reach will remain limited, > >> individuals will continue spending MORE money on advertising & > promotion > >> while getting limited results, collaboration/cooperation with Mass MoCA > >> and other arts organizations will not expand, and the North Adams arts > >> community will look the same in two years as it does today. > >> > >> I agree with Diane's statement that "Artists need to spend their energy > >> and time making the art that interests them". However, as it has been > >> throughout history, artists need to make a living like everyone else in > >> order to do just that. That is the main reason I've chosen to sell > >> art. Many artists in this area have the means to spend their time > >> making the art they want to make, while many others do not have that > >> option. If we are all to plug into the creative economy in the way > that > >> would benefit us all the most, we must become more organized not less. > >> > >> North Adams needs an "art czar"--someone working with/for the city who > >> has the same passion for art as Megan Whilden does in > Pittsfield. Rod's > >> focus is "tourism" not specifically art. We need someone who will work > >> with his office and the mayor's office to draw focus to the arts which > >> are at the center of this creative economy we've been hearing so much > >about. > >> > >> This discussion thread is exactly what we need more of on this forum, > >> with even more voices involved. > >> > >> > >> > >> Diane Sullivan wrote: > >>> I qgree with Greg. Artists need to spend their energy and time making > >>> the art that interests them. We don't need to copy Pittsfield but > >>> rather celebrate all the diverse artists here. I think the galleries > >>> and open studios have started doing just that. I would love to see > >>> some individual artists design their own public art projects that > >>> would show the comminity what we do. However, that has to be the > >>> mayor's idea and maybe Ron Bunt would help with that??? I would be > >>> willing to talk to him. Ron was helpful with the North Adams Open > >>> Studio event last fall and seems to be supportive in general. It's > >>> interesting to hear what people think about these topics. Keep > >>> talking. Thanks Josh! > >>> > >>> > >>>> From: Joshua Field > >>>> Reply-To: joshua at joshuafield.com > >>>> To: Kurt Kolok > >>>> CC: FORUM > >>>> Subject: Re: [Forum] Meeting Notes & List Discussions > >>>> Date: Mon, 05 Mar 2007 19:40:29 -0500 > >>>> > >>>> i have a topic that i would love to hear thoughts on. lately, it > >>>> feels like pittsfield is kicking north county's (depending on where > >>>> you draw that line) butt in the promotion of all things cultural. > >>>> some think this to be largely attributable to the the great job that > >>>> Megan Whilden is doing running the "cultural pittsfield" initiative > >>>> and the buy-in of their city government (the cultural council grant > >>>> of $65 two years ago, the $40k last year and $50k year toward that > >>>> initiative can't hurt either!). my question/topics for the group: > >>>> > >>>> 1) is it okay that pittsfield take the lead in promoting the > >>>> berkshires as a cultural destination? should there be a similar > >>>> effort in north county? should the effort be berkshire-wide? whose > >>>> job is it anyway?? > >>>> > >>>> 2) north adams may be home to mass moca, the eclipse mill, gallery > >>>> 51, a burgeoning arts community and soon an arts focused program at > >>>> mcla - but how does this fit under a broader umbrella that is > >>>> something people outside of this community will > >>>> understand/appreciate/be drawn to? > >>>> > >>>> my feeling is that ,while north county has the advantage of number of > >>>> large arts organizations (moca, the clark, wcma/williams, mcla) who > >>>> often cooperate, the arts community and smaller organizations seems > >>>> to have a hard time breaking into that group (due to lack of > >>>> coordination, funds, etc?) in order to take advantage of big summer > >>>> marketing initiatives, group grants, etc. i personally feel that we > >>>> would really benefit from someone in a role like megan's with buy-in > >>>> from local gov't. > >>>> > >>>> if you aren't comfortable sending responses to the group, feel free > >>>> to send them directly to me and i'll try to synthesize. > >>>> > >>>> thanks!! > >>>> > >>>> -- > >>>> > >>>> // www.joshuafield.com > >>>> // joshua at joshuafield.com > >>>> // +1 [413] 329-4789 > >>>> // 121 Union Street, Studio 1E > >>>> // North Adams, MA 01247 USA > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> Kurt Kolok wrote: > >>>>> I think we could accomplish a great deal more if we have some of > >>>>> these discussions online (on this list-serve). > >>>>> > >>>>> I sent out a message a couple of weeks ago with a suggestion on how > >>>>> we might actually begin to make some progress on achieving some of > >>>>> our goals (first by identifying what they might be) and only noticed > >>>>> one response. It may be that many of you have never used something > >>>>> like this for a discussion tool. I think it's critical that we > >>>>> literally record that type of information to begin putting words > >>>>> into action and I think it's much easier to do that via email than > >>>>> in person. It is my opinion that if we're to accomplish any long > >>>>> term/community-wide goals we need to be communicating between > >>>>> meetings and social gatherings. With this forum, we can do that > >>>>> whenever each of us has the time. > >>>>> > >>>>> To take full advantage of this great opportunity driven by Joshua > >>>>> Field's generosity...we should remind ourselves what the definition > >>>>> of a forum is... > >>>>> > >>>>> --the center of judicial and business affairs and a place of > >>>>> assembly for the people. > >>>>> --an assembly, meeting place, television program, etc., for the > >>>>> discussion of questions of public interest. > >>>>> > >>>>> Food for thought, > >>>>> > >>>>> Kurt > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> _______________________________________________ > >>>> Forum mailing list > >>>> Forum at berkshirevisualarts.org > >>>> http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/mailman/listinfo/forum > >>> > >>> > >>> > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> Forum mailing list > >> Forum at berkshirevisualarts.org > >> http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/mailman/listinfo/forum > >> > > > >---------------- > >Al Bashevkin > >Northern Berkshire Community Coalition > >85 Main Street Suite 624 > >North Adams, MA 01247 > >abashevkin at nbccoalition.org > > > >Ph:(413) 663-7588 > >Fax: (413) 663-9877 > > > >www.nbccoalition.org > > > > > > > >_______________________________________________ > >Forum mailing list > >Forum at berkshirevisualarts.org > >http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/mailman/listinfo/forum > > > _______________________________________________ > Forum mailing list > Forum at berkshirevisualarts.org > http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/mailman/listinfo/forum > -- Edward Cating -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/pipermail/forum/attachments/20070306/ba45dbef/attachment.html From joshua at joshuafield.com Tue Mar 6 12:52:16 2007 From: joshua at joshuafield.com (Joshua Field) Date: Tue, 06 Mar 2007 12:52:16 -0500 Subject: [Forum] Berkshares? In-Reply-To: <6f660d80703060929i3f162eep36e808557e1dc844@mail.gmail.com> References: <6f660d80703060929i3f162eep36e808557e1dc844@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <45EDAA50.30005@joshuafield.com> The current thread is an excellent discussion and I do not want to sidetrack it, but just curious if any of the artists/organizations on this list have considered participating in the Berkshares program. It seems like just the sort of counterculture activity that would interest a group of artists working to find economic alternatives and new ways to reach audiences (this was recently featured on ABC World News!): http://www.berkshares.org/index.htm If folks are interested (and this is an example of the interesting exposure opportunities that come through simply coordinating), it might make sense to join as a large group in order to make it press-worthy. *What are BerkShares?* BerkShares are a local currency designed for use in the Southern Berkshire region of Massachusetts with issue by BerkShares, Inc., a non-profit organization working in collaboration with the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, participating local banks, local businesses, and local non-profit organizations. The purpose of a local currency is to function on a local scale the same way that national currencies have functioned on a national scale?building the local economy by maximizing circulation of trade within a defined region. Widely used in the early 1900s, local currencies are again being recognized as a tool for sustainable economic development. The currency distinguishes the local businesses that accept the currency from those that do not, building stronger relationships and a greater affinity between the business community and the citizens of a particular place. The people who choose to use the currency make a conscious commitment to buy local first. They are taking personal responsibility for the health and well-being of their community by laying the foundation of a truly vibrant, thriving local economy. BerkShares will not, and are not intended to, replace federal currency. Their use will help strengthen the regional economy, favoring locally owned enterprises, local manufacturing, and local jobs, and reducing the region's dependence on an unpredictable global economy. -- // www.joshuafield.com // joshua at joshuafield.com // +1 [413] 329-4789 // 121 Union Street, Studio 1E // North Adams, MA 01247 USA From osirusb at gmail.com Tue Mar 6 12:53:14 2007 From: osirusb at gmail.com (Seth) Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2007 12:53:14 -0500 Subject: [Forum] Meeting Notes & List Discussions In-Reply-To: <45ED911F.7010405@kolokgallery.com> References: <45ED911F.7010405@kolokgallery.com> Message-ID: On 3/6/07, Kurt Kolok wrote: > > Pittsfield is making it happen: > > --June-Oct., the city of Pittsfield will be transformed by art every > third Thursday. Storefronts will be displaying artwork, > events/performers will begin filling the streets, and artists, > businesses, city leaders, and museums will all be working hand-in-hand > to accomplish this. > This is the sort of thing that brings awareness of local artists; I think it's not about just building your artist community, so much as it's about bringing together the rest of the community somewhere they can appreciate your art. I was going to suggest that First Fridays would be a great thing to expand on, but it seems to have fallen by the wayside last year. Nonetheless, the idea is still appealing, as it recurs more than an annual fall foliage parade. I think if you connect local stores with local performers with local artists, you end up with an event that brings the community closer together while viewing art, which can't help but benefit the local arts community. At least in theory. (Also, communism works.) --S. _________________ Seth Brown The Pun Also Rises: www.RisingPun.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/pipermail/forum/attachments/20070306/f7f59e36/attachment.html From k.kane at roadrunner.com Tue Mar 6 13:04:45 2007 From: k.kane at roadrunner.com (Karen Kane) Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2007 13:04:45 -0500 Subject: [Forum] Meeting Notes & List Discussions In-Reply-To: References: <45ED911F.7010405@kolokgallery.com> Message-ID: <5BCAA5E1-CC78-4077-8488-923CB30A662C@roadrunner.com> First Fridays were / are a great idea. They suffered from lack of funding, people to work on them (takes a lot of work) . . . etc. But, as you say, they have the potential to connect people, art, community. On Mar 6, 2007, at 12:53 PM, Seth wrote: > On 3/6/07, Kurt Kolok wrote: > Pittsfield is making it happen: > > --June-Oct., the city of Pittsfield will be transformed by art every > third Thursday. Storefronts will be displaying artwork, > events/performers will begin filling the streets, and artists, > businesses, city leaders, and museums will all be working hand-in-hand > to accomplish this. > > This is the sort of thing that brings awareness of local artists; I > think it's not about just building your artist community, so much > as it's about bringing together the rest of the community somewhere > they can appreciate your art. I was going to suggest that First > Fridays would be a great thing to expand on, but it seems to have > fallen by the wayside last year. Nonetheless, the idea is still > appealing, as it recurs more than an annual fall foliage parade. I > think if you connect local stores with local performers with local > artists, you end up with an event that brings the community closer > together while viewing art, which can't help but benefit the local > arts community. At least in theory. (Also, communism works.) > > --S. > _________________ > Seth Brown > The Pun Also Rises: > www.RisingPun.com > _______________________________________________ > Forum mailing list > Forum at berkshirevisualarts.org > http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/mailman/listinfo/forum -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.berkshirevisualarts.org/pipermail/forum/attachments/20070306/3f37565c/attachment.html From joshua at joshuafield.com Tue Mar 6 13:10:02 2007 From: joshua at joshuafield.com (Joshua Field) Date: Tue, 06 Mar 2007 13:10:02 -0500 Subject: [Forum] Meeting Notes & List Discussions In-Reply-To: <6f660d80703060929i3f162eep36e808557e1dc844@mail.gmail.com> References: <6f660d80703060929i3f162eep36e808557e1dc844@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <45EDAE7A.3050602@joshuafield.com> Great points Ed - and linked to an important bit of history because there is a precedent for showing work in store windows in downtown North Adams (long before the now thriving Storefront Artists Project). The artists were primarily local - I participated twice and it was great fun. In the mid 90's, the CAC ran a yearly show called "Downtown Installations" (not a catchy name) which featured installations in the vacant window space. This was timed to coincide with the "downtown celebration". The only remnant of this tradition is the Eagle street beach (they dump sand on eagle street and let the kids play) which was Eric Rudd's idea and happened in conjunction with the Downtown Installations. A key (literally) to doing the project is forming a relationship with Scarafoni Realty (a.k.a. David Carver) who own most of the storefront space in North Adams. This might be easier because of the precedent but it would likely help to have a responsible central organization to help the landlords feel more at ease with granting access. Another side note to this - Danny O, who now resides in North Adams and Michael Oatman, both of whom have shown work at MoCA, participated in a particularly interesting year where the CAC got a grant from MCC to do a themed version of the Downtown Installations with artists from the Boston area (in conjunction with lectures and some work shown at the CAC). This really raised the caliber of the work and made a nice focal point for the project. Edward Cating wrote: > It's said that contemporary artists frequently narrow their focus to > the point where they are speaking only to other contemporary artists - > preaching to the choir. It seems to me that the artists in Pittsfield > have been able to present themselves to the community as a presence > and that that presence has an inertia that keeps is moving forward, > always in the public eye. Most of us know that mindshare - that > cognitive real-estate that means people are either aware of you or not > - is critical for the success of any endevour. How mindshare is > generated is not so important. Generating it is. > > In North Adams, we are seeing an increase in vacancies in downtown > storefronts. It seems overly obvious to state that when Pittsfield was > presented with a similar circumstance, it generated the Storefront > Artists project. Storefront galleries - even when they attract artists > from outside the community on a temporary basis - add momentum to the > art scene as a whole. Passersby see art, indeed cannot escape it. > There is an ogoing reason for flyers in windows and cards on > countertops all over town. Landlords get nice mention in the papers. > The papers have more to write about, and so it goes. Momentum builds. > > We all understand that there are artists in North Berkshire for whom > connections to the local community are not critical. Some were > attracted by large, inexpensive studio space, but have a public > elsewhere to satisfy their commercial and social needs. I daresay that > not all of us fall into this category, though, as bourne out by this > forum's postings. > > For those who seek to become more engaged in North Berkshire, more > rooted, there is, as Kurt said a need to organize, to reach out to the > community, and to make our presense felt in an ongoing way. I think > that a lot of things could work but the most expedient is an "art > czar". How else can we focus our sometimes diffuse energies into > constantly pushing the