Artists' Walk at Northbank Riverfront Park

[grimss]

RiversideLoki questioned how the pedestrian traffic on Riverside would be managed with the extension. The mayor's office is apparently willing to consider closing off this section of Riverside Ave. during market days to divert traffic around the site and facilitate a festival street atmosphere.

And, hey, did anyone notice the mayor mentioned the Riverside Arts Market during his budget address as an example of the vibrant urban environment Jax COULD have?? Very cool.

[Prax_N_Jax]

My gf & I went to RAM a few wks ago & we loved it. It was def something different and well received. It's a great addition to that area. Hopefully the art community will embrace the restoration Annie Lytle.

[Dog Walker]

The owner has refused any suggestion of artist's use of the building.  He is evidently holding out for big bucks from the government for a subsidized senior housing center.

[fsu813]

grimss,

Since he's not running for anything anymore he can focus on leaving a legacy. He wants to fix Jacksonville's downtown and make it a vibrant, urban area with lots to do. He said as much a few months ago. This is a very good thing, especially since he ingnored the arts/social services/ downtown revitalization for the majority of his tenure.

[Fallen Buckeye]

In my hometown, some of the older unused buildings were turned into artist colonies where artists live and work with an apartment and studio space that is open to the public. It's really gotten to be quite an attraction for tourists and locals where people travelling through come and can see several different artists do their thing all in one small area. One of these artists in the district is a sculptor who has probably a dozen statues displayed outside his studio, so you know right away that downtown around 6th St. is the place for art in the area without even leaving the car. Talk about public art and niching and so on.

By the way, this was all done in a small city in one of the poorest areas of the country. I believe the local government had some small hand in getting it started, but once the seed was planted it's been able to stand up on it's own merit. Point being is that if that can happen there why not here? That school seems like a perfect opportunity for something similar.

Also I have to say that the RAM was a great idea. If you could get an artist colony started nearby they would naturally feed into each other.

[mtraininjax]

Some new info on RAM and a new Mascot that would make OCK blush, called RAMMY:

Sure, we know how to Arts Market. But we were born to PARTY!
Hi! I'm RAMmy, hiccup, the Holiday Elf, hiccup!
The RAM team needed a little help telling you about this last week, hiccup, because there is so much going on.

And now I am back to tell you about Complimentary BEER, Complimentary WINE, and FREE ON-SITE PARKING! Whaaaaaa?!!

Nobody takes care of you like the Riverside Arts Market! (good time to mention we will be accepting donations on site for FRAM our Farmer's RAM which Starts January 9th!)

Like our Market all our beers are hand crafted (and wines are foot crafted?? Really we're not sure about foot crafted. Ask your wine rep.)!

So..We have Starr Hill Northern Lights and Jomo Lager on taps!

And its not a Riverside Party without Riverside's own BOLD CITY BREWS! Including Fritz, Killer Whale, and Dukes!

Beers are generously donated by North Florida Sales. Our wines are donated by Riverside Liquors who will be on-site to educate you about the fine wines you will be tasting!

Don't, hiccup, forget to, hiccup, designate a driver, hiccup. And be careful parking! We will have cab numbers on hand if you need a ride. Don't ruin the holidays by getting behind the wheel with a buzz.

There will be plenty of awesome food available FOR SALE from these fine food vendors of RAM. So soak up some craft brews with these great vendors:

Brown Bean Express- Coffee, Hot Chocolate, etc
Pizza Palace
Wazee's Funnel Cakes- Fries, Chicken Filets, Shrimps!
Gene's Dogs- Dogs and Sausages!
Mangrove Island Grill- Caribbean Dishes MMMm
French Quarter Beignets- and Chicory Coffee
Krispy Joe's Crab Cakes- and burgers and quesadillas

Please patronize our food vendors, they bring the YUM!

Here is some important and fun details on this party from the RAMfather:

6:30 The legendary dub fusion band Greenhouse Lounge starts playing to begin the festivities.
Complimentary wine and beer begin flowing, and our food vendors open up Jacksonville's
largest outdoor restaurant. Riverfront dining ya'll.

7:00 Juggler Bob "The World's Strongest Juggler" does a 20-minute show on the River Stage.

7:20 Stage presentation, recognizing our fabulous sponsors, volunteers, and staff.

7:40 RAM, The Movie: Highlights of RAM's First Year (it will make you laugh and cry)

8:00 The band Greenhouse Lounge starts playing again, and dancing, drinking,and eating continue.

10:00 sigh, it's over - for 2 months! Not counting FRAM!

THIS PARTY IS FREE. Parking, Free. Craft Beers, Free. Fine Wines, Free.

The only catch is that every party attendee is on the clean-up crew - clean it up while you party = zero trash.

Pss- Don't forget we'll be taking donations for FRAM at the site. If you are feeling as generous as we are please support our RAM and our Farmers.

End of the new message, hugs and kisses, RAMmy!

As you may know, Dec 19th is the last RAM of 2009, and it is jam packed with art, produce, and food...

Still have shopping left to do? Swing by RAM from 10am to 4 pm to avoid the crowded malls, and shop for unique local gifts at RAM. It's your last chance to find that one-of-a-kind present that will make your loved ones wish they were smart enough to shop at RAM!

Speaking of one-of-a-kind gifts, RAM T-Shirts are finally here! Until now, only volunteers and staff were able to showcase their love of RAM in shirt form, but now they can be yours...and this week they are only $ 10!
   

Or maybe you need an inaugural year canvas tote bag to carry all your Christmas goodies in?  You can purchase these for only $ 5!

As always, our amazing Dr. Wood and the formidable Village Idiots ofVIP have some great entertainment planned for you, including Juggler Bob, the World's Strongest Juggler! Check out the lineup here.

This weekend is also your last chance to get your H1N1 Flu Shots from Winn Dixie!

Don't forget your Luminaria kits!  All of Riverside will be lined with lights this Sunday at sundown...don't be left out! Luminaria will be sold at RAM in the Riverside Avondale Preservation booth located in F11 and F12!

Stay tuned for information about RAM's End of the Season Holiday Party, which is FREE for everyone in the community.  Come party under the bridge this Sat, Dec 19th from 6:30pm to 10pm!

See You Under the Bridge! - heart- RAMmy

[tayana42]

You all seem to be tuned in to what's happening, but just in case:  the farmers at the Riverside Arts Market (called FRAM) will be there each Saturday from 9:00am to noon.  There will be farmers with fresh produce, honey, prepared food products, fresh bread, and so forth.  Parking will be within the Market so easy-in/easy-out with your groceries.  www.RiversideArtsMarket.com

The full Arts Market (RAM) will operate from March 6, to December 18, 2010.   10:00am to 4:00pm.

I'm a RAM volunteer and am very happy to hear all the nice compliments about this community project.

[tg]

According to the RAM website, construction on this expansion should begin later this year. Excited to see the market grow and Riverside get a new focal point:

http://www.riversideartsmarket.com/future.html

[iMarvin]

According to the RAM website, construction on this expansion should begin later this year. Excited to see the market grow and Riverside get a new focal point:

http://www.riversideartsmarket.com/future.html

I understand expansion, but I don't think it makes sense to put two big ponds that take up the whole site. Why not expand the actual market? Add more spaces for people to sell their stuff AND have sculptures.

[wsansewjs]

According to the RAM website, construction on this expansion should begin later this year. Excited to see the market grow and Riverside get a new focal point:

http://www.riversideartsmarket.com/future.html

I understand expansion, but I don't think it makes sense to put two big ponds that take up the whole site. Why not expand the actual market? Add more spaces for people to sell their stuff AND have sculptures.

I believe there is a state law that mandates (for any new development) the amount of water that need to be retained from drainage during a rain storm since the area has no place to completely drain. It is part of the engineer design in functionality to control the flooding.

It is like someone build a property next to you and didn't build a retention pond, then it rains. All the water comes to your property because the water has to go somewhere and stay put. You would be pissed and the other guy would be having the last laugh.

Correct me if I am wrong, anyone.

-Josh

[thelakelander]

Aren't the ponds aready there and for the stormwater drainage of I-95?  It looks like the plan is to turn what are essentially two fenced holes into a pedestrian promenade and park like setting.

[Tacachale]

^Yes, unless I'm mistaken those retention ponds are there currently; they'd just be developing around them.

But it looks like it's an old announcement. It refers to RAM being in its 2nd year, but as of 2011 it's in its third. Looks like it's talking about plan that didn't come to fruition (or hasn't yet, anyway).

[iMarvin]

According to the RAM website, construction on this expansion should begin later this year. Excited to see the market grow and Riverside get a new focal point:

http://www.riversideartsmarket.com/future.html

I understand expansion, but I don't think it makes sense to put two big ponds that take up the whole site. Why not expand the actual market? Add more spaces for people to sell their stuff AND have sculptures.

I believe there is a state law that mandates (for any new development) the amount of water that need to be retained from drainage during a rain storm since the area has no place to completely drain. It is part of the engineer design in functionality to control the flooding.

It is like someone build a property next to you and didn't build a retention pond, then it rains. All the water comes to your property because the water has to go somewhere and stay put. You would be pissed and the other guy would be having the last laugh.

Correct me if I am wrong, anyone.

-Josh

I guess your right, but those are really big retention ponds.

[thelakelander]

That's a really big interstate overhead.

[Tacachale]

So is there any other update on this? It strikes me as an innovative use of the space. I'd hate to see it dilute RAM though.