Is it time for an Art Walk makeover?
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1111623002_ksRaz-M.jpg)
Produced by Downtown Vision, Inc. (DVI), First Wednesday Art Walk is a free, self-guided tour that combines astounding visual and live art, engaging events and more in the core of Downtown Jacksonville. Held each month from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Art Walk spans a 15-block radius within the Downtown core. With 30 to 40 galleries, museums, cultural venues, restaurants, bars and businesses participating each month and dozens of artists in the open-air Hemming Plaza, Art Walk has become an event that savors and supports Jacksonville's deep pool of creative talent.
Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-dec-is-it-time-for-an-art-walk-makeover
After the Old Library closed it's doors for Art Walk it's been on a downhill. I would even say after they stopped having shows in the basement is when it started waning.
I would like to see more ART, and less crafts which seem to take up most of Hemming. Also, a lot of the places that do show art it looks as if it's an after thought. Not a lot of places put effort into highlighting artists and their work. There are a few group shows here and there that are pretty good but they've been fewer and far between the last couple of years.
I agree about the old library... especially the basement scene... 8)
The old library did seem to be Art Walks heyday. I wonder how involved the artist are in event planning or if DVI has full control of event parameters. I would love to see some out of the box thinking. I feel as if I go more now to support Jacksonville than to have a trues experience downtown. I think people are looking for reasons to make a trip downtown. I could imagine a watered down version of artwalk every fri or sat with a larger event every quarter. I would also be nice to see the Skyway intergrated into the event somehow, i.e. installation pieces or a second craft hub. Food trucks on Hemming would be nice, too. I needs something new.
I think that Hemming Plaza has been more alive since the Old Library closed its doors....and to me, that's a good thing
Has the development of CoRK hurt Art Walk? It seems like a lot of people who wanted to be downtown or who were a part of the Off The Grid thing have ended up over there.
Quote from: stephendare on December 13, 2012, 03:08:49 PM
Matthew, DVI has full control of events planning as far as any 'planning' has actually happened. There really isnt any artist participation in it, but Ive always found with that body that they tend to act more territorial than they can actually back up. There is nothing that prevents you and a group of artists from getting together and doing an additional layer of events or plans on top of what DVI is doing. Partner with a couple of venues, and get something additional going.
You might get some pushback from DVI, the way one of our board members did before he joined MetroJacksonville. He was doing some form of mixed media performance art on the public streets of downtown and one of the DVI people came over to bully him into not doing 'approved' activities.
The threat of the police being called stopped him, but even if the police had been called, its doubtful that anything would have happened to him, after all its a free country even if we tend to lose sight of that occasionally.
I do sometimes worry that organizations, like DVI, are building frameworks for citizens to fill but natives just don't have the desire to participate. They can only bitch about how bad it sucks here. I would like to see a little bit more spontaneous grass-roots events. I think Jacksonvillians have it in them if they quit playing into this self-fulfilling narrative that this is a place has nothing to offer. It's untrue.
I do know of the incident you speak of with one of your current board members. It involves gold paint, doesn't it?
^From my view, grass-roots events are alive and well in Jacksonville. They just tend to happen organically in areas that aren't as restricted with public agency's hands in the cookie jar. Unfortunately, downtown isn't one of those locations. Cities grow organically. One of the best things we can do is figure out how to make downtown a more accepting location for market-rate organic growth.
Quote^From my view, grass-roots events are alive and well in Jacksonville. They just tend to happen organically in areas that aren't as restricted with public agency's hands in the cookie jar. Unfortunately, downtown isn't one of those locations.
I stand behind this statement with absolute certainty. The City makes it financially difficult and completely burdensome to do things downtown with all of the permitting, insurance and police/fire/paramedic requirements involved. Even seeking to use public space to do something as simple as organizing a kickball game becomes an exercise in futility.
Here's a more recent example: COJ put on a Holiday event at Hemming last Friday. They required vendors (as in a guy selling something as simple as Christmas ornaments) to carry $1mm in insurance with the City being named as loss payee. Even if you didn't have that, and wanted to purchase a special one day policy (insurance companies do offer this arrangement for special events) the premium would cost you about $300. Why a simple hold harmelss agreement isn't all that's needed for people to participate in a public park like Hemming is beyond me.
$300? You'd have to sell a ton of Christmas ornaments to break even. Very few people are getting rich going to random special events selling things like home made goods, hot dogs and Christmas ornaments.
ArtWalk should be expanded to include a farmers market and occur every Friday or Saturday night. Special events and themes can be added as needed, but having a consistent event could bring new life to downtown on a regular basis. It would be nice if Alvin and the DIA could get behind something like this and figure out a way to take care of insurance and some of the financing. I'd like to see as many food trucks, vendors, street performers etc participating as possible and let the free market decide who belongs at this kind of event. If nothing else it would set the stage for a night out on the town.
Quote from: thelakelander on December 13, 2012, 03:54:53 PM
$300? You'd have to sell a ton of Christmas ornaments to break even. Very few people are getting rich going to random special events selling things like home made goods, hot dogs and Christmas ornaments.
Hence why numerous venders at things like Art Walk are trying to sell a lot of things at highly inflated prices. Patrons don't buy it, vendors don't make a sale, everyone loses.
Are some of you suggesting that vendors should be able to set up for free? If so, should vendors who get tent space provided by DVI have to pay?
Quote from: stephendare on December 13, 2012, 05:50:25 PM
Then lets take some initiative, form a citizens panel to find out the reasons why, then suggest legislation to change this ridiculous situation!
I agree whole heartedly with you. Art Walk is one of the only events downtown that I even attend. Every time I go I think to myself that this is how a city should feel. It is not up to DVI to dictate something so vital to the welfare of downtown. I don't want to downplay DVI's roll in the redevelopment process, but in a way they are the creators of their own problem. A downtown improvement district in itself implies that it is not up to par, which it is not, but maybe our approach should be different. This is one of those self-fulfilling prophecies I was speaking of earlier. I feel like healthy urban districts have art collectives, merchant collectives, historical societies, higher education facilities, etc. A network of special interest that weave the tapestry of an improved urban zone. An organization dedicated to TOD in the downtown area should primarily focus on facilitating activity by third party groups, not try and force them into one self hosted event.
Basically, Sign me up. I could talk all day about this crap.
Tufsu1, Maybe you pay for a tent if you want one. I'll admit I don't have all the answers. I just know a typical vendor at something like this will struggle to break even if charged a couple of hundred to participate. How was it before DVI took over?
Art Walk is less focused on art these days, but I'd hardly call it a decline. The people are still coming and business is good for the venues I've spoken to. It's just different, and that's not bad.
My suggestion would be to add another "best of Art Walk" event, perhaps just once a year, that would focus specifically on art. Might have the additional effect of winnowing out all but the best artists, which could be a draw of its own.
I don't want to toot my own horn but http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php?topic=16102.0 (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php?topic=16102.0)
One big problem I have with artwalk is their lack of promotion for things, but that stems from just putting everything up like we always have and they will come like they always have right?...Right?
How often do you know about special shows until you've seen their precious map? I don't hear or see anything about the shows at Moca until I see that map somewhere. And even then I have to hunt to find out the times of shows. Same for other happenings? Why are we looking at Art Walk in the aggregate? Instead of as a show of individual displays and events?
Anyways, those are some thoughts on a Thursday.
Vendors should not get to set up for free, but a fee of $35 - $75 per vendor is quite normal . I do understand the need for insurance in case your tent falls over and hits someone or something of the sort, but doesn't the entity putting on the event normally cover the insurance? Does the city not already have said insurance for Hemming Park anyway? What happens if someone gets hurt there now?
For those who haven't already completed it, here is a link to the Art Walk survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6GJ75QL
I know this is an old topic however from an artist perspective I showed 6-8 times at Artwalk in 2012 I sold one painting and a handful of prints. Paying to show my art is a losing proposition for me money wise. I currently show my paintings at the old firehouse across from Burro Bar and am quite happy to do so as long as they let me. I show my art where ever I can around town. I realize my art is not for everyone but so far I am not finding Cowford an art friendly town unless you are painting sea oats sand dunes or cypress swamps. Nothing wrong with those things but if your art doesn't fit those narrow constraints it seems very difficult to get a foothold here.
Quote from: CharleyNovember on January 11, 2013, 02:48:03 AM
I know this is an old topic however from an artist perspective I showed 6-8 times at Artwalk in 2012 I sold one painting and a handful of prints. Paying to show my art is a losing proposition for me money wise. I currently show my paintings at the old firehouse across from Burro Bar and am quite happy to do so as long as they let me. I show my art where ever I can around town. I realize my art is not for everyone but so far I am not finding Cowford an art friendly town unless you are painting sea oats sand dunes or cypress swamps. Nothing wrong with those things but if your art doesn't fit those narrow constraints it seems very difficult to get a foothold here.
Charley - a lot of us have had similar issues with ArtWalk. I don't think they're hurting for artists, but a lot of us have stopped showing altogether. I had one good month a few months back - since then, it's been not worth the effort.
Still, I know a couple guys who do pretty well. So I guess it's some mystical combination of what you're selling, who's looking at it, where you're set up, and how close you are to free booze.
If DVI was in charge of marketing for the Jaguars this would be their survey.
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Just looked at the survey. This is mostly non-sense. This is what happens when DVI gets together for a meeting: Survey Monkey! If you have to ask if the visual arts are important to the overall art walk experience I think you may have to seriously consider the intent of your event.
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Article on the survey.
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/downtowntoday.php?dt_date=2013-01-11
The Jax Daily Record facebook page literally said:
Downtown Today: DVI survey says art to remain focus of Art Walk ...
???
Quote from: thelakelander on December 13, 2012, 03:54:53 PM
$300? You'd have to sell a ton of Christmas ornaments to break even. Very few people are getting rich going to random special events selling things like home made goods, hot dogs and Christmas ornaments.
I may have shared this with all of you on another thread. But years ago we participated in a bake sale at a school. You make stuff. The cookies, brownies. For the bake sale which was at the school they had to have a police officer. So basically the $250 that was raised basically went to him. Never did that again.
So Art Walk. Spoke to a vendor. Jan.1 new regulation and fees. He's done participating. Does the food truck have to buy the $300 insurance policy? Is this why Main St. Is so popular. Deregulation? But now with this new DIA and Main St. Being in the new zone are you being required to pony up so to speak for your events? Will the reach of the Authority now extend to Riverside, Avondale, Springfield, San Marco? Just asking. Or does Art Walk need to Pull from the featured artist of Riverside, The featured artist of St. Augustine, The featured artist of Fernandina, The featured artist of Callahan, you get the idea. And draw from that and allow the organic spark of interest to multiply.
The fees, parking, insurance, are real issues.
Quote from: Noone on January 13, 2013, 02:12:36 AM
Quote from: thelakelander on December 13, 2012, 03:54:53 PM
$300? You'd have to sell a ton of Christmas ornaments to break even. Very few people are getting rich going to random special events selling things like home made goods, hot dogs and Christmas ornaments.
I may have shared this with all of you on another thread. But years ago we participated in a bake sale at a school. You make stuff. The cookies, brownies. For the bake sale which was at the school they had to have a police officer. So basically the $250 that was raised basically went to him. Never did that again.
So Art Walk. Spoke to a vendor. Jan.1 new regulation and fees. He's done participating. Does the food truck have to buy the $300 insurance policy? Is this why Main St. Is so popular. Deregulation? But now with this new DIA and Main St. Being in the new zone are you being required to pony up so to speak for your events? Will the reach of the Authority now extend to Riverside, Avondale, Springfield, San Marco? Just asking. Or does Art Walk need to Pull from the featured artist of Riverside, The featured artist of St. Augustine, The featured artist of Fernandina, The featured artist of Callahan, you get the idea. And draw from that and allow the organic spark of interest to multiply.
The fees, parking, insurance, are real issues.
Just to clarify, the insurance requirements are unique to City-sponsored special events, not Art Walk.
Regarding the survey questionnaire,
Does anyone else here agree that the Cummer, MOCA, and MOSH alone do an almost adequate job of catering to the families with children and that the monthly first Friday ArtWalk can and perhaps even should be programmed to serve primarily if not strictly adults mingling and mixing (with or without bicycles...preferably with)!?
With the proximity of the King Street district, CORK, and the RAM site relative to the Downtown central business district, who here feels it would be worthwhile to expand the monthly event to include Bold City, Intuition, King south to Pele's, Park&Post to and thru Five Points, Memorial and Riverside Parks, activate the RAM site (the lighting is on all night every night-might as well make use of it), utilizing all of the north bank Riverwalk, run the water taxi to the Landing so folks can also enjoy adult libations flowing and stroll up Laura St. to Hemming and MOCA?
Would this be too big a stretch?
I say no.
What about mimicking the successes of the MJ pubcrawls and sugessting DVI sponsor a pair of shuttles circulating to and from JU, UNF, EWC, the Fidelity garage, the Hemming Skyway station, San Marco Square?
The more venues included can allow for more of what a diverse crowd is open to when seeking the unexpected art forms.
I am not suggesting wholly banning the children altogether, but perhaps rather keep the children with their parents drawn to designated areas like the RAM site, Memorial Park, Riverside Park with the duckpond, soon-to-be-expanded Balis Park, while setting the stage for a very large scale mature, not-too-serious, organic and progressive, mostly kid-free event.
I would truly appreciate any and all thoughts so we can blow the doors off the previous
(and at times impressive) 9 years of success!
I look forward to the added lighting in the Springfield Klutho and Confederate parks and getting all of our Downtown hospitals and their lobbies in on the action!
We have learned much since the beginning and we must advertise advertise advertise.
Pick up a paintbrush!
great stress relief!
My nutritionist recommended it.
I am now off my blood pressure maintenance meds!
@ Charles Hunter I think it was you who mentioned the old vibe in the Haydon Burns basement...
this can return.
I believe.
I just wish the Artwalk were HUGE! (and weekly)
instead of complaining about the survey, get involved and make ArtWalk better!
Quote from: tufsu1 on January 13, 2013, 02:28:46 PM
instead of complaining about the survey, get involved and make ArtWalk better!
no complaints.
If you read my post, you may notice I am hoping to brainstorm with a large group, and assist with sponsorship and funding in order to enhance the event and entire experience from all angles inward.
^ wasn't really referring to you
It's sad to see how Art Walk has declined. The first time I attended was in 2006. Back then, I lived in Jacksonville Beach and, while I had formerly worked Downtown, I never spent time any down time there; nobody did at the time. So, it was a foreign and intoxicating experience to roam the somewhat foreign streets, and the vibe was so way cool. In 2007, I moved into The Carling Apartments, and was delighted to find Art Walk beginning literally right outside my own front door. My friends and I had pre-Art Walk parties at either The Carling or 11 E, and we never missed a single First Wednesday. It was a priority. We loved it. Even as the events of the evening wound to a close, I could hear the strains of the "I Love Lucy" theme song being played on a saxophone beneath my window. It was very unique and special. I was in love with the entire "urban pioneer" experience. Unfortunately, over the years, the cool factor wore off. Art Walk, like Downtown Jacksonville itself, lost its mystique. I, like many of my friends, found myself purposely avoiding it at almost any cost. I am not really sure what happened. I only know that I miss the Downtown Jacksonville of 2007-2009. I have since moved far away, but on the rare occasions that I do get to visit my favorite places there--Chamblain's Book Mine, La Cena Ristorante, and Magnificat Cafe--I wonder what on Earth happened to the enchantment that once encircled The Urban Core. It seems a shame to have let such a beautiful flame die out.
Tufsu, I think you are referring to me. Don't miss the greater point I'm making in the midst of the hilarity of my statements regarding the survey.
My point, in case you missed it, DVI is idiotic.
They're asking meaningless and obvious questions. Hence, my brilliant example of what a Jaguars user survey would look like if DVI created it.
Your solution: Stop complaining and get out there and do something. Good option, right?
DVI called the police on me 4 separate times because I/we were street performing and that was not allowed. All street performance art is banned including the drum circles and the belly dancers and the other random articulations of art that DVI has deemed inoperable with their event.
They would rather have a Ford set up in Hemming Plaza with an announcer blaring contests times on loud speakers then allowing people to freely engage with others. And, that makes sense. They're operating from a gimmicky/Survy Monkey mentality. They don't believe in our core or our people enough to think that we can independently and organically create and develop amazing things.
FYI, DVI did not have the right to stop us and it was a little fun watching the cops struggle on how to handle our street art. I fought a bit. Even refused them a few times. They would invariably come back and I would pack up out of respect for them and trepidation that there was some kind of weird legal technicality that would allow them to press charges. DVI, seeing people engage with us and like what we were doing would still send cops to shut us down.
I felt like I was dealing with impetuous snooty high schoolers. I tried to have reasoned conversations and those would devolve into weird temper tantrums.
So, when I read things like DVI has decided to keep “art as part of the art walk.†Or, that they finally think food trucks are cool (kind of). I don’t have the mind to think they're making progress. The culture of DVI needs to be challenged to go deeper and to be smarter but that’s not their role. I don't think they can do it. They've proven that they are not leaders but reluctant and obsructive followers.
Quote from: TheCat on January 29, 2013, 03:59:41 PMSo, when I read things like DVI has decided to keep “art as part of the art walk.†Or, that they finally think food trucks are cool (kind of). I don’t have the mind to think they're making progress. The culture of DVI needs to be challenged to go deeper and to be smarter but that’s not their role. I don't think they can do it. They've proven that they are not leaders but reluctant and obsructive followers.
I think executive director needs to go. Things usually start at the top.
that's for the DVI board to decide