June's Art Walk

[Tacachale]

For whatever reason, the old library's in a clear downward spiral as an Artwalk stop. It's too bad, as that's the only time it gets any real use.

I didn't make it Wednesday, but I have a couple ideas as to why:

1. Ive noticed that at several of the Art Walk's the old library has had some of the same people and same art.  I know a few get changed out but the majority seemed to stay the same.  This goes for several places too.  I don't know how display settings work for Art Walk, but it seems like they should rotate places at the least.  If you were in old library, you're now in the store fronts by 11E.  Would help shuffling people to new places.

2.  You can actually see a lot of the art inside the building through the windows.  A walk past, and you can see if there is anything different that you want to see or not. 

3.  It's emptiness.  If you're going to use it, it needs to be filled with more and in a good order.  Everytime I'm in there I feel a little overwhelmed once I get off the first bank of artists to the right.  Where am I supposed to go next?  It's like they've just started scattering other people around. 

Just one man's thoughts.

That makes a lot of sense. The lack of variety is definitely a drawback.

[BridgeTroll]

I miss the basement...

[Jaxson]

Really? I was around Adams Street around 8:30 and it seemed the entire block on Ocean and Adams around Burro Bar, Icon and Poppy Loves Smoke was jammed with people and there was a continuous crowd outside of Burrito Gallery where I was for hours. I didn't really walk too much further than that since I was still limping around on one crutch.

I try to avoid the Burrito Gallery because it is always crowded with people and has a queue that goes out the door.  Too much of a hassle for a bite to eat - IMHO. 

"It's so crowded, nobody goes there" - Yogi Berra

http://stuffyoushouldhate.com/2010/06/07/waiting-in-line/

[comncense]

Really? I was around Adams Street around 8:30 and it seemed the entire block on Ocean and Adams around Burro Bar, Icon and Poppy Loves Smoke was jammed with people and there was a continuous crowd outside of Burrito Gallery where I was for hours. I didn't really walk too much further than that since I was still limping around on one crutch.

I try to avoid the Burrito Gallery because it is always crowded with people and has a queue that goes out the door.  Too much of a hassle for a bite to eat - IMHO. 

"It's so crowded, nobody goes there" - Yogi Berra

http://stuffyoushouldhate.com/2010/06/07/waiting-in-line/

Yeah, hard to avoid BG being crowded. It's easily my favorite place to eat downtown. I pondered waiting in line there last night but decided to just wait till I got home to eat. Though Burrito Gallery being having REALLY good food is a big factor in the line, it's few places downtown that has the vibe and good food like they have. We definitely need more food options downtown. I'd be happy if they opened one of those Smashburgers downtown. I'd love something like NYC has in Pop Burger.

http://www.popburger.com/pop%20burger1/HTML/index.htm

[Jaxson]

To make matters worse, it was like a sauna inside of BG when I was there last night.  So, not only were we herded in like cattle at a Golden Corral, we had to stand in temperatures that were simply nasty.  I opted not to eat at BG, having eaten dinner before heading downtown, but had to suffer through the death march because I have a friend who insists on eating there.  I agree about the quality of the food at BG being good, but prefer to have meals that are shorter than my wait...

And, yes, we do need more food options downtown!!! 

[Tacachale]

I generally avoid BG on Artwalk for that same reason. The only problem is, there aren't that many other food options in the area, and none are as awesome as that. Hopefully our local restaurant community will see the opportunity there and we'll get some more options.

[Jaxson]

I wonder if anyone would set up booths and kiosks like they did at the Jazz festival...  ArtWalk, after all, is a regular event where food vendors could set up in Hemming Plaza, right?  Just wondering... 

Like Tacachale said above, this is a golden opportunity for other options...

[CityLife]

I wonder if anyone would set up booths and kiosks like they did at the Jazz festival...  ArtWalk, after all, is a regular event where food vendors could set up in Hemming Plaza, right?  Just wondering...

The problem with that is that you would be taking dollars directly out of downtown businesses. I know that one particular popular DT establishment makes enough money every Art Walk to pay their rent, utilities, and miscellaneous costs. Art Walk enables DT businesses to stay open and sustain their businesses even when things aren't spectacular.

One thing you could do is have a booth or booths where the Downtown establishments sell their food/drinks in those booths. I know that BG and Indochine had booths open for Art Walk. I think that is the only you could make the idea work.

[Overstreet]

Read the comments and Art Walk seems more about food and drinking than about art. 


My artist friend stopped showing there because there were too many lookers and no buyers for her art.

[Jaxson]

I wonder if anyone would set up booths and kiosks like they did at the Jazz festival...  ArtWalk, after all, is a regular event where food vendors could set up in Hemming Plaza, right?  Just wondering...

The problem with that is that you would be taking dollars directly out of downtown businesses. I know that one particular popular DT establishment makes enough money every Art Walk to pay their rent, utilities, and miscellaneous costs. Art Walk enables DT businesses to stay open and sustain their businesses even when things aren't spectacular.

One thing you could do is have a booth or booths where the Downtown establishments sell their food/drinks in those booths. I know that BG and Indochine had booths open for Art Walk. I think that is the only you could make the idea work.

Good point about the booths possibly cannibalizing business for the existing DT establishments.  I am conflicted because I believe that the crowds at the existing popular places either warrant scheduling more help at the existing places on those busy nights (They're on the calendar) or warrant more competition so we do not force people to herd into cramped, hot places...

[Tacachale]

Read the comments and Art Walk seems more about food and drinking than about art. 


My artist friend stopped showing there because there were too many lookers and no buyers for her art.

That's an unfortunate reality, and probably unavoidable with an event that occurs every month. It's a similar deal with RAM. I've bought art at Art Walk, but I know I've done a lot more looking (and drinking) than buying art. Even if you're chiefly there for the art, eventually you run out of room and money to spend on it. Booze and food are cheaper and don't stay in your house forever after you buy them.

It would be nice if we could supplement the monthly Art Walk with something less frequent and more focused, like the Gainesville Local Arts Market. That occurs only once a year, and you have to pay to get in, meaning the people who come are there with a purpose. Additionally, the booths are invitation only, so there's a good level of quality control. I can see an annual "best of Art Walk" event, where the focus was specifically on the artwork, working well.

[Jaxson]

Read the comments and Art Walk seems more about food and drinking than about art.  


My artist friend stopped showing there because there were too many lookers and no buyers for her art.

Thank you for bringing that up.  I have to admit that I originally went to ArtWalk to visit the various galleries, but had no intention of buying art.  It was a nice added benefit that I could enjoy some finger foods and drinks while admiring the works - or have a bite to eat at one of the downtown eateries.  Then, along the way, I found various local gatherings that helped keep me off the street (Especially during inclement weather) and helped connect me to old friends and to meet new ones.  I sort of took for granted that other people were the ones who were browsing and shopping.  I will resolve to purchase something that I like at the next ArtWalk.  IMHO, it is the least that I could do to support the spirit of this event.

[Tacachale]

I wonder if anyone would set up booths and kiosks like they did at the Jazz festival...  ArtWalk, after all, is a regular event where food vendors could set up in Hemming Plaza, right?  Just wondering...

The problem with that is that you would be taking dollars directly out of downtown businesses. I know that one particular popular DT establishment makes enough money every Art Walk to pay their rent, utilities, and miscellaneous costs. Art Walk enables DT businesses to stay open and sustain their businesses even when things aren't spectacular.

One thing you could do is have a booth or booths where the Downtown establishments sell their food/drinks in those booths. I know that BG and Indochine had booths open for Art Walk. I think that is the only you could make the idea work.

Good point about the booths possibly cannibalizing business for the existing DT establishments.  I am conflicted because I believe that the crowds at the existing popular places either warrant scheduling more help at the existing places on those busy nights (They're on the calendar) or warrant more competition so we do not force people to herd into cramped, hot places...

Not to mention the people (like me) who avoid eating downtown that night because the crowds at the handful of awesome restaurants are always so huge, but who would be perfectly willing to spend the money downtown if there were more options.

I think we want to see more competition and diversity, we just don't want it to be one night only. We don't want booths of non-downtown restaurants reaping the benefits of being there that one night, and not doing anything else downtown since they're already making money on the biggest night on the calendar.

[duvaldude08]

Really? I was around Adams Street around 8:30 and it seemed the entire block on Ocean and Adams around Burro Bar, Icon and Poppy Loves Smoke was jammed with people and there was a continuous crowd outside of Burrito Gallery where I was for hours. I didn't really walk too much further than that since I was still limping around on one crutch.

I try to avoid the Burrito Gallery because it is always crowded with people and has a queue that goes out the door.  Too much of a hassle for a bite to eat - IMHO. 

"It's so crowded, nobody goes there" - Yogi Berra

http://stuffyoushouldhate.com/2010/06/07/waiting-in-line/

Yeah, hard to avoid BG being crowded. It's easily my favorite place to eat downtown. I pondered waiting in line there last night but decided to just wait till I got home to eat. Though Burrito Gallery being having REALLY good food is a big factor in the line, it's few places downtown that has the vibe and good food like they have. We definitely need more food options downtown. I'd be happy if they opened one of those Smashburgers downtown. I'd love something like NYC has in Pop Burger.

http://www.popburger.com/pop%20burger1/HTML/index.htm

I agree. Smashburgers is coming to jax, but no where NEAR DT. There will be one over hear on baymeadows, one on Normandy and like two others. Hopefully they will consider expanding in DT eventually. Burger King DT just does not cut it. Never has really. LMAO

[Kiva]

Yeah, hard to avoid BG being crowded. It's easily my favorite place to eat downtown. I pondered waiting in line there last night but decided to just wait till I got home to eat. Though Burrito Gallery being having REALLY good food is a big factor in the line, it's few places downtown that has the vibe and good food like they have.

We got there early (before 6p.m.) and there was no line. It's very true that people travel to good food, whether it is BG, Uptown Market, Metro Diner,  La Nopalera or the Indian restaurants on Baymeadows. We need more good restaurants downtown!