Remember To Include The Art Community
OK, for those of you that have been reading BRO's City Channel you might have heard that a few of us are hot on turning the DL&W into a market place. Well, a few emails have come through inquiring whether we are keeping local artists in mind. During a recent tour of the terminal we peaked through the windows to see the large expanse of space on the inside. There is plenty of room for all sorts of art related activities inside and outside the terminal.
Instead of just showcasing the works of local artists don't you think that this could be the type of scene where artists spend the weekends actually working on art projects as well? Glass-blowing, pottery throwing, etc.? We have been talked about an idea like this for the last six years. We originally looked at the space where the Elmwood Village Charter School is moving into for an artist’s community along these lines. Art is a beautiful thing, but the making of art is extremely fascinating to people. If you are an artist, what do you think about this idea and what should we be taking into consideration when we explore this idea?
Hey Q — this is just an idea that popped into my head, after thinking that a farmer's market + artist studio may not (forgive me) have enough teeth to draw people 365 days a year so… what about a way to incorporate re-enactments of Buffalo history? We are very rich with possibilities…
a) the erie canal building / invention of grain elevators
b) Pan Am expo events (yes, including the asassination, I suppose)
c) underground railroad
d) incredible jazz music
Done well (and why not!?) such a site would have appeal to tourists from OUTside this area as well as inform and foster pride within. Please include a "call for action" to people who might be able to make such a thing happen — if others think it has "destination appeal"
It seems that Buffalo has more art making than art selling. There are plenty of studios, and lots of galleries. Somehow, the artists of Buffalo need to draw buyers in from outside the city. Buffalo has a place internationally in the art world, and needs to draw them here for a visit.
I think the Tri Main Center is a better choice of venue for the stated activities (glass blowing/pottery throwing etc.) as many of them are already taking place there. Also, with Artspace on its way, I think it best to build capacity for both the TriMain Center and ArtSpace. Both of these establishments have potential to position Main Street as a main drag for local artistic creations. People fascinated with watching the creation of art...nice, but no significant economic impact. People BUYING the art...that's where we need to focus.
Maybe I was unclear with my thoughts... you all make good points. I was thinking that if the artist was involved with the making of art then more people might be interested in purchasing pieces already made. They could be visiting-artists from Artspace and Tri-Main... still no?
I've heard that the artists on Allen & Main Street are working on something like this...even including the 'art of beer-making'?
I think it is a great idea- looking at those windows, I see a lot of natural light (mmmmm, natural light....). A visiting artist thing would be great. I think a lot of the artists who have space to work at the Tri Main (and soon, Artspace) would not mind making art in front of a different audience. Use us! Cultural tourism is the underestimated economic engine for WNY!
AN ART ZOO???