October 3, 2007 Meeting Minutes

West End Arts

First meeting, first wednesday; nineteenth hour, tenth month, third day, 2007 CE. CSPS Hall

Present: Elizabeth Ellis, Lia Rivamonte, Tonya Nicholie, John Davidson, Halle O'Falvey, Nance Derby, Andrew Hine, Rachel Gorski, Christine Francis, Edie Meissner, Marcus Young, Jason Gorski, Joe Spencer, Erik Hare, Kent Aldrich, Virginia McBride, Rachel Robinson, Steve Shimer, Darcy Rivers, Charles Marabella, Chloe Derby, Sheila Dickinson, Paulette Myers Rich, Joe Landsberger (minutes)

Absent, indicating interest: Dan Bruggeman, Mike Norman, Kent Patterson, Mary Wingerd, Jeff Martinka, Doreen McKenney, Dave Wickiser

The following is a non-sequential minuted discussion. Please enhance! Add! Correct! Contribute!

Joe chaired and began the meeting with introductions, reviewing that this initiative began with a resolution of support at the West 7th/Fort Road Federation annual convention in March 2007. Support includes staff time and resources as approved by its Board of Directors with the group operating under its aegis as a task force similar to that of the North High bridge Task Force. The Board of Directors of Sokol Minnesota also supports the initiative, hosting the first meeting.

Joe referenced a book by Richard Florida and his wiki is recommended. "Prof. Florida's theory asserts that metropolitan regions with high concentrations of high-tech workers, artists, musicians, gay men, and a group he describes as "high bohemians", correlate with a higher level of economic development. Florida posits the theory that the creative class fosters an open, dynamic, personal and professional environment. This environment, in turn, attracts more creative people, as well as businesses and capital. He suggests that attracting and retaining high-quality talent, versus a singular focus on infrastructure projects such as sports stadiums, iconic buildings, and shopping centers, would be a better primary use of a city's regeneration resources for long-term prosperity." The theory is not without its criticism also referenced in the wiki.

Agenda generally addressed several issues:

What role can the arts play in our community (development)?

What do West End artists need?

What educational values do the arts bring?

Cullen Park

Neighbors have already met to address issues of its development, and it presents one opportunity for "public art." Development could follow that of the North High Bridge Park model of fundraising and community organizing. Cullen Park is located Tuscarora and Bay along the railroad tracks, a block or off Fort Road. Contact: Andrew Hine

Brew-town sign at Jefferson and Fort Road

Brainstorming on possibilities for its retention and transformation

The nature of public art was brought up with a broader interpretation

to include not only static installations of sculpture, but also more dynamic interpretations to include relational/performance/multi-modal and -media pieces.

Survey of West End art, galleries, locations, etc. posted on the website

A potential project of the group. Jason Gorski has agreed to help maintain the website

Enthusiasm expressed for juried/curated installations of West End art in storefronts and businesses, and building mutually beneficial collaborations with institutions along the avenue

Directory of West End artists posted on the website.

Aside from text, these could also be posted images such as "business cards" or cartes de visite

Message board, listserv, wiki, group mail for discussions within the group

Toward this goal, a group email list has been established for sending messages to the above listed, present and absent, with two exceptions (no email address listed).

Caution is requested in sharing this email address in the interest of avoiding spam. If forwarding content, please delete the email address and mention that individuals can request being added through Joe as list administrator. [Post a comment to this blog entry if you're interested.]

Discussion on stakeholders of West End arts

Schools, businesses, non-profits, children, young and not-so-young artists of all persuasions.

Fall Art Sale: 501 Drake

Mike Norman, Jan Davies, Willem Gebben, Bridgette O'Malley & Amanda Degener, Betsy Bowen, Shane Upthegrove, Virginia McBride, Kevin Williams.

Next meeting:

First Wednesday, November 7. Location to be announced.