Steering Committee Update, April 30 Meeting Cancelled

Since we met last week, Jason and Halle contacted some key people about potential venues, but have not nailed down any details yet. Instead of meeting on Wednesday, April 30, we thought it would be easiest to post this update. We hope to have more details by Monday, in time for the next general West End Arts meeting.

Here's the story:

• Jason contacted Dave W. and the Cohens about the use of the brewery, and since the Cohens have not closed the deal yet, the person we really need to contact is Dave Kreitzer, the current owner. Dave W. already has a relationship with him so he's going to contact him on our behalf and try to have some info for us by Monday.
• Halle contacted a couple local businesses who expressed support and interest in participating, should we pursue the "art crawl" option.

See you all next Monday, May 5, at the Fort Road Federation Office.

Come on in -- the water's fine...

Spring brings the promise of good things....In these economically, politically and spiritually trying times art is one of those "good things." We hope more of you artists, writers, performers, art lovers, community activists in this West End will jump in soon. The water is just a puddle so far--not too deep and a little on the tepid side. If you cannot make the meeting times, start commenting on blogs and contributing ideas anyway. We need and want all voices to be heard.

Steering committee meeting.

April 23

The first steering committee meeting was tonight at Acme Scenic Arts.

Atendees:

• Heather  Haynes
  
• Halle O' Falvey
  
• Lia Rivamonte
  
• Rachel Gorski
  
• Jason Gorski
  
• Nance Derby
  

Marty was excused due to artistic endeavors.

We discussed alternating nights of general meetings, every other month, Mondays & Wednesdays. We'll bring this up at our next general meeting on May 5. 

There was poster feedback. 

Marty sent his compliments.

All in attendance love it. 

There was some concern about the readability of the "WEA" letters. Jason will produce a few other ideas. But overall, feedback on posters and logo was positive. 

Discussion of whether we're going to have performance art or just visual art. The decision was to limit our first show to visual art but to invite musical performers and/or spoken word for the opening (e.g., Armaiti, Heather's daughter & daughter's father). Steering committee welcomes suggestions and will make a selection on its own. 

We'd like the show to be at least one week, at most one month. If we do get a venue for a month, we could have additional music or events on weekends featuring groups on the West End. The groups who express interest would coordinate their events themselves, so that it's not all up to the core steering committee to coordinate each event each weekend.

Jason is volunteering to contact Dave W. re: the brewery site. Alternative sites, if brewery is unavailable:

• Mad Hatter Gallery & Tea
  
• Tease
  
• Pilney building
  
• Uncommon Grounds
  
• West Seventh Community Center
• Rudie's 
  
• Petit Salon
  
• Visual Addiction
  
• Day by Day
  
• Donahue Real Estate
  
• Shalom Home
  
• Mississippi Market (later)
  
• Summit Brewery Rathskeller
  
• West Seventh Storage
  
• Victoria Park Condo
  
• Halloween Fright Night Old Magic Shop site
  
• Art Crawl across multiple small venues, if not large venue is available

Halle will make some calls.   

If all else fails, Nance offered Acme as a venue once construction is complete. (But we are all eager to have a summer show.)

Nance will contact Betty at the Federation to finalize the advertising budget and give it to Dave Thune. 

Nance will also find out if the Federation has a non-profit postage bulk rate for mailing that we could use for show mailings. 

Once we get a venue, we'll need to check on insurance. We can talk to Federation about that. Participating artists will also need to sign a release/waiver. 

Next show steering committee meeting: Wednesday, April 30, 7pm

Chez Gorski

Let's communicate by e-mail during the week, and meet only if we have some viable venue options to discuss. 

Getting the show rolling . . .

Here's a possible poster for the up coming show. I wanted to make it eye-catching and easy to read from a distance. I felt that we need to convey more details with a follow up to a response via email or telephone or mailing/dropping off/picking up applications. Cheers - Jason

Art for the new Mississippi Market?

Mississippi Market is coming to Victoria Park on the West End. Hooray! I cannot wait to walk to my co-op!
Should we approach the Mississippi Market folks and ask them about plans for art in or around the store? A mural, a sculpture, whatever? Maybe we can contribute.

West End Arts logo: A thing of beauty!

Thank you, Jason, for this beautiful logo! I love it!




So easy to scale based on size of media!
So easy to stencil! I'm ready to spray paint my t-shirt, thank you.

April 23 & May 5 Meeting Announcements

Steering Committee meeting
When: April 23, 2008, 7pm
Where: Acme Scenic Arts (Nance & John's place), 941 West Seventh. (Next door to the Mad Hatter.)

West End Arts meeting
When: May 5, 2008
Where: Fort Road Federation Office

April 7, 2008 Meeting Minutes

West End Arts Meeting Minutes
by Rachel

April 7, 2008
Fort Road Federation Office

Round-up of ideas for our inaugural event/show:

• Brewery as locale, if possible
• Non-juried, though if there are an extraordinary number of entries we can have a selection jury
• Satellite spaces for overflow entries
• Steering committee will meet to hammer out details such as:

~ call for artists within Ford Road Federation boundaries
~ combining show announcement & call for artists
~ venue
~ date
~ opening reception
~ where/how to distribute posters, postcards, & flyers
~ Community Reporter/Villager article/ad
~ KFAI promotion
~ public access/SPNN,
~ press release
~ West End Business Association partnership
~ "art crawl" with the art crawling down W. 7th via sandwich boards
~ rings of power for participating artists
~ ... and more

Steering committee members so far:

• Jason
• Lia
• Heather
• Marty
• Halle
• Nance
• Rachel
• John

Mission statement:
Marty suggests we solidify a mission statement, to define ourselves and give us some direction, aid in goal-setting, put at the top of a grant applications or budget, etc. So, what are we about?

• non-inclusiveness: for all ages, demographics, subcultures
• connecting artists with each other
  
• letting the greater area know we're here
• supporting arts and artists
• having shows
• being visible
• communicating
• sharing knowledge
• promoting and encouraging each other
  
• defining "art"
• defining "support"
  
• ... by any means necessary

Draft statement:
Neighbors and friends organized to promote and foster arts in the West End, by encouraging and connecting artists, and extending arts into the community through exhibitions, live performances, and educational outreach.

Inaugural Event/Show Budget ideas:
Heather offers to take the lead on drafting a budget for the St. Paul City Council. Rough ideas:
5000 postcards at $1,500
5000 flyers at $200
250 posters at $500
Postage $400
Designer $300

What's Next:
Steering Committee meeting
When: April 23, 2008
Where: Acme Scenic Arts (Nance & John's place), 941 West Seventh. (Next door to the Mad Hatter.)

West End Arts meeting
When: May 5, 2008
Where: Fort Road Federation Office