Author Topic: Is it time for an Art Walk makeover?  (Read 18850 times)

Tacachale

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Re: Is it time for an Art Walk makeover?
« Reply #15 on: December 13, 2012, 07:22:44 PM »
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.
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Bridges

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Re: Is it time for an Art Walk makeover?
« Reply #16 on: December 13, 2012, 09:07:44 PM »
I don't want to toot my own horn but 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.
So I said to him: Arthur, Artie come on, why does the salesman have to die? Change the title; The life of a salesman. That's what people want to see.

Dapperdan

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Re: Is it time for an Art Walk makeover?
« Reply #17 on: December 14, 2012, 07:55:08 AM »
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?

thelakelander

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Re: Is it time for an Art Walk makeover?
« Reply #18 on: December 14, 2012, 08:29:11 AM »
For those who haven't already completed it, here is a link to the Art Walk survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6GJ75QL
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CharleyNovember

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Re: Is it time for an Art Walk makeover?
« Reply #19 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.

Bativac

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Re: Is it time for an Art Walk makeover?
« Reply #20 on: January 11, 2013, 07:02:29 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.

TheCat

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Re: Is it time for an Art Walk makeover?
« Reply #21 on: January 13, 2013, 01:14:57 AM »
If DVI was in charge of marketing for the Jaguars this would be their survey.



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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« Last Edit: January 15, 2013, 09:34:11 AM by TheCat »

TheCat

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Re: Is it time for an Art Walk makeover?
« Reply #22 on: January 13, 2013, 01:30:07 AM »
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 ...

 ???

Noone

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Re: Is it time for an Art Walk makeover?
« Reply #23 on: January 13, 2013, 02:12:36 AM »
$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.


riverside planner

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Re: Is it time for an Art Walk makeover?
« Reply #24 on: January 13, 2013, 07:10:35 AM »
$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.

Spence

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Re: Is it time for an Art Walk makeover?
« Reply #25 on: January 13, 2013, 01:23:24 PM »
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)
« Last Edit: January 13, 2013, 02:22:27 PM by Spence »
Why is the world full of humans a lot less friendly than we ought to be?

tufsu1

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Re: Is it time for an Art Walk makeover?
« Reply #26 on: January 13, 2013, 02:28:46 PM »
instead of complaining about the survey, get involved and make ArtWalk better!

Spence

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Re: Is it time for an Art Walk makeover?
« Reply #27 on: January 13, 2013, 06:06:37 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.

 
Why is the world full of humans a lot less friendly than we ought to be?

tufsu1

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Re: Is it time for an Art Walk makeover?
« Reply #28 on: January 13, 2013, 06:56:31 PM »
^ wasn't really referring to you

ssky

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Re: Is it time for an Art Walk makeover?
« Reply #29 on: January 28, 2013, 10:28:02 PM »
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.