Thursday, January 27, 2011

Are You an Artist?

Photo by John Crocker
I recently gave a talk about the local art scene to a rotary club. The Greater Columbia Arts Network (ART-NET) has been working on updating its Experience Art brochure which lists the local arts venue and groups. The brochure was printed three years ago. I wanted to talk about the changes that have occurred during this economic downturn (more art, but more about that on a later blog post), but also wanted to make the audience think about their personal relationship to art. So I asked them to answer five questions on a handout:
1. Are you an artist?
2. Have you ever experienced an emotional reaction to art?
3. Have you ever tried to be an artist?
4. Have you been to an art event in the last three months?
5. Do you support any arts organizations?

I was very pleasantly surprised by the results of this survey. Thirty members answered most or all of the questions.
1. 57% were artist
2. 86% had experienced an emotional reaction to art
3. 67% had tried to be an artist
4. 76% had attended an art event in the last three months
5. 78% support the arts

These results appear to reflect a community that supports the arts? Or was this group special? What do you think?

A Couple of Announcements

On February 1 and 2, the Washington State Arts Alliance (WSAA) will work together with the Washington Museum Association (WMA) on behalf of the arts and heritage of Washington State. You are invited to attend a special legislator reception on Tues. Feb. 1 from 5-7pm at Olympia's State Capital Museum (211 21st Ave).and join in all-day on Wed. Feb. 2 for Arts & Heritage Day in Olympia. Meet with your district representatives and senators regarding support for important cultural issues during the 2011 session. Let Tracy Schreiber of WSAA know if you plan to attend: staff@wsartsalliance.com or call 206-448-1909.

It is especially important to show support for the arts this year because the Governor has proposed dramatic changes for the Washington State Arts Commission: eliminating WSAC as an independent agency, moving some arts functions to the Department of Commerce, and dramatically reducing funding and staffing. If you cannot attend Arts & Heritage Days, contact your elected officials and tell them how important WSAC is to you, our community and our state.

Diane Bartlett let me know that the LCC Gallery has put together a series of questions for individual artists to answer. It is optional for the artist to complete and exhibits involving a large number, i.e. the next exhibit – Print Arts Northwest 30th Anniversary All Member Show, will not be asked to complete the questionnaire. But the current featured artist, Photographer Larry Cwik, has answered the questions and they are worth reading. The Gallery will be added the Q & As to the gallery page: http.//lowercolumbia.edu/gallery.

I have included a photo by John Crocker who is being features at Lord & McCord Gallery this month.

First Thursday Activities – February 3

Broadway Gallery, 1418 Commerce www.the-broadway-gallery.com/
Fiber Art Show (over ten local artists participating) and works by members Mike Morgan (sculptures) and Di Morgan (clothing).
Reception 5:30–7:30pm. Live Music.

Longview Public Library Koth Gallery, 1600 Louisiana, Longview www.longviewlibrary.org/
Ron Gaul, the coffee artist. Show runs Feb 3-23.
Reception 5-7pm.

LCC Gallery at the Rose Center, 15th & Washington, Longview www.lowercolumbia.edu/community/art-and-entertainment/the-art-gallery/
Larry Cwik (photography). Exhibit ends Feb 4.
Open until 7:00pm.

Lord & McCord Artworks, 1416 Commerce http://www.lindamccord.com/
John Crocker (photography).
Reception 5–7pm. Live music.

The Bistro, 1329 Commerce Avenue www.thebistrobuzz.com/
Wine tasting. Live music. Door prizes. Reservations recommended.
Hours: 5-8pm.

Cowlitz County Historical Museum, 405 Allen St, Kelso www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/museum/
Railroading on the Cowlitz’s West Bank presented by Ed Barnes and Jim Elliott. Program begins at 7pm; museum open until 9pm.

Activities

February 2-26: Castle Rock Quilt Show. Wed-Sun, 10-2. Free but donations accepted. Castle Rock Exhibit Hall, 147 Front Street, Castle Rock, Wash. Info: 360-274-6603.

February 4-27: “Leaving Iowa”-a comedy about family vacations. 7:30pm; Sun 2pm. $10. Loves Street Playhouse, 126 Loves Ave, Woodland, Wash. Info: http://www.lovestreetplayhouse.com/.

February 5: International Guitar Night. 7:30pm. $25-$35. Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, 1231 Vandercook, Longview, Wash. Info: 360-575-8499 or http://www.columbiatheatre.com/.

February 8: Greg Giannascolli-marimbist and percussionist. Community Concert Association. 7:30pm. $25 adults; $10 students. Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, 1231 Vandercook, Longview, Wash. Info: Betty Houten at 360-425-5136.

February 11: The Perfect Gentlemen-four man vocal group. Clatskanie Arts Commission. 7:30pm. $10 adults; $8 seniors/students; $5 children. Donavon Wooley Performing Arts Center, Clatskanie Middle/High School, 471 SW BelAir Drive, Clatskanie, Ore. Info: http://www.clatskaniearts.org/.

February `13: Peter and the Wolf.-CTPA Rainy Months Series for families with young children. 2pm. $5. Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, 1231 Vandercook, Longview, Wash. Info: 360-575-8499 or http://www.columbiatheatre.com/.

February 17-March 11: Print Art Northwest – 30th Anniversary All-Member Show. Reception February 17, 5pm-7pm. LCC Gallery at the Rose Center, 15th & Washington, Longview, Wash. Info: www.lowercolumbia.edu/community/art-and-entertainment/the-art-gallery/

February 18-19: 7th annual Plomondon Independent Film Festival. Fri 7pm, Sat 1pm and 7pm. $2 adults; $1 children. Morgan Arts Centre, 190 Plomondon Road, Toledo, Wash. Info: http://www.morganartscentre.com/.

February 19: Linda Lee Michelet – jazz singer. Fundraiser for the Red Cross. 7pm-10pm. $20. Monticello Hotel Ballroom, 1405 17th Avenue, Longview, Wash. Info: 360-423-7880.

February 23-March 12: “Three Views of Love”-three one-act plays about love through the ages. Center Stage Theatre. 7:30pm. $8 adults, $7 students and seniors. Rose Center for the Arts, LCC, 15th Ave & Washington, Longview Wash. Info: 360-442-2682.

February 25-March 5: “Dracula”-student production of a biting drama. Mainstage Theatre. 7:30pm; March 5 2pm. $5. Dana Brown Mainstage Theatre, R.A. Long High School, 2903 Nichols, Blvd., Longview, Wash. Info: Susan Donahue 360-575-7733.

Opportunities

Audition: Gay ‘90s Melodrama titled “Dirty Work at the Crossroads” by Bill Johnson. Auditions are Monday, February 7; 7pm. Show dates are April 29 – May 22 (Fri/Sat at 7:30pm and Sun at 2pm). Loves Street Playhouse, 126 Loves Ave, Woodland, Wash. Info: http://www.lovestreetplayhouse.com/.

Artists Wanted: ARTrails is looking for artists for the 9th Annual Studio Tour. Artist who live in SW Washington and can show within 10 miles of Lewis County are eligible. Deadline: March 1. Info: 360-864-2681; http://www.artrailsofsww.org/.

Writers Wanted: Valley Bugler seeking writers to produce 400 word essays on their profession or passion. Contact Michelle Myre, Publisher, at editor@valleybugler.com.

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