"The Boonies"

The Boonies: 

1. noun.  a remote and undeveloped place. (From boondocks.) :  He lives out there in the boonies.

It does not mean a bad thing.  I have already been thrown a couple looks as if I am putting down the society in which I reside simply be using the term "boonies"... but let me be clear... I do not feel that way at all and I don't feel it is anyone's right to judge people's habitat decisions - to each his/her own.  I cherish the history of this town, the stories it holds, the character of its aesthetics and so much more.  If I wanted to live in a highly developed area, I would have chosen to live in Chicago or some other heavily populated and dense city.  But I CHOSE to live in Plainfield for a reason, many reasons in fact.  The name "Art in the Boonies" is appropriate for what we are doing and is simply a metaphor.

Most popular artists will find themselves showing in spaces in large cities or at least in very developed areas.  Plainfield is not a highly developed area, and in my opinion, that's a good thing.  It is a growing village, one that holds core values at its heart and builds on those values to better the communities within it... with this comes potential... and those potentials are limitless.  In the artist circles I circulate in, we refer to ourselves as living in "the Boonies" because this type of town is not a town you would find original works of famous artists displayed.  Nor is it a town in which I would normally seek to attain a solo exhibition or even juried art shows. You have to go to the city to see works by the well-known artists and diverse displays of art forms... and because of that, as a small town artist, opportunities are limited as the art world is a very competitive scene.  THUS... we are living in the boonies if you ask an artist.

We are starting to become a very unique and attractive area within the delicate balance of staying small enough to stay unique and large enough to be desirable.  Our "Art in the Boonies" Art-Walk is intended to help this growth in a variety of ways:
1.  Giving spaces to artists that would otherwise not have space to display and sell their artworks.
2.  Bringing patrons to the businesses and foot traffic through otherwise vacant spaces in the downtown area.
3.  Creating cultural awareness within our communities and our surrounding areas through art.
4.  Providing free events for everyone... something to do... for all ages.

This isn't going to happen successfully without the encouragement and willingness to work together, and so I can't thank enough the village administration and the building owners who have already graciously agreed to allow us to inhabit their vacant spaces throughout the summer as pop-up galleries doing business through Art Cube Studios in collaboration with Crows Feet Studios.

So, save the date because we are hoping to launch this May!  And... tentatively, here is some information:


First Fridays:  The first Friday of each month.  Designated as the opening of a new show in each gallery.  Artist Reception from 6-9pm.  The big hooplah... the night not to be missed.
But, if you do miss it:
Artwalk:  All galleries will be open every Friday through September (pending available space) on Fridays from 6-9pm.  (and also possibly Tuesday nights from 5-8pm)

So... how do we bring in diverse culture if we are offering opportunities to only local artists?
While our focus will be in providing local artists with show opportunities, we will have one small space designated to inviting larger name artists into our walk.  Fortunately for us, my husband is a glass artist and former preparator/curator for some urban galleries, museums and universities... and thanks to him, one of our first shows will include some big names... a show not to be missed... along with his show of works.  (...and that's all I will say... don't miss it.)