Printable Application for Artists and PRESS!!!

Hi all!  While I sort through all the photos and try to figure out a way to get them organized for web viewing for you all, I have found a way to put a printable Artist Application on our website.

http://www.artcubestudios.com/Links.html

AND...

We were featured in Mayor Collins' Column in the Enterprise!  Here's a photo image of the column...

Don't be Shy

It's Amanda...

It is very interesting to see true artists being pulled out of the woodwork.  I have been receiving inquiries about exhibiting as an artist in this summer's art-walk via e-mails, phone calls and walk-ins at the studio.  I tell everyone the same thing:  visit our blog, here's the application, please submit your images if you are interested.  It's fun to see only some of those applications come back to me and then of those "some" it is interesting to get only a few phone calls when I request they call to make an appointment to bring in the artwork and read the contract.

I wonder if those are the people that are serious about art... or maybe those are just the "do-ers" of the crowd... or perhaps they are just the ones that are ready to exhibit and the others are still gathering their pieces together... or maybe some are just too shy or not confident enough about their artwork.  I don't know... but it's fun to see who gets pulled up and out and into a gallery.  I will say this, if you are asked to make a phone call and bring in your work... that's a good thing.

We might be losing a great space in June, but on the bright side, there are still more spaces we can approach in hopes to meander our way through the town over the summer.  I'm really having a lot of fun with this art-walk... though I must say... as enjoyable as it is to run it, it's not the same as taking a night off and going to shows that I have not seen before.  Not that one is better than the other; It is just a completely different and new experience.  I like both.  I hope that all of you are really enjoying the other side of this art-walk, because after all, it is for YOU.  =)

Blog Neglect

Hello Boonie Buddies!

Oops... While I have been watching birds hatch in a nest off my back door, I have neglected all the fine followers here... and for that, I apologize.   Here's an update from "the informer."  (at least I beat Christine to the next post, eh?)

The shows are up and if you happen down DesPlaines Street, you will notice its new glow!  (literally)  And here's a sneak preview... just for you:

 We are now in a couple publications for your reading pleasure:
1.  http://plainfield.patch.com/articles/art-in-the-boonies-to-bloom-in-the-burbs 
2.  http://triblocal.com/plainfield/calendar/2011/05/06/art-in-the-boonies-art-walk-plainfield/

The big event kick-off is in 2 days!!!  2 DAYS!!!  OMG!!!  Only 2 more days to throw this whole thing together!  No sweat... thanks to all these amazing artist helpers!  I love the art community!  What a community it is!  Everything is coming together and we now just have to get the final details ironed out (and of course, since we've gotten the pop-up spaces all set up and ready to go, the Cube has been a little pushed aside, so we still have to get that space organized and in order).

See you Friday!

We're in the Village E-newsletter!

YAY!!!  Thanks, Plainfield, for putting the word out there to everyone about this exciting event!  Click on the link below to see what was written... There's also an art contest listed in this issue:

http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=98d05a903edbfe555268f748f&id=18d4503e8c&e=9a9659429f

"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.)

What are we doing!??!

OK... HERE WE ARE!  We are Christine, the ever-impressive guru of multi-talents... and Amanda, the incredible, inspiring motivator of many things.  Both artists and living in what most artists might consider "the boonies."  Yesterday, I, Amanda, woke up with an inexplicable urge to start a blog (even though I have never even read a blog; and if you happen to know me, you know I honestly do not enjoy reading anything at all) and had no idea where the thought originated as I am not a writer and have plenty of other things to keep me busy.  Soooooo, I posted on my Facebook page that irrational desire of mine to see my new friend, Christine, reply with some comical remarks and a title for our new blog... so here it is and we'll see where it goes. 

The thought here, is how do artists continue to create works in areas that lack cultural diversity... and we could add to it... in this fanta-bulous economy that seems to be eliminating most of what we do as professionals?  Where is the inspiration?  Where is the motivation?  Where are the shows?  Where is the credibility as an artist not active in a vibrant art scene?  What are WE doing as artists to promote ourselves?  What are we doing as artists to help other artists thrive (or merely survive)?

We'll tell you what we're doing and can't wait to hear about what you're doing.  So... let's make some lemonade with all these lemons!