Up & Coming Weekly

DEC. 30, 2009 - JAN. 5, 2010 UCW 7 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM The Visual Art Alliance was formed for several reasons; the most obvious was to inform the general public about the locations of the art venues and up and coming monthly activities. One specifi c focus is to identify problem areas in the general public's perception about the local visual arts and to increase "the demand" for high-quality visua-art events and activities. While the alliance is leading a noble and worthwhile effort during the New Year, local artists need to look critically at themselves and their role to improve the artistic climate of Fayetteville. The Visual Art Alliance will promote member events and pursue collaborative programming and marketing. These efforts are certain to have a positive impact on public knowledge on where events are taking place. Can we ask the public to support local galleries and the museum if we don't take the time to support each other? Artists, professional or amateur, take this short quiz. (1) As an artist in Fayetteville, during 2009, did you attend at least one opening at one of the fi ve different exhibition spaces listed: the Fayetteville Museum of Art, the Arts Council of Fayetteville and Cumberland County, FSU's Rosenthal Gallery, Methodist College, Old Town Gallery, Cape Fear Studios, Fayetteville Art Guild's Gallery One13, Gallery 208 and the McLeod Gallery at Up and Coming Weekly, the Rock Shop or the gallery at Fayetteville Technical Community College? (2) As an artist do you fi nd yourself willing to go outside your comfort zone, making time to support other art organizations? (3) Do you fi nd that you refer to art agencies in a constructive and supportive manner rather than a critical and destructive way? (4) Do you buy local art? (5) If you are a member of an art organization, do you take the time to participate in moving the organization forward? (6) Do you feel that every art venue has a role to play in the community and should be valued for its unique contribution to the arts? (7) Do you support all art agencies in the community by being informed of their location, knowing what exhibits are taking place, and demonstrating your support of each agency by sharing your information with others in the community? (8) If you were unablee to attend an opening at fi ve different art venues during 2009, did you take the time to visit the exhibits? If you answered "yes" to all eight questions, as an artist, you are highly committed to being an active participant in making the arts stronger in Fayetteville. Answering "yes" to half of the questions is respectable. We all have 2010 to work on improving our test score! In short, each art organization is a valued sister organization in the community and all are interrelated to the success of the arts in Fayetteville. I don't want to imagine Fayetteville without the Museum of Art or an Arts Council, equally important; I don't want to imagine Fayetteville without reputable art galleries, or not having an exhibit space for all levels of artists to show their work – including the novice. It's important for artists to be at openings. In general, the public likes to meet the artist whose work is hanging on the wall and ask the artist questions. It's good business for artists to attend openings to meet other artists; most of all, it's important for a positive and supportive bond between the art agencies to support each other in the business of art. If artists are asking the public to make an effort to support local art events and artists, then local artists are going to have to do the same. The alliance will work as a collective, seeking to promote events and increase the number of individuals who attend openings and art events all over the city. This must start with the local artists. Artists should strive for and actively support an artistic community that celebrates all creative people and processes; that values the exploration of new ideas, new ways to exhibit and new art ventures. Artists should recognize and support the role of all artists in a community to engage, inspire and transform fellow artists and the community. If we value art, we must value artists; therefore we must value each other. To be informed of local art events, all of Fayetteville needs to look for the bi-monthly ads by the alliance and the bi-monthly information profi les supported by the alliance. For more information on the Visual Art Alliance, call its President Sean McDaniel at Fayetteville Technical Community College (910) 678-0042, or Secretary Chris Kastner, executive director of the Cape Fear Studios (910) 433-2986. A Call for Local Artists to Support the Arts by SONI MARTIN 8LVII0SGEXMSRWMR*E]IXXIZMPPI 'PMJJHEPI6SEHˆ)\IGYXMZI4PEGIˆ=EHOMR6SEH 3[RMRKELSQILEWEP[E]WFIIR]SYVHVIEQ2S[[MXLVEXIWEXXLIMV PS[IWXMRHIGEHIWERHEREFYRHERGISJLSQIWSRXLIQEVOIXXLIVILEW RIZIVFIIREFIXXIVXMQIXSFY]ELSQI3YVQSVXKEKII\TIVXWLEZI ]IEVWSJI\TIVMIRGIMREPPX]TIWSJLSQITYVGLEWIWJVSQ ½VWXXMQIFY]IVWXSQMPMXEV]XSZEGEXMSRLSQIW'EPPERH WIILS[[IGERLIPTJYP½PP]SYVHVIEQW 9TXSMRXE\GVIHMXWERHEHHMXMSREP WEZMRKWEVIEZEMPEFPIJSVEPMQMXIHXMQI 4PIEWIGSRXEGXYWJSVHIXEMPW w e t u r n hol i d ay d r e a m s i n to n e w ye a r's r e a l i t y. 4VIUYEPMJ]SRPMRIEX [[[GEVSPMREQSVXKEKIGSQ It's A New Year's Eve Party X2 2009 New Year's Eve Celebration Package Only $109 Per Couple SEE YA THERE! DON'T MISS THIS BIG HOLIDAY EVENT! 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