Here is what happened at our first meeting..

Thanks to Sean Aaberg at the Last Friday Artwalk blog

The Eugene Storefront Art Project had its first public meeting at the New Zone gallery yesterday in order to introduce the concept to the public, get feedback & ideas & begin the process of putting art into the many empty storefronts in Eugene's downtown. The project is headed by Marc Time, Paula Goodbar & Peter (whose last name i can't remember!). Admirably, the group is placing action over everything else initially, eschewing the potential gridlock of bureaucracy just to get the ball rolling because their's always plenty of time for that later. There seems to be plenty of interest in this idea & i can smell its success in the wind. The ESAP emphasized the importance of cooperation between artists & the establishment as a way to get things done in town, which is a welcome change from the typical us vs. them present in much of the city's dealings. I also made sure to bring up that as an artist, you are providing a service & especially in this sort of urban beautification project, you are creating a veneer of interest & vibrancy for the city which should translate into money at some point. Marc Time declared that "artists will get paid" as soon as it is possible & that it is an important element of their organization. Eugene has had a notoriously empty downtown like much of the nation, as property owners sit on their various holdings, mysteriously waiting for some sort of sign to develop them. I hope that the Eugene Storefront Art Project can help to unlock some sort of prophetic "development cycle" which will usher in a new period of reinvestment in the core of the city. Maybe you will do the art piece that puts it all into motion? Join their facebook group. You can email them for an art submission form. Marc Time's email address is on that group.
Eugene Storefront Art Project Mission Statement:
-To place short term exhibits in empty Eugene area storefronts to demonstrate Eugene's commitment to the arts, while beautifying downtown areas and allowing artists a unique canvas.
-To promote new art and improving the quality of life while creating an artistic environment and making vacant properties more desirable.
-To facilitate happenings and events in vacant storefronts, urban spaces and community oriented businesses featuring the work of artists in different media, such as visual art, performance and music
-To develop ways to use empty buildings as temporary studio space available to artists until rented.
Posted by SEAN ÄABERG at 8:21 AM Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Eugene Storefront Art Project Meeting

For those that missed the first one and to discuss our progress.

Date: Monday, March 15, 2010
Time: 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: Fenario Gallery
Street: 881 Willamette St
City/Town: Eugene, OR

By this next meeting we hope to have at least 3 empty downtown Eugene Storefronts filled with art and sculpture. We will be discussing plans, targeted buildings and moves toward getting financial assistance. This would be a good time to pick up submission forms and give suggestions. We had only 20 people at our first meeting-please tell your artist friends and let's paint this town

Links to Websites about Storefront Art in other Cities

Time Magazine: http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1927067,00.htmlLos Angeles: http://www.phantomgalleriesla.com/about.htm

Charleston: http://www.charlestoninspired.com/blog/2009/11/19/walk-gallery-art-in-empty-storefronts/

San Francisco: http://www.kqed.org/arts/visualarts/article.jsp?essid=26050Palm Springs: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/09/ever-image-conscious-palm-spring-wants-to-fill-vacant-storefronts-with-art.html

San Diego: http://sdfas.org/blog/phantom-galleries-%E2%80%93-empty-storefronts-turn-art-displays

Hartford: http://blogs.courant.com/cityline/2009/09/empty-storefronts-not-so-empty.html
Northhampton MA: http://commonwealthcenter.org/storefrontart.html

Links to Videos about Storefront Art

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRNn_CgcDxg
Waltham Newswatch, June 11, 2009.
Boston.com correspondent Kathryn Eident talks to wire artist Bobby Vilinsky as he installs his art in a familiar window on Pine Street as part of the city's first-ever Waltham Art Window

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EthkMeoywFA
Christopher Simmons of the design firm Mine explains the nuances of "Everything is Ok" to Scott from Unfocused SF

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAEzP8ZWT0s
Art in Storefronts re-skins abandoned buildings with new installation art.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sj58XQCGD6g
C3 Commonwealth Center For Change Storefront ART Kick Off Event. Northampton Community TV Covered The Event.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71F2MYaa5oc
Liz Mahr of The Cake Gallery describers her art installation on Market St.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jipg5TQalo4
Improves the image of a shopping district Jack D. Deal Business Development

We Need Submissions!!!

CALLING ALL ARTISTS!

The Eugene Storefront Art Project Needs Submissions!

E.S.A.P wants to place short-term exhibits in empty Eugene area storefronts to demonstrate Eugene's commitment to the arts, while beautifying downtown areas and allowing artists a unique canvas

Our first Storefronts are happening early March and we need more ideas NOW to show to building owners.

Please contact Paula Goodbar at:
paula.goodbar@gmail .com
to download a one-page submission form.

Eugene Storefront Art Project has a FaceBook page! Contact us there for submission forms and more info.

Artist Submission form

Download this form to submit art to ESAP

Eugene Storefront Art Project Mission Statement:

-To place short term exhibits in empty Eugene area storefronts to demonstrate Eugene's commitment to the arts, while beautifying downtown areas and allowing artists a unique canvas.

-To promote new art and improve the quality of life while creating an artistic environment and making vacant properties more desirable.

-To facilitate happenings and events in vacant storefronts, urban spaces and community oriented businesses featuring the work of artists in different media, such as visual art, performance and music

-To develop ways to use empty buildings as temporary studio space available to artists until rented.