Tag Archives: art

Centretown Artists in Their Natural Habitat

on July 7, 2008

If you have stopped by the Shanghai Restaurant lately, you might have noticed the preview exhibition for the Centretown Art Tour, to take place next Sunday, July 13 from 10:00am to 6:00pm. 

While I missed it – and the party (darn!) – I haven’t missed the main event.  Only in its second year, the CATwalk is a self-guided tour of the homes and studios of a decidedly urban community of artists.  More than just an excuse for nosy neighbours, this event also offers an opportunity to gain new insight into life right in the heart of Ottawa’s downtown. 

Recently, Ken Gray of the Ottawa Citizen took a careful look at Ottawa in relation to some of the concepts put forward in Richard Florida’s latest book “Who’s your City?” .  Rotman School Professor Richard Florida is best known for his creative class theories, and for his work in the areas of urban renewal and talent migration.  Loosely defined, Florida’s creative class is composed of engineers, scientists, architects, artists, musicians, poets, tech experts, professors and other knowledge workers.  These are people whose job it is to create meaningful new forms and to innovate.  Florida proposes that a city’s economic and social success will be increasingly dependent on its ability to attract and accommodate this important demographic segment.

In his article, Ken Gray suggests that while Ottawa may look good on paper, with several of Florida’s requisite key ingredients already in the city’s mix, this is more by default than by design.  He also suggests that Ottawa could be more strategic in attracting the coveted “creative class”.  Here, according to Mr. Gray, are a few ideas that might help:

-Ensure the city’s labour market can support a varied and upwardly mobile career by nurturing greater innovation in the federal Public Service, by encouraging start ups, and by attracting more head offices in the tech sector

-Promote Ottawa’s creative core, intellectual capacity, excellent facilities, and relatively inexpensive housing

-Modernize the transit system

-Get serious about selling the city

Is the CATwalk evidence of a creative convergence in the downtown core?   I, for one, will wander through Centretown with more than just a penchant for art and a passing interest… 

 with help from Wikipedia

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Sunshine and the Business of Art

on June 8, 2008

So yesterday, I stopped in to check out this year’s annual Art in the Park, at Central Park in the Glebe.  What a fabulous way to spend a Saturday afternoon! Munching delicious chocolate chip cookies and enveloped by sunshine and a warm breeze, I walked among some amazing artists, sculptors, potters, photographers, and designers.  Their collective output is clear evidence of a very creative local community.  

Interestingly though, it seemed that some obviously gifted artists were also shy about their work.  Those with business cards sometimes didn’t have websites and those with websites were often self-depreciating or even apologetic. 

It must be difficult when crowds of people stop to ask probing questions, to browse, and to buy - or worse – walk right past .  Being present for this interaction must make an artist feel unbearably vulnerable.  Expressing individuality and perspective through any artistic medium takes courage, so all who take this leap should be admired and commended.  

There is an economy to art however, and an artist’s vision, their effort and their investment should be accounted for.  Both creativity and courage should be appropriately rewarded, and the exchange between producer and consumer ought to be honoured equally.  There is no shame in an artist marketing themselves  or their work.  The old stereotype of “starving artist” - and its opposite – “the sellout” benefits no one.  Creating a lifestyle, earning a sustainable income, and contributing to a more creative community must also incorporate commerce.  Don’t be shy!

 

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