Arts41 is Surfacing

The Fall 2010 issue of Surfacing came out today.  Surfacing is a free publication that showcases Durham’s Artistic & Creative People.  There is an article on page 4 about Arts41 titled ” Arts Venue in Uxbridge!”

Hmmmm…..

For the first time since embarking on this project I am feeling somewhat discouraged.

It is my understanding that I have to apply for a Building Permit.

Apparently,  the fact that I do not want, wish or intend to build anything is irrelevant.  Yes, I want to paint the walls, put in some new flooring maybe, plant some flowers outside.  I like tulips.

Part of the application process is to provide 3 sets of professionally stamped architectural drawings of my entire building, all 7,000 sq. feet, upper and lower levels. 

I don’t want to, regardless of the cost, it is purposeless. I have to think about this. 

Where do I go from here?

No beefs with Wellington.

“Art a la Car” today with Lynn…

Started the day at Dragonfly in Orangeville, reminiscent of Meta4 in Port Perry, but with small individual artist’s studio spaces in the back.

Alton Mill Arts Centre, millions and millions and millions of dollars spent on reconstruction, renovations and decoration on this site.  Absolutely beautiful.  Individual working art studios, stores, galleries, historical display, meeting room and even a cafe.  The landscaped grounds, set beside a dam on the Credit River, were decorated with sculptures. Highly recommended.

Wellington Artists’ Gallery & Arts Centre near Fergus.  Pretty near the opposite of Alton Mills but fascinating in it’s own right.  It look like a converted old two storey garage in the country. Downstairs was a preview gallery of the artists on their upcoming Studio Tour. Hmmm..that would work for Art41…preview the artwork of the artists of the 2011 Uxbridge Studio Tour a month before it begins.  Make a note. Upstairs a gallery of local artists.

Elora Centre for the Arts, when told about my plans, Meredith took me on a tour of this old 3 story converted stone schoolhouse. This building is in downtown Elora but not on any thoroughfare. Interesting, 41 Maple St. is in downtown Uxbridge but not on any major thoroughfare.  An artist’s co-op gallery, public gallery, meeting rooms, classrooms, dance space, rehearsal space, the Elora Rotary Club sponsored one of the rooms…this sound familiar.  I hope to to talk to Arlene Saunders the General Manager next week about their efforts.

William Mill Visual Arts Centre in Glen Williams.  A series of studios set in several buildings.  I was not impressed, I don’t know why.  Very touristy with little substance. No classrooms.  It was not inviting.

Home.

What a difference a day makes.

…or I should say, 24 hours.

George came by just as I was leaving yesterday.  George handcrafts 4-5 guitars a year.  This has to be an art.  Currently George makes them in his home but was intrigued by the Times-Journal article that indicated Arts41 has spray booths.  Finishing his guitars is the only awkward aspect of creating his guitars.  The fumes can be an issue.  Spray booths would be the answer to that.  This is an example of an Art41 use by a person that would require it just a few times a year.

OnStage Uxbridge became the first box office client of Arts41.  OnStage will hold their AGM at Arts41 on September 15th at 7:30 p.m.

7:00 a.m. breakfast meeting with the Uxbridge Rotary Club. I was the last minute substitute guest speaker.  I can’t believe I spoke for a full 20 minutes about Arts41 before questions.  I must be passionate about this idea or something.

11:00 a.m. zoning meeting at Arts41 with 3 township and region officials.  There are some minor fire regulations issues that I need to deal with at once, this was not a surprise.  I will deal with them quickly.  The Health department has no concerns.  LSRCA has no concerns. Regional Planning department has no concerns.  Apparently, this is not to say that concerns cannot be created as plans develop.  I am a bit confused but moving steadily and positively forward.

2:00 p.m. meeting with Marlene Werry from the Region.  I gave her an update of the developments since we last met.  The best ideas that came out of the discussion were to, first, request  temporary rezoning permission for a year.  This would allow time to find out if this idea can fly prior to official rezoning, constructing a business plan and do any major renovations to the building and property. Second, seek out a partnership with Rotary or other group, any possible funding out there would be more accessible if attached to a service group.

I will contact Richard at Uxbridge Township Monday, regarding temporary rezoning.

Emails are starting to come in from interested artists specifically about the gallery.  There has been much interest from instructors for the classroom space,I was beginning to wonder what the artists were thinking.   Arts41 needs artists to get up and running, if the local artists wait until it is, it won’t. 

I know that I can open the Gallery portion of Arts41 with art from across Canada, through my business connections and personally,  but that has not been my direction, my hope.  I want local art showcased. Art  from Uxbridge and points not far beyond, but,  this gallery will open regardless.

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

In the Uxbridge Times-Journal, Thursday August 5th edition, on page 12, there is an article about Arts41!  I am the centrefold. Not many 52 year olds can say that.

Three different groups of people visited 41 Maple St. today and took the tour. First, an arts group that has successfully been running an art gallery and popular arts oriented classes in another town loved the venue and would like to start running classes A.S.A.P.!  We agreed zoning must be dealt with, a pre-consultation zoning meeting is going to be held next two weeks, and until that occurs, all plans must wait.

Second, two members of a band inquired about rehearsal space and storage of their equipment between rehearsal times.  We believe we have worked out a possibility.

Third, the president of a local theatre group came by to discuss ticketing for their upcoming season and the possibility of holding their AGM at Arts41.

I am feeling very optimistic about the turn of events thus far.  In many ways, I am delighted how quickly things have unfolded.  I hope the multitude of upcoming government meetings and expenses don’t throw a wrench into the proceedings.

 The invitation still stands for all interested people to visit, it is best to call ahead at 905 852-4222 or to email me at andy@arts41.ca

Scuttlebutt

This article was posted on the Metroland news website!  http://www.newsdurhamregion.com/news/uxbridge/article/158598

People are talking….

Geez, this is a lot of work!  Andy Fiddes

Sounds like a fabulous idea!  Carly Foster

I will be a strong promoter of your new initiative.  Karen Jess

It sounds like a great project and a bonus for tourism in Uxbridge.  Amanda Ferraro

I think this town is ready.  Barb Pratt

This sounds really exciting.  Vanessa Slater

Fantastic idea – you’ve done lots of research way to go!  Don Andrews

I’d love to see this place.  Fly Freeman

Scribbles

The Uxbride arts venue front door at 41 Maple st. is just 200 steps from the York-Durham Railway station.

Celia Klemenz, photographer for Metroland newspapers,  was in Monday taking pictures after Don Campbell from the Times-Journal was in on Friday interviewing me.  I hope there will be something in this week’s paper!

Colleen Baskin took a tour and although she admired the concept when we last spoke, I think seeing the building, first hand, really had a positive impact on her.  Everyone who is interested in seeing the inside of the venue is welcome!  It is best to call ahead.

I visited the Visual Arts Centre in Clarington yesterday, an amazing space!  Pottery kilns and classroom space in the basement. A gallery on the Main level, an art classroom on the second floor and extra gallery space in the loft.  This venue certainly had the mixed use space that I envision for Uxbridge.

WOW!

Getting the message out…I sent 1.3 million emails in the last 2 days, O.K., maybe a slight exaggeration, but it felt like it.  The response has been exceptional.  The encouragement that I have received so far has been heartening.  Comments are being posted,  people are making appointments to see the building in it’s raw state, the Times-Journal will be coming in the morning with a photographer to do an article on the project, Surfacing has asked me to do a short article for their fall issue about my quest.

A google map of 41 Maple St. has been added to the CONTACT  page.

Research

Again visited the Owen Sound Artist’s Co-op because I find it so inspirational, 40 artists that have a monthly fee that, totalled, covers the rent and a full time manager of the retail store.  On top of that, each artist pays a 25% commission on the works they sell. No classrooms. No workshop space.

My vision includes a smaller number of artist committments, still a small monthly fee and a miniscule commission compared to the 25% in Owen Sound.

We also went to the Meaford Art & Culture Centre, a full blown government bonanza of money, the Art of Living in Thornbury, the Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts, which is a not for profit organization in Collingwood and Make, a collective of 20 artists that just recently opened a retail store also in Collingwood. Make artists contribute a monthly fee and also each artist commits a day to staffing the store.

Pathway to Art

Carey Nicholson, who I have known through theatre, came to visit 41 Maple St.  Carey is on a committee for Tourism in Durham and she was touring the building with that hat on.  Carey is also the director of the Scugog Council for the Arts.  Carey said that my building would be perfect for the Scugog Council if only it were set in Port Perry… I am not moving the 7,000 sq. ft. building, not today.

Carey thought the very short stroll, a little farther down the tracks from the York-Durham Heritage Train station could be promoted as an “arts path”.