time to tango -- the music plays

So I am seeing a movement in my hometown and I was there, putting art in restaurants, a window gallery, such as that, all pretty much for naught it would seem, although somewhere seeds sprouted and art is going up all over town. Restaurants are utilizing unused vertical footage, salons are giving clients something to look at and talk about, and almost any business with public contact and a few feet of wall space is being solicited to display art for sale. There’s a website and a crew of art activists out surveying reception areas and public offices, talking to office managers, and it’s good to see. 

A suddenly curious public is beginning to take notice, starting to look. We’ve come to that magic moment when the vagabond has performed a marvelous bar trick, everyone delighted and aghast. At that instant the performer is surrounded by a bubble of unreleased amazement which just might dissipate muttering into the evening’s altered condition, the only reward a free beer at the end of the bar, but at the sound of a ringing coin, a quarter tossed on the table, people all around begin reaching into their pockets to pay for an experience they’ll probably remember in the morning. The vagabond buys a hamburger. It’s like that. 

If instead of just looking at all the art newly available, say that’s nice, someone needs to ask how much is this piece and would the artist take installments? When art comes off the wall in someone’s business, restaurant, or salon the people who work there begin to see the art a little differently, and might look a little harder themselves. In a house, say what’s that, art starts an interesting conversation, and just a spark of acceptance could turn into a grass fire of acquisition throughout endless subdivisions, condos and offices around here. All it takes is that ringing sound, the first coin. 

The first part is happening now. After years of being marginalized, an accessible art is finding exposure to the general public. Outdoor painting events in familiar locations enable anyone to compare the ‘actual’ to its rendering by an individual artist, and also to compare the ability of artists, one to another, a big chunk of insight for one afternoon. In a sudden blossoming, businesses have been persuaded that hanging original art is a better way to freshen their public interface than a new desk for the receptionist, carpet, and chairs, and bars, restaurants, and salons are all watching each other putting up art.

You, citizen in good standing, gentleman by act of congress, independent lady of character and conviction, do you like art? Would you like to have it around to look at, have it influence your community and change the future? Go on and donate to the bottomless fund if you must, but the most meaningful contribution to the future of art would be to toss the first, or the second, or the third coin. Buy some art, and off the wall straight from the artist could be a pretty good deal. Check area galleries for prices. This is the necessary second part, the missing half of the map, the other hand needed to make a sound. 

Will there be a grass roots art movement around here, one that supports independent artists and establishes a regional tradition of art acquisition and ownership, as well as developing a regional voice based on our character and vision -- time will tell. The artists have done their part, made the art and found exposure. Now it’s up to everybody else.