Posted by Carol Lopez on February 26, 2017, 10:50 pm
There are several people in town who are planning to continue having an annual Art Walk, and are wanting to make some changes.
On this thread on this Message Board, everyone is welcome to make suggestions and requests for the next Art Walk - all participants, art "walkers", business people, children, anyone who has an association with La Manzanilla.
A planning group will meet in the next week or so, and will find your input useful. We are using the Message Board, because there is not much time available for meetings; the more suggestions that come in this way, the more likely that group will find the support they need, so that no-one gets overworked or burned out.
Please keep your comments constructive and as concrete as possible. Let's keep them on this thread, so that the future organizers will be able to consolidate the ideas more efficiently.
I propose that we simplify the next Art Walk. Take some chores away from the list of responsibilities that have made the event such a cumbersome project.
For example, if someone wants to get T-shirts made and sell them, let that person take over doing it, from start to finish.
They would not need to get any direction from anyone. It would be their own private business arrangement, and they could donate some of the profits, if they choose, to whatever recipient they choose.
I agree with those who are looking for ways to simplify. Maybe we need a couple more posiMetions on the organizing committee so the responsibilities can be divided up further. If we are concerned about Mexican artists being a part of this, there could be a person on the committee that focus on that - and alone. An advocate.
I suggest we identify the jobs that need to be done and then see who volunteers: publicity, treasury, signups, printing , business participation, etc...this way we can see the work in parts ... thanks
Let's consider what is the main purpose of the Art Walk. In the first years, it was to allow makers to display their products in their studio/home, make some sales, and get some feedback.
We all contributed 150 pesos for expenses: maps, a few signs, etc. In the first 2 years, we had money left over, and kept it in an account to use in case we were short next year. Then someone suggested we donate that excess registration fee money to children's art programs.
Then, gradually, the funding of those programs became the mission of the AW.
Art Walk became a fundraiser, according to the Steering Committee who then became the Art Walk Council.
To raise funds, many more features were added, including: selling of T shirts, businesses recruited as sponsors, (so that their 200 pesos would help buy materials for kids art), competitions of art and T-shirt design in the schools, a display of children's art at the Ejido building. (All these new features also added fun and excitement to the event, too) However, there was quite a cost to making the event more elaborate.
All these new features took a lot of time, and the participant artist/craftspeople dwindled as 'volunteers' as the workload increased.
And finally, because of not enough help, the Council resigned as leaders of the Art Walk.
How is my memory of all this? I apologize if I've mistaken any of the facts...and welcome being corrected. If you do have any corrections, I suggest you post them under my response, not as a response to the main thread.
It leads me to this proposal:
Let's separate the 2 missions:
1) Art Walk is an opportunity for artists to show their work, leaving artists/makers free to 'give back' to the community in whatever way they see fit
2) Children's Art Support Association (or a similar name) is a separate group with a different mission.
This will make the Art Walk more manageable again, the way it was when we started in 2007.
This is a message of thanks to all especially the Organizing Committee of Art Walk. I think it is a great and unique celebration for La Manz .
From my position on the fence at Alegro Mar!! I would meet dozens of people from out of town attracted by the event. It must be a total benefit for the town.
As I only arrived the night before this years event I had my friend Al Lind volunteer to help with set up. Unfortunately this is typical of my situation , not being a longer term resident, boy that would be nice.
It is too bad it requires so much organization from a dedicated few for a little monetary profit for the children. How do you put a value on the experience of the kids participating? And the friends we,ve made through it.
I,m not sure how the Art Walk itself can be improved but I hope it can continue and I can continue to keep informed of it,s progress. Thanks again to all.