A Poll (sorta): What do you think about a monthly ArtsWalk in downtown Olympia?

Navigation

User login

Online users

Laurian
Just another voice
emmettoconnell
flyfreeasabird
The Original Yoda
FRESH

Support OlyBlog

OlyBlog is run by volunteers who care about Olympia. If you like what we're doing, make a donation:

OlyBlog is powered by:

Who's new

GRuB
ktcoxster
making a differ...
johnmac
circular_ruins

A Poll (sorta): What do you think about a monthly ArtsWalk in downtown Olympia?

Submitted by einmaleins on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 5:56pm.

Hey, got a question for you all:

Not just as a downtown business owner but also personally for me and my family did I really enjoy this years Fall ArtsWalk we were able to participate. It was great to see the community to come out and play and support the local artists and the businesses in downtown.

Now, I've been speaking with a few other business/gallery owners and we would love to open our stores once a month (Every First Friday of the Month) until late and invite artists to show their work and the community to come out and "Experience Downtown at Night".

So, my questions for all of you:

+ Has there been something like this before, why did it stop?

+ Would you come downtown for an event like this, if not, why?

+ What do you think is a good way of advertising such an event (don't want to call it ArtsWalk?)

Thanks for participating!

einmaleins's blog
Login or register to post comments

I think it's a great idea...

Submitted by agathafrye on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 6:54pm.

Seattle does it and calls it "First Thursday," Portland and lots of other cities do this sort of thing. Once a month might not be totally sustainable for the slacker nature of our community, but I can see it working once every other month. Nice to hear about some new blood coming to town and thinking outside of the box, if you'll pardon the hackneyed saying!

Seconded

Submitted by Logarithm on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 8:29pm.

The Raccoon Collective has been trying to do a monthly arts walk on the Westside. I hope they keep it up!

Could be interesting...

Submitted by security_six on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 8:33pm.

Would liven up downtown, and maybe keep things cleaner.

Oh Please!

Submitted by JstPlnOnry on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 8:41pm.

You just want to work security so you can flash your guns! LOL!

Hardly...

Submitted by security_six on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 8:43pm.

I keep out of downtown at night when these things are going on. Too crowded for my tastes.

Besides, I open carry my handgun. Don't see any need to "flash" what is already a visible deterrant against crime.

Furthermore, if a person sees my gun out of my holster it either means they are at the range with me, or I am using it in lawful defense.

But I do think a regular artswalk could be a vitalizing influence for downtown.

I think their model is a lot

Submitted by micah on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 11:32pm.

I think their model is a lot more sustainable that trying to import the Portland/Seattle model. Bottom-up house-based art walks keep the profit motive out of art and make it more about community involvement rather than attracting big money. The trick is keeping the momentum going as people move in and out of town!

thanks for the responses - keep it up!

Submitted by einmaleins on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 9:05pm.

I will go ahead and ignore the comments on security and guns in downtown. I just moved from Seattle and compared to that, Olympia is harmless and dareIsay: cute. Anyway, I'm encouraged by your positive responses, keep them coming! mathias eichler einmaleins Be an Inspiration.

we're not cute!

Submitted by Rob Richards on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 10:21pm.

we're tough!!

Thanks

Submitted by Guglielmo on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 9:07am.

Most of us aren't paranoid about our town. I just carry extra change and a smile.

my2cents

Submitted by chad360 on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 10:48pm.

good name: "Experience Downtown at Night"

Cent One, Two, Three (oops!)...

--encourage reflective clothing/illuminated clothing, perhaps close streets & work to offer angle-in coned-off parking in streets on one side or one lane. Maybe coordinate with groups that want to have dances at the Market...that could be a fun scene--

+ Has there been something like this before, why did it stop? --not sure, used to go to Thekla (defunct club), and Thursdays at the Eastside--

+ Would you come downtown for an event like this, if not, why?

--Yes--

+ What do you think is a good way of advertising such an event?

on your OlyBlog(RSS), KAOS & TCTV, collaborate with the DNA

> cheers <

I will not be wearing any weapons when I'm downtown or at your store, and I was encouraged by your comments on this thread tonite to post//take care & best regards.

I'm reading eagerly comments...

Submitted by einmaleins on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 10:19am.

... you're right, Olympia is not cute, let's find a better word?!!?

Quaint, hahaha, no not better. Promising, to political.

I got it: I want Olympia to be cool!

Cool as in: Living life deliberately, with conscious choices, playful and sustainable.

Whatever the word will be, me and my family enjoy downtown and love shopping down here and would certainly live down here, if there would be the right kind of housing.

Right now we live on the Eastside which is almost downtown, or uptown perhaps.

Thanks also for the advertising ideas, like TCTV and DNA, hadn't thought about those outlets.

About the profit element of an ArtsWalk/Business/Life:

I know I walk a fine line here, but I do believe that money is not totally evil and we can have a healthy community where people and businesses can coexits. We're far off from falling to the temptation to sell out.

mathias eichler

einmaleins

Be an Inspiration.

Welcome to Olyblog and Olympia

Submitted by Guglielmo on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 10:34am.

and the eastside, where I live too. I work and play downtown and will definately check out your establishment. Thanks for giving downtown a try. Yes, the range of housing options downtown is limited, but you don't want to use this thread to entertain that debate.

I think a monthly artswalk

Submitted by oldtimeydave on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 10:52am.

I think a monthly artswalk could be a great thing. Folks seem to turn out downtown at night only for events these days. Maybe it would encourage more nightime play downtown.

einmaleins... welcome to Oly and Olyblog. Your store looks like a welcome addition can't wait to stop by.

I agree

Submitted by JulieM on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 12:57pm.

It's really one of the only times we go downtown at night. The artswalks are also kid-friendly (depending on what you do) so those are nice events for us.

yes to monthly artswalk

Submitted by ErinSittingDuck on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 12:49pm.

I like this idea. The current twice a year ArtsWalks are fun, but there is just too much to see and its too crowded. I think this is an indicator that it would be successful if it happened more often.

Seattle and Portland both have ArtsWalk-things on Thursdays. I know Seattle's is the first thursday. I think seattle is the last thursday. It's be cool to do it on a different thursday. maybe we could draw some artsy people from seattle and portland.

As far as promoting it... downtown's Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA) has been pretty ineffective so far, maybe this would be a good project for them. All downtown businesses are already paying into it.

I like the idea too

Submitted by Robert Whitlock on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 1:38pm.

Monthly Arts Walk sounds good to me.

Quaint...

Submitted by security_six on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 8:12pm.

Oly is quaint in a strangley dyslexic way. Very accepting, but only for certain things.

I moved down here from Seattle too, and I don't like 4th Ave at night. I carry a smile too among other things, but no extra change.

I would enjoy seeing a reqular event downtown at night, although I'm not much of an art patron as there is really no room on my boat for much art.

Would enjoy finding a nice little print though of a nautical theme. Perhaps a sailboat under reefed sails in a storm...

OlyBlog.net

OlyBlog is devoted to citizen journalism, including hyperlocal news and discussion specifically about Olympia, Washington. If you care about this community and are tired of corporate media, then this is the place for you.

If you'd like to contribute, please register for an account. Here is a list of local news beats that need to be covered. You can post your news as a personal blog entry, and it will be reviewed (and possibly edited) for promotion to the front page. Once you've established a record of responsible blogging, you can become an autonomous user. You can also send news via email. All members of OlyBlog agree to abide by our comment and fair use policies. If you are frustrated about something said in a comment thread, go here.

Now playing at: