Arts Alliance Launches ArtsCount on Sept. 18

Written By Nicole Manvel
Community Relations Manager
University Musical Society making the region a wonderful combination of small town charm and big city sophistication.

On Sept. 18, the Arts Alliance will officially start counting how many artists (literary, performing, and visual) live and work in Washtenaw County. ArtsCount is the snappy name for this undertaking and ArtsCount.org is where creative folks of all types can go to “raise their hands” and be counted.

So, why count artists? Well, let’s turn the question around slightly and ask,”Why do artists count?”

Artists count because they are the foundation, the building blocks, the raw material of the arts and cultural community that we value in Washtenaw County. Performing artists (actors, dancers, storytellers, etc.) delight us or move us to tears at the Purple Rose Theater and Performance Network. Visual artists (mural painters, photographers, sculptors, etc.) enliven our streetscapes and enrich the walls of our homes. Literary artists (poets, writers, playwrights, etc.) remind us of our innermost feelings and help us to understand those of others.

We need to count artists because they’re often an invisible community and it’s impossible to judge the health of this sector without knowing who’s here. That’s important to business because artists have the skills that are desperately needed in the 21st century: the ability to think out of the box, to solve problems creatively, and to connect people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs. Artists create the stimulating environment that lures smart companies and the talented people who work in them to a destination.

So if you’re creative or know someone who is, visit ArtsCount.org between September 18 and October 31. We want to count you! For more information about the Arts Alliance and its mission to strengthen Washtenaw County’s creative community, contact Tamara Real at artsalliance@annarborchamber.org or visit www.a2artsalliance.org.

--- This article was orgionally posted on The Arts Alliance web site; http://www.annarborchamber.org/community/arts/Arts_Articles/

Noon Knowledge Sharing Series

Craig Topfer, an annual vendor at The Sunday ARTisan Market, will be holding a 30 minute talk about his mastered skills with wood and woodworking. This will be the first of two parts and the topic on August 26th will be "Frame Construction and Custom Hardwood Frames".
Craig has been written about in "Art Showcase Magazine" and has worked on projects for The University of Michigan Hospital's Gifts of Art. His passion for the woods he uses clearly shows in the details and skills of his work. Craig's focus on a framed piece of art is from the frame inward, which is a very worthy and unique perspective. Much of his work focuses on the Arts and Crafts movement though his knowledge of art and wood spans any specific period or movement. I hope that you will join us at Noon for the 30 minute program and discussion.

2nd Artist Supply Swap!

On September 23rd we are going to host the second ever Artist Supply Swap! This event is open to any regional crafter, artist and curiosity seeker that is interested in finding new inspiration, or selling off old ones. There are applications available from www.artisanmarket.org to set up as a seller for this unique event. Then all you'll have to do is 'Bag-n-Tag' your items. Possible items that you may find would be: - skeins of yarn - jewelry bits - fabric - trims - Lots of collage items - soap supplies - display pieces - mat boards and frames - and whatever else other crafters have collected over the years. (only crafter and artist supplies will be permitted for sale. No flea market, garage, clearanced or buy-n-sell items will be allowed. If you have questions, contact artisanmanager@yahoo.com) You can't deny what a great event and opportunity this will be for buyers and sellers alike. The Artist Supply Swap! will take place in our market and the set up fee is only $15 for a 8'x6' space. Of course, our regular Sunday ARTisan Market will also be taking place on this same day, along our main isle as usual. Looking forward to seeing you there....

Market News...

Hi Everyone,
Our summer at the market has been fantastic, we have been blessed with lots of warm weathered Sundays. We can certainly tell that Fall is approaching and we are gearing up for an abundant season. We have only 4 months left in our 2007 season, and that breaks down to only 14 more Sundays. WOW!!! Time flys when you are havin' fun! So, if you are currently selling with us, be sure to plan your time wisely. Also, for those crafters and artisans out there that are interested in getting started with us, Now is the perfect time. You can get an application from our website or contact the market manager at artisanmanager@yahoo.com for information.

Arts in the Area

An Arts Incubator Takes Off in Hamtramck...

With a propeller-topped head, a ham sandwich and smoking jacket for a torso and a pair of fishnet-clad legs shyly responding to cheers and applause, man, woman, child and lunch are whimsically welded together by a quartet of artists. The mixed media piece is part of the Exquisite Corpse collage exhibit hanging on the walls of Hamtramck's Café 1923. Created by the members of HATCH, these collaborative art pieces provide the perfect metaphor for what this Hamtramck arts incubator and collective hopes to achieve. Read more at http://www.metromodemedia.com/features/Hatch0026.aspx
(republished from the Arts Alliance news letter, 7/07, artsalliance@annarborchamber.org)

YouTube connection

I got a chance to work on a great project that highlights the entire Kerrytown area. Of course this are is home to our art market each Sunday, April - Christmas, but take a look at it to see what else is just a few steps away from us.
Once you view it, come on down and spend some time with us.
"See You at The Market..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xS5g3fceBE

Artist Supply Swap!

On July 1st we are going to host the first ever Artist Supply Swap! This is going to be an opportunity to clean out your work spaces of all the extra bits that you have collected over the years, and are ready to get rid of. This event is open to any regional crafter, artist and curiosity seeker that is interested in finding new inspiration, or selling off old ones. There are applications available from www.artisanmarket.org to set up as a seller for this unique event. Then all you'll have to do is 'Bag-n-Tag' your items. Possible items that you may find would be: - skeins of yarn - jewelry bits - fabric - trims - Lots of collage items - soap supplies - display pieces - mat boards and frames - and whatever else other crafters have collected over the years. (only crafter and artist supplies will be permitted for sale. No flea market, garage, clearanced or buy-n-sell items will be allowed. If you have questions, contact artisanmanager@yahoo.com) You can't deny what a great event and opportunity this will be for buyers and sellers alike. The Artist Supply Swap! will take place in our market regardless of weather and the set up fee is only $20 for a 10'x6' space. Of course, our regular artisan market will also be taking place on this same day, along our main isle as usual. A separate application will be requested if you would like to set up for that location too. To set up there is only $15 a day... or if on July 1st you want to do both booths, a special rate will be extended to you and the combine fee would only be $30. Keep in mind though that the two booths would not be next to each other so you would need two people to attend to your two spaces. Looking forward to seeing you there....