Photo credit: Varick Rosete

The Art in Strange Places pop-up gallery debuted at the August Artwalk in Main Street Park, just behind the Main Library. It wasn’t the subject of the art that raised eyebrows, but the location and what will happen to the exhibition now that Artwalk has concluded.

This is the first outdoor art gallery in a public park that will remain accessible for an entire month. The project was led by artist Dolf James with assistance from the Art in Public Places Committee, the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, and the City of Jacksonville.

We can surely site an example of Jacksonville street art being around for more than a month. This exhibition, however, shows what can be accomplished when the city works with the artists who live here. A true public/private partnership.

Christie Holechek, Art in Public Places Program Manager, said “This was the first test run for an artist initiative project. The plan is for more projects and more opportunities in multiple spaces downtown. Public parks are available and have great access. Facades, corners, sidewalks are all in consideration.”

Christie recorded her experiences through the process to make Art in Strange Places happen. The goal is to take those experiences, smooth out the bumps and pave the way for more projects.

We think this development points to a few things:

Connections are taking place between those who need access and those who have access

Over the past 2 years Downtown arts organizations have embraced local artists. They’ve also looked for ways to collaborate, innovate and bring attention to a thirving local art scene. This is one example whose success will be used as a stepping stone.

Amy Crane, Deputy Director of The Cultural Council, says “We are looking forward to bringing everyone together – City departments, JaxParks, the artists, the Art in Public Places Committee and the Cultural Council – to evaluate the project. Once we hear from each other, we’ll have a better idea of how to move more projects forward.”

Our city is ripe for change and the arts community is pushing the needle of innovation forward

The ability to pull this project off, for a full month no less, points to an increasing comfort level between artists and downtown stakeholders like DVI and the Mayors Office.

The Mayor’s office and in the public sector are beginning to realize American cities are competing for talent that will drive their economies in the next decade. Embracing the arts and creating a unique sense of culture give’s Jacksonville a competitive advantage.

“Now our challenge is to streamline the process in a way the addresses the city’s concerns without being over burdensome to the arts community.” Bill Killingsworth, director of the Planning and Development Department

Facebook Gallery: photos of the exhibition and from the CoRK

Innovation centers are emerging at the right time

This project emerged from the CoRK art district, a growing art community who’s been given access to cheap rent and the mission to be creative at all costs. Cheap rent and access to space have proven to be key elements when reinventing cities and neighborhoods. Denver’s River North Arts DIstrict, or RiNo is a great example.

Here is more about the CoRK arts district (map) from a recent Folio article, by Keith Marks:

[artists work in] a 1920s-era warehouse in what is increasingly known as the Brewery District of Riverside, a stretch that includes both the Bold City Brewery and Intuition Ale Works. Located on the corner of Rosselle and King (thus the CoRK acronym), the newly renovated warehouse incorporates the studio spaces of Dolf James, Jim Draper, Tree Fort Creative (Crystal Floyd and Jamie Jordan), George Cornwell, Noli Novak, Jen Jones, Donald Dusinberre and Sharla Valeski.

Reinventing Jacksonville

In the coming months the brewing of innovation in Jacksonville will be a focus for One Spark as we begin to highlight things which jump-start cities. Social entrepreneurs, venture philanthropy, competing for talent in a global marketplace, startups, innovators and more.

Here is a recent piece from Talk of the Nation that discusses about the challenges we face in reinventing cities like Jacksonville. If you really want to know what One Spark is about and what we are trying to accomplish, listen to this. It encapsulates many of the concepts we are trying to communicate.