Thursday, March 15, 2007

Art Walks On Water-A Canalway Project for Ports & Waterfronts


A group of Brockport, NY, canal enthusiasts envision the canalway becoming the world's longest art gallery, and are seeking partners across the canal system to make it happen. Art Walks On Water came about as a result of the installation of "Howdeee," an 18-foot tall sculpture by nationally recognized artist, Bill Stewart. It was presented to the Village in October, 2005, by the Art & Aesthetics Committee of the Walk!Bike! Brockport Action Group - a volunteer organization. The New York State Canal Corporation is currently reaching out to towns and villages, encouraging them to enhance the canal's role as a community asset and tourism destination. This project could do just that! It is ambitious and inclusive, with statewide potential. If you are excited about the concept of a 524-mile art gallery that can engage residents and visitors alike, get on board!

Some communities already have art installations near the canal and on waterfronts. We want to know what is out there. Please tell us what you think about this concept and if you want to participate.

8 comments:

Maureen - on the Erie Canal, JordanNY said...

Jordan, NY-
Thank you Lori for providing us "canal nuts" a place to share ideas and to help the "Art Walks On Water" project grow.

In Jordan we are working on an "Erie Canal Walk Path" which will include an art project.

Although Jordan is not on the navigable canal we once were so are hoping to be part of the largest art walk in the world (the navigable canal does run through Jordan a few miles outside the village).

Jen said...

the sculpture by the welcome center and the piece in remembrance park are wonderful examples of community art! Keep up the good work!

Unknown said...

Hi again, Lori,

I filled out a different thing the first time, so who knows... anyway.. fabulous job on the site. Hope you get a lot of responses for this marvelous project.

Liz

Teresa Vitale said...

Hi Lori
As a practicing visual artist in upstate NY for over 23 years, I have participated in and am aware of many arts marketing programs. I've worked with arts councils (Finger Lakes Arts Grants and Services, Inc., chambers of commerce’s and individual arts groups to help further the cause. The concept of an arts trail has been successful in other parts of the US as well as NY State ( Greater Ithaca Art Trail, and First Fridays Gorgeous Washington Street Art Walk in Binghamton, NY) Last year I participated in a prototype program - the Finger Lakes Arts Trail created by FLAGS.

We all understand the economic impact provided by the arts to the tourism industry. We are the linger longer cultural activities - the museums, galleries and arts studios that provide a glimpse of NY State's soul! We capture the out of area visitor who might stay a few hours longer, evening an extra meal, lodging or gas. We are a source for the number one visitor activity - shopping!

Successful programs, such as the Greater Ithaca Area Arts Trail and others are the foundations upon which this next evolution is built - a defined heritage corridor! In order to effectively interoperate all the NY experiences (agricultural, dining, wine, tourism, arts, cultural, outdoors, etc.) we must all individually and collectively work together to collaboratively market ourselves. The proposed artist trail that spans the heritage corridor is an excellent place to start – it’s the geographic and economic thread that links us all.

Congratulations on your Art Walks On Water project. Bravo!!

I look forward to meeting you.

Ciao,
Teresa Vitale
TAV-Designs
www.TAV-Designs.com
email:tavdesigns@aol.com

Anonymous said...

This is an excellent site, and you have refined it now so that it is more easily used from the outside.
Thanks, Kendra

Lori Skoog said...

Lori -- This is such an important project. Brockport is lucky to have you and to be the first of many stops on this canal-based gallery!

Anonymous said...

Lori -- I continue to be impressed with the breadth and depth of your voluntary interests. Brockport, & the NYS Canal, are most fortunate in having a community leader like you. The web site will facilitate the collaboration required for AWOW to be successful, & it can become a quick guide for residents & visitors alike. As the number of your links increases, it could become a portal for all Canal interests.

Richard Evans

Anonymous said...

What can I say - WOW! I am so excited about this art initiative!

I am a glass artisan living in Rome NY. I work in stained glass, mosaics and ceramics. In addition to my business I am also very involved in the community but my passion is working with youth. I can envision our kids coming together and creating a community art piece for our own canal waterfront, Bellamy Park.

I'm SO looking forward to your visit to Rome, NY.
(Is it May yet?!!)

Mural by Dawn Jordan

Mural by Dawn Jordan
Get on the Mural Mania Bandwagon

Art Walks On Water News and Updates



****I have created an album that you can reach through my blog. When you click on Picasa Albums, go to "524 Mile Gallery." Photos have already been sent and I will continue to add more as soon as you can get them to me. Let's see how much art is already out there along the canal AND in your communities.


****PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO THE BLOG. Include Title, Artist and Location. If there is a gallery or museum, send a photo of that too. Thanks!

****6/21/07**** On June 14th "Winston's Dream" was dedicated in Lyons, New York, where I had the pleasure speaking. The event was attended by over 250 people, there to support the Dobbins family and the debut of MURAL MANIA. Carmella Mantello, of the Canal Corporation spoke along with Frank Dean, of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. Numerous letters were read from Governor Spitzer and others. An excellent example of public art along the New York State Canal System.

****9/20**** When the Lois McClure stopped in Brockport, the community really turned out. Almost 2400 people toured in two days. The crew was great and I was able to get to know many of them. We delivered fresh vegetables and lots of organic garlic (that we grow on our farm) to enhance their diets. They were kind enough to carry a poster my students made (Main St. USA - Brockport, NY) to Rome, as a gift to Mayor James Brown. He also got a bag of garlic. Hannah Blake, of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, was there for 3 days, and we had many hours to discuss the future of Art Walks On Water. She is a great supporter and has quite a vision for the future. Good things are about to happen,please stay tuned.

****1/14/2008**** I'm Back!!!! and still working toward a roundtable for late spring or early summer with Hannah Blake. Happy to announce that Clarkson, New York
will be installing a kiosk along the canal at Sansocie Park in the next month or so.
It will promote Art Walks On Water and their town. This ambitious community got the specs for the kiosk from the Canal Corporation and jumped through all the hoops (permission etc.) to make it happen. Ordinarily the state has been charging $15,000 to construct them, and they did it for $2,500 in supplies and inkind service to have it installed. If they can do it, other communities can too. A print of the Clarkson School House will be displayed along with a bio for artist Helen Smagorinsky.