It's not a new idea, nor a revolutionary one. The Fremont First Friday Art Walk has been on the community calendar since 2004.
Yet when LaRae and Cory Lobdell, of Lifework Images, took over organizing the event, they got people talking - and not just about the chance to dance at Lenin's feet.
LaRae and Cory credit their landlord. Brian Regan paid for the first programs, they said.
The couple heard about the event from Brian's property manager, who suggested they get involved. DeeDee Footer's been a huge advocate, they gushed: "That's how we got in."
"They have definitely brought an awareness to the art walk. I haven't seen the final count," said Gail Bradley, of Frame up Studios, a participating business, "but I bet it's close to double."
In May, 28 businesses participated in the art walk. "They've gone around to the community," Gail said, "and gotten people on the bandwagon."
LIVE AT LENIN
With fresh outlooks and contagious energy, the couple have drawn people in. Volunteers distribute handouts and posters to area shops.
Fremont artist Donna Stewart locates bands as the event's music promotions director, to play Live at Lenin, the statue at the intersection of Evanston Avenue North, Fremont Place North and North 36th Street, at 6 and 8 p.m. each first Friday of the month.
The organizers hope to offer guid-ed tours and to expand the art walk website. As a resource, the website could help match artists and galleries and link to artists' sites.
Lisa Magetteri, owner of Fremont Jewelry Design, designs the monthly programs distributed Live at Lenin, which list all participating businesses and featured entertainments happening at that month's event.
Lisa praises LaRae and Cory: "They are awake in this; it's gotten me totally enthusiastic. They are totally taking the bull by the horns."
A GROWING EVENT
Regan Peck started Fremont First Friday Art Walk. Looking to promote her new art gallery, in 2003, she designed a poster and handouts and signed up galleries who paid a fee to share costs.
When Regan took a great job opportunity in New York two years ago, the art walk might have disappeared without her, but subsequent volunteers were able to maintain the simple format she'd developed.
In the 1990s Fremont had the Second Saturday Art About. Enthusiastic volunteers expanded and expanded and expanded the Art About, until the whole thing figuratively burst.
Burnout, overwhelming expectations, changes in participants and a loss of the basic focus - businesses that show art once a month - caused the event to vanish.
The Art Walk, however, continues, and LaRae and Cory intend to continue Regan's original efforts. They are planning to do a new poster every six months, using a different artist's design on each one, the said.
In late June, the new maps and posters came out, which leaves all the volunteers free now to focus on ways to grow the event.
For a gallery to be listed on posters and map handouts, the fee is $150 every six months.
"A lot of galleries thought it too expensive," LaRae explained, so she's found ways to discount fees based on volunteer time.
Also, they provide free listings in the program and on the website for businesses and artists not able to participate every month or able to pay. This gives new businesses a chance to try out the event.
It's a great way to welcome them to the neighborhood, the couple said.
Live at Lenin kicks off the art walk each month to give visitors a starting point, and maps are handed out by the time the band stops playing.
AN 'EASY PROGRESSION'
All this effort is not entirely selfless. LaRae and Cory recently expanded their Lifework Images photography business from their living room into an office/display space in the new Space in Fremont building.
The couple, married 11 years, moved from their hometown of Spokane to Puyallup before settling near Seattle Pacific University.
"A very easy progression," they call this journey to the Center of the Universe.
This isn't their first experience here. While studying photography, LaRae worked at the Fremont Starbucks.
"I loved the attitude here," LaRae said, while Cory added, "and the sense of community."
Everyone was so encouraging of her art, that Fremont seemed a natural choice when looking to grow their business, LaRae said.
Designed specifically to provide small spaces for artists and starting businesses, Space in Fremont contains three of the 22 businesses listed on the current art-walk posters.
For more information on the First Friday Art Walk, check out www. fremontfirstfriday.com.
Or better still, come dance at the foot of Lenin at 6 p.m. on July 6 and pick up a program - then art walk!
Kirby Lindsay welcomes your questions at fremont@oz.net.[[In-content Ad]]
