Although I came down with the flu over the holidays, I accomplished one very important item on my list: watch Gone with the Wind with my mom. The movie celebrated its 70th anniversary this month and I wanted to see it again (and all the great special DVD features, which did not disappoint!).
This was the first time I'd seen the movie since moving back east with my family. I had a completely different experience this time around; partly because I now recognize some of the places they mention (Bull Run, Gettysburg - where I went with my husband several years ago - when we lived in Manassas, and of course Virginia). Also, my mom shared new stories with me and her grandfather who watched the soldiers marching through Virginia (Yes, I grew up LA but my mom's family lived in Clifton Forge.)
The special features included interviews with individuals charged with digitizing the Technicolor film and in most ways, improving the quality of the film. (Right down to patterns of lace in Scarlette's white dress in the opening sequence.)
I was taken with these new types of "artists" working tirelessly to painstakingly preserve and protect this incredible treasure. I feel indebted to them for their skills, time and talent to ensure that this film and all its splendor, remains for generations to come.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Engaging New Audiences
I have this new habit. An overactive mind will do that to you.
I look at people while I'm out and about and wonder if they go to Opera Roanoke, Gallery 108, Jacksonville Center or Attic Productions.
I drive down Williamson Rd on my way into the office each day and the Roanoke Civic Center's marque says, "If you build it they will come." How can we increase the likelihood that new audiences (or existing audiences might venture to the "other side" and attend a play if they currently go to the opera) will attend an arts activity?
How do we engage audiences into our arts world? If we "build it" will they "come" not once or twice, but for years to come?
It's an age-old question and arts organizations have pondered it for years. It shows that we must continue to "build it so they will come" but must also ask the community what they want to see. (And also nudging them to step outside their comfort level.) I recently attended a meeting where the need for a cultural plan was discussed. Perhaps, as we ponder this, we can also include a community arts survey to determine the arts market (if you will). Are we "building it" but forgetting to engage the "home owners" in the project?
Let me know what you think.
I look at people while I'm out and about and wonder if they go to Opera Roanoke, Gallery 108, Jacksonville Center or Attic Productions.
I drive down Williamson Rd on my way into the office each day and the Roanoke Civic Center's marque says, "If you build it they will come." How can we increase the likelihood that new audiences (or existing audiences might venture to the "other side" and attend a play if they currently go to the opera) will attend an arts activity?
How do we engage audiences into our arts world? If we "build it" will they "come" not once or twice, but for years to come?
It's an age-old question and arts organizations have pondered it for years. It shows that we must continue to "build it so they will come" but must also ask the community what they want to see. (And also nudging them to step outside their comfort level.) I recently attended a meeting where the need for a cultural plan was discussed. Perhaps, as we ponder this, we can also include a community arts survey to determine the arts market (if you will). Are we "building it" but forgetting to engage the "home owners" in the project?
Let me know what you think.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Giving An Arts Experience
I've been piano-less since we moved east from Carson City, NV in 2001. As a milestone birthday approaches, I've been re-examining my life and what's really important to me. What did I discover? I really miss playing piano and the experiences that wash over me each time I "tinkle the ivories".
Note: I don't play very well at all. After almost ten (10) years without a piano, this fact has been compounded significantly. However, I can still plunk out "On A Clear Day" without too many sour notes.
By this time next week, I hope to have a new piano in my living room and as the New Year approaches, I'll be dusting off more of my old music and enjoying the experience of learning how to play and engaging myself in a creative endeavor.
A big thank you to Jim Hayden (Hayden's Music in Tanglewood Mall) for allowing me to try my hand at various pianos and educating me about the construction of pianos (They have more parts than a car!). With my purchase, I also receive FREE piano lessons and I can't wait to start. Yes, I'll even look forward to scales.
I realize this purchase is a slight diversion from Virginia GEMS (Give Experiences. Minimize Stuff.) www.myvirginiagems.com but I feel I'm still making a contribution to an experiential gift of art. Also, the piano lessons do count! (Although Hayden's provides you with 8 (eight) free lessons I know I'll need more.)
Consider an experiential gift of art, tickets to a play/concert, and yes, you can even give yourself a present. The rewards will be great; not just for you, but for your family and our local arts community.
Note: I don't play very well at all. After almost ten (10) years without a piano, this fact has been compounded significantly. However, I can still plunk out "On A Clear Day" without too many sour notes.
By this time next week, I hope to have a new piano in my living room and as the New Year approaches, I'll be dusting off more of my old music and enjoying the experience of learning how to play and engaging myself in a creative endeavor.
A big thank you to Jim Hayden (Hayden's Music in Tanglewood Mall) for allowing me to try my hand at various pianos and educating me about the construction of pianos (They have more parts than a car!). With my purchase, I also receive FREE piano lessons and I can't wait to start. Yes, I'll even look forward to scales.
I realize this purchase is a slight diversion from Virginia GEMS (Give Experiences. Minimize Stuff.) www.myvirginiagems.com but I feel I'm still making a contribution to an experiential gift of art. Also, the piano lessons do count! (Although Hayden's provides you with 8 (eight) free lessons I know I'll need more.)
Consider an experiential gift of art, tickets to a play/concert, and yes, you can even give yourself a present. The rewards will be great; not just for you, but for your family and our local arts community.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Roanoke City Pride through the Arts
I try to read The Roanoke Times every day. I'm old fashioned and like my paper copy. So does my mom. (She lives with us in Elliston, VA.) She reads the paper first and I ask her to save articles for me; that is, those that are arts related. (Just in case I don't have time and miss some important news.)
I chastised her this weekend as I almost missed the article about The Taubman Museum of Art by Kevin Kittredge. The Taubman? Guess Again. (Saturday, December 12, 2009)
http://www.roanoke.com/extra/wb/229456
Kevin wrote about the Taubman Museum and invited readers to see comparisons to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. I encourage everyone to read Kevin's article. I teared up as I read it and felt a huge sense of pride about our arts community. We have a lot to celebrate even though times are incredibly tough.
Thank you Kevin for seeing the Taubman with "brand new - and in some ways, newly appreciative - eyes". Does every one need to go to Spain so they can come back with "new eyes"? Perhaps. But for now, ponder Kevin's reflections and see if you see our arts community with "new eyes" too.
Join us. The view really is spectacular!
I chastised her this weekend as I almost missed the article about The Taubman Museum of Art by Kevin Kittredge. The Taubman? Guess Again. (Saturday, December 12, 2009)
http://www.roanoke.com/extra/wb/229456
Kevin wrote about the Taubman Museum and invited readers to see comparisons to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. I encourage everyone to read Kevin's article. I teared up as I read it and felt a huge sense of pride about our arts community. We have a lot to celebrate even though times are incredibly tough.
Thank you Kevin for seeing the Taubman with "brand new - and in some ways, newly appreciative - eyes". Does every one need to go to Spain so they can come back with "new eyes"? Perhaps. But for now, ponder Kevin's reflections and see if you see our arts community with "new eyes" too.
Join us. The view really is spectacular!
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