The
Arts Research Center at UC Berkeley is sponsoring the symposium
"ART/CITY" on March 16, 2012. Participants have been invited to respond
to the prompt “in relation to the arts and civic life, the question I am
wrestling with right now is…” in advance of the event. This
guest posting is by Mary Lou Breiman, retired educator and Berkeley resident.
This effort you are spearheading is one that is very important and, as we see in Berkeley to date, a real change agent.
First: PARKING. PARKING. PARKING. I have taken classes at the Crucible, Albany Adult School, Richmond Art Center and exhibited at Richmond Art Center. All have ample free parking. On the rare occasions I decide to go to Zellerbach, PARKING is my first and main concern. It is easier for me to go to SF on BART than to the UCB art gallery on Bancroft. I only live at Spruce and Eunice (approximately), but am 70 and will not walk the distance and certainly not at night when I can't even see the sidewalk. I worry whether there will be spaces for me to park in the Zellerbach parking structure. I took two classes at the Student Union - very poor classes - and paid $7 - $10 each time.
I get a
parking ticket whenever I park in downtown Berkeley unless I park in a
neighborhood, walk, and be very sure I'm back at my car in well before
two hours. This is not conducive to spending much time losing myself in
admiration and enjoyment of art, or in taking classes. I don't think I
am alone. Therefore, let us consider expanding the arts into the
neighborhoods where parking is free; and public transportation can't be
much scantier than it is in Berkeley's hills. As far as I know, having
taken classes at the Crucible and Richmond Art Center (RAC), attended
exhibits and shows in North Oakland, read about the art going on in the
old Oakland Veterans building for years, these out-of-downtown venues
work. As far as I'm concerned, it is because of the availability of
parking (I am 70 and distance and expense are considerations. Perhaps
young people also have this problem.)
Let's
agree that we cannot identify the great artists in their tender years;
but they must at some time feel called, begin to learn their craft and
refine their ideas. We can concur, also, as to how much and in how many
ways regular art experience, whether instruction or appreciation (not
just in classic art but in the current scene) helps children and young
adults. If there is not agreement with this assumption, Google can
provide references to studies that will be helpful in coming to a
conclusion. No need to argue.
Naturally,
obstacles to implementation will be encountered: you know that. This
is not to be considered when planning. Obstacles are there to be
overcome, and usually are, or ameliorated with persistence.
My
specific proposal is that art centers be many and located in
neighborhoods near schools - the more, the better - for after school or
evening attendance. Three- or -more -room spaces can be found and
"paid" for (perhaps with a tax deduction or grant or just permission) to
offer visual art, music, dance, and exhibit spaces for the immediate
community, staffed by volunteers with or without credentials (with
someone trusted/bonded to open, supervise, and lock up the facility).
Please don't think "Oh, we don't have appropriate spaces like this. We
don't have the money. Once we say, "WE CAN'T, WE CAN'T." These
spaces might be in somebody's house....change the regulations.
Try
reaching out to the artists in Berkeley for volunteers in introducing
aesthetics, techniques in painting, sculpture, origami, acting, dance,
and exhibit the works of the students along with works of the teachers.
As a student at RAC I have learned quite a bit from seeing my work in
the same gallery as that of my teachers. It gives me a measuring stick,
a standard. Even if a student copies the master, that is what must
happen to develop technique while the ability to conceive and recognize a
"form" develops over time with a little blessing. Children don't need
constant upbeat comments. These are best in measured doses along with
generous doses of generous role-models (think of baby ducks) and
practice of their passion.
Each of these small,
neighborhood places can be done one, a few, then many in sequence.
Cheap once we've gotten through the legal hurdles.
Hoping everyone is feeling adventurous!
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