I have a vivid memory of being in first grade one very sunny day. My teacher, Mrs. Graul, was explaining the different skills people have. For elementary school students, the creative skills we were learning and developing were things like drama, crafts, music and dance, and drawing and painting. And they were front and center…because we were instructed to write down what we were good at and enjoyed. The actual options to choose from are a bit hazy, but the moment itself is still with me because I remember sitting there, not knowing what to put down and panicked because of it.
Oftentimes, I tell people that I cannot even draw a stick figure. That’s not exactly true, but not far off, either. And I knew it as a first grader. And yet, the appeal of art and the uncertainty of what I was good at as a six-year-old led me to say drawing and painting. I’m not sure I will ever forget the look on Mrs. Graul’s face when she said that did not seem to be quite true.
It would be a number of years after that before I realized that while the skills that some develop at an early age are readily defined no matter how much they are honed in later years, some other people’s skills take longer to develop. If you are wondering exactly where this is leading to, it is to my excitement about us unveiling a new event in four weeks and my part in helping make it happen.
When soon to be volunteers presented an idea to do a downtown Art Walk back in the spring, I was excited for a few different reasons. Not only were the people suggesting this event new people, so was the idea. There is something appreciable about earnest excitement from new people. While we have highlighted artists continuously through our summer themes and murals, this art walk will allow everyone to explore the depth of the art community in Green County in a different way. For many, Green County has historically been home to artists, makers, and creative individuals. And we want showcase it. My skills may not be best suited to canvas, but we are working to problem solve, design, brainstorm, strategize, coordinate, and communicate a new event.
As we moved past the planning stages, I was even more excited that we had 20 stores sign up to host an artist. They will be donating window space, area on their sales floor, opening early and staying late to help artists create a temporary studio: a shop within a shop where you can hear from the artist, explore their pieces, their commitment to the community, and buy if something catches your eye. There will be a strong variety of styles and mediums — oil paints, watercolor, pottery, sculptures, fabric, photography, mixed media, and jewelry. Like our wine walk, we will have maps available to help you explore all 20 artists’ works, and it will be a self-guided tour. Our goal is to maximize each opportunity for artists to share their work in person.
The event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, October 7. Thanks to the artists and the stores, the event is nearly self-funded. The six-year-old in me will forever be inspired by those talented with a pencil and paintbrush. The 34-year-old me in the present still is and also grateful for helping bring those still honing and developing their talents to share them in our community to the forefront, all together, at the same time.
— Jordan Nordby is the executive director for Main Street Monroe. He can be reached at MonroeMainStreet@tds.net. Complete details on Main Street Monroe and its efforts can be found at mainstreetmonroe.org.
