Saturday, March 12, 2011

Local Communities

GORE GUMP Pictures, Images and Photos
I still have a crush on Al
The Internet is great, right? It puts us in touch with the international community. We can make friends and get inspiration from all over the world. Beyond my wildest expectations.

It is very good, however, to step out into your own backyard. A couple of weeks ago, MamaCita's Lisa Kelly, Carole Loeffler (who just wrote a really nice post about me and thinks I'm "bad a$$") and I popped in on Mt Airy Art Garage's opening night. MAAG is a local art group that is gaining a footing here in Philadelphia. Here is the article. If you are in the Philly area, take a look at their website (linked in my sidebar). There is a wide variety of artists and artisans from the funky to the very fine. Loads of energy, creativity and you can feel the love.

There must be something in your area as well. Where do you find these communities? Sometimes, you have to create them. At last Sunday's workshop here in my studio, we had two women who live pretty close to each other and met. This is a good start at matchmaking. And I forgot to take pictures ...

While the internet (and Al Gore) are fabulous, meeting peeps IRL is excellent. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to meet like-minded souls in your very own 'hood or start a community? Let's use the comments section as a forum.

7 comments:

lyle baxter said...

Thanks so much for the info on the mt. airy art garage. I am from germantown and attended the c.w. henry elementary school back in the very dark ages! Its wonderful to hear such good things going on in my old playground! my high school art teacher(girls hi) would be so pleased.

lisa {milkshake} said...

I've met a few people via Facebook, Twitter, and blogs. But I've met the most artists from my area at local shows.

Diana said...

I've started conversations with people in the local craft store - both looking at paper - or ink - or some other goodie we both had to have - and learned that we shared a love of altered art - so I invited her to join us at an upcoming art group get together - and the rest is history!

Diana Trout {Nan.DT@verizon.net} said...

Chance encounter at the craft store! I think that is a great way to meet people. Take a small art project to the book store or coffee shop to work on it? Or to a park? Somewhere public ...

Cynthia said...

Through a woman in one of my yahoo groups, discovered a meet up (meetup.com) group for art journaling in my area and have met some wonderful artists. Local Access TV gallery and library gallery have also been places to meet and talk with like minded folks.

Diana Trout {Nan.DT@verizon.net} said...

I've heard about Meet Up. That's a good option. Libraries are a great place to build community. Fabulous.

cathy slobodzian kress said...

Sorry ... did you say something?
I was too distracted by that picture of Al.