ok, let me back up...the art scene here is, well, apathetic. there are few venues, but they are strong (one main gallery being my fave Szozda). the apathy is not reserved for art - it is a general feel of the city. "the city that could, but just couldn't." this is not a rant about art or buyers or art-lovers...this is a fabulously uplifting post - wait for it. for every enthusiastic "HEY LET'S...." there are a hundred snipers waiting to shoot down the idea. there is a distinctly eeyore attitude that prevails. Yesterday, I drove to a nearby city, Rochester NY, to meet with a gallery owner, Shawn Dunwoody. we had been emailing back & forth about a show. I'm not a prima dona artist by any means, but need all the details discussed and nailed down before I commit...insurance, dates, commissions, etc. So that's what this meeting was to be. Holy Codfish on a cracker! This guy is ON FIRE! just walking the street of his neighborhood, listening to him talk about how it went from a "shady" part of town to the vibrant arts area that it now is....it was inspiring just to breathe the life in the area, and i wished for my studio Right Then! his passion, absolute passion, is exploding from him. The article in the link above calls him a "tireless advocate for the arts," and that is an apt description. Before I even unloaded a single piece of art to show him, he wanted to take me on a walking tour of the neighborhood. he was as proud of it as he was of his kids. People hanging out in front of their houses making music...galleries painting up walls for new shows...cafes...antique shops...and everyone with the necessary YES WE CAN attitude to make it happen. and my camera was where? oh, right...at home. picture an old phone booth (yes - booth - remember them?) painted red, and where it should say "phone" at the top, it says "poetry." and people can go into the booth right there by the sidewalk and write a poem inside. sculptures everywhere...benches that look like hands...brick sidewalks with a braided design...everything clean scrubbed and prideful. but this Shawn - this Force...he is into everything and knows everyone...and his vision is that of a much older person. He will most certainly keep things moving - and just try to keep up with him. Gentle & patient, with depth & wisdom...and electricity for blood...i swear i was ready to cross the street and rent an apartment just to be a part of all that is happening. the city has a whole different vibe to it than mine. it feels more Yes than No. i need to go back with my camera, because words do not adequately describe, and i wonder if it's possible to capture magic on pixels. If you have the opportunity to be in Rochester NY, look Shawn up and see if i'm not under-describing. I wish him stamina for the journey, and patience for those who can't see his vision. May his dreams never go unrealized. the world needs more Shawns, and far fewer Eeyores.