Jessica Chappell Assignment 2

The ArtWalk-In was a total success! It felt wonderful to be apart of something so important to the people in this area and their art. Bloomsburg needs this. From growing up in the area, art isn't exactly the choice career path for the "workin' man". People can be very close-minded and naive in thinking art is just for fun, a childhood hobby, and then you grow up and get a real job. Well I say poop on that! There were arts of all sorts: huge wall hangings, jewelry, pottery, printmaking, blue grass music, balloons, and lots and lots of food! It really touched me that so many local restaurants and establishments donated food to the event. Usually, in today's society, you have to pull an arm and a leg to get anything for free, and the fact that they graciously donated time and delicious treats is greatly appreciated. I think my favorite part of ArtWalk-In was, and don't take this the wrong way (because I loved everything and I love seeing what's going on locally in the art world-perfect place for that), was the room where the kids could draw and paint. To me, I saw the Moose Exchange really making a difference; really utilizing what they have been given, and sharing the opportunity with the community. Inviting people back, in a small way. My friend Eric sat in their the whole time with a 4/5 year old boy...he's 32. : )

The bowling pin installation was great! I'm not going to lie, its not at all what I was expecting when I first heard they were doing it. I saw this huge conglomerate piece of funky pins and I don't know, stuff. Any who, it turned out super duper. Some of the work was crazy, all the tiny intricate pieces of cardboard used to frame the "pin". My friend Ralph went on the opposite spectrum of that and used huge pieces of cardboard to create a hollow space in the center to resemble the bowling pin. Yes! Everyone worked really hard and when put in that environment of an actual bowling alley; a bowling alley deprived of life for a number of years, and brought back to life through art, pretty cool stuff man!

I interviewed Keith and Nemi, Ink Finger minus Mike (couldn't seem to locate him). Material-wise they, "...use stuff, everything; little bit of this, little bit of that." Definitely collaborative group work to make their pieces. No soul responsibility in creation. They work wherever, anywhere and everywhere. These guys are inspiring, there's noo doot aboot it (Canadian style). Ey? Art is a lifestyle, their lifestyle without a doubt. They walk it, eat it, breath it. They work all the time, they work hard. It's exciting because I think they're going to make it, ya know. Whatever "making it" means, but I think they have a shot of becoming genuinely known for their art. Props to them; word up homie G.