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NEWS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2010 THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN KANSAN.COM
ARTS
Ben Ahlvers, exhibition director for the Lawrence Arts Center, is one of 10 community members involved in the development of a downtown arts district. Ahlvers described the progression as "in the elementary stage," but said the response from the community has been impressive.
Final Fridays to show student art
BY MEGAN RUPP
mrupp@kansan.com
Starting August 27, University students have an opportunity to showcase and view artwork in a new project called Final Fridays.
Everyone is welcome to enjoy the artwork, but for visual, design and performing arts students. Final Fridays is a unique chance to show off their talents. Michael Selby, a senior from Hays, is a graphic design major who said he plans to participate.
"Final Fridays really has a great potential to connect KU's design collective with the community of Lawrence," Selby said. "Hopefully, those who take the time to view our projects will see that KU is producing exciting, nationally-recognized work that many Lawrence businesses could utilize."
Dina Evans, director of career
services and outreach for the School of Music, said she appreciated any opportunity for student musicians to get out of Murphy Hall and play for a new audience.
"There's a little bit of a fear factor and apprehension built into that, but if you want to see yourself as a performing musician in your future, it's this kind of opportunity that helps create the confidence you need." Evans said.
John Hachmeister, an associate professor of sculpture, said he appreciates the additional opportunity to showcase his students' pieces.
Administratorsandstudentsagreed that those who become involved in off-campus exhibitions developed more comprehensive portfolios.
"It accelerates the professional level of production," Hachmeister said. "They become more professional in the way they think about, create and finish their artwork."
David Brackett, a textiles professor in the School of Fine Arts, said he hoped students would see the opportunity as a way to get involved in the Lawrence community.
"It's a great experience that students should take advantage of because it provides a greater potential for other people to see and become familiar with their work." Brackett said.
Jane Pennington, director of Downtown Lawrence Inc., said she hoped students show initiative to participate if they are interested.
"I would anticipate that musicians would be the types of people who might want to have a brief gig on those Final Friday nights."
CITY
On June 22, city commissioners unanimously approved the Downtown Lawrence Arts District's request for $10,000 from the
Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission. The amount was available because of a canceled sculpture exhibit last year, Pennington said Downtown Lawrence Inc. would use the funding to market the event until it became a tradition.
"By then, it should attract people from surrounding areas who may decide to spend the whole weekend in Lawrence if they have something special to do on Friday nights." Backed by the Lawrence Arts Center, the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce and the Lawrence Convention and Visitors Bureau, Downtown Lawrence Inc. plans to feature visual and performing arts in any available venue of downtown Lawrence. Ben Ahlvers, exhibition program director at the Lawrence Arts Center, said any restaurant, bar, bank, retail store or vacant storefront in downtown can open its doors to the opportunity.
"We market the opportunity, but
it's up to them to have art on their walls, performances in their space or maybe even a drink or food special to capture people in the area looking at art." Ahlvers said.
Susan Henderson of the Lawrence Convention and Visitors Bureau said it was important to marry arts and downtown.
"Similar events have proven in other cities, like Kansas City and Topeka, that they do bring people in to spend their money and to enjoy the community."
In addition to the economic benefits, Tom Kern, president of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, said Final Fridays offered cultural opportunities to the community.
"We also support their efforts to increase public awareness of all the opportunities one has in Lawrence and this new arts district helps facilitate that," Kern said.