Not in my town!!!
“Not in my town”
“Not in my town” is my way of protesting the removal of artwork from Burns Square before the agreed period of time. No rules were broken, it is being removed for the simple reason that some don’t like it. Sarasota claims to be a leader in the arts but has a prejudiced attitude when it comes to the murals that are created during the Chalk Festival.
Featured: Entes y Pesimo are artists from Peru and “Snowflake” is one of the elephants created by Kumpa Tawornprom.
“Going Vertical” was introduced during the 2011 Chalk Festival. Up until that time the artist used the streets as their canvas. Going Vertical expanded the festival and attracted a new and diverse crowd of artists. It is not random tagging of buildings, it is a partnership between the Festival, the artists and business owners. Walls are donated by the owner and the artist has 6 weeks to complete their mural. In a perfect world the artwork would stay for a year.
“Leaders are visionaries with a poorly developed sense of fear and no concept of the odds against them”
~Robert Jarvik~
This was the first year I was involved in the festival. I got to know a little bit about the driving force behind it. Denise Kowal is a woman with a vision. She see’s what she wants and goes after it. Intellegent, energetic, and passionate are among the many qualities she possesses. Not many people have the ability to introduce an idea and in 5 years develop it into an international festival. Does this happen without stepping on toes? I think not. I say with ease that Denise is fully aware of the odds against her as she continues her mission to inject Sarasota with a new art form, Going Vertical. It should also come as no surprise… where last year’s Fast Life ended, this years Entes y Pesimo (among others) continues.
So I say to Denise… keep pushing those boundaries (I know you will). It would be a sad day when constant bickering and petty complaints would cause this event to become generic and unexciting.
What has everyone in an uproar?
After reading the articles, I had to see for myself just how bad Burns Square must look. The photo below is showing the remnants of artwork. In my opinion I really saw nothing that would cause me to get so upset I had to head to city hall. I was disgusted by a woman letting her little poodle poop on the sidewalk as I walked by (sorry, but it was right there… on the sidewalk) than by the artwork on the street or the murals. The elephants… well, maybe a Tube Dude riding atop one of them might make everyone just a little happier! I’ve said it before… I’m just a simple girl. I think if you stroll through Burn’s Square and feel like you’re in the ghetto, you might need to get out a little more.
So, here is what the media is saying…
“Some Burns Square business owners questioning Chalk Festival decisions”: A group of business owners from the Square plan to meet with Sarasota City Manager Tom Barwin this week. They are upset that the street still has remnants of the artwork on it…
and some props from the Festival, like two model elephants, still remain standing in the neighborhood…
“It just doesn’t seem that anyone knows what to do afterwards,” said Sharon Katzman, the owner of IOptics. “I think this has been a problem every year, that we are left to deal with the after effects of thousands of people in our little neighborhood.”
The after effects of thousands of people (outsiders) in our little neighborhood? I’m thinking that maybe these angry business owners might put the energy used to complain into something more productive like some creative marketing strategy. For a little over a week there are a ton of potential new customers in the area and they complain? Maybe I’m missing something.
“Business Owners” Murals make Burns Square look like a ghetto”: The neighborhood looks terrible and it is our prime season The holidays are here…and Burns Square looks like the ghetto,” Swor wrote.”I thought graffiti was against the law? Why is it OK in Burns Square?”
“… I think it is terrible, it cheapens our whole neighborhood. We are hearing tons of complaints,” Swor continued.”People are shocked and disgusted with it. I am angry, I spend thousands of dollars on maintenance, paint, landscaping, proper signage, etc…Yes, there are a few beautiful murals, but there are many that need to go! The city has allowed Denise Kowal to completely destroy the look of our neighborhood—the buildings, the streets, her props and crap everywhere.” ~LeeAnne Swor
Birth begins unbiased…
all the other stuff is pretty much learned. We talk about tolerance and acceptance but do we practice it? Are we willing to see the world through someone elses eyes or do we put the blinders on as we head out the door in the morning? Are we too busy yelling that we drown out the voice of our fellow human beings?
For 10 days Sarasota was home to artists from how many countries? Will their style please everyone? And if it doesn’t, does that mean we should remove it. Innovators in street art performed before our eyes and we complain that the street has some artwork on it.
I wonder how the kid who painted this feels now? I never saw him without his mask on but my guess is he may have been somewhere around 20 years-old. He spent all that time just to have painted over because someone doesn’t like it. Way to go SRQ.
Cemeterror 2012
Meet the Director and Creator of Cemeterror 2012
Donald Spera and his Mom, Carol
My Introduction to a yard-haunt…
I was recently introduced to Valerie via the Sarasota Chalk Festival and she asked if I would consider photographing an event. She told me this particular attraction is set up and manned by a group of volunteers and some of the proceeds go to the JDRF. It has been many years since I have participated in anything Halloween… other than remembering to turn off any lights that might welcome a stray trick-or-treater to my door, so I thought it might be something different and possibly fun. My main reason for agreeing is I’m a push-over for a cause and it’s my small way of giving back to the community.
A few days before my appointment, armed with little information about Cemeterror (other than an address) I Google mapped it. A house popped up on the screen. I did the 360 degree spin to see if there was more. Nope. A house. No warehouse, no dark scary barn. Visions of neighborhood kids draped in bed sheets who popped out from behind the bushes and trees yelling boo started to fill my mind.
It was still daylight when I arrived and a handful of people were milling about. I approached a man seated outside the front door. He was quietly rocking back and forth, puffing on a cigarette. I introduced myself to Donald Spera, homeowner and ringmaster of Cemeterror. Donald impressed me as not one for small talk so I decided to explore.
Backstage…
Inside the house, my eyes adjusted to find a room full of actors in various stages of make up and costuming. The place was buzzing with activity. I spotted Valerie at the make-up table where she and Priscilla were applying scabs, scars and any other sort of prosthesis to make one horrid. The table they worked from held all kinds of goo, glue, paints, and brush imaginable. The walls behind them were a patchwork of still images representing the completed characters. As I watched Carla spray painting an actors face, my opinion of a neighborhood yard haunt started to change. I’m in no way an expert on theatrical make-up but as I watched this capable crew dab and paste and as I scanned the actors who had already made their visit to the make up chair, I could have easily watched them work their magic all night.
I pried myself away and entered a room with racks full of wonderful costumes. I imagined being a kid again and what fun it would be to have access to such a room. Who shall I be today? The appeal of Halloween I had lost as an adult was beginning to return.
I began my search for a willing subject to photograph. I spotted “Sharon Needles” who was in full costume and asked if she would go with me for some pictures. Sharon had a look that would make Nurse Ratched look like one of those sweet little volunteers running around in candy stripes . We headed into the haunted pathways of Cemeterror with all its props and special effects Ted and the team had set up. It didn’t take long before many others from the cast joined in, ready to pose.
After an all too short photo session I went outside to find the sun had retired, giving way to an oh so perfect evening for a yard haunt. The night air was cool with a light breeze making the assorted stage lighting dance and twinkle. The moon was just about as abundant as the excitement and anticipation on the faces of those that were starting to fill the yard. I watched as more and more eerie silhouettes were making their way down the darkened street towards Cemeterror 2012 bringing with them a sense of community that seems to me, all too often forgotten.
Waiting for entry to the attraction was an experience in itself. Madame Zelda’s sideshow included the troupe from the South Florida Belly dancers . Bethsheba, Fina, Nizana and Karen were shimmying and shaking while Misha and Firefly (Spiral Enterprises) energized the crowd with their fire dance. Dolly Dearest, Ghoul Ghoul Girl, Medusa, Demental , and all rounded out the side-show.
Yes, my preconceived idea of this yard haunt was totally wrong. As I was taking pictures, I heard squeals from those that were inside and I watched as the line at the entrance fill with people of every age and description, I was transported back to my childhood. To the place that loves mystery and the unknown. Wondering what is waiting around the next darkened corner ready to throw a playful scare into you.
If you missed 2012, make a point to mark you calendar for 2013. You wont be disappointed. You may even decide to become a part of Cemeterror.
Thank you Don and to the cast and crew of volunteers. You were a pleasure to meet and a pleasure to photograph.
Your Guides…
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Mort U Ary… Mark
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Morgue N… Toby
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Wood E Coffin… Victor
The Cast:
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Zelda… Dragonfly
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Chucky… Devon
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M Balma… Richard
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Sharon Needles… Mary
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Nocturnibus… Terry
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Rig a Mortis… Ralph
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Jenna Side… Mya
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Bloodonna… Avril
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Die Anne… Trista
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Hellda… Avery
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Gore Jess… Marc
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Seymore Dead Peoples… Steve
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Killery… Carol
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Graven… Dom
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Scarecrow… Rob
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Ima Dead One… Vanessa
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Fool of Fortune… Gary
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Dolly Dearest… Hillary
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Elsa… Robin
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Sinister Sister… Susan
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Bea Dead… Courtney
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Morticia… Carolyn
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Medusa… Amelia
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Demental… Olivia
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Ghoul Ghoul Girl… Meaghan
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Lady Gruesome… Kayla
Read more on Cemeterror…
The Sarasota Chalk Festival
It will be here before you know it.
artwork used in the poster is from the 2011 festival by: Eduardo Relero
Each Friday the volunteers get together to get to know each other and discuss whatever needs discussing. This particular Friday I find myself with no desire to go out in traffic again. So as 5:00 rolled around, I pushed myself away from the computer and walked to the kitchen. No bolt of lightning, no get-up-and-go. I got some coffee and sat back down to check my email. After ignoring most of the messages and dumping my spam I was still wrestling with the commitment I have made to support the festival and my lack of motivation. I finally pushed through the funk and headed to the gathering.
I think when you push through an obstacle (no matter how small) you just feel better about yourself, and I did. I walked away feeling more excitement about the upcoming event (if that is possible)! I also walked away feeling proud that I am able to play a small part in this thing.
What has me excited? Except for those who suffer from Coulrophobia, who doesn’t get excited when the circus comes to town?
As this years festival (Circus City, USA)takes shape, life-size elephants are being sculpted and inspired by artist Mark Jenkins, we are getting together tomorrow to wrap ourselves in packing tape. The best local and international artists will be here along with Kurt Wenner who will be working on a premier piece of artwork for this years festival.
As Denise explained her reason why she wants to keep the festival free, I am happy to be a part of the volunteer staff. Knowing there are many people who may never be able to view artwork at this level if there were a fee attached, she doesn’t want to ask an entry fee. This way the art is seen and appreciated by all. It doesn’t matter if you have $100,000 in the bank or $1 in your wallet. The festival is for the entire community.
Not only is it free to attend, it’s free to participate. Travel, lodging, food, supplies. It’s covered.
This is the Sarasota Chalk Festivals 5th year. Still in its infancy really but the success of the earlier years speaks volumes. The Sarasota Chalk Festival has become an international event. But it wont happen without support. The festival needs volunteers, sponsors and donations.
Yes, I walked out of last nights meeting feeling pretty good. I even took some tickets for the fundraiser to sell and I am not a salesperson.
The 5 Points kerfuffle
“We will lay out the town of Sarasota from this hub”
Richard Paulson uttered these words back in 1885. He was referring to 5 Points Park. The “heart” of Sarasota.
I’d like to imagine when Paulson spoke of his dream for Sarasota, there was more to worry about than whose chalking the sidewalks. But, I’m a simple-minded dreamer.
As I read the news, I’m dumbfounded. Our leaders continue to fall all over themselves to satisfy those that will never be satisfied.
We will make more rules
In October of 2010, the Downtown Improvement District invested $142,00 to renovate 5 Points Park. This was an attempt to infuse energy into downtown so they threw down some pavers, hung a few lights, and installed sculpture. 5 Points would once again be the “hub” of the city. This all sounds good in theory but in reality, when a park gets used, the grass gets messy and people throw butts on the ground.
The cities remedy… ban smoking, rip out the park benches , and stop feeding the homeless. Going one step further, they appoint 5 Points as a “passive” park (?).
When we remove the benches, this is what’s left. People will find a perch!
Then all was quiet in Sarasota
until that damn Harvey Milk festival got everything stirred up again! A ton of people converged on the park and had a great time. The condo dwellers are in a huff so the city is now talking about banning any and all events. As I said before, I’m a simple-minded dreamer but I don’t see this as a way to breathe life into downtown!
Part of 5 Points renovation included ripping out a knee-high wall the homeless (and it WAS only the homeless) would sit on. Maybe they should have kept the wall and just built it higher so no one could get in and use the park. Then the one-percenters could gaze down from above and proclaim… all is Grande.
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