FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Rockingham Arts and Museum Project
Contact Person: Robert McBride
Telephone Number: 802-463-3252
Fax Number: 802-463-3252
Email Address: ramp@sover.net
Web site address: www.ramp-vt.org
Rockingham Arts and Museum Project calls local artists to Artists Town Meeting Bellows Falls, VT April 1, 2010
Robert McBride, Executive Director of the Rockingham Arts and Museum Project (RAMP) has issued a call to all local artists, artisans and local food growers to attend the spring Artists Town Meeting on Thursday, April 1, 2010 from 6 - 8 pm at the Examiner Block in downtown Bellows Falls, 9 Canal Street. The focus of the quarterly meetings is to bring this diverse group of creative people together in order to share ideas and a good meal. The more we know each other and can identify ourselves as a constituency the more credibility we gain. "Mc Bride explains.
There is an ever-growing community of working artists and local growers in our midst, all of whom are contributing greatly to the cultural and economic vitality of the area. One of RAMP's many roles is to be an advocate for these artists. In order to be effective in that role, RAMP creates and participates in opportunities to hear from local artists and assist them in making community connections that benefit us all."
McBride goes on to highlight upcoming arts events in the region that give participating artists greater exposure and highlight the great examples of the arts as a vital economic force. "The Vermont Crafts Council Open Studio Weekend, held each year on Memorial Day weekend is a great opportunity for artists to gain access to potential customers, and it also serves as a terrific vehicle for economic development: people come to our town to see art, shop at farmers markets and in the process have an opportunity to shop locally, dine locally and experience the great atmosphere of a revitalized Vermont downtown. We're looking forward to a greatly expanded presence at this annual event by local artists, and are prepared to organize support and assistance to artists who wish to participate. Also the Bellows Falls Farmers Market will be starting up in mid-May and is Friday evening from 4-7 at the Bellows Falls visitors center across form the train station in downtown Bellows Falls.
McBride expects that the Artists Town Meeting will also contribute to another of RAMP's many goals; that of building a constituency of local creative people whose impact can be felt in the political and economic life of the region. "When people who share a commitment to creativity come together and speak with a unified voice, it can have a powerful impact. One of RAMP's visions is to see artists and arts supporters fully integrated into the civic fabric of our community, weighing in on local issues, and contributing a valuable perspective to local dialog."
McBride says that RAMP is committed to hosting four Artists Town meetings throughout the year and the agendas will be largely shaped and developed by the input gathered at each of the forums. The venues are wheelchair accessible. The Vermont Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts help support the meetings. We thank Stewart Property Management Co for allowing RAMP to host this meeting at the Exner Block. The Exner Block provides ten affordable live/work spaces with a preference given to artists and six retail spaces.
Interested participants are asked to RSVP by e-mailing: ramp@sover.net, with "Artists Town Meeting RSVP" in the subject line, or by calling 802-463-3252
