With all of our pounding of the pavement around Maple Leaf, we’ve heard comments again and again about how Maple Leaf needs an art walk.
Like many neighborhoods, we’ve got plenty of obvious art businesses – like Fine Impressions Gallery, Northwest Puppet Center, Snow Goose Gallery, Between Cultures, HangFire Frame and Design, Maxine’s and Glassique – as well as others that could just as easily be involved in a neighborhood art walk – Blue Saucer, Art Tile Co., Cloud City Coffee, Early Masters, The Wandering Cafe, COA Mexican Eatery and Tequileria, and Aljoya Thornton Place, just to name a few.
What we don’t have is a convenient walking path linking all of these businesses together, which definitely increases the appeal of participating in an art walk. But that doesn’t mean it should keep the community from at least giving it a try.
We’ve put feelers out to the above businesses and others to see if we can pull this together, and it looks like it’s going to happen – assuming that you, the residents of Maple Leaf, think this is as cool an idea as we do.
Tentatively the time and date are set for 6-9 p.m. Friday, May 11, and so far all of the above-listed businesses have expressed an interest in participating. We’ve even got non-artsy businesses interested in staying open late to show art from local artists, too, including Edward Jones. We haven’t had a chance to contact all of the area businesses yet, so if you’d like to be put on the list, let us know at tips@mapleleaflife.com.
And if you’re a local artist who would love to see your works on display at said local business, we’ll try to accommodate that as well.
So, Maple Leaf, what do you think about a Maple Leaf Art Walk? Can we count on you to attend this first-of-a-kind neighborhood event?
If the diversity and quality is worthwhile, it’d be cool. I realize everyone has there opinion about art…but I’ve been to a few art walks that have stuff that is clearly done by ‘amateurs’ or ‘hobbyist’ not practiced artists. Not against the idea, just think participation will dwindle if the quality isn’t there…especially if locations are spaced so far apart.
I’d also rather not see a brewery, or anything else that turns Maple Leaf into a destination. It silly to do that when Northgate is so close and the logical place for events that will draw traffic and place demands on a stressed parking infrastructure.
I would like to see a day care however, so it would once again be possible to get a cup of coffee in a civilized environment within Maple Leaf.
People opposed to an art walk but not a brewery? :facepalm:
I think it’s an interesting idea but it would be helpful to have businesses clustered together more. Perhaps in a certain vacant lot. Please include Bead World on 95th. They don’t just sell beads! Perhaps they could share space with another business? I was just searching for a flea market. Ravenna’s Community Center used to have one and Lake City has one.
Great idea, if you want to Ballardize Maple Leaf. Greenwood is well on their way to accomplishing that with their art walk, do we really want to follow?
I, for one, don’t want to see it happen. This neighborhood does not need to become a destination.
@Mai Ling… so 80th to 100th and 5th to 15th? What is that, 8-10 actual art galleries spread out over 80-100 square blocks?
I’m not against it, I just don’t think that “art walk” is the most appropriate description. In my humble opinion an “art walk” implies a bit more geographic density of the art establishments.
How about making it an “art bicycle ride”? This might encourage more of our neighborhood business to have bike stands and be more bicycle friendly!!
Sounds lovely. It’s too bad that Roosevelt didn’t have more businesses. Seems as though more and more apartments are going up instead of a thriving business corridor.
@Joe The map isn’t done yet but it will cover Maple Leaf from N.E. 80th St. in the south to N.E. 100th St. in the north, and from 15th Ave. N.E. on the east to 5th Ave. N.E. on the west.
The Roosevelt business district from 84th to 97th actually has a plethora of art establishments (many are named above), which are further complemented by businesses such as Fine Impressions Gallery on 5th and Northwest Puppet Center on 15th.
Sounds like a good idea to me.
In theory the idea seems cool, but when I think of art walk, I think of a sidewalk route that passes a number of art establishments near each other. Does Mapleleaf have such an area? Could you post a map of the proposed route of the walking?
No. Take your art walk and shove it you know where.
As a Maple Leaf artist, I say Hurray!