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Collective IMPRESSIONS

project: #14

location: ELKO, NV

date: 26 – 29th Sept, 2019.

type: Collaborative mural. Mural Expo.

 

JUST OFF HWY 80.

If you drive too fast or get lost in the endless expanse of open desert and far off mountains you might miss it. Most do.

It’s a HWY stop, it’s a rail stop, it’s a stop from the gold rush West on that historic California Trail. And now, as fresh paint has had a few short weeks to dry, Elko Nevada can proudly say it’s an Art stop as well.

As the big coastal cities continue to grow beyond means of land and tradition, the little high desert town of Elko is just getting it’s feet wet. With promise of a simple life where your community has your back the town is opening doors and arms to those brave enough to take Elko into it’s next age of prosperity. The long time locals, who laid the first dusty bricks that grace tourists with old west nostalgia, now yearn for new attractions on grandeur scales. The willingness to share tradition with modern artistic flare has made Elko, NV a new hot spot for public art and a trend-setter for those small towns still trying to find their way into the next century of what is America.

THE ELKO MURAL EXPO.

It all began about a year back…

Art Spot Reno, an art promotion organization, had just wrapped up their first Mural Expo in Reno’s downtown district. The event mastermind’s had a well deserved pat on the back coming but all they could focus on was where to next. With that lingering thought in mind a few letters were written and out of the wood-work came Elko.

Art Spot got some insider help from The Elko Art’s & Culture Board and a kick-off mural was created by Reno Artist Eric Burke… making the entire community sweat with anticipation. As months went and seasons changed the brewing excitement lead to an entire town working together to make this event one to not be forgotten.

Then, as summer passed it’s torch to autumn and a chill brought the morning sun, 40 international and local artists hit the streets with brushes and spray cans in hand. It was a mad creative time-warp… Four days of non-stop painting, live music, culture walks, and creative conversations. A town full of history and stories was now creating the next chapter of their existence.

LAMOILLE MEMORIES.

Alley Art always aims to work with a Community to help showcase what that Community stands together for. So it didn’t take more than a bat of the eye to recall memories of camping and painting in Elko’s iconic Lamoille Canyon as the most impressionable place to start. An unfortunate fire had recently scarred the canyon… leaving ashes and char in the place of the cherished Aspen and Sage which flourished there for generations. The only collaboration that made sense to honor how much the Elko community has done to preserve their region was to have each individual leave their unique mark on a landscape which means so much to each of them. This landscape would only be an impression on a wall… but hopefully through the action of creating, it would leave an inspiring impression on the community who helped create it.

THE TASK. 

Leave behind your inhibitions and get back to your creative instincts. Make your mark in the most simple yet meaningful and unique way… a thumb print.

It’s not all so black & white, is it?

Collective Impressions…

As the last thumb marks dried and the artist’s of the expo prepared for a final paint day the clouds rolled in like a J.M.W. Turner Tribute party. All paint covered hands on deck! With the clouds came wind. then snow… and it all seemed to bother nobody, as the artist’s still worked and the patrons still strolled. A surreal moment for all fortunate to witness it. 

And as the sun came back to warm the streets the fresh paint glistened…

artists: J.Charboneau,

Artists as part of the Mural Expo:  buZ blurr, Erik Burke, Sebastian Velasco, Alain-Derok, Stephane Cellier, Dr. Chip Thomas, Nathaniel Benjamin, Hernan Borrero, Mike Lucido, Joe C. Rock, Bryce Chisholm, Ernie Upton, Eric Brooks, Jamie Darragh, Katy Ann Fox, Edgar Garcia, Gina Holmberg, Justin Johnson, Leslie King, Bill Louis, Arthur Richmond,  Seth McCorkle, Anthony Ortega, Matthew McDowell, Colene Paradise & her students, Sage Elementary School Art Dept. Students, Rachel Pittario, Dale and Jake Slingland, Angie Terrell, Simone Turner, VAKA, Simo Vibrant, Derek Yost, Peter Whittenberger, Kela Downs, Phil Nichols. (anyone else I may have missed please let me know!)

contributors: 75+ people of  the Elko Community.

artist’s grab your tools
alley vibes
Local students creating their own Mural.
4 Reno Artists. Work’s in progress.
process…
Just before the collaboration began…
the first prints.
Family team work.

paw prints.
finger painting techniques.
the rush to the finish line.
finishing as the snow began to fall.
on the tour.
@anthony_n_ortega
detail of @joecrock with an addition from legend @buzblurr
team from Spain, @sebasvelasco1 @alaintherock
@abcartattack detail.
@ou35
Dr. Chip Thomas wheatpaste
Mural team: @LALAKING1 & @deeznotnuts
Team: @justifiedink & @sin45nvs
alley art’s alley.
the solo work of lead alley art artist, @j.charboneau
reflections after the storm
we should have helped paint this guy… Note: ‘White King’ is now fully restored!
@nathaniel.benjamin working late hours
late night jams with @silver_is_a_band
Alley Art Project #14: “Collective Impressions of Lamoille” 75+ community hands.
en route to the next project…

 

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CONNECTIONS @ RNO

project: #13

location: Reno-Tahoe International Airport

date: 7/1.2019 [event date] 7/1-7/31.2019 [painting display period]

type: 1-minute interactive portraits. Live painting.

 

CONNECTIONS

It only takes a moment to make or miss a connection. Within a blink of an eye you could meet your soul mate or miss your train. This subtle but spontaneous act of Being forces you to be anxious. to be observant. to be present…

Imagine how many *missed-connections there are these days with the lack of attention to the world that surrounds us.

We must re-connect to reality to re-establish a presence.

We must connect to exist.

RENO IS ARTOWN

Each year in the hot month of July, Reno Nevada becomes a bustling creative town full of life, music, art, and celebration. Artown is a month long art festival that captivates the city and highlights what is ART in Reno. From live band stand shows in the park to dance performances scaling building walls the events throughout the month offer a unique showcase of any and all kinds of artistic creation.

As a Kick-off Event for Artown 2019, Alley Art left superstitions behind and hosted project #13 in The Reno-Tahoe  Airport Terminal… welcoming arrives’ and waving goodbye to those flying on.

There was no bad luck passing through these creative gates as attentive airport-goers got free portraits and earned a roll in the making of a collaborative painting lead by artist, J.Charboneau.

THE TASK. 

GET YOUR PORTRAIT DRAWN ON THE COLLABORATIVE CANVAS & DRAW A CONNECTION LINE TO THE NEXT PERSON’S PORTRAIT.

  • One-minute portrait’s done by artist, J.Charboneau

FLY ON YOU CREATIVE SOULS… FLY ON.

No passports were required for this creative journey. AND REMEMBER… Staying Connected = Staying Conscious.

artists: J.Charboneau

contributors: Reno-Tahoe Airport passengers on July 1.2019. Reno Community.

A quiet airport for the start of it.
Charcoal sketches.
Airport Views.
Laying in the color.
Final touches.
Alley Art Project #13. Thats a wrap!
Live music during Artown 2019.
Artown Pride art show @ Sierra Arts Gallery. 2019
Reno Artist Killbuck representing his works during Artown/Nada Dada. 2018.
A Dance Group performing on the side of Reno City Hall. Artown 2018.
Burning Man block party. Artown 2017.
Alley Art collaboration mural. Artown 2017.

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Together WE SEE sparks

SPECIAL EDITION: SEEN ‘ZINE

project: #12

location: The Streets of Sparks. (Victorian Square)

date: 6/23 – 9/20. 2019

type: community newspaper. ArtBike. 1-minute portraits

 

SPARKS…

A city with 100+ years under it’s rusty & wind blown belt has a story to tell.

With Time, wisdoms and wise tales begin to define what is significant. What should be said? What should be seen? What should be preserved? And what should be the goal for the future? 

Sparks is a city with grit, grandeur, and glory days… Only it’s people can preserve it.

TOGETHER WE SEE SPARKS.

“In 2015, the City of Sparks began one of the largest redevelopment projects in its history in downtown Victorian Square. Planned for completion by 2022, a six-square-block area of downtown Sparks called Victorian square will be transformed into housing (apartments and condos) for 5,000 new residents, new restaurants and retail spaces, an event venue, a central plaza, and gathering space. The city’s has allocated funding for a new streetscape plan includes new public sidewalks, planters, curbs, and landscaping. A portion of the streetscape plan allocated a portion of the budget for art.

To leverage the arts, culture, and creativity to help drive this change, growth, and transformation, the city was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts Our Town Grant in 2016 to create an art master plan for the area.  This planning process and the implementation of the plan relies heavily on community input using the creative placemaking model.”

The project is called: Together We See Sparks.

FIND US AT THESE SPARKS EVENTS:

YOUR TASK. 

INTERACT WITH THE BIKE-NEWSPAPER STAND! 

  • Grab an index card and write a story, favorite memory, place of note, or words of Sparks wisdom. **Keep it short and sweet and it could be featured in the Special Edition “Seen”  ‘zine!
  • Get a one-minute portrait done by artist, J.Charboneau
  • Look at an art book… get an art postcard

artists: J.Charboneau

contributors:  City Of Sparks. Sparks Community

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THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

project: #10

location: Reno. Arch District.

date: 5/6 – 5/8. 2016

type: collaborative found art sculpture. Reno Sculpture Festival.

 

THE REVIVAL.

A new age of art and culture is brewing in the biggest little city. You can feel the impact and the influence at each color-filled corner. Public art is filling in long lost spaces. Spaces meant to be seen. Details frequently missed by busy moving minds.

Metal-works mold the River walk. Artworks stand tall from burns years before. Murals brighten walls with memories and messages. And festivals celebrate and honor the vibrant art and artists driving it all forward.

LARGER THAN LIFE IDEAS. 

The idea… collaborate. create big. create fierce. create the impossible.

then… share it with 30,000 people. For free.

The result… Reno Sculpture Fest is a “larger-than-life” art, music, and culture festival spanning across the urban jungle known as Reno. 

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX.

As the people wandered in and out of the giant sculptures that lined the Downtown ReTRAC Alley Art Project #10 awaited their time and interaction.

A simple idea. A bold statement. Most search beyond the ‘box’ for inspiration. This project’s aim was to build the ‘box’. deconstruct it. and finally rebuild it again into something new.

A SINGLE STROKE OF INSPIRATION.

The ‘box’ stood as a giant easel and canvas of scrap woods abstractly attached to each other. As the people wearily approached the piece they were greeted with a brush dripping with wet paint.

A single brushstroke is all each individual would get… but as the crowds filed through the individual strokes began to connect and flow across the uneven surface. The chaotic yet individually precise lines shapes and colors were building something.

WRITE WORDS OF WISDOM OR TRUTH.

An old beaten saw-horse piled high with wood scraps meant for the yard stood next to the easel. A fresh coat of white paint would fast be covered with scribbles in black sharpie ink.

With each new person came reflection over the words others had left. Then, a moment of poetic inspiration would come and a new wisdom would be etched in among the others.

MERGING AT DAWN.

Sunday. A final festival dawn of hazy grey skies and subtle mists of rain or inspiration. I stripped the thoughts and color from their original places. To reinvent. To revive. For it’s when we merge our words with our actions that we can create new and inspired ideas.

GIVE THE PEOPLE BACK THEIR VOICE.

Just as the early morning coffee drinkers and book readers settled into their lazy Sunday routine I stood back from the newly constructed scrap wood canvas of three dimensions.

‘The People’s Philosopher’. As old of an idea as the wood grains he was created from.

Created by the hands and words of the Reno Citizens. Reconstructed by the artist, J.Charboneau. Art for the people, by the people.

– Take back your words. Take back your ideas. create. create. create. –

artists: J.Charboneau

contributors:  Reno Sculpture Fest . 100+ Reno community members

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Alley Art is pretty good at finding interesting alleys.
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set-up for the giant orange octopus took a giant fork lift and a long wet afternoon. sculpture by Peter Hazel.
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Alley Art Project #10. start creating.
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paint goes here.
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wisdom goes here.
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caught in the act of creating.
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excited for her single inspiring addition to the working collaboration. another smile worth the journey.
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thinking outside the box…
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making their unique -out of the box- mark.
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REno Camping sculpture. By Chris Wyatt Scott.
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The addition of the umbrella was a last minute thought. A kinetic sculpture by Kai Prescher.
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snowflakes are more functional in the spring. Sculpture by Jessi Sprocket Janusee.
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She is strong as stone. Sculpture by Mischell Riley Wrecking House.
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day two of creating. reaching for spots untouched.
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there will always be wisdom found and shared on the journey.
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layers have formed.
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A lesson in welding. Sculpture demos from Mountain Forge Inc.
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they have arrived. Sculptures by Vinnie Lucido.
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create the walls if you have none to paint on. Art and sculpture by Joe C. Rock.
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a think inside the box moment. Sculpture by Chad Rice.
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wisdom on wood.
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as the sun sets… the final touches by the community are complete.
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4am wake up call.
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closed for deconstruction.
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down to the bare bones.
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merging. words with action.
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piece title. framed.
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A.A. #10 detail.
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Alley Art Project #10. complete.

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THE ELEMENTS

project: #9

location: Reno. Idlewild Park.

date: 4/24. 2016

type: collaborative painting. Earth Day Festival.

 

A CONSCIOUS REVOLUTION

Humans have celebrated life and land for ages. Ceremonies of dance lit by raging fires. Mystical Gods marked in ancient black night skies. And meditative thoughts by mountainside trees.  Let’s not forget about this history before the 1970’s conscious revolution. Let’s not forget that preserving the earth and our natural surroundings is an idea as old as man. Earth Day is a collective reminder to cherish that which gives us life.

EARTH. AIR. FIRE. WATER. 

The wooden grid of squares and lines began black and white. But as the people of Reno blocked in the ‘elements’ the complexity of color and life took shape. A mosaic of earth. air. fire. water. A tribute to the day. Another community creation for the Alley Art books.

THOUGHTS FOR TOMORROW.

The festival brought out families and friends to celebrate a day of clean water, fresh air, and appreciation for the natural environment we live within. This idea and practice of awareness and preservation should exist everyday.

Everyday.

We can collectively create a masterpiece… but only if each individual takes the time to add their own positive mark.

artists: J.Charboneau

contributors:   Reno Earth Day . The Reno community

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First elements being added.
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black and white beginnings.
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attention to the details
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a conscious community
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the human element.
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mid-day progress after rain showers.
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creative thinking.
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in the rain.

 

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a group effort to fill in the blanks.
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a final brushstroke.
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a mosaic of elements.

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AS seen on 4th

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project: #8

location: Reno. 4th Street.

date: 4/23. 2016

type: collaborative painting. 4th Street Block Party

 

A STREET OF HISTORY VICTORY.

At its earliest of days the street breathed character as thick as the streetcar exhaust that raced its ways. East. West. It stretched wings across the great America.

Victory Way had no mercy for the soft soul. Street lights flickered while the neon motels lit paths for transcontinental passengers. Nothing promised more satisfaction than to witness the honesty of the street. The rough and dirty outer shell just proves how long it’s been around. The inner core is where the stories wait to be told. It’s the stories and the honesty in their words that keep the character alive on 4th.

AND THEN CAME THE RENAISSANCE. 

Rebuilding walls of brick and mortar doesn’t bring the beauty back. Actually, it was always there. It’s been there and will be there beyond your and my days.

4th Street leaks its secrets of beauty through the people walking it’s cold grey pavement day in and day out. Those wise enough. Creative enough. Open minded enough to listen to these secrets are those who keep Victory Way as beautiful and true as it began. The Renaissance of Reno is in motion. And Victory Way stands as a playground for those Renaissance Men & Renaissance Women brave, crazy, and inspired enough to honor the truth beneath the gravel and behind the walls.

A PARADE.

A Community gathered in celebration is stronger and more impactful than one gathered in protest and anger. Victory Way was a perfect setting to demonstrate this. It began with a rolling Viking Ship and costumed creatives. The road served as their runway as they waved and smiled towards crowds of morning watchers. The celebration of “Victory” rang out before it even began.

SEEN ON FOURTH.

4th street is mostly familiar to me as one glowing a midnight yellow from street lights and stars. Biking by tracks, buses, and empty alleys I keep a keen eye out for the next 4th Street story to lend itself to me. Victory Way is crawling with characters and the wild untamed jungles have nothing on this street. And, Behind all those heavy warehouse doors…

Bars. Breweries. Pinball junkies.  Two-wheel mechanics. And thrifting gems. The road draws me back to wander it’s sidewalks time and time again. There is too much story to be told there, and you have to see it to believe it.

MAKER MADNESS.

Alley Art was designed for a street like 4th. The recycled and worn wooden canvas rested much too comfortably along the blank concrete wall. The paints were scattered, and the action was just as spontaneous. Rules stopped after directions of color palettes, and the Reno community took full advantage of the open-ended creative process. Splatters. Drips. Words. And shapes began to suggest connections to the place. 4th street stories were emerging through the untamed layers of community creativity. Later, a few outlines from the artist, J.Charboneau would complete the madness.

PAVE YOUR PATH.

The creative dusts finally settled with the sun fading behind western mountain walls. The street stood as it was before the attention began, but a new glint of inspiration now lingered.

4th Street. Victory Way.  It’s just a road… but roads give direction. They lead. They divide. They withstand more time than we.

They are paved by man, and the man who paves his own path is an innovator. A dreamer. And a creative victor.

Victory Way will be there for you to walk its course, it will offer you it’s stories, it will guide you through doors you may never have opened. Take what it gives you and make Victory Way a path of your own. It may not ‘just’ be a road after all.

artists: J.Charboneau

contributors:   Fourth Street Block Party Artists . The Reno community

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Pinball junkies found here.
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A Victory parade.
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Is the man who is tall happy?
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as seen here. reno. 4th street.
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renaissance man
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a print.
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color palettes
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apply details here.
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little “abcs” in the making
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tagging.
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behind warehouse door #1…
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tribute to prince.
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as seen here. street busker. painter. character.
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renaissance women.
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behind warehouse door #2…
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history. stories. characters. as seen here
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it all began with a viking ship.
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and the dust starts to settle.
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and finally… behind warehouse door #3…
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project #8. piece #1.
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project #8. piece #2

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AS SEEN HERE

project: #7

location: San Francisco @ Merchants of Reality.

date: 3/4 – 3/5. 2016

type: collaborative painting. Potentialist Road Show event.

 

A RENAISSANCE & A ROADSHOW: 

It didn’t take long for Alley Art and it’s fearless creative ambassador to find the promised land on the big move out west. As history gave us gold and silver and rough wrangling cowboys, present day gives us an unorthodox artistic renaissance in the biggest little city, Reno.

After a quick settling in among the renaissance pioneers I was informed to load up and hit the road again. My westward trip would continue on to the edge of the earth. To the great big vast expanse of blue. To the big city. The one filled with golden gates and robot dreams. San Francisco.

So just like that Alley Art hit the road again. Heading toward the setting sun. Joining Reno Potentialists on a mission to spread a new sort of wealth to the people and pioneers of the west.

THE POTENTIALISTS:

A poem is read to the beat of paint on canvas. A group of musicians flow lyrics and thoughts in costumes of monsters and gold. A painting is completed not by a signature but by a final piano note. All these things happen at the Potentialist Workshop.

The Workshop is a studio-gallery-theatre dedicated to Potentialism. An idea which melds artistic boundaries. An idea where the artist embodies a true creative release. This is what the artists of The Workshop stand for. This is what The Roadshow is all about.

THE MERCHANTS:

It was only fitting for The Potentialists to join forces with The Merchants once in San Francisco. The exchange was not of goods, but of creative ideas. Two nights were set for showcasing and sharing. Trading secrets, passions, ideas, and creative vibes. The Merchant’s space was a time warp to the beginning of things. When rooms and storefronts were filled with that which mattered. Filled with well crafted things and stories behind them. The Potentialists and The Merchants found brotherhood in creative intention. A lasting exchange more valuable than the gold which was sought after so many years before.

THE SAME URBAN JUNGLE:

San Francisco. Streets of paved gold cement and bright flashing lights billboards. A new era has come for a city built on discovery and wealth. Yet it’s still the same.

Same hills lined with narrow homes and alleys. Same blues music charming the midnight fog. Same city slickers out for a quick buck. It’s still as chaotic as before. Creatures of night prey, sweet birds of day sing. The rain still falls heavy. And the last tokes off the cherry still burn as red as the brick. San Francisco is a city. A jungle. An evolving system where the unique, creative, and collaborative survive.

BUILDING BLOCKS:

The community controls the elements of a city. They are the building blocks of creation. Through all the differences. The chaos. The growth. The change… It is the collaborative community that creates a dynamic place to live.

ELEMENTS:

And so began a two night, rain or shine  art event. The stages and rooms were set for collaboration and community involvement. Alley Art rolled out canvas and asked for elements to be built. Color. Line. Shape. Text. Build from the basics. Build together. Control the elements of creation.

AS SEEN HERE:

The rain still fell. The streets still said something. It was all there for the taking. Just stop. Look. Listen. and be inspired. The streets of San Francisco hold all the creative life one needs. Subjects and words of inspiration poured out… joining the elements. Art was in the making.

A FINAL DAWN:

Just as dawn’s sun finally peeked it’s head through skyscrapers and glass windows Alley Art and The Roadshow packed up and headed home. A weekend of creation and collaboration gave a fresh glisten to the eyes of the San Fran “building blocks.” Waking with paint still on their hands the dream seemed all too real.

The potential is there. Create it.

artists: J.Charboneau

contributors: The Potentialist Workshop . The Merchants of Reality . The San Francisco community

 

 

Found art in the urban jungle.
Found art in the urban jungle.
A look of creative genius.
A look of creative genius.
Found art on walls. Biscuits & Blues.
Found art on walls. Biscuits & Blues.
Street art of San Fran keeping eyes busy.
Street art of San Fran keeping eyes busy.
Found. Words to make you think.
Found. Words to make you think.
Found. Ink blots on walls.
Found. Ink blots on walls.
Stairs to creation.
Stairs to creation.
Birth of creations.
Birth of creations.
Alley Art set-up & awaiting paint.
Alley Art set-up & awaiting paint.
Find a place in the urban jungle.
Find a place in the urban jungle.
Tickets. Tickets. Get your tickets.
Tickets. Tickets. Get your tickets.
Catching a moment of bliss.
Catching a moment of bliss.
Street art of San Fran. Somewhere in the jungle.
Street art of San Fran. Somewhere in the jungle.
Bazooka Zac tuning and jamming.
Bazooka Zac tuning and jamming.
Beginning of something. Or nothing.
Beginning of something. Or nothing.
Apply paint here.
Apply paint here.
Last artist standing. Day one.
Last artist standing. Day one.

 

A beautiful chaotic mess.
A beautiful chaotic mess.
Music man sculpture.
Music man sculpture.
FOMO Booth. He wants to join the party.
FOMO Booth. He wants to join the party.
Collaboration at it's best.
Collaboration at it’s best.
Pan the art fortune teller. Have a seat...
Pan the art fortune teller. Have a seat…
End in sight. Day 2.
End in sight. Day 2.
Weapons of Mass Creation. Tuning.
Weapons of Mass Creation. Tuning.
The Joy of Painting. A star is present.
The Joy of Painting. A star is present.
The scene.
The scene.
Day 2. Our work is done.
Day 2. Our work is done.
Blues. Piano. Xylophone. Detail.
Blues. Piano. Xylophone. Detail.
Records & Guitars. Detail.
Records & Guitars. Detail.
Urban lines. Detail.
Urban lines. Detail.
Urban Jungle.
Urban Jungle.

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