Artist Towns - Nationally and in your Neck of the Woods! (real estate market, how much)

[ellie]

My housing scenario is a knee jerk reaction against my fear that I'm going to have to live in a condo or a trailer on stilts. Though the stilts have aesthetic merit.

[ontheroad]

If you look at the thread in its entirety, you'll see one post that describes a complete community with fine artists, musical artists, craft specialists and services for all and beyond.

I was at the Warhol last Friday and asked the Pub attendants where they felt the art community(ies) were: they mentioned galleries. I didn't respond; didn't want to insult them, but a gallery is not a community but a place for commodities. Although it can be the center or one of several centers for a community.

A community embraces places to meet, places to work, places to sell, places to exchange ideas and filled with people that have energy, enthusiasm and a creative spirit. And they don't have to be of like-mind, but have the capacity to think, feel and respond passionately. And a salt and pepper sense of humour, won't hurt!

And although I've received money for visual arts, and been published some, I believe my true metier is the written word.

Is that asking too much!

Originally Posted by cold_eh_ND

What kind of artist?? Fine art? Music? can you be more specific and maybe I can be more helpful?

[ontheroad]

I understand knees and jerks!

Originally Posted by ellie

My housing scenario is a knee jerk reaction against my fear that I'm going to have to live in a condo or a trailer on stilts. Though the stilts have aesthetic merit.

[cold_eh_ND]

Originally Posted by ontheroad

If you look at the thread in its entirety, you'll see one post that describes a complete community with fine artists, musical artists, craft specialists and services for all and beyond.

I was at the Warhol last Friday and asked the Pub attendants where they felt the art community(ies) were: they mentioned galleries. I didn't respond; didn't want to insult them, but a gallery is not a community but a place for commodities.

A community embraces places to meet, places to work, places to sell, places to exchange ideas and filled with people that have energy, enthusiasm and a creative spirit. And they don't have to be of like-mind, but have the capacity to think, feel and respond passionately. And a salt and pepper sense of humour, won't hurt!

Is that asking too much!

I just don't want to look like an idiot and give you a response that has nothing to do with what you're looking for. My dad is a retired Dean (or in this neck of the woods Director, but the same thing) of the School of Fine Arts at the University of Manitoba. He has spent his entire life teaching Fine Art at universities accross North America. I know what it's like to spend my life hopping from here to there and back there again and stopping and appreciating the scenery. My mom too is an artist who graduated from the UofM (imagine that.....he was her professor).
He is moving to PEI (Prince Edward Island, Canada) and has built a HUGE studio out there. As soon as I saw your post I thought of PEI immediately.
The Director/Professor's name? Dale Amundson. You can visit the following links for ideas and inspiration. He truly is my hero!

http://www.banffcentre.ca/Press/cont...bc/amundson_d/

http://mapleridgestudio.com/ (this one is his store...not open to the public as of yet...but you can see his work).

OR....just google his name with/without University of Manitoba.
This man is a TRUE inspiration!

[ontheroad]

Well, cold-eh-ND, PIE certainly looks and sounds beautiful--perhaps a bit isolated for the likes of me, but may have great appeal for others reading the thread.

When I actually get to the coast of Maine, (eta June) who knows, I might even find myself thinking of driving farther North and checking out places in Canada--although, frankly, I don't think the Canadians are very keen on US imports.

Thanks for sharing the sites and hope you are warm(er).

[tcburns]

My wife and I spent a week or so on Prince Edward Island - pastoral, unspoiled, indeed it was a trip to the 1950s as far as society and lack of unchecked materialism are concerned. Also it's a low population place.
We loved it, music get-togethers in the churches on wed nites - very secular - the churches just have room! The light was awesome, lots of friendly folk - seemed largely celtic. There's a ferry - a major ship really - and a bridge out to it. But we couldn't imagine what winter would be like there.

[ontheroad]

Thanks for sharing a view of PIE with us. I just checked the weather averages, and it appears to be not as cold as one might expect in winter (hovers around 23oF; lots of snow) and summer appears very mild (around 70oF). Interesting.

Originally Posted by tcburns

My wife and I spent a week or so on Prince Edward Island - pastoral, unspoiled, indeed it was a trip to the 1950s as far as society and lack of unchecked materialism are concerned. Also it's a low population place.
We loved it, music get-togethers in the churches on wed nites - very secular - the churches just have room! The light was awesome, lots of friendly folk - seemed largely celtic. There's a ferry - a major ship really - and a bridge out to it. But we couldn't imagine what winter would be like there.

[cold_eh_ND]

Originally Posted by ontheroad

Well, cold-eh-ND, PIE certainly looks and sounds beautiful--perhaps a bit isolated for the likes of me, but may have great appeal for others reading the thread.

When I actually get to the coast of Maine, (eta June) who knows, I might even find myself thinking of driving farther North and checking out places in Canada--although, frankly, I don't think the Canadians are very keen on US imports.

Thanks for sharing the sites and hope you are warm(er).

I wouldn't worry about the Canadians not accepting a USC. Canada is a MOSTLY immigrant population now. (this is NOT said out of insult). All the Canadians have moved to the US!! LOTS of 'FREE' spirits in the Toronto and Montreal area....BIG cities too and worth a visit. I personally HATE living in the city...which is why I live about 100 miles from ANY major city. I like the small town inspiration. Canadians in general are very liberal and very accepting. If you ever get to Manitoba...just be careful...no one knows how to drive!!!

It's definitely worth the drive up into Canada. Another place to see....Banff & Jasper, Alberta.....Drumheller, Alberta..... Invermere, British Columbia. Granted they are on the other side of Canada from where you will be, but definitely worth a look, even it's just online.

[ontheroad]

Thanks for the additional information. I've been up to BC and loved it. Actually I'd rank Vancouver among my five favourite cities. However, as I just left the SW of the US, it is unlikely I'll turn around and drive back soon.

Originally Posted by cold_eh_ND

I wouldn't worry about the Canadians not accepting a USC. Canada is a MOSTLY immigrant population now. (this is NOT said out of insult). All the Canadians have moved to the US!! LOTS of 'FREE' spirits in the Toronto and Montreal area....BIG cities too and worth a visit. I personally HATE living in the city...which is why I live about 100 miles from ANY major city. I like the small town inspiration. Canadians in general are very liberal and very accepting. If you ever get to Manitoba...just be careful...no one knows how to drive!!!

It's definitely worth the drive up into Canada. Another place to see....Banff & Jasper, Alberta.....Drumheller, Alberta..... Invermere, British Columbia. Granted they are on the other side of Canada from where you will be, but definitely worth a look, even it's just online.

[cold_eh_ND]

If you're gonna be on the East coast, check this site for Eastern Canada... www.goeasterncanada.com