Big Blank Canvas

Earlier tonight at the Belmar Arts Council we had a presentation relating to our big community public project for this year. We have been granted use of this building, a former boatworks, to function as our headquarters, meeting space, gallery, etc, at least until redevelopment comes to this block. You've seen inside views before. The plan is to paint a large mural on the long side of the building, which will be very easily seen from the passenger train that goes by about 30 times a day. We also think it will help bring people to visit our slightly off the beaten path location. We had been asked to bring ideas to today's meetings, although we had been given not specifics as to what the mural would be about. Being an arts organization, I'm thinking subjects related to the various arts we are involved in, along with things related to the town itself. So I did briefly spend some time this afternoon looking at some books, but didn't have time to work anything out.

Guest at our meeting was Bob Mataranglo, a versatile local artist who is known by some for his murals- in fact he did a presentation on the topic at one of our meetings a few months ago. He won't be painting this one, but will give us advice as to how to go about doing this. Also at the meeting there was a lot of discussion about what the mural should be about, and there was no consensus. We'll have another meeting next week and this time we are to bring visual plans of our specific ideas to discuss and vote on. I plan to put something together to present to those who show up, and at least try to influence the direction of this thing.