When one looks in Salem for visual art, they can usually see the Gold Man standing on the capitol building. Of course, that’s not the city that Salem is, as much as it’s representative of the state government that Salem plays host to every couple of years. Without the arts districts of bigger metropolitan cities, can Salem call itself an arts community? And are we as citizens prepared to throw our support behind the efforts that are going forward? I believe the answer is: yes.
As it stands today, Salem’s art community is blossoming with many artists creating their own networks either in Artists in Action, a group that is “dedicated to creating stronger community ties” or by utilizing community areas like Project Space that is hosted by the Salem Art Association (SAA) or creating in the Willamette Art Center. The Peace Mural Council and the City of Salem are looking to add an additional outlet for artists with public murals.
What the art community needs is more public involvement and more official support from the City of Salem to move forward. They’ve taken a great first step by working with the volunteers on the Peace Mural Council of Salem to develop a Public Arts Commission and an ordinance that would allow building’s owners to add murals to their buildings.
The Peace Mural Council is applying, with the help of SAA, for a state grant that will help fund their programs. As the editor of Salem’s dedicated news, art, and entertainment newspaper, I hope to see the grant awarded and the progress that has already been made by the volunteers rewarded. It’s not easy to get to the point where they are now, and resources that will help Salemites get a foot up to expanding its art community even more is very much needed.
In this issue, we feature two street artists (Salem graffiti artists find a home) who create large productions using aerosol paint. One was featured in Project Space, but they point out that there is a lack of options for legitimate street graffiti canvases. A public mural system, according to organizers, will help add to their legitimacy. Studies have also shown that public murals reduce the amount of vandalism, specifically a problem in some Salem neighborhoods, by giving youth an outlet. Not to mention the guidance of the art community as a whole leveraging the projects to find new artists.
Peace seems to be a recurring theme this year in Salem. With the adoption of the Peace Mural Council and the forthcoming MyPeace Festival (look for our coverage in the next issue), Salem is also embracing peace as a whole. Of course, what peace means is subjective. It can the absence of anxiety, or the absence of soldiers in the field. For the art community, it’s time to bring peace of mind with the support of Salem residents and, hopefully, the Oregon Art Commission grant.
To get involved in the arts community, visit:
cityofsalem.net/CityCouncil/BoardsAndCommissions/Pages/PublicArtCommission.aspx
salemart.org
willametteartcenter.com
