By Patricia Measer
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life” (Pablo Picasso). This famous quote perfectly illustrates the excitement driving the latest art program in Jamestown, called “ArtScape.” This is a play on the word “landscape”, as art would be displayed on banners in downtown Jamestown, adding to the landscape of the city. As explained in a recent press release from Leslie Calimeri, owner of Chautauqua Art Gallery on Main Street in Jamestown, who spearheads this project, “ArtScape will create an outdoor gallery experience in the heart of the community. The colorful banners add interest and intrigue to the downtown streetscape, encouraging pedestrians and vehicle traffic to slow down and enjoy the display. Each banner showcases local artists, highlighting the creativity and talent of each who live and work in the region.”
Leslie is an artist herself. A native of Jamestown, she moved to Winchester, VA as an adult to accept a job in graphic design. She stayed for several years, during which time Winchester started their own ArtScape. Leslie participated as both an artist and a design logistics coordinator. She had a front row seat, so to speak, to this annual event, watching the project evolve and grow each year, and seeing the overwhelmingly positive response from the community.
Leslie moved back to Jamestown several years ago and opened the art gallery. But she kept thinking about ArtScape and the great experience she had with it, and dreamt about how to have something similar here. She is finally making her dream a reality. She partnered with Jamestown Renaissance Corporation (JRC) and the City Parks Commission to make this opportunity possible for local artists. JRC is organizing the event and helping apply for grants to support it. The project fits with JRC’s vision of “Stronger neighborhoods, a vibrant downtown, and an engaged community.” The City Parks Commission handles the logistics and timing of hanging the banners.
Artists from Chautauqua County, or anywhere within 35 miles of Jamestown (includes Cattaraugus County and Warren, PA, among others), are eligible to submit works for consideration. Each individual can submit up to three pieces. Selected artwork will be photographed and displayed on banners downtown, on Second and Third streets. The original work will be displayed at the Chautauqua Art Gallery starting in June. There will be a walking tour listing the artists and their work, which will be on a printed brochure as well as on the website.
Submission requirements are outlined on a link on the Jamestown Renaissance website https://www.jamestownrenaissance.org/artscape/
Although it is common for artists to pay an application fee for a juried selection, no fees are required this year, which is an added incentive for artists to try their hand.
The website also provides information for prospective sponsors. ArtScape is looking for local businesses to sponsor banners in support of the program. Sponsorship is only $100 per banner. The business name appears on both sides of the banner, and the business name and logo will be included in a brochure designed specifically for Artscape. It will also be recognized in media promoting the program. Sponsors get to keep their banner after it is taken down. Leslie isn’t sure when that will be yet, but would like to keep them up as long as possible.
When asked how she would like to see ArtScape expand in future years, Leslie said,” I would love to see this turn into an outdoor celebration of the arts, with artists standing next to their banners, interacting with the community. We could have a festival in conjunction with ArtScape, maybe a scavenger hunt or some other outdoor event.”
If she could take away only one thing from her Winchester experience and apply it to Jamestown ArtScape, it would be encouraging a variety of art to be submitted, and encouraging a variety of businesses to sponsor. “We want to see a broad spectrum that truly represents our community.”
The deadline to submit an artist or sponsor application is April 7th. Art will be displayed in June starting with an opening celebration at the art gallery, and banners will be up at le