Friday, May 29, 2009

No Bike Valet at RAM This Week

Sorry gang, but you'll need to bring your locks to the Riverside Arts Market this week. Due my stupidity and forces outside of my control the bike valet will not be available for tomorrows market.

My most humble apologies for not being there for you guys.


5 comments:

Anna said...

That's a damn shame. While the first month I felt nothing but hope for RAM, this is a big, bad sign. Don't we realize that this doesn't exist as a space for artists, but a space for the community? The bike valet is more a service to the community than an artist sitting in a booth. Don't get me wrong, many people with booths at RAM have (what i consider) the right attitude - providing interactive activities, talking to people about their work, doing demonstrations, etc. But selling art objects cannot sustain this place. Why should I buy a piece of art one week, when I know that artist will be there with the same art the next week and the week after that? Now, if I could learn from the artist, that would be something worth coming back for, in my opinion. But truth is, RAM doesn't exist for Riverside kids like me, it is too full of stuff geared towards older, family-oriented, suburban folk. And until RAM truly becomes something for all people of Riverside to participate in every week, then the bike valet is, sadly, expendable. If everyone comes from afar anyway, they're not going to bike. Banning the bike valet is as good as saying, "we don't want you here, Riverside." I know these are strong words, and that's probably not what anyone intended to communicate. But I am hearing them loud and clear.

actionville said...

beautifully said!!

Anonymous said...

uh, so it got banned??? All the post said was that it won't be around this week. Seems like anna is over-reacting. Maybe i'm missing something

Anna said...

yeah, you're right, saying it is "banned" is an overreaction. but the point i'm trying to make is that in RAM's effort to be all-inclusive, they're subtly excluding a big part of the culture of the area. I really value the existence of RAM and speak strongly out of hope that they will be able to sustain themselves with longevity and continue adding value to the community. with such a delicate margin of success in a place like jacksonville, one misstep, like excluding the bike valet for one weekend even, could be detrimental.

Jean said...

Does this mean the bike valet is gone forever, or just MIA this weekend?? I was there and missed you guys!