HERE'S TO ART IN THE GAS STATION!

Gas Station   Adams Square Mini-Park 2008

Post Partum...  Life goes on.

Thanks  to Jess Duran, Director of Community Services and Parks, along with Tereza Aleksanian, coordinator for the July Fourth Project.  

Jess Duran, Director of Community Services and Parks

Thanks, too, to the City of Glendale for finding ways to collaborate to get art into the Gas Station.  Sean Toro's simple lighting added greatly toward the end of the project.  It is now our hope that the baton or what ever analogy one may adhere to this idea, will be taken in hand for a quick turn around with more work being installed to keep this unique space active. 

It was heartening to hear Tereza mention that it is the hope of the City and her department, in concert with the Arts and Culture Department, headed by Cindy Cleary, Glendale Head Librarian, to actively put out a call for artists to fill the Gas Station with interesting works of art.

Of course, it falls to individuals: artists and others, to stay in the loop or create the loop and present ideas for the Powers That Be to consider.  Worries over insurance and liability in our litigious times seem to be a priority, however, I encourage artists and City Folks to just go ahead and Do It.  That's basically what the July Fourth Project has done.  Doing trumps waiting.  At least in my book. 

Please contact The City of Glendale via Community Services and Parks' Tereza Aleksanian <TAleksanian@ci.glendale.ca.us> for guidelines and information.  We should not have to re-invent the process to move forward apace with new ideas.  

I'll be available to consult and expect to have a meeting with Tereza and City Officials soon to discuss the process that has unfolded over the past eight months. Glendale City Schools' arts teachers and students are ideal candidates for new projects.  All artists: professional and hobbyists are ripe for the harvest. We found a way to do the July Fourth Project very inexpensively.  That the City covered insurance and provided employees on the clock is to their credit. It is, of course, what a City does for its citizens. More applause to them for that.  

Artists who have not picked up their panels may do so by making an appointment. Direct emails to the email address you have for me or to: directortv41 at yahoo.  After September 2, 2012, they may be toast.

Onward.  

Michael Sheehan

Adams Hill

FIFTEEN HOURS AND COUNTING

As I prepare to meet local artists at the Gas Station to return their works of art, I am reminded of the beginnings of art in this odd little space four years ago.  It took the City a few months to clear the pathway to the "gasstationinstallation," but thanks to some good friends with fingers of steel: Jeannie Gayle Pool, Robert Roll and Tim Spain, we inflated thousands of balloons which filled the space for only a few days.  Richard Espinoza was the Arts and Culture coordinator at that time.  The man with the key!

The July Fourth Project involved many more artists and though we didn't make the front page of the News Press this time, we've had a terrific turnout and response.  We really hope that the City of Glendale will take notice and find ways to make it easier for artists to make use of The Gas Station for more installations that will brighten the Adams Square Mini-Park, encourage neighbors to visit more often and enjoy not only the kiddie playground, but, perhaps, create music, theatre and other arts activities here in Adams Hill. 

Your suggestions are welcome.  Cindy Cleary, Glendale Head Librarian and Jess Duran, Director of Community Services and Parks are the folks to lobby.  Let them know you appreciate their involvement and cooperation.  

Next??  

Michael Sheehan
Adams Hill / Art Instigator

July 4th Closing AUGUST 26, 2012

Dear Artists and All, 

My old bus is going in to the body shop tomorrow. Send good VW vibes for a speedy recovery, okay? 

 Now to business:

The July Fourth Project will close on Sunday, August 26th.  The Gas Station will be open from 4PM until 7PM only on that date for you to collect your contribution to the installation. 

I am hoping to come up with a way for you to make your work available for sale.  Of course, this project was more about the 'getting it done' than an opportunity to sell anything.. Quick and easy was the thrust of the idea.  The City says, 'no selling out of the Gas Station' however, once you take possession of your work, it's yours to do with as you like.

The Gas Station has been getting some nice attention and the City even purchased additional lights that make it look super after dark.  I volunteered to buy and install the additional lighting, but thanks to Community Services Director, Jess Duran, the City picked up the tab and Project Manager Sean Toro did the installation. Check the blog for some terrific photos.

Please mark your calendar for August 26th and come to meet other artists and pick up your work.

RSVP with a time you expect to come.  

If you are not available on that Sunday, please let me know ahead of time and we'll arrange for you to pick your piece up later.  After September 2nd, I'll consider the pieces left abandoned.

Distant artists.  If you would like me to return your piece, please let me know so that I can package it up and get it back to you. If you'd include your snail mail address, that will be helpful.

Many thanks for making this project a success.  I encourage all artists local to Glendale to come up with ideas for the Gas Station and submit them to the City.  Site specific installations, I think, will work best in this small space.  And..keep in mind that it gets HOT in there. 

Best wishes,

michael sheehan 

Nighttime Photos

Gas Station Front Night 8/8/2012

 Some kids were hanging out at the Gas Station tonight and were curious about my taking photos. One of them became very interested in the work and began to talk about ideas for new installations. 

Gas Station Corner Adams and Palmer 8/8/2012

Gas Station Palmer Side Night 8/8/2012

Gas Station Back  Side Night 8/8/2012

 This is exactly what I hope the installation will do. If the work engages teen agers and makes them interested in creating artwork, we are ahead of the game.







The trees have grown up in the past four years, slightly obscuring the side of the Gas Station as seen from the Palmer Avenue side. 



Government, Of The and People are hidden.
Make, The Most and Of It are on the bottom row. 

The Back of the Gas Station takes a beating from the morning sun. Five year old Soren Axene's "Of" with jiggly eyes and squiggles is holding up well.  

I love the new lights!

Gas Station Canopy Side Night 8/8/2012

Gas Station from Adams Night 8/8/2012

The kids in the park were friendly, engaging and curious. It'll be fun if folks this age take up the banner of installing art here. 









I like the look of the Gas Station from Adams.  On these warm nights, it's fun to see neighbors enjoying the park and the art.

1020 E. Palmer at Adams in Glendale  91205

Installation Closing 8/26/12

The closing reception for The July Fourth Project will take place Sunday afternoon, August 26, 2012 from 4PM until 7PM.  At this time artists and friends may come to retrieve their artwork and visit the Gas Station for a little post partum.  

All artwork must be removed from the space by 7PM.  Artists may arrange to pick their work up at another time by connecting with me individually. Distant artists will have their work returned to them shortly after the closing.  Artwork not spoken for by September 3, 2012 will be considered abandoned.

The City of Glendale forbids the sale of artwork directly from the Gas Station, but interested buyers may contact individual artists by directing their interest to directortv41   at yahoo.  After the closing, the art returns to the folks who made it.  They, of course, may do with it as they please.  

One piece, by Jayme Odgers (TIMES) has been accepted for the Brand 41 Works on Paper show in October.  It will be available there. 

Please keep checking this blog for updates. Your comments are welcome.  Finding ways to keep the Gas Station "Gallery" active is and has been the goal.  Any ideas? 

michael sheehan

Let there be LIGHT

Back Side "United State Congress"

 These photos are fuzzy because I wanted the full effect of the lighting and didn't have a tripod with me.  Sean Toro's efforts are paying off.  The interior of the building is now lit by four banks of T8 fluorescent lights.  This adds not only illumination to the two sides that had no light at all, but also gives some depth to the panels.  It's a very industrial look, that coincides nicely with the Arte Povera homage that inspired the installation.  I'll post better photos later, but wanted Sean and other interested folks to get a look.

Canopy side and Back Side

Front Door When in the Course/Side These are the Times

Palmer Side Government Of The People / Front When in the Course

How much is enough?

We'll see tonight if the addition of four new double fluorescent light fixtures illuminating the sixty works of art inside the Gas Station.  Thanks to Sean Toro, Project Manager for the City of Glendale's Community Services and Parks Department and to Jess Duran, its director, the City paid for fixtures, bulbs and extension cords to get the Gas Station a little more brightly illuminated.  

The cooperation of Mr. Duran's department has been supportive and kind.  Sometimes it just takes time to make magic happen.  I truly believe that if the City of Glendale cares about Art here, that they'll actively recruit and fund subsequent installations in the Gas Station in the future. 

I encourage artists and supporters of art here and where ever you may be to stay in touch and develop your own site specific ideas for this unique space.  

Please mark Sunday, August 26, 2012 as the closing date for this installation.  Specific times will be announced here and directly to participants.  All art will be removed by the end of that day.  

Finally, Ripsime Marashian, formerly our Arts and Culture liaison for the Gas Station, was steadfast and supportive all during her tenure.  She was the Keeper of the Key, as City rules forbid a non-employee (me) from having direct access to the space. As she pursues new opportunities, we wish her Bon Voyage and many thanks.

Michael Sheehan
Adams Hill