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You don't have to live in a big city to live in an artistic community. And who wants to you ask? The short answer is, anyone seeking to fill their artistic sensibilities with beauty and creativity. People who visit art galleries on weekends, go to the opera and symphony, drink in a beautiful sunset. Who isn't a candidate? Anyone who can name more American Idol or Survivor contestants than Old-World or American artists. IF you fall into that category, it might be time to turn off the TV and tune in to the myriad artistic communities around the country. It doesn't matter if you are the next creative discovery to hit the art world or just enjoy the arts, don't wait until the lesser known, upcoming art communities today morph into expensive tourist towns like Laguna Beach and Carmel by the Sea, in California; Sedona in Arizona, Provincetown on Cape Cod in Massachusetts and Boothbay Harbor, Maine just to name a few. These communities, once affordable and filled with eclecic artists of varying talent have already lost the small town feeling most people crave and became expensive tourist destinations. Fortunately, there are new, burgeoning towns . They cater to creative and oft-times talented artists who work in many mediums. These new diggs are still ...well, at least more affordable and offer a small town feelig for retirees looking for artistic communities. Some are tucked away in old mining towns, others are near a larger metropolis: Here are A few of our Choices... Traverse City, Mich. "This waterfront community on the shores of Grand Traverse Bay boasts a wonderful, high quality of life," says Villani, who notes that there is a common mind-set here: "Anything is possible as long as it's creative. Take beautiful drives along the peninsula, stop in at the area's 30 wineries" or check out exhibits at the Art Center Traverse City, the Michigan Artists Gallery, Dennos Museum Center. 231-947-5075; tcchamber.org Wynwood Arts District, Miami, Florida This is warehouse district turned artistic hot spot. It's alive with lofts, art galleries, museums, and studios. The 20 block neighborhood is being redone into an art-oriented, pedestrian community. Explore the Museum of Contemporary Art at Goldman Warehouse. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California Artists have long been drawn to this town on the Monterey Peninsula. Meandering through the over 100 galleries that line the quaint streets we couldn't help but wish that we could be part of such a lovely community. The town is truly picture perfect. Quaint shops and restaurants lead to the pounding ice-blue surf and sandy beach. Unfortunately, our budget isn't large enough to purchase real estate in this artistic community, but we still enjoy the ambiance whenever we get over there. In addition to myriad art galleries with everything from oil and acrilic paintings to ceramics and photography, there is the Pacific Repertory Theatre, another place where culture thrives in this charming town. Visit the Carmel Art Association, the second-oldest art cooperative in the country displalyilng works from over 120 local artists. For lovers of the stage, check the schedule for the Golden Bough Playhouse. Visit or reside, there isn't a more beautiful upscale artists colony anywhere. Sedona, Arizona Where the red rocks meet the burning desert floor and artists and sensitives hold sway. Although it is a picturesque location not everyone can afford to live there. Even in a depressed market, homes are still over $200,000. I prefer living in Sun City and taking weekend trips to the beautiful red rocks myself. SUN CITY ARIZONA Warm to cool winters make this a great place to retire. Yes, it's hot in the summer. If you live there year round you will have to get up early to work in the yard, play golf or ride your bike. But how many of us are really outside much of the day anyway? Mostly, we are inside our homes, at the mall, dining at a restaurant, going to a movie or the mall...all inside. Hollywood thought it was such a great place that they started filming the reality show "Sun Daze" right there in Sun City Arizona. Why? It's a great community and nothing like those boring retirement communites you heard of years ago. Sun City sits just outside Phoenix AZ and it is like Disneyland for active seniors today. Everything from wood working shops to crafts...golf, tennis and swimming. It's all there and more. Our number one choice for people who want to keep active on a reasonable budget in the West. You can still find nice homes around 1500 sq ft and more on larger lots there for around $130,000-$200,000.Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, Canada You will take a ferry ride over to this art haven between Vancouver and Victoria.
The island has more than 30 galleries and many are open year-round, but call first in the off-season. From the Easter
weekend through October, enjoy the popular Saturday Market, a perfect place to find home-made art and eats. So visit and take
in the waterfront setting. . Bellingham, Wash. The cost of living is low and the quality of life is high on the shores of Puget Sound which makes this a wonderful place for musicians and visual artists. Visit Whatcom Museum of History & Art and the Western Gallery. More info: bellingham.org
Tucked in the hills of southern Arizona, about 2 hours from Tucson, this sleepy well-developed mining town will surprise you by its charm, and the wonderful artists that live and show their work in small galleries up and down the main street. A bit rustic for many tastes, but for others it is a wonderful opportunity to step back in time and still be connected. New London, Conn. This is an interesting waterfront community about an hour from Providence. Previously known as the home of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy it is quickly becoming recognized as an art community. Artists occupy old buildings that inspire their creativity such as the Hygienic Artists Cooperative & Galleries, an outstanding arts facility. Also visit the Lyman Allyn Art Museum and the Florence Griswold Museum, which houses an impressive American Impressionism collection. More info: chamberect.com Santa Fe, NM There are over 200 galleries in this contemporary arts town, situated in the high desert
of the Southwest. If you like Native Americah art, you will find it is an important historical element and displayed
at the American Indian Arts Museum. It is one of eight art museums in the city.
. PADUCAH, Kentucky.
Visitors to the Lower Town neighborhood might feel like they're in a trendy, artistic neighborhood of Chicago New York or San Francisco instead of a small River town in western Kentucky as they duck in and out of galleries. The quiet streets are lined with century-old brick houses. Paducah started with a handful of artists several years ago. The artists town now
has over 70. The formerly rundown neighborhood is now considered an up and coming U.S. art destination. The Lower Town neighborhood has been dubbed the "SoHo of
the South". Marfa, Texas A small ranching town in the Big Bend region, it has enjoyed an art renaissance since the early '80's when artist Donald Judd started the Chinati Foundation. This contemporary arts center was previously an old Army base. Locals meet at the Marfa Book Co., an art gallery, bookstore, coffee shop bar (wine) and restaurant. Berkeley Springs, W. Va. Top artists come from Baltimore and Washington D.C. among other mid-Atlntic towns and cities to enjoy the rural, inspiring setting. Be sure to visit the Ice House Art Center and the "Wild Wmen Fine Art"...Tari's, which is part bar, part gallery. For more info go to: berkeleysprings.com Chico, Calif. A friend graduated from Chico State and I was surprised to learn it isn't just a party town. Chico boasts a number of highly skilled artists in a variety of artistic mediums... dancers, actors and musicians. It's located in the north end of Sacramento Valley and home to Chico State, or Cal State Univ. of Chico, which is known for its performing arts. Visit year-round exhibitions and 1078 Gallery for contemporary art. There's also a farmers market (Saturday mornings, Thursday evenings) and meet artisans and other vendors. For more info: chicochamber.com .Hot
Springs, Ark. Located
inside a national park Hot Springs has a strong ethic of historic preservation. This is evidenced by wonderful Victorian architecture.
Over the years Artists and gallery owners moved in to follow their dreams. The Hot Springs Music Festival is also presented
in June rounding out the artistic circle. . Naples, Fla. A wonderful place with a great infrastructure that accommodates the artist. There is a $21 million
Philharmonic Center Cultural Complex, the recently opened Naples Museum of Art, a 30,000-square-foot exhibition venue with
15 galleries and numerous art galleries. North Adams, Mass. Located in the northwest corner of the state, it is an old mill town transformed into an arts mecca. The abandoned factories were converted into exhibition centers for visual arts. For more information go to: berkshirechamber.com The cost of living is low and the quality of life is high on the shores of Puget Sound which makes this a wonderful place for musicians and visual artists. Visit Whatcom Museum of History & Art and the Western Gallery. More info: bellingham.org
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TOP 6 RUDEST CITIES IN THE U.S. This report comes from a study done by Travel and Leisure
magazine . 1. Topping the chart is Los Angeles, CA
for being the rudest city in America 2. New York 3. Philadelphia, PA 4. Washington DC
(I would have put them at number 1 myself) 5. Boston 6. Baltimore, MD
CITIES THAT ARE THE MOST CIVIL AND COURTEOUS . 1.
Nashville 2. Savannah 3. Charleston Is it any surprise that they are all southern states? Grace
and civility are part of a southern woman's charm and has been for more than one hundred years.
Jerome AZ is known more as an old mining town, but now a trendy wine tasting and artistic community is growing. . Jackson, WY is an upscale town big on the outdoors and their art galleries are a testament
to the fact. Although it's expensive to live in Jackson, there are other places to retire nearby. Go into town, have lunch,
drop off your newest piece of art and be back before dinner.
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