You don't have to live in a big city to live in an artistic community but who wants to? The short answer
is, anyone seeking to fill their artistic sensibilities with beauty and creativity.
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 comminities around the country.
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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:
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.
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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.
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.
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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
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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.
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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 surprized 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
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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
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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
