Happy August Everyone!
I am really a fan of summer. I find that my brain functions far better when it is sufficiently sunned on these long days. I’m guessing I’m not alone in this sentiment. So let’s savor it while we can, huh
Well, since the launch of our crowd-funding campaign on Indiegogo last month, I’ve been engaged in ongoing conversation about the ideas driving The Invisible City Project Co-operative. It’s been an important time for us to clarify the vision, get the word out and assess interest. Just yesterday, I posted the following Facebook status:
“Such an exciting conversation with Rebecca as we discussed the idea of “SAVING THE GARDEN CENTER.” We concluded that the real questions are: (1.) what does that saving look like and (2.) who, beyond the three of us, is willing to delve into the work of saving it. If the vision of space, support, cooperation and sustainability for Hartford’s dance is not shared by others in a meaningful way, is The Garden Center and its programs worth saving (because not everything should be saved). We’ve been clear from the beginning that this adventure is really a testing of the waters and we’re prepared to adapt our methods/expectations/projected outcomes accordingly. There’s definitely no fixed path here. There can’t be. One simply cannot address broken systems by doing things the way you’ve always done them. So first we fervently ask … Who’s with us? Who sees enough value in bolstering our immense local potential to stand up? Either way, the asking feels like important work…”
Is it strange that the more I think about asking you all to “Save the Garden Center”, the less interested I seem to be? Yes, I love that beautiful light-filled space and have been so encouraged by the ways it has served the creative process of the brave dancemakers who have made use of the space over the last 3 1/2 years. And I can’t say enough about the role it has played in my own creative process during that time. I do believe, however, that the space is a tool–an incredibly important tool–but not an end to itself. It should exist to serve those who are in pursuit of a deep and sustainable artistic practice while building meaningful relationships with audiences and other artists. So, rather than focusing on saving the space, we’ve chosen to focus on establishing a mechanism for supporting local artists and have been presenting the space as one essential component in that equation. I guess I don’t want to promote spaces. I want to promote artists, and that’s the idea behind the co-op. We have hoped to gather a modest but focused group of artists who want to take matters into their own hands and boldly make things happen. I’ve witnessed such commitment in Rebecca Puretz and Arien Wilkerson over the last few months. Are there others who share this vision? We have been eager to add to our number with people who will contribute a diversity of skill, experience and a few resources toward a common goal. If this idea appeals to you, please drop a line via email or social media and let us know. There are many layers of opportunity for engagement, but it all begins with your word. So we invite you to speak up.
And we invite you to donate. You’d be surprised how far $5 can go if enough people chip in. Only you know what you can afford, but your contribution of any size is more than a monetary donation. It is also a vote, letting us know the cause is worthy and that there is space in Hartford for another generation of dance artists to grow and flourish. Eighteen short days remain for this campaign. So if you care about these ideas as we do, please vote before September 5th. And as I said last month: Why wait?
Yours in dance,
~Deborah Goffe
