It was less than an inconspicuous group that gathered Thursday night at Speisekemer Restaurant in Alameda.
At one side of a wooden table at the German-themed bar well-known photographer Bill Owens talked earnestly with other photographers. Between sips of beer and espresso, other artists called out complements over someone’s handmaid jewelry.
From visual artists to gallery owners, members of the Alameda art community met at the bar patio as part of a monthly ritual of networking, appetizers and beer.
“Lots of people, artists in general try to seek out … kindred spirits … for lack of a better word,” Clint Imboden, a photographer said.
The gathering brought together local artists to talk about their latest projects and discuss issues concerning the community. And while the city of Alameda is far from being an art Mecca, some say there are an increasing number of artists coming into the area for its small-town quality and cheaper real estate.
Many of the night’s participants said Alameda has the potential to be a haven for a flourishing art and culture community. Although, currently, there is a limited number of art venues in the city.
“[Support] for local artist is minimal, it needs to be better,” said Peter Tonningsen, a photographer.
Events such as the happy hour are one way for artists to find support within the community.
One of the main points of discussion for the night focused on an upcoming opportunity for art organizations and individual artists to apply for funding from the city’s Cultural Arts Grant Program.
According to Nancy Vicknair, publicist to local artists, the program would make available $50,000 for cultural projects around the city.
A public meeting is scheduled for Sept. 27, where people in the community can give input on how the money can be divvied out. Imboden said he will be at the meeting to represent individual artists among what he expects to be a roomful of organization representatives.
“What I’m really hoping for is that the individual artist don’t get left out of the process,” Imboden said.
The happy hour gathering, which was first held two years ago, is the brainchild of Imboden and Vicknair. Vicknair said anywhere from six to 50 artists show up at the monthly meeting.
But at the event, sometimes, the discussion has little to do with art.
“Hey everyone, we all have to talk like a pirate now,” Vicknair said to the rest of the group as she explains that the day before was International Pirate Day.
Filed under: Community
