Grotesque Halloween

 Last night, Halloween, was the year's last Last Thursday on Alberta, here in Portland.  And. . . it was grotesque!  While on all other Last Thursdays the street was closed to traffic, yesterday it was re-opened and it seemed like the public said, "Let's go elsewhere" . . . Those of us who very much needed to add some sales to our bottom line were there only to watch kids trick-or-treat in the early evening and contemplate the empty streets once it was dark.

What's so terrible is that, we, the artists, who have for years helped to get people interested in Alberta's Art Walk every Last Thursday, have been forgotten as the event has been transformed into  a "Drink Fest".

Hello Portland, . . . how about reinstating an Art Walk on Alberta or elsewhere in the city, to thank Portland's art community for its efforts to put Alberta's Last Thursday on the map.

This weekend, come visit the Mesman Images booth #208 at Portland Saturday Market, beneath the Burnside Bridge.  By the way, the Market is also open on Sundays!

Last Thursday Without Cars?

Last month, a group of people really shook things up at Last Thursday in the Alberta Arts District, here in Portland. They parked and abandoned cars at each end of the art walk, effectively turning Alberta Street into a pedestrian zone. Then, they handed out the flyer below, which explains that they were simply trying to draw attention to the fact that Alberta should be closed to traffic during Last Thursdays.

This unusual event, at which local artists display and sell their work anywhere that they can find an open piece of sidewalk, has become increasingly popular, but has also experienced some growing pains. Last year, in response to a rowdy party that had absolutely nothing to do with the artists, the police took out their frustrations by disallowing anyone to display their work under canopies. Meaning, now our work has no protection from rain or, at this time of year, the scorching sun.

Well, July 31st is Last Thursday, and it will be interesting to see whether or not Alberta is motorized from 7 to 10 pm!

Etsy Artist of the day:

Today we'd like to introduce you to Etsy artist Vanessa from Austin, Texas. Her "fun and feminine" jewelry, including the two pieces shown above, can be purchased in her Etsy shop called
Designs by Vanessa.

Thanks for supporting Etsy artists and buying hand-made!