By Dan O'Brien, dobrien@lowellsun.com
LOWELL -- Business meets the arts in an effort to spruce up Lowell's downtown storefronts this summer.
Local artists are invited to participate in Art Walk Lowell 2007, a project created by members of the Downtown Lowell Business Association (DLBA), Arts League of Lowell (ALL), Cultural Organization of Lowell (COOL) and the City of Lowell.
Up to 40 artists are sought to create colorful, full-window displays around a centralized theme in vacant storefronts on Market, Middle, Merrimack, Central and Shattuck streets. Each artist will be paid a stipend for their efforts, in addition to getting free marketing of their work.
The idea is to enhance the look and feel of a creative downtown during major upcoming festival events, including the Summer Music Series, Lowell Folk Festival and Lowell Quilt Festival.
Franky Descoteaux, co-owner of the Mambo Grill on Merrimack Street, got the ball rolling after a Folk Festival planning meeting more than a month ago.
"A business owner asked if there was going to be a map for businesses during the Folk Festival and the answer was 'no,' because it's not a business event," recalled Descoteaux, who is a board member with the DLBA. "That got a group of us thinking of a way where we could have an event that's beneficial to artists and the Folk Fest while giving businesses visibility downtown." The concept has been used in other Massachusetts cities, including Pittsfield and Somerville.
The effort runs from July 15 to Sept. 30.
Local residents and festival patrons can pick up a map of the displays at local restaurants and retailers that will lead patrons from one storefront to the next. With the attached ballot, patrons can vote on their favorite artist display.
At the end of the summer, votes will be tabulated. Artists, in addition to stipends, will compete for a grand prize of $1,000, with second place earning $500 and $250 for third.
Opportunities are also available for local businesses and individuals to sponsor the windows where artwork will be displayed. Descoteaux said the effort has so far drawn sponsorships from about 10 small businesses, as well as a few larger donations from other organizations. Planners hope for 35 more.
Each display can be sponsored for $200 apiece, although businesses can be paired up for half sponsorships, Descoteaux said.
For additional information, or to sponsor a window, contact Descoteaux at (978) 430-4311.
"Hopefully this will create a great buzz downtown," Descoteaux said. "I hope to see customers and workers come in here excited about the contest, asking about it, curious about who won."
This story appeared in the Lowell Sun on Sunday, June 17, 2007