River Valley Arts Alliance (RiVA) (Woodstock) - After a significant amount of
research over the past couple of years, RiVA decided to investigate new
options for an arts gallery and work space in Woodstock.
The cost, in time and in money, of renovating the space located at 702 Main
St. is too great for one growing organization to take on. RiVA and owners
Leland and Tegan Daugherty have nullified the lease agreement.
The support of the Daugherty's and the community has been overwhelming over
the past two years.
It's one of RiVA's key goals to have a community arts space up and running in
the near future.
12 January 2011
02 June 2010
The offical stuff
Just in case you thought we've quit, we haven't....we're currently in the process of creating certified structural drawings and a complete budget for phase one of the project, which will involve knocking out the wall and chimney on the ground floor as well as the creation of public washrooms. We will need a building permit and the paperwork is part of that process. Our goal is to have the public gallery "functional, safe and clean" in time for Dooryard on August 11th. We might make it, we might not, but the work will continue regardless.
I will also be organizing a volunteer campaign to scrape and paint this Victorian beauty. If you like to work and don't mind getting paint-y, keep your eyes and ears open for a call for volunteers. When I have the staging and paint, you'll be hearing from me. Meanwhile, plans for the Dooryard Arts Festival are looking fantastic so mark your calendars now.
I will also be organizing a volunteer campaign to scrape and paint this Victorian beauty. If you like to work and don't mind getting paint-y, keep your eyes and ears open for a call for volunteers. When I have the staging and paint, you'll be hearing from me. Meanwhile, plans for the Dooryard Arts Festival are looking fantastic so mark your calendars now.
19 April 2010
energy efficiency and the arts unite in the TJ
http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/front/article/1021600
31 March 2010
If we were gonna quit, we'd have done it already
Energy is high on the RiVA team right now and we're gearing up for Phase One of the project. It will include gallery and washroom renovations, securing entrances, insulating and preparing for second floor tenants. We had a great consultation with our house committee and seem to have a clear path on how to proceed.
We applied for our Charitable Tax Status yesterday, which means we should be able to write tax receipts for donations sometime this spring or summer. The next steps will involve major fundraising and grant applications. We accept cash, cheques, large donations and small, Canadian Tire money and volunteer help including tradespeople's services. Now that red tape and construction plans are under control, money is the priority.
We have a plan, we have met obstacles and revised the plan. We've seen this building inside and out, we know what we're dealing with. If we were gonna quit, we would have done it already. Now we need the financial and moral support of community members to make it happen. In 4 months, Woodstock could have its first-ever art gallery and performance space for the community. Think about how 702 Main St. is going to change things. How big can you dream?
We applied for our Charitable Tax Status yesterday, which means we should be able to write tax receipts for donations sometime this spring or summer. The next steps will involve major fundraising and grant applications. We accept cash, cheques, large donations and small, Canadian Tire money and volunteer help including tradespeople's services. Now that red tape and construction plans are under control, money is the priority.
We have a plan, we have met obstacles and revised the plan. We've seen this building inside and out, we know what we're dealing with. If we were gonna quit, we would have done it already. Now we need the financial and moral support of community members to make it happen. In 4 months, Woodstock could have its first-ever art gallery and performance space for the community. Think about how 702 Main St. is going to change things. How big can you dream?
18 February 2010
Swag
GET 'ER DONE
702 Main Street
Silk-screened tee
$20
Limited supply, sizes m - xxl
All proceeds go directly to renovation costs.
riva@rivervalleyarts.net
702 Main Street
Silk-screened tee
$20
Limited supply, sizes m - xxl
All proceeds go directly to renovation costs.
riva@rivervalleyarts.net
17 February 2010
Phase One
Amy, Kate, and I have been picking away at this blog for the better part of 15 months now. In that time we've experienced some pretty major road blocks.
Between the time -- in autumn of 2008 -- that we discovered that a good friend and supporter of ours owned an old run-down house in our hometown, and now -- really, really for real on the edge of truly tangible progress in turning that house into a community hub -- we've battled with logistics, plans, scope, and vision; signed an agreement to pay $3600 per year to make up for non-existent parking spaces; hosted the first, second, and third of many fund raising events to come; and agonized over the reconciliation of dream and reality.
In short: we've struggled.
We've struggled in part because of environment, in part because of attitudes. Mostly we've struggled because of precedent -- that is, there is none. Our informational resources are disparate, varied, and sometimes contradicting. Our project is a unique one; unique to us, unique to this place, and to this time. Each movement cuts through unbroken space. Every gesture is new -- to be carefully considered and recorded with due diligence. Mark my words: if there is ever someone traveling this path again, we will carry them.
Tracy Anderson made a wonderful video for us, highlighting this project and providing a glimpse at what we are all about. If you've had trouble conceptualizing 702 Main Street up until this point, hopefully watching this will help. If you're easily intimidated you may want to close your eyes at the financial bit.
Between the time -- in autumn of 2008 -- that we discovered that a good friend and supporter of ours owned an old run-down house in our hometown, and now -- really, really for real on the edge of truly tangible progress in turning that house into a community hub -- we've battled with logistics, plans, scope, and vision; signed an agreement to pay $3600 per year to make up for non-existent parking spaces; hosted the first, second, and third of many fund raising events to come; and agonized over the reconciliation of dream and reality.
In short: we've struggled.
We've struggled in part because of environment, in part because of attitudes. Mostly we've struggled because of precedent -- that is, there is none. Our informational resources are disparate, varied, and sometimes contradicting. Our project is a unique one; unique to us, unique to this place, and to this time. Each movement cuts through unbroken space. Every gesture is new -- to be carefully considered and recorded with due diligence. Mark my words: if there is ever someone traveling this path again, we will carry them.
Tracy Anderson made a wonderful video for us, highlighting this project and providing a glimpse at what we are all about. If you've had trouble conceptualizing 702 Main Street up until this point, hopefully watching this will help. If you're easily intimidated you may want to close your eyes at the financial bit.
As I sit here in my freshly silk-screened Get 'Er Done t-shirt (see next post), I still feel just as excited about what we're doing here as I did fifteen months ago. Maybe more. Now that we have the go-ahead to develop, we've started collecting quotes from plumbers, electricians, contractors, and exterminators (raccoons, skunks, and rats, oh my!) What has long been one of the first few steps in the renovation process -- an energy efficiency audit -- is scheduled for Monday afternoon. I expect the results to be horrifically comedic.
Our goal for phase one is to complete the public gallery space and prepare the building for permanent tenants. Watch for more frequent updates -- photos, video, incidental sundries, and cautionary tales -- starting now.
Our goal for phase one is to complete the public gallery space and prepare the building for permanent tenants. Watch for more frequent updates -- photos, video, incidental sundries, and cautionary tales -- starting now.
Public: youtube and t-shirts
Here is the video as promised, taking you on a two-part tour of 702 Main Street. Please help us spread the word!
Also, we have t-shirts with a picture of 702 on them with the caption "Get 'Er Done" underneath if anyone would like to buy one. They are $20, with a portion of the proceeds going toward this massive undertaking.
Thanks to everyone for your continued financial support and encouragement, it means a lot. Today is a very exciting day for artists in the River Valley and for the RiVA team!
Also, we have t-shirts with a picture of 702 on them with the caption "Get 'Er Done" underneath if anyone would like to buy one. They are $20, with a portion of the proceeds going toward this massive undertaking.
Thanks to everyone for your continued financial support and encouragement, it means a lot. Today is a very exciting day for artists in the River Valley and for the RiVA team!
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