Shaking the Trees

We are in the thick of this "tree shaking" process, working to build this massive database of artists, arts organizations, venues, and arts education opportunities, and it is proving to be quite an undertaking. Kate, our admin assistant, has built a database so powerful, but so user-friendly, that we are thinking she should set up shop to sell her database wares. And we have volunteers across the valley helping us confirm the contact information we have, and finding the artists and arts groups we don't yet know.

During our first volunteer meeting, we had yet another brainstorm session, and also assigned various duties to everyone present. The pictures from that meeting aren't the most flattering, but we've decided to post them anyway. This first pic is during the brainstorm session, when one person or another would call out "what about that potter who sells work at the Model Bakery?" or "I heard an incredible guitar trio at a festival this summer" and all of it is recorded and then assigned to a volunteer sleuth to find the artists.


And just in case you don't think this process sounds fun, I've got pictures to prove otherwise:


I don't generally keep my eyes closed when speaking passionately about the arts, but it happens. Kate says it looks as though we are at a party, rather than a meeting; it's my hope that all volunteer meetings are as fun as they are rewarding.

Morrie and I have also been busily conducting one-on-one "Discovery Interviews" across the valley, and the process has been fascinating. The first question of the interview is "What do you see as the major issues (of any type) facing this community?" and the responses have been telling- and there are many themes. The strongest one I see so far is the divide between the Latino and Anglo populations. Other issues include, of course, traffic, land use, the high number of non-profits, and the retaining of core Napa Valley "small-town values" as the population increases. The next question regards how the arts might address some of these issues, and this really is the big question. Although this initiative is designed to strengthen the arts sector, it ideally will strengthen Napa County as a whole, and serve as a bridge between disparate populations, creating conversations between residents and groups that might not have happened were we not in this process.

I am so grateful to all of the volunteers who are helping us in this early, critical phase, and every day I'm learning something new about this arts community.