Why we love Sparkcon and why you should too.
Artist Sean Kernick transforms my car into the coolest car in the Raleigh.
Sparkcon starts on Thursday. This thought always brings excitement to my house. My oldest daughter always demands to go to the Fashionspark show, and we all love spending the day at Sparkcon, usually on Saturday, wandering between the Sparks. Last year, I was lucky enough to be a Sipspark judge AND to have the family car painted at Graffitispark. I usually volunteer at Artspark on Saturday morning, happily getting covered in chalk.
In 2009, I presented the idea of Triangle ArtWorks at Ideaspark. On Thursday night, I get to go back and tell the story of where ArtWorks is now and where we are going. Hopefully you have already gotten a ticket to hear me…cause the event is sold out!
But the best thing about Sparkcon is the feeling you get being there. There is no way you can walk around Sparkcon and attend the various Sparks and not be overwhelmed by the incredible diversity and strength of our creative community here in the Triangle. And it is all volunteer driven….or “open source” as Jason Hibbets explains in his article today.
Sparkcon promotes innovation and collaboration
Paparrazzi crowds the stage at Fashionspark.
Now it would seem like ArtWorks would be against anything where artists are not getting paid, since one of our main missions is supporting artists as an economic group, so that they can be more fincially successful. However, Sparkcon is not really about the money. It is about celebrating creativity. Its about showcasing what the Triangle’s arts community has to offer. And it is about bringing all these people together in one place, for networking and collaboration, and to see what they can do together. In his article, Jason Hibbets talks to one of Sparkcon’s founders, Aly Kalifa, who explains it this way:
“this all-volunteer event is made up of some of the area’s top thinkers who can push the limits of their disciplines. Thus, each year has a fluctuation in which SPARKS come and go, and what they will program that year. SPARKcon is now seen by many as the one time a year to really do their most creative and collaborative work, contributing to an overall mission of fostering and highlighting local talent.”
As I have been meeting with arts groups and the many diverse creative people and businesses in the Triangle, I have heard many people express frustration that many artists or arts groups in this region have not historically been open to share ideas or collaborate with other artists or groups. Why? Maybe because they are worried they will not get credit, or get ideas stolen, or the other person or group will get more business. There have been multiple reasons given.
Streetpainting at 2010 Artspark.
As I am not a member of the creative community myself, I have no basis on which to agree or disagree with this position. But I certainly hope that this it not generally the case in the Triangle, as I believe strongly, and think SparkCon has proven, that collaboration can result in amazing new work, new creative ideas, and a “buzz” that brings media attention. It also brings similar creative people together for future work and collaboration.
Sparkkid
So, make sure you experience some or all of this year’s Sparkcon. And it you haven’t already, next year be sure to get involved in the Spark of your choice. You never know what creative idea, new creative work or future collaboration will come of it!
And look for me. You will know me by my car!
Beth