Visit the downtown historic arts warehouse district and you will see revitalization in action. On July 1, The Warehouse Arts Management Organization (WAMO) started major progress in downtown Tucson when they took over management of the Citizens Art Studios.  Over forty artists and arts supporters showed up early July 1 to clean-up and beautify one of the properties they are now managing.  The other WAMO properties are also scheduled for major changes in the near future.

Slide 1 of 10.
Titus Castanza Citizen Studios Artist
Source: Photo by Elizabeth BurdenSlide 2 of 10.
L-R Tom Harrington & Joe Hatton Citizen Studios Artists
Source: Photo by Elizabeth BurdenSlide 3 of 10.
Judy Dare WAMO Board member
Source: Photo by Charles SpillarSlide 4 of 10.
L-R Susan Gamble & Natasha Winnik WAMO Board Members
Source: Photo by Elizabeth BurdenSlide 5 of 10.
Marvin Shaver WAMO Board President
Source: Photo by Elizabeth BurdenSlide 6 of 10.
Clean-up Day at Citizen's Art Studios
Source: Photo by Charles SpilarSlide 7 of 10.
Kylie Walzak & John Salgado BICAS At Citizens
Source: Photo by Charles SpillarSlide 8 of 10.
Kylie Walzak BICAS at Citizen's
Source: Photo by Charles SpillarSlide 9 of 10.
Diana Rhoades City Council Staffer for Regina Romero
Source: Photo by Charles SpillarSlide 10 of 10.
John Salgado BICAS At Citizens
Source: Photo by Charles Spillar

WAMO was formed in 2004 as an outcome of the Tucson Historic Warehouse Arts District master planning process. They have been working tirelessly for six years; thousands of man-hours without compensation, to accomplish their goal of a vibrant downtown arts district where the artists can still afford to maintain a studio. Below is the Mission Statement from the WAMO website and explains why they are so important for the revitalization of downtown Tucson. The organization has created a 3-D model of the historic arts district available for viewing at 403 North 6^th Ave. here in Tucson later in the week. (Former Eric Firestone Gallery)

MISSION STATEMENT:

WAMO’s mission is to cultivate and manage Tucson’s Historic Warehouse Arts District into a center for incubation, production, exhibition, education, and management of the arts, to make a significant contribution to the local and regional economy for the benefit of the public at large.

WAMO continues and develops the work of artists and related individuals who have helped to create Tucson’s Historic Warehouse Arts District as an active and varied center and community for the arts, within a downtown community that includes working artists, galleries, museums, nonprofit arts organizations, and supportive retail and residential interests.

Primarily through the active management of properties and other resources, including ownership and development of properties, WAMO guides the District so that it continues to foster the arts and the community into a vibrant future.

WHY SHOULD WE SUPPORT ARTISTS EFFORTS? WHAT DOES AN ARTIST REALLY DO?

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Troy Neimann creating a lunch box for auction

On Friday, April 23 at La Encantada Shopping Center in Tucson a fundraiser titled, Urban Picnic 2010, will be a luncheon gathering for art lovers and collectors of every kind. This unique event begins with a silent auction of juried artwork by some of the area’s top artists.

This exciting fundraiser will be benefiting Ballet Tucson and BICAS and will include mimosas and an al fresco picnic lunch provided by Armitage Wine Lounge & Cafe.  You can also take in a live performance by Ballet Tucson artists and musical entertainment by Ed DeLucia Jazz Trio.

Selected local artists have been invited to submit original lunchbox creations.  Aside from a handle and an opening, these vessels have nothing in common with your traditional lunchbox.  From whimsical to elegant forms, each is a unique work of art.

William Skiles and his creative artwork

The day will culminate with a fun and energetic live auction for the creative lunchboxes and other exceptional artwork.  Participating artists include William A. Skiles (of Got All Your Marbles fame who has donated a lunchbox to every Urban Picnic since its inception), Troy Neimann (a new lunchbox artist from BICAS), Vytas Sakalas, Sara Spanjers, Barbara Farmilant, Curt Brill, and Barbara Gurwitz.  Besides lunchboxes, art from internationally known distinguished artists such as Don Weller, Manuel DeLeon, Ross Stefan, and Paul VerBurg will be featured in the live auction.

For more information or to reserve tickets, call Ballet Tucson at 903-1445.  Ticket price is $45.00 per person. To view art that will be auctioned at Urban Picnic 2010, go to www.ballettucson.org .

Location: La Encantada Shopping Center – 2905 E. Skyline Dr.

Hours:  Friday, April 23, 2010 (10:00 am – 2:00 pm)

Ballet Tucson is a professional company of versatile and beautifully trained artists.  Over the years, many of its members have danced professionally with companies of national stature such as American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Ballet West, Alvin Ailey, Boston Ballet, and Dance Theatre of Harlem to name just a few.

Now in its 24th season, the company entertains the Tucson community with historic classics as well as innovative contemporary works offering something for everyone’s taste.  In addition, an exceptional children’s company of more than 100 perform alongside Ballet Tucson’s professionals in family-oriented productions such as The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake.

The artistic excellence of the company, along with its continued growth and success, allow Ballet Tucson to claim its place as the premier dance company in Tucson and Southern Arizona.

BICAS is an education center, not a traditional bike shop, started in late 1989 as Bootstraps to Share, an organization designed to help folks attain work, shelter, food, and transportation.  Over the years, the organization has honed its focus to providing sustainable transportation, bicycle maintenance, and art education to youth, refugees, and under-served communities.

Since BICAS’s founding, they have trained thousands of youth and adults from all walks of life in the trade of bicycle repair, maintenance and safety, and restored thousands of bicycles, saving them from the waste stream.  BICAS has also contributed many bike-related works of functional art that can be seen all over Tucson in the form of bike racks, security fences, lighting fixtures, and other structural features, as well as traditional aesthetic works of jewelry and art.

Get up off the couch, get your shoes on and get out the door this weekend as there are lots of art and music happening in Tucson and YOU should be there!

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