“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”
― George Bernard Shaw
Living and working in Columbus Park, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Kansas City, I have come to appreciate the synergy between a neighborhood’s history, its residents, and the arts. I know first hand that a long history helps give a neighborhood identity, but it’s the creativity of its residents and visitors that, if engaged, can bring it life. And, of course you already know I am smitten by old photographs. So…
In History Vendor I am using vintage vending machines to freely distribute historic photographs of the area surrounding City Market Park. I invite participants through the use of photographs, maps and stories to explore the historically rich River Market District. The three machines will be on display through October. (Or until we run out of the 45,000 history cards we have to vend!)
Here in the studio, things have cranked into high speed as we prepare for our first show of the season, the Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival in Fort Worth, Texas. There is always much to do before departing, but the first one of the year always seems extra busy as we are a little rusty on travel after spending the winter in the studio. But in addition to being out of practice, the to-do list is in fact longer for the first one. Besides creating the artwork, we have to check to make sure everything that it takes to build a mobile gallery is in place – things like business cards, sales receipts, rain gear AND documenting and adding all the new work to the website.
I get to cross a big one off my list as all the new Mile Marker pieces for the next couple of shows have been photographed and added to the website galleries! I invite you to take a look and let us know if you would like us to put your name on one of them. We are happy to bring them to you at a scheduled show or ship them right to you doorstep.
(the rest of the new pieces can be found here.)
© 2020 Chris Dahlquist