WWW arkcity.net

Courtesy Photo click image to enlarge

By CHANSI LONG
Traveler Correspondent

Each store is filled with a vast selection of products; one carries an array of shirts featuring every local sports team's colors and mascot; another specializes in books of every kind.

But for all of the items the stores contain, the windows remain empty.

Sometimes, the stores found in a city's downtown area appear cluttered, neglected or even desolate and abandoned. Winfield resident Dallas Jordan hopes to eliminate empty windows found in regional downtown areas through one of ArtWorks 360 Inc.'s first endeavors.

ArtWorks 360 is an artist consortium formed by local artists in order to expose and market their artwork to surrounding communities, as well as expand to broader markets and venues.

It's a nonprofit organization recognized by the state of Kansas, which encourages all people who consider themselves artists to join.

"I saw that there was an abundance of talented artists in the community," Jordan said. "The only thing that separated us was geography and logistics."

Jordan erected ArtWorks 360 as a way to bring local artists together in an atmosphere outside of the annual artshow. Jordan wanted artists to learn from each other; share resources and information on how to be a successful artist in the area, "not in France or New York."

The idea surfaced in Jordan's thought cycle in October. But now it's a certified foundation with about 50 members from Burden to Ark City; from Sedan to Winfield.

One of the group's first projects is to isolate the windows of frequented downtown stores and display art in them; all kinds of artwork - pottery, paintings, photography, woodcarvings. The pieces will be created by the ArtWorks 360's members, and each member will have an opportunity to put a selection on display. The artwork will sit for 30 days, and then be placed in a different store in a different town.

"We want to pull people downtown," Jordan said. "You know, dress things up a bit."

Beside each store's display there will be a ballot box, which will give spectators an opportunity to vote for their favorite piece, as well as give the artist feedback. Those who view the art will be able to tell the artist what they like or don't like about the piece.

"It educates," Jordan said. "It educates the artist on what people want to see and it educates the community on what's available."

Also, the artwork will contain the artist's contact information, if anyone choses to buy it. CornerBank has already granted Artworks 360 the use of its window display in all its branches as far as Lawrence.

Jordan hopes ArtWorks 360 will enhance artist members' marketability.

He said he has had a tough time selling his work in the past. He had to learn about the industry through copious amounts of research and personal experience.

Now he wants to save other artists the trouble by giving them the opportunity to learn through his and others' experiences. Eventually, he wants to make the members' artwork available worldwide with the use of the Internet.

"Flint Hills Tourism Coalition has invited us to sit on their panel of presenters and to be included in their globally marketed Web site," Jordan said.

The Web site will be used to sell the artwork internationally.

ArtWorks 360 is now a functional, active entity, but when Jordan first approach-ed other artists about his idea, he received little help.

Artists said it was a great idea, but they didn't offer any assistance - except for Kris Hotchkins, of Burden.

The idea immediately struck him as worthwhile. "How can I help?" he asked.

Hotchkins is a professional wood carver. He creates pieces as small as an ornament, or as tall as a tree.

Hotchkins said that he's had some luck selling his work locally, but he has had to go out of the area in order to ensure his living. He hopes that ArtWorks 360 will teach artists about how and where to market their work, as well as give them places to sell it.

"I want to make it so people don't have to travel to sell their work," Hotchkins said. "I want to bring people here."

Currently, ArtWorks 360 is forming a board of directors. The board members will not be artists, but business people who can help the foundation grow.

Membership costs $150 and new members will be able to instantly display their work.

"As people join, we will work them into what we're doing," Hotchkins said.

Entries will be screened before being admitted into the displays, and no craft work can be submitted.

The group meets periodically, but will soon establish a monthly meeting schedule. Jordan just hopes that ArtWorks 360 can not only answer a lot of questions posed by interested artists, but also expose the local talent to new venues.

"I want to show the world one of the best kept secrets I know," Jordan said. "There's an abundance of talent here. I want to share it."

Above: Kris Hotchkins, left, and Dallas Jordan hope to help local artists show and sell their work locally and around the world.