For years, a handful of artists have been working, mostly unnoticed, in the cheap (and unimproved) factory spaces in the Valley. Victor Davson who founded Aljira Center for Contemporary Art had a studio there as did my good friend, the painter Doug Kenney. So when more than 100 people came together on a Saturday in June of 2001 in a cafeteria at Orange High School under the banner “Orange Model City 2010”, it wasn’t unthinkable that the Valley could become an arts district. Planning for how to make that vision become a reality was set in motion that day.
Certainly the Valley had the right DNA for a nascent Arts District – old funky factory buildings, a train station with access to Newark, Hoboken and New York City, a group of popular Italian restaurants and workingmen’s taverns.
The Valley also had a rich history and a clear identity. One hundred years ago it was known as the hat making capital of the world with 34 hatting manufacturers in a 20-block area. Folks are extremely proud that they grew up in the Valley.
When my organization decided to see what we could do to make the Arts District become a reality, I was well aware of how artists bring life, creativity and popularity to forgotten neighborhoods - often to find themselves priced out when the market heats up. I vowed that HANDS would create an anchor in the Valley of 100 Arts Spaces that we would own and operate and keep affordable to artists for the long haul.
The most exciting part about working to create the Arts District is the large number of artists working and creating in and around the Valley. They have brought tremendous energy to community events, to public art installations and to mentoring school-aged artists.
Are you looking for a collaboration or opportunity? Have a creative idea to propose? How can you enliven our community? Email me at patrick@handsinc.org with your ideas, thoughts, interests, suggestions.
And, welcome to the Valley Arts District. Come join us. Create with us. Celebrate with us. We await your reply.