Weeneez and the Story of Cheap Art

Weeneez and the Story of Cheap Art
By Julie Rico
Recently, the Julie Rico Gallery was removed from the Galleries list on Downtownartwalk.com after being noted for several years on the website of the once-a-month event. The change came, ostensibly, in any case, because in addition to being an art gallery, the place is also the home of Weeneez, a restaurant that serves hot dogs.
So why did we combine a hot dog restaurant with an art gallery?
Economics!
Owning and running galleries since 1989, I realized that I needed a business with regular income to support a gallery—thus, the hot dog restaurant. Being available to the community and artists on a daily basis is also important to me. Any artist is welcome to visit Weeneez to chat with me—and to eat, too. Artists occasionally come in to ask me for advice based on my 20 years of experience in the art world, and I am happy to oblige. And sometimes our hot dog patrons are pleasantly surprised when they discover the art in the gallery.
Such happenings help explain why I saw the corner of 5th and Spring Street as an ideal spot to establish Weeneez and the Julie Rico Gallery.
What is a gallery, anyway?
Conventionally, a gallery is a sort of church, with white walls and lights, where one may appreciate fine art in a quiet setting Usually, the sitter or art dealer waits for people to come in and buy art. The conventional gallery business model largely relies on rich people for expensive transactions.
In these tough economic times, however, that could be a problematic business model, especially for a gallerist without deep pockets.
Granted, Weeneez is from a different mold. For years I have been advocating that artists should offer art that connects with consumers of modest means, too. I “saw the light” working with people such as Ed “Big Daddy” Roth and Robert Williams (one of the founders of Juxtapoz magazine and the low-brow art movement). They created mass- produced popular culture products such as stickers, posters, to help them survive as artists.
And it worked!
This approach allows more people to own art and to support artists.
Below is a manifesto created by the Bread and Puppets group out of Glover, Vermont. The spirit of Weeneez is reflected in this statement:
The Why Cheap Art Manifesto
“People have been thinking too long that art is a privilege of the museums and the rich. Art is not business! It does not belong to banks and fancy investors. Art is Food! You can’t eat it but it feeds you. Art has to be cheap and available to everybody. It needs to be everywhere because it is the inside of the world. Art soothes pain. Art wakes up sleepers. Art fights against war and stupidity. Art sings Hallelujah! Art is for kitchens! Art is like good bread! Art is like green trees! Art is like white clouds in blue sky! Art is cheap! Hurrah!”

Congratulations On A Terrifically Successful Event

Dear OG and Artists,

Congratulations on a terrifically successful event. It was a proud moment for all of us in the skid row area. Thank you O.G., very much for your vision, to galvanize the artists and choosing Weeneez to have the meetings. All of your choices made this all come together and it worked.

The gallery looked beautiful. There is incredible potential there.

I think that it would be good to find a gallery to exhibit in every 3-4 months. O.G. I hope you think about that.

I think the performers should perform at the artwalk every month. I think the alley is the best place. However, in front of Weeneez is also available. Please think about that too.

It would be good to have a lecture in the gallery while the art is up. Each artist could speak about their work, their inspiration and their goals in life.

Thank you to each and every one of you for letting me help. The event was a great success! Again congrats!

Sincerely

Julie Rico
Top Dog
Weeneez LLC
http://www.weeneez.com
http://www.laartfest.org

SKID ROW ARTISTS COLLECTIVE AT ARTWALK

On December 10th, rain or shine, the SKIDROW ARTISTS COLLECTIVE (SRAC) will present " HIDDEN TREASURES " at ART WALK.

SRAC is the " Skid Row Gumbo ", artists of all mediums, from painters to poets, from actors to artisans,from movie makers to singers, a collection of a variety of rare jewels that have long been " hidden away " from the broader Central City East community and Downtown Los Angeles.

The SKIDROW ARTISTS COLLECTIVE will crack open the " treasure chest " this ART WALK just a little to reveal the long " hidden jewels and priceless objects " of our community.

This event will take place at the EXCHANGE, the HARLEM PLACE ALLEY WAY AND THE CORNER OF 5TH & SPRING (WEENEEZ, 500 S. Spring St.)from 12:00 noon to 10:00 pm.

Manuel Compito
Skid Row Artist

Skid Row Aritists Collective Last Meeting Before The Art Walk

The Skid Row Artists Collective is having our last group meeting before the Dec. 10th Downtown Art Walk.
SRAC is the " Skidrow Gumbo ", the treasure box is going to slightly opened on December 10th. There is just too much to show at one time. But, now there is a new beginning...we come together as one group, nolonger scattered and concerned " simply about ourselves". That's what in a TREASURE CHEST ..many jewels, an assortment of priceless objects.


The many talented men, women and children of the Skidrow/ Central City East Community are " no longer hidden". On December 10, 2009, during ART WALK at the EXCHANGE and HARLEM PLACE ALLEY there will be a "kind of coming out party, THE SKIDROW ARTIST(S) COLLECTIVE (SRAC) will bring the treasure chest and reveal some, just some of our " HIDDEN TREASURES"!
Excerpts of OG Man

THE ORIGINS, EVOLUTION AND HISTORY OF SKIDROW ARTIST(S) COLLECTIVE

by OG Man
Do you know SGT? Do you Alexander The Poet? Do you know Ms. Symphony? If you can answer yes, then you know " part of the struggle " of Skidrow Artists and how we, artists of the Skidrow/ Central City East community, got to this point, THE SKIDROW ARTIST(S) COLLECTIVE (SRAC)

If you don't know any of these individuals, or any of the numerous, extraordinary, talented, gifted artists that for " decades" PUT IT DOWN FOR THE HOOD" and never got the opportunity to connect with GALLERY ROW or ART WALK, then you're not aware and should take time to understand the " historical development and significance " of SRAC.

There have been " great artists of all mediums on Skidrow Row"! Musicans, Writers, Actors, Comedians, Models, Cooks, Singers, Painters, Movie Makers, etc. There have been numerous groups that tried ( and did for a moment) to represents these various talents in an " organized " way. But, over the years their efforts died!

Some gave up on their gifts...discouraged! Others just lefted the neighborhood in search of a less hostile venue. A few went on to greatness somewhere else. Others stayed to continue the fight for a venue, for an opportunity. This is our origins, our evolution.

Today, in 2009, just before the New Year, THE SKIDROW ARTIST(S) COLLECTIVE has brought together...all the scattered pieces ( or as many that weather the storms and are still ready and capable). WE ARE THE HIDDEN TREASURE.

So, SRAC is the " Skidrow Gumbo ", the treasure box is going to slightly opened on December 10th. There is just too much to show at one time. But, now there is a new beginning...we come together as one group, nolonger scattered and concerned " simply about ourselves". That's what in a TREASURE CHEST ..many jewels, an assortment of priceless objects,

The many talented men, women and children of the Skidrow/ Central City East Community are " no longer hidden". On December 10, 2009, during ART WALK at the EXCHANGE and HARLEM PLACE ALLEY there will be a "kind of coming out party, THE SKIDROW ARTIST(S) COLLECTIVE (SRAC) will bring the treasure chest and reveal some, just some of our " HIDDEN TREASURES"!


Manuel Benito Compito (aka OG Man

OG Man to Julie

Just want to second everything you have put forth. I am hoping that things go well with Blaze ( he knows his skill can and should be very beneficial to the Collective as well as Skidrow Films). We merely need to stay on course, know that we have a direction and bring people on board that are of like mind ( One for all and all for one)! And the nice thing about this, " it doesn't limit a person from doing what they do or have always do.

I believe, unfortunately, a lot of artists are selfish and not certain about the next person. Maybe because it's " competition "."But, we are going to be " a special group " and everyone will benefit.

OG

Another Incredible Meeting / Nov.29th

Dear OG,

Another incredible meeting. I just spent the last couple of hours fixing the poster and adding everyone that needed to be added. Including one of the sponsors. Cathie should be getting a little more info for the last few sponsors to me to get them on the poster. I am going to be printing it up soon. See attachment. I am sending a large document for hi resolution printing and a low resolution image for sending to all of your friends and for web marketing.

Just to be sure we are all on the same page. The next meeting will be about assigning spaces and time slots to all of the participants. EVERYONE NEEDS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NEXT MEETING. IT WILL BE A SORT OF DRESS REHEARSAL. PLEASE COME next Sunday at 5pm.

We will decide by Friday, whether this event will go deep into the alley or stay closer to the exchange and use just part of the alley, mostly in the front. You can also be near Weeneez just in case we need to use more space for stuff. The event is happening no matter what though!

La Ronda organized everyones e-mails tonight. Good Work. Now can you please be sure that O.G. gets the list in all. Which means typing all of the names into a document. I would suggest microsoft word then copying and sending it in an e-mail or sending the e-mail list as a word document to O.G. But La Ronda you are in charge of keeping the list up to date and current. Please send me the list too. It should be called MASTER E-MAIL LIST SKID ROW ARTISTs

I am very happy to be working with all of you. What my dream is to leave the organizing to La Ronda and Cathie with OG's Direction and help.I know you women are passionate about this group. Thank you. Also, we will need a graphic designer for the next event. A BIG THANK YOU TO MICHAEL BLAZE FOR THE FILMS. It is going to really help in fundraising and raising awareness of all of you amazing people.

Finally, I want to thank Russell Brown tonight for coming in with his suggestion that he will be contacting Jan Perry's office to create a permanent solution to the problem of pulling permits for each artwalk to use the alley. It is complicated and expensive. If they make this change it would mean that you could possibly have the alley every month for the artwalk. I would suggest that you try to make sure to secure this element for the next couple of years. I think that Russells effort should specifically request this change for your group. THE SKID ROW ARTISTS COLLECTIVE. At least for Harlem Place Alley between 5th and 6th off streets. I hope that O.G. you can stay on top of this. This is crucial. As your movement will gain much more momentum with a consistent presence in the alley. By galvanizing the artists each and every month. Their work will get better, the organizing will get better ETC. You will gain much more publicity etc. Working together to support one another should be everyones main aim for this and any future efforts. It was also interesting tonight to see one of the LA BARGE Family members present and ready and willing and able to throw all of his weight into this event. He stated that KPFK will be there covering the event and a professional film crew. WOW! This is really going to be amazing to get this kind of support and coverage.

Thank you O.G. for asking if you could use Weeneez for the meetings. You have brought a little bit of light into my complicated and busy life. I really feel great after each meeting. The adrenaline is still flowing. Thank you very much all of you for your positive energy. I really do feel it. Please keep it going. We all encounter so much negativity each day. This is an opportunity to create a world of positivity with each of us in the same vibe of positivity!
Thanks again.