At an artists’ meet and greet and closing reception for an exhibit of B&W photographs called “The Europeans” by Mike Fitelson on Wed., Sept. 15 at Coogan’s Restaurant, attendees were asked to use marking pens to respond to several questions about the local arts scene written on a long sheet of butcher paper. The following is a transcript of those responses, preserving as much as possible the punctuational flourishes with which they were written.

Is there an arts community in Washington Heights-Inwood (WaHI)?

There is one (181^st St.). Where are the others???

A society which doesn’t promote the arts is a society in decay! So if society at

large doesn’t we must ourselves

Artists Unite is trying to build community

Beginning for me! Was in Uptown Arts Stroll in Inwood and loved it! Want to do

more arts activism!

Lots of artists . . . but “community?”

Where’s art studio space?

We need to create one ASAP! Together!

It is growing and making itself known

Let’s talk about what “arts” means

No $ for arts if Bush is reelected. Vote!

Vote early and vote often

What’s good about the arts in WaHI?

The diversity

Mike, Peter, me, Rosa . . .

Lots of artists live here

This gathering – nice lighting and lovely refreshments

Cheap rent (sort of)

“WaHI” . . . I like that

It’s young/fresh and ready to boom

It reflects the people who make up the community

Diversity

Us

It’s alive!

Can the arts bridge the cultural divide of Broadway?

What type of project would do this?

Artists can if they want to

Hadn’t noticed it

Nice idea. How about the divide between young and old?

Art can bridge any gap

How?

Nothing does it better

Too many points for discussion, not the proper forum.

Would like to discuss what the divide is about. Who owns it?

What would help grow the arts in WaHI?

Utilize vacant Dyckman St. storefronts

Create an arts district?

Cheap classified ads in the Manhattan Times for artists

Publicity

Activist artists

Media

Frequent exhibits

Space for the arts

$

Activist artists – central directory, an arts space

Collaborating with each other to pool resources and produce the best art we can

Trust

Develop an email list of all performing artists in Inwood/Washington Heights

Would you consider buying the artwork of local artists?

If it was affordable

Yes!

I wish I could, alas I’m an artist

Ditto

Shur

As an artist I can barely afford my own art

Absolutely and have!

We are just as good as other “local” artists (or better)

Yeh!

What were you hoping to get out of tonight’s event?

Ideas to strengthen the arts in WaHI

Hope

I didn’t expect wine and food so I’m way ahead

Fellowship and connection with other artists

Beer

Collaborators

Connect with kindred spirits and co-activate

See Mike’s work, yumm!

(Written across the top, someone wrote: This is truly only the beginning!)