The West Town Chamber of Commerce and You (Live Nude Art)
By Erik Wennermark
As a newly minted resident of West Town I thought it was urgent for me to get a feel for the activities of my local Chamber of Commerce. I was admittedly unaware of this need, and really just wanted to pop by The Architrouve’s Sketch Thursday to see what that was all about but hey, as they say, small packages come when you least expect them, or something like that.
Participants and patrons of Sketch Thursday
Sketch Thursday is a new public drawing series conceived by, you guessed it, the West Town Chamber of Commerce and supported by local galleries (providing, one would assume, they are dues-paying members). The first installment saw artists from the West Chicago Mural Project (another Chamber of Commerce funded affair), sketching for the people. The work completed during the event was then sold by means of a silent auction. The Architrouve’s current exhibition is a group show featuring the same artists.
Millin' and schmoozin' at Sketch Thursday
In all honesty, my initial reaction walking into the gallery and seeing artists at work ogled by wine-swilling patrons was, to put it mildly, unpleasant. There was something like a human zoo about it, disconcerting and weird. I asked one of the participating artists and he admitted it initially “felt strange,” but “after a while was natural.” Drawing for him being a natural act, though, with a nod to my zoo metaphor, many natural acts are not meant for an audience, particularly when cash is involved.
More participants in Sketch Thursday
Despite my unease, I walked around and chatted some folks up on the project—they seemed pleased, full of community spirit, excited about the prospect of watching the artists create, and maybe even picking up a drawing on the cheap. I was also told about another future project for the Chamber: West Town Gates, an effort to encourage businesses on Chicago Avenue to replace the dilapidated old gates between their buildings with commissioned metal work. In characteristic fashion, The Architrouve is blazing the trail with the charming brass coat of arms displayed over its gangway.
After a while spent in the presence of these kind and sincere people, I felt a little better about the ethics of the evening. I could easily rationalize Sketch Thursday as a (not so kind and sincere) performative gag of the artists, or, more likely: straight up commerce. Hence the Chamber. Nonetheless, be it public sculpture, murals, or live-action creation like Sketch Thursday, the West Town Chamber of Commerce and The Architrouve should be lauded for their commitment to improving the neighborhood I now make my home and actively engaging (and employing) artists in the process. The next Sketch Thursday will be held at Woman Made Gallery. Contact them for details.
