Art Surfing Empty Store Fronts

by The Editors on April 9, 2009

Apr0909 56On May 1, 2009 (two days before the spring Carlsbad Street Fair) the two-month long Carlsbad Art Surf kicks off. What? Art Surf is a public art walk project through the streets of The Village sponsored by the Carlsbad Village Improvment Partnership, according to a story in the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Wanting to transform vacant storefront windows into something cheerful, Carlsbad Village property owners have invited artists to sign up to create window murals as part of Art Surf, a two-month art walk that kicks off May 1. . . “I think the idea really was, if you drive down a street and you see lots of empty lots or empty windows, you get an impression that it’s not alive, or it’s not worth coming to (visit) again,” said Robin Young, executive director of the Carlsbad Village Business Association.

We’re not so sure that drawing attention to empty storefronts by letting artists paint on the windows in the best idea, but while they’re at it maybe someone could paint the front windows at Ella Grace in the Village Faire Mall. When we walked by this morning they were packing up and shutting down the business.

[Link: San Diego Union-Tribune]

{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }

ArtSurfer April 9, 2009 at 3:16 pm

ArtSurf actually kicks off on May 1st (The Friday before the Carlsbad Village Street Faire) with an Art walk from 5 – 8. There will be maps available at the street faire at the CVBA table at the intersection of State Street and Grand Ave.

We’ll keep the Ella Grace location in mind!

Thanks Carlsbadistan – We’re glad you’re here!

jflores April 10, 2009 at 8:12 am

Art Walk and the promotion of art to reinvigorate the downtown business is a great idea. I have read that in other places artists have (with the blessing of landlords) used vacant storefront spaces to set temporary galleries. This allows artists to exhibit while the landlord finds a new tenant.

Keep up the good work!

no name April 13, 2009 at 10:45 am

Sanctioned graffiti? Not a good idea.

Carl Crawl April 14, 2009 at 10:25 am

Sanctioned graffiti? You mean a commissioned mural? What do markings on a wall become when they are legal and allowed (sanctioned)? Definitely not graffiti! Please be aware that all windows designated as a canvas for this event have been donated by the building/ business owners. Sanctioned murals…yes!, and this IS a good idea!

So mr. no name, why don’t you spend a day wandering the village in search for each painted window. An unimaginative mind can be inspired by others’ creativity… and judging by your name, you might need the spark!

And to The Editors, you too feel this event might not be a good idea. Why? A few visitors may see empty village stores, but is this really a surprise…Carlsbad isn’t the only village feeling the effects of our teetering economy. Why ignore it when we can use it. Introducing art and creativity to our community while promoting local businesses… this seems like a perfect idea to us!

no name April 14, 2009 at 5:42 pm

Carl Crawl? Sniderart?. Not an asset to Carlsbad. Should be forced to clean his crap from the walls of Carlsbad (76 station on Tamarack). No community should sanction this as “art”.

Snyder Art April 14, 2009 at 7:24 pm

Wow no name. So quick to point a finger. I would love to hear how you came to this conclusion. Cleaning the gas station, no problem. In addition to this “crap”, I will organize a village clean up starting at Snyder Art and ending at the gas station. And of course, we would love for you to join us! Have the business owner contact me and you can consider it done.

As for your reference to Carl Crawl, Snyder Art and the supposed “crap”, other than bashing local art and those interested in supporting it, what have YOU done for your community?

This is what we do:

http://carlsbadcrawl.com/?p=1260

Read the comments… that is the community speaking!

The Queen April 14, 2009 at 8:07 pm

Goodness gracis WOW!!!! I have been in Carlsbad my entire life and I have never seen the community unite as one until Snyder Art came to our beautiful small town!!! He is really making our community love each other again and reminding us of the meaning LOVE for your town. I am sad to hear “NO NAME” that you are so upset with art in our town which is in much need of it. Is there any reason that the paintings in the windows make you so upset?? As “SNYER ART” asked, what have you done lately to make this town a happy place besides complain about what others are doing on their “OWN” time??

Andrew King April 14, 2009 at 8:12 pm

Mr. no name,
My name is Andrew King and I am not afraid to state that here being a local Carlsbadian for most of my life. What Snyder art does for our community is bring all of us together through art and life and love. He is not afraid to put himself out there for the betterment of our small oceanfront village and to bring a little bit more beautification to our already beautiful town. This can have an inspiring effect on everyone who decides to let it in their heart and believe and participate. I have watched Snyder art over the years bring friends together to step out of the norm and create. It is what we do as human beings. If this is something that bothers you, there are plenty of places in the world for unimaginative, unoriginal, stifling people like you who cannot even muster the strength to let him know who you are when you criticize. It seems if it were up to you, we would all be living in places that look like concrete boxes. So, you could always move somewhere like that and leave the happy, imaginitive people in peace. Nice original name too, by the way. It shows you really have the balls to stand up for what you believe in.
I have a name,
Andrew King

no name April 14, 2009 at 8:48 pm

whoah, carl crawl and others, I should apologize to you all for being such a conservative dipsh*t. It’s just that me and my cronies have had a stranglehold on this “community” for so long, we’re not going down without a fight. No name? You know who I am: I’m the guy shooting roundup on all those weeds growing up between the cracks. I’m crouching behind my squatting dog with the plastic bag outspread, and I’m not going down without lobbing a few barbs from behind an anonymous firewalls. Free speech? Not a good idea.

Mr. Myers April 14, 2009 at 11:08 pm

Mr. No Name did you know…

Samson killed 10,000 Phillestines with the jawbone of an ass & we lose more friendships everyday using the same tool! Perhaps it would suit you more pleasure to have a personal conversation one on one with the creator of SnyderArt, if you intend on opening someones mind to your senses, he is indeed a compassionate individual whom would listen more clearly with a bit more politeness and maturity. Slandering ones profession, especially one from within the heart, may come as a walk in the park for you but this is this man’s passion and lively hood.

What be your profession said No Name, shall we have an anonymous conversation for all the world to see in your regard, perhaps we can talk of the “stranglehold” you hold so near. You to shall pass, and one day we will discuss the glorious stranglehold of no name and his cronies, and what a wonderful community they harvested.

Adalai April 15, 2009 at 7:51 am

To me it seems that this person (I don’t need to mention his/her name) is a very unhappy soul. I can assume that this person loves conformity and has one shirt in every color. I bet there is a white picket fence that surrounds this persons poisoned yard. I can assume this person has no children, no creativity, and I am willing to wager that they don’t visit the ocean very much.
It’s very unfortunate for this person to be bashing CarlsbadCrawl instead of embrassing it like many people and families have done.

Honestly this person needs a hobby, or maybe just to move out of our Artistic Community. Maybe to LA or Idaho, I really don’t care. I know that people who actually go out of their way to make others feel bad are already dead on the inside.

Carlsbad Crawl is Community. Carlsbad Crawl is amazing. Do you know how cool it was to see the looks on kids faces when they found a pumpkin on Halloween? Do you know that it made their day. I spoke with a single mother that day just walking down the street with her pumpkin and her child and she was sooooo stoked on it (maybe even more than her kid).

I say art is a way of communication in many forms… be it on a cave or a store window, a gas pump, or on your car bumper.

I really don’t care what that person has to say, because obviously they are hurting on the inside and are looking for a way to get noticed. I really don’t want to feed into that kind of ego. But for my family and friends who all participate with carlsbadcrawl I do this for you.

SO mr. NO name hide behind you firewalls. and stay off of this website… no one wants to read your downers. No one wants to hear what you have to say, you are not what matters to this community. You are mean, cold hearted and obviously a Jerk!
Get off of your high horse and high tail it.

Love to all who gives

Mike April 15, 2009 at 8:30 am

Mr. No Name,

Whether you like it or not, Carlsbad’s artistic identity has been created and is thriving. It will continue to do so with or without your objection. I would recommend that you embrace it, accept it, ignore it, or avoid it (i.e. leave).

Mr. No Name?…not a good idea.

Mike

No Name April 15, 2009 at 8:34 am

Dogsh*t, weeds, and carl crawl “art”.
You made the comparison, not me.

Adalai April 15, 2009 at 8:35 am

In response to this:
“It’s just that me and my cronies have had a stranglehold on this “community” for so long, we’re not going down without a fight.”

We are your community. We are your waiters, we are your bartenders, we are your gardeners, we are your business owners, we are pet groomers, we are your nannies, we are your street sweepers, we are your retailers. WE ARE THIS COMMUNITY.
As far as your ‘stranglehold’ on this community, let it go and let this community grow.

By the way~ we drink Round-Up for breakfast!

Lori April 15, 2009 at 10:47 am

Mr. No Name-

I am a long-time visitor to the great little town of C-Bad, but I can’t claim to have ever lived there. However, over my last 9 years of frequent visits, I’ve seen the town morph from a typical, blase suburban community into a village with a soul. Carlsbad is finding an identity again, which is in large part due to the forward-reaching vision of its young, creative community members. Before, I considered the town a pleasant place to visit; “pleasant” evoking all the connotations of a place that is neither exciting nor disagreeable. Now, Carlsbad is blossoming into a happening little community, and I am excited to watch it continue to bloom and thrive. It’s turning into a town I would be proud to call home.

Mr. No Name, you are entitled to your opinions, just as I am entitled to respect you very little because of them. I am hopeful you can learn to release your stranglehold on the community, as doing so will allow the town to continue its growth in a positive direction. After all, won’t that eventually trickle back to you and ultimately improve your bottom line? Have a pleasant rest of your day!

-Lori-

jew jew bean April 15, 2009 at 11:35 am

Hey No Name… There is only one “Stranglehold” that matters and it was written by Ted Nugent. You don’t deserve to listen to it though..because you are a kook. You don’t know taco land. You don’t know Pine School. You don’t know Same ‘Ole. You don’t know Carlsbad. I hope my dog shits on your lawn. Have fun squatting behind yours… Mujave crew will frontside grind your face!!!! O ya…SnyderArt RULES!!!!

CourtneyB April 15, 2009 at 11:44 am

Sounds like No Name really needs to move to a place where free speech is prohibited. Maybe China or Russia will take you.

Carissa Sade April 15, 2009 at 12:04 pm

Oh ‘No Name’, you have NO IDEA what you’re dealing with. . .

I was born and raised in North County, and recently moved!

I now live in San Francisco where the whole community is pulsating regularly with a huge heart for ART! It’s why I moved here. I wanted to live in a place that encouraged an artistic way of life and the people that choose to lead it. I wanted to be able to walk about my neighborhood and continually be inspired. I wanted to live amongst people that are open to sharing new ideas and banding together to create them and CELEBRATE them! It may seem silly to someone who doesn’t have a passion for art like do, or the others that have posted in response to this blog, but its my life. And it’s important. Its why I moved, it’s why I love this place. . . and it’s why I think I want to move BACK to SD, North County.

While Carlsbads natural beauty is an awesome display of divine creation, and a constant source of inspiration to its community and its visitors alike, it also has a natural way of suppressing the amazingly creative minds that live in it. The looming mansions, stagnant rows of palm trees, perpetually manicured lawns, and old traditional ideals have become rigid walls to live in. It becomes a trap. A place where people seem to get stuck. BUT, what maybe some of its officials and inhabitors dont know, is that there is a young, innovative, creative, and intelligent community of people with fresh ideas, endless talents, and most importantly a lust for change, that are ready to revolutionize this static space.

I say bring the art community forth! Some may not be ready, but what we must realize is that those people will pass on, and the their listless ideals will pass on with them, and what will remain is what is already existing. All this community needs is a little encouragement. The arts are SO IMPORTANT. It is expression, it is free speech, it is innovation, it is surrounding you every day whether you realize it or not, and it’s a FUCKING GREAT IDEA! Im proud of the projects that are sprouting up in this sleepy little beach town. I shouldn’t have had to leave my home in order to feel accepted in a community that supported my same ideals. I’m excited though, to hopefully come back and contribute to a necessary change in a place that is held dear to my heart.

Im not here to bash on “No Name” as an individual, but to rather bring to light the bigger problem that his comments represent. Im here to show my support for people like B.Snyder who are excited about art and the way it can change and cultivate this beautiful place that so many of us call home. Props to the Carlsbad Village Business Association for showing their support for the arts, and taking a step to open up the community to it. I think it will be a great success! Art is important, even in a place that is already beautiful, because it is important to its people. . . dont ignore it, help it grow!

Good Luck– C

richthestitch April 15, 2009 at 12:29 pm

its richthestitch here local stand-up comic,
as a carlsbad local i think the artist in carlsbad need an outlet like the one snyderart provides
did you (mr no name) bitch about the fire hydrants when they got painted? you must be a hard worker mr no name as a fellow stand-up comic once said,
WORK IS FOR PEOPLE WITH NO TALENT(george carlin)
so keep hating and well keep painting keep it up carl!!
smoooocheeees
richthestitch

To_be_a_consumer_or_a_citizen April 15, 2009 at 1:42 pm

There is support building for the arts in Carlsbad. During the city council race, 19-year old Evan Rodgers was dubbed by the press as the “youth & arts” candidate. 77,140 Carlsbad voters turned out and 4,833 voted for her so there are clearly more than a few of us who want our elected officials to set a different tone and different priorities.

She outlined dozens of inexpensive community projects in debates and interviews, including the phantom art gallery project: many of her ideas were met with enthusiasm by voters and the press. She spoke and wrote in detail about her dream of a Carlsbad Artist Colony, something many beach cities have successfully fostered.

SnyderArt has a similar positive outlook and many voters gathered there during the campaign to discuss the issues and opportunities.

Next year we elect a new mayor and two council members. Many of us who followed last year’s race believe that there should be and will be pro-arts candidates in all races! Councilman Matt Hall is already running for mayor. Please, if your vision of Carlsbad’s future is vibrant, get involved and make sure we have candidates to choose from in November 2010.

Liberal Revolution April 15, 2009 at 3:54 pm

I want this no name guys address so I can hunt him down and hurt him. How dare he criticize art. Let’s get him and give his house the art treatment it deserves, with a torch! What a dick.

andrew King April 15, 2009 at 4:22 pm

Stranglehold??? you and your cronies??? free speech not a good idea??? i don’t know who the hell you think you are but if you really think all these things about our beautiful little town and the people in it that you are trying to strangle with your absurd, out of date ideas, then not only do you not belong in Carlsbad, you don’t even belong in America. I spend my life avoiding closed minded fools like you and will for the rest of my natural exsistence. I hope one day mr no name that you can find some happiness within yourself so that you can stop bringing down everyone around you.
Andrew King

Candice April 15, 2009 at 4:23 pm

Well Mr. No Name,
It seems there are a lot of people willing to support Carl and all the hard work he does to bring more art to this lovely little village of ours. I’m not sure if its just the graffiti you are opposing or the whole project generally. Did you notice all the people out on Easter looking for decorated eggs? Or the other projects that he has done in the last few years to help bring the community together? You may not enjoy getting involved with the other people who live and visit this village but that doesn’t mean everyone feels that way. The people who support Carl want this community to thrive and grow. We want people to think of Carlsbad as an artistic community and not just another beach town. This place has a lot to offer, and Carlsbad crawl brings that out in the community, organizes it and help it to be shared with the surrounding area. I would love to know what you do for this community besides pick up your dogs shit.

Because we all know what Carlsbad Crawl does, all you need to is look around the website or talk to other locals and you will see that he does so much to make Carlsbad a better place.

Art Luster April 15, 2009 at 5:05 pm

This no name guy needs to pay. How do we get his info? Can the Carlsbadistan webmaster help? I wanna fuck him up good, Tortilla Flats style. Bring the pain to Cbad. Who’s wit me?

Carl Crawl April 15, 2009 at 6:20 pm

Mr. no name,
My art may be silly, irrelevant, uninspired, and boring, but it’s mine and I have all sorts of people who will ruin you for criticizing it. You’re out of luck. I don’t give a F*CK about private property or any one’s opinion. You WILL be forced to experience my art. So, leave the dogsh*t and weeds alone (WE LIKE IT) and shut up.

http://carlsbadcrawl.com/?p=1260

Read the comments… that is the community speaking!

Mario S. April 15, 2009 at 6:42 pm

Wow!

Y’all have pretty much said it all.

I don’t want to beat up Mr. No Name like some people do apparently, but would you rather look at a empty building or a piece of art? You’ll probably like some and not like some. You’ll think about it. It stimulates your mind. You’ll think about…stuff. It’s not graffiti. But graffiti, murals, whatever you want to call it aren’t bad either. It’s not all gang graphs.

Mr. Snyder does a lot for this community. This art on empty windows is for the community. I think you know where i’m going. It’s great to see creativity that is usually seen in places other than Carlsbad in Carlsbad.

Adios.

PS- Shout out to Carlsbadistan. An essential resource for the community.

Carl Crawl April 15, 2009 at 7:18 pm

“Mr. no name, My art may be silly, irrelevant, uninspired, and boring, but it’s mine and I have all sorts of people who will ruin you for criticizing it. You’re out of luck. I don’t give a F*CK about private property or any one’s opinion. You WILL be forced to experience my art. So, leave the dogsh*t and weeds alone (WE LIKE IT) and shut up.” (see comment above)

Would I really write that? I don’t have people who will ruin you or anyone else and I don’t condone violence or damage, but I do have many friends who feel strongly about art, Carlsbad and life in general. You guys all rule and thank you for all your support!

For Mr. No Name, thank you for sparkin’ this dialogue. See all these comments. You provoked thought and created a network of minds… that’s CULTURE! See, we’re already rubbing off on you… great job buddy!

the REAL Carl Crawl

Candice April 16, 2009 at 12:48 am

wow… did No Name try to impersonate you? Well, I guess that could have been anyone. Anyway, I’m glad you got on and cleared that up Bryan I was pretty surprised when I read that. It doesn’t sound anything like you.

The real creator of Carlsbad Crawl is right. We should be thanking No Name for expressing himself, and using his right to free speech, and as a result getting other people in the community to stand up and express themselves. I think everyone that participated in this dialog will take more time to enjoy the art that we have here and help promote it further.

Johnnie Decena April 16, 2009 at 1:28 pm

Frankly Bryan I don’t think you need another positive note. You definitely have the support of true real people with names. You also shouldn’t take any offense from someone who doesn’t have a name or a face. Your art is awesome and is in fact YOURS that you’ve created . I think jealousy plays a big part into it. Snyder Art has done nothing but impress. Much love to you and yours.

Sincerely,
Johnnie

Dan the Man April 17, 2009 at 2:46 pm

Well put Johnnie, Brian your peeps got your back…I’m sure your not losing sleep over some callous coward who hides behind the cyber wall, in fact your Art is an asset to our village and makes it a community. Mr. No Name where are all your “cronies” ..?(you seem to be the only one with a problem), creeps who criticize so cowardly are usually hiding some sinister act of their own..maybe the kiddie porn on your computer..?”Envy only serves the weak”…Hit it Mr. No Name.. you have no game!

DAM exCbad guy April 18, 2009 at 9:28 pm

I am a former local now living all over the country because of my job in the military. I hold a professional degree that places me in what most would consider the upper echelon of the so-called establishment, I consider myself relatively conservative and yet I have no problem with this idea.

My thoughts: What could it hurt? Times are tough. People don’t have much money to spend on entertainment. If the property owners don’t have a problem with it, then who cares? If any of us owned a commercial property wouldn’t we want to be able to do with it as we please?

I have a relatively large family and am always on the lookout for inexpensive, stimulating, family-friendly entertainment. If I still lived in the area and knew there were a bunch of storefront windows painted by different artists in a town with pleasant outdoor weather, guess what? – We’d show up, check out all the art which I’m sure my kids would enjoy and inevitably we would get hungry and eat at one of Cbad’s excellent restaurants plus most likely make some other impulse purchases. Businesses that ARE open benefit from the increased walking traffic, sales tax revenue is generated for the city, and I don’t think the Cbad establishment would mind that at all.

Controversy is good for publicity so it helps the cause that there is a voice of dissent.

In Bud We Trust.
-DAM exCbad guy

Briana April 21, 2009 at 12:14 am

Well you guys shut him up! Keep the creep and the crawl!

I can’t even begin to express to you how much time, effort, thought and heart goes into Snyder’s projects, and this all comes out of his own pocket. His intentions for Carlsbad are the best yet for this city and clearly there is a huge following (including a jealous stalker type with no name who impersonates him on blogs). If you did anything on this blog, it’s promote Snyder art and Carlsbad Crawl more.
Briana

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