Well folks, best move on to the next argument. Me and my peeps at MadLab Gallery have actually upped the antie, we are now the

"Art Capital of Universe!" --echo, echo, echo...

I know this is some heavy shit and it probably messes with alot of folks self defeating ways but we could not go on letting people think that anyone else in the universe had something cooler going on.

So Waaahh...

Oh yeah..Too Much Photography opening this Saturday 5-7--over 100 pieces..last years attendance near 300...and free wine. MadLab 105 N.Grant

LOL @ "interlopers".

Yeah, we wouldn't want anyone acting vague, presumptive, or egocentric...

It's not a small group, and it's not a closed group. I also firmly believe it's not painting anyone with a brush who's not participating, and hardly think it's even painting the participants with one.

If it's not something you're interested in being a part of...cool. I have yet to hear how it will affect you other than one of your out of town friends thinks it's lame.

I do know that it can have the effect of raising the visibility of local art and artists. I do know that it create conversations about the concerns of local artists with people that can have an impact on those concerns.

I know those two things for certain, because that's been my focus in this independent initiative, to make sure those things happen.

p.s. One more thing about inclusion. If you're creating art right now...you're already included. You don't need to do anything else. If you're helping build the art scene...you're already doing it. If you want to do more...great. If you want to be part of the discussion...well, just join in. There's no secret meetings happening or strategy behind closed doors going on. If you want nothing to do with it at all, that's fine too. As this thing grows and progresses, there will be calls for artist submissions...and some will be by me because they'll be stuff I'm working on. My requirements for those will be that you're local...that's it...not if you know the secret IAC handshake, and frankly not if you slammed or praised the idea in the first place.

I think a lot of people are getting hung up on the Independent thing, like it means that it has to be artists succeeding all by themselves with zero help. I don't see it that way...nor do I think that's a good idea. I see the Independent part of this as each person who wants to, formulating an idea that can help build the success of Columbus artists (even if it's just themselves) and acting on it independently.

I think many people have a problem with "Indie Art Capital" because it isn't true and it is false advertising.

As with Austin, they had more live venues per capita, and South by Southwest, so using it as a comparison to Columbus and this initiative, isn't valid.

C-Bus may be the "Next Indie Art Capital of the World", but sure as hell isn't now.