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Why art will transform Anniston

Monday, October 21, 2013

Recently I asked Jim Stevens, a guest on my It’s Your Life radio program, a very blunt question. Why does art transform people, organizations, and communities? Without hesitation, Jim, who is a blind veteran, a world-recognized sculptor, and an international martial arts champion, said that art is always about the future. Of course, I had to ask him to explain. He said that before an artist creates a piece of art, it did not exist. So, first the concept had to be created in their mind, resources had to be gathered, and the act of creation had to be started and completed.

This did not totally surprise me. Over the past year I have interviewed survivors of cancer, incest and other abuse, war wounds, relationship failures, financial tragedies, and even a reformed adult entertainer. One of my guests was an accomplished public art muralist, whose work has been seen in many Hollywood movies and even locally in my home town. More than once they mentioned the pursuit of creative projects such as filmmaking, journaling, novel writing, visual arts, and even dance. One in fact recently received a Masters in Fine Art. No one specifically told them to become artists. But, they did. It seems that the act of artistic expression – no matter their skill level – was a major part of their healing and rediscovery.

Since I am also the part owner of a nationwide relocation company, I’ve had the opportunity to explore the transformation of numerous once prosperous districts and cities. What many of them had in common is a recent deep decline in population and wealth while simultaneously encountering many social ills such as increased poverty rates and unemployment, a jump in their number of homeless, and higher crime rates. In each case, either an innovative entrepreneur or the city’s leaders saw potential and embarked on an ambitious transformational project. I remember investigating an area of Atlanta, which was once a popular trolley stop, a once vibrant warehouse district of Dallas, and the city of Paducah, which had been in its better days a prosperous riverine transportation hub.

These two districts and the city of Paducah are now known as prosperous art Meccas. The two districts have been completely refurbished and have become vibrant art, retail, and restaurant destinations. Their artistic endeavors include visual arts, dance, and theater. Not only has crime virtually disappeared, they have become economic engines, which contribute to the wealth of the surrounding area.

The story of Paducah is not much different. Years ago the city’s leaders became increasingly frustrated with their efforts to reach their economic development goals. It was hard to attract industry as the city no longer played the same role in facilitating regional and national commerce. This left them with an unused warehouse and manufacturing capacity, a loyal gentry who refused to relocate, and an increasing percentage of financially disadvantaged and undereducated. Rather than give up, their leaders decided to make the bold move of converting their vacant warehouses into low-to-no rent apartments, studios, and galleries for artists. Soon after that they took the initiative of creating the River’s Edge International Film Festival, which will be hosting its eighth annual event starting on November 7, 2013.

As both a business consultant and as a therapist, I often focus on the necessity for rebranding. Whether we like it or not, as individuals, groups, and even cities, others think of us not much differently than they do Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines, and Apple. When a brand is successful, it empowers, it gets the right attention from others, and it increases the subject’s attractiveness. However, when – like Kodak – it becomes tarnished, worn out, and obsolete, it is time for a change. In fact, the term “a Kodak moment” now brings to mind a once popular brand that slowly became obsolete without their owner’s realization. Unfortunately, this describes way too many people, organizations, and even cities.

I am fortunate to live in a city, which has had its Kodak moment and is now going through a rebranding process. Anniston, Alabama, a small city in the southern foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, is in many ways much like Paducah right before their transition process started. And like that city, we are one with a proud history, a beautiful topography and architecture, and full of underutilized opportunity. Over the past year our leaders have started a transformational process, which they call One City, One Vision. This project has been enthusiastically supported throughout our diverse communities.

Recently, I have recommended that they also embark on a rebranding project, which is called City of Storytellers. This community economic development project is completely congruent with and supporting of the current transformational efforts. It is intended to further reinvigorate our populace, make our city more attractive to potential investors, and strengthen our schools and other education programs. It does so not just as a rebranding effort. It serves as a community-wide artistic endeavor. Recently the Anniston City Council unanimously voted to fund the underlying filmmaking project, which will facilitate the City of Storytellers re-branding.

Can this be done? I think so. At least, I – and a whole lot of other enthusiastic citizens – are totally committed to the rebranding this Model City as a City of Storytellers. We know that their will be many obstacles as we tell the story about this new brand. But, we will not be discouraged easily. Today Annie, my wife and business partner, sent me a link to the Landfill Harmonic Orchestra video on YouTube.com. These students, who are from the families of trash pickers in South America, are playing beautiful music using instruments, which were created from items found in the dump. Watching this short inspirational video, I see how beauty and enthusiasm can arise once a person’s mind is dedicated to artistic transformation. It also shows that no matter how dire the situation may have become, there is always hope through artistic expression.

Transformation-through-the-arts projects don’t always succeed. When they become rather superficial, cosmetic attempts that merely involve opening up a few more art galleries and museums and fail to involve the entire community, they typically don’t achieve the desired results. However, when artistic transformation is the result of awesome and inspiring community-wide inclusive events, then the enthusiasm rapidly becomes contagious and the results exceed the city’s wildest dreams. Clearly that is the intention of everyone currently involved with the City of Storytellers rebranding project for the City of Anniston.

For more information visit: City of Storytellers

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Keywords: Anniston AL, Anniston Alabama, City of Storytellers, buyersUSA Consulting, Anniston Star, TV 24, videos, YouTube

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