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A world class medical community is driving Rochester’s growth at a rate much higher than the rest of the country. However, the community has begun to examine this asymmetrical talent base and promote our creative community following observations from outsiders, such as economist Richard Florida, and feedback collected in the past year by the About You community asset inventory.

A diverse and talented pool of local talent has been uncovered as a result. Now the question is, where can the creators create and their works appreciated?

The Venue, a project of the non-profit arts organization C4 (Concerned Citizens for a Creative Community), aims to take hold of this momentum and create the space for a creative community to thrive.

“This is a lot more open than anything that the community has offered before,” said local artist Bobby Marines. “Because there’s less barriers, it really has the opportunity to ignite the community. Not just artists, but our whole community.”

The Venue also seeks to celebrate the community’s transition into an increasingly urban environment by transforming what was once a non-descript alleyway behind the Senior Center on the 100 block of North Broadway.

“People think of alleys as these nasty places, but really you can activate them and have all kinds of stuff going on,” said C4 organizer Annie Henderson.

In preparation for the event, C4 held an artist co-op, during which local artists of various ages and talent levels created works that will be weaved into a singular creation to be displayed during the festival.

For Sterling Haukom, one of the artists participating in the co-op, each creative work sets an example and adds momentum to building the community many would like to realize.

“I like to get out here and participate,” he said “Not only does it make me feel better, but by me being out here and joining with a larger group, maybe others will be inspired to get out and create as well.”

The Venue will be an art festival in tandem with a concert featuring Mason Jennings.

Rounding out the line up are local talents Liquor Beats Winter, Astrogliders, Annie Mack, Brandon Sampson and the Dovetailers. Minneapolis dance band Apollo Cobra, who have ties to the Rochester area, will also take the stage.

Venue attendees will have the opportunity to not only view the work of Rochester’s talent, but also engage in the creative process.

A “junk car” and spray paint will be available for attendees to transform into a work of art to be put on display in Rochester.

A fence will be onsite waiting for concert-goers to bring their locks, transform them with a personalized message, and add them to what will become a wall of “love locks” to be displayed in a location in Rochester.

Similar to iron-chef contests that have been popularized by television, The Venue will hold an iron-artist competition during which four local artists will be given random items, along with one of their choosing, and will create a work of art in one hour.

The works of several homegrown artists will be on display in an alley garage turned gallery.

C4 has seized upon cultural gains in recent years, and aims to take it up a notch by taking a slightly different tack on incubating and promoting the creative community.

“Rochester’s really been frontiering for a few years now and it’s been successful,” said Brianna Truax, C4 organizer, noting the success of Thursdays on First and other community events. “We thought we’d do something that gets back to the grassroots and the rawness of art.”

To help ensure that the energy keeps going, proceeds from the event will go toward kick starting one of three projects that will enhance Rochester’s cultural landscape. Each person in attendance will have the ability to vote for the project that they would most like to see happen.

C4 plans to hold a large scale event once annually, while organizing smaller scale events throughout the year. The group will stay active, organizing a block party on Historic Third Street the following Saturday (October 13) that will feature bands playing on the roof of old city hall.

The Venue will take place Saturday between 3 and 11 pm in the alley behind the Senior Center between 1st Street and 2nd Street on North Broadway. Tickets are limited to 600 and can be purchased on The Venue’s website for $25 in advance, $30 on Saturday. VIP admission is $100, see website for details.

For more information, please visit: www.venueartfest.org