Update

After the Contemporary Art Street Jam in July, we moved “Inside Out, Outside In” by exhibiting the street art panels by thirteen artists created on Mill Street inside the ideaXfactory gallery space.

At the opening event on August 2, the vibrant painted colors and images created by street artists in paint were amplified by experimental sound artist Delvok who rocked the ideaXfacotry with DJ’s John Worcester and Gary Bedell in front of the Harmonic Wall and PhosXphon light/motion based sound and musical instrument created by artist Russ RuBert.

Martin Luther King “I have a Dream” projection by Russ RuBert on 170’ wide historic silos in downtown Springfield.[/caption]

Recent Wins

- A series of huge nighttime projections of Martin Luther King speeches spanning the 170’ wide historic downtown silos has inspired the City of Springfield to invite the projection and ideaXfactory lead artist Russ RuBert to create outdoor projections in Park Central Square during the Unity March celebrating the 50th anniversary of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. ideaXfactory will be partnering on that event on August 28.

- Neighboring Squidfoo Art Gallery and Hacker Space was in danger of closing before they partnered with community arts organization Lemondrop. Lemondrop has assumed the storefront lease and will program live music and art events starting with an August 24 fundraiser featuring several local bands.

- City of Springfield Assistant Director of Public Works Jonathan Gano made a formal presentation to the Urban Districts Alliance board of directors about the mission, activities, and ArtPlace grant of ideaXfactory

Street Art panel painting created by Nick Tarr.[/caption]

Insight

Often times, laying the ground work for creative collaborations to blossom can be bolstered by simple basics of good hospitality – inviting a good mix of people to gather at a place, making introductions in an enjoyable atmosphere, and then stepping back and letting the party evolve.

At the ideaXfactory we are interested in evoking change in our city where art and artists are at the core. Ours is not a top-down approach, but rather a grass-roots approach that lays the groundwork for emerging artists and organizations to grow by providing a fertile soil for innovation and planting seeds of inspiration along the way.

Groups that are meeting at or inspired by events at the ideaXfactory are Art of Space architectural installation collaborative, Yarn X Bombers, Boonville Street Artists, and other diversity and equality groups. We are lucky to have the support of the City of Springfield in our efforts to effect change.

Artists Gary Bedell and John Worcester DJ with experimental sound artist Delvok in front of the Russ RuBert’s installation the Harmonic Wall and PhosXphon.[/caption]