Culturally Centered:
CWIP at the Creative Chicago Expo
On Saturday, April 4, 2009, CWIP made its first appearance at the Creative Chicago Expo. Along with over 125 arts-related vendor-exhibitors; over 20 workshops and 40 consultants; and more than 5,000 attendees, CWIP volunteer members gathered in the dazzling, creatively nourishing setting of the Cultural Center's art glass and mosaics.
Throughout the day, my fellow Cwippers and I came to a great understanding that this was truly a wonderful place for CWIP to be.
As CWIP member Tamara Matthews shared, "I looked at the seminars and vendor list and I thought, 'Does CWIP fit in?' It seemed geared to artsy types and here we are, a group of written-word professionals. Fortunately, I couldn't have been more wrong. CWIP is a piece in the larger creative Chicago puzzle, and this was my first opportunity to actually see that first hand."
I personally would grow increasingly aware of a resonance between the occasion and the location, both of them complex interconnecting patterns formed of individual elements that, by their very differences, enhanced each other to create a rich imaginative design.
The Creative Chicago Expo, now in its sixth year, has grown considerably since its debut as an opportunity for visual artists to find work and living space. Two years ago, when I first attended, it had already expanded impressively, and I knew then: "CWIP needs to be here." Between 2008 and 2009, attendance increased by more than 40 percent, from 3,500 to 5,000. Admission is still free, by the way.
Barbara Koenen, self-described "artist and bureaucrat," has directed the Chicago Artists Resource (CAR) and, by extension, the Creative Chicago Expo, for 15 years. Both resources have expanded massively under her leadership. And this year will see the addition of a publishing arm to the CAR Web site. In our brief exchange when I picked up an armload of Expo postcards, Barbara expressed her pleasure at CWIP's Expo participation and her hope that we would be in further contact with her in the coming months.
During my experience at the Expo, I met Danielle Chapman, Director of Publishing Industry Programs at the Department of Cultural Affairs. I booked an appointment with her for an Expo "Consultathon" which is essentially a fast-paced 25-minute interview for just $10 (the Expo's only paid activity). During our rather breathless rapid-fire interview, I learned that Danielle's first "official" effort had been the Chicago Publishers Gallery in the Cultural Center—a showcase of some 1,500 books from 135 area book and periodical publishers—and she'd already connected with CWIP through members and some of the board. She spoke of her abiding enthusiasm to help promote publishing in Chicago and solidify the professional community—an effort already underway via a periodic literary networking series.
Virtually without exception, CWIP volunteers and friends and colleagues who stopped by the CWIP Expo table mentioned the exhilarating energy and supportive spirit they found at every turn. One guest expressed, "You're not just a representative, are you? You're really a part of this," to the CWIP members staffing the booth. And CWIP member Maureen Glasoe shared, "I was impressed with the diversity of interests, too. I spoke with creative writers, a technical writer, an editorial consultant, a fashion designer, students, and others simply wanting to know more. As effective as our outreach efforts are by mail and e-mail, there's no substitute for face-to-face contact."
As hoped for, the Expo would provide an opportunity for "networking the organization"—a chance for in-person contact with a spectrum of people and groups we might otherwise never reach. It also provided a chance to speak directly to our publishing and literary colleagues. And, not least, it was another occasion for affirming connections with CWIP colleagues.
Every recipe for creativity and imaginative stimulation I've ever seen suggests combining apparently different elements to find new approaches and ideas. The Expo provided those elements in the variety among participants' and their interests, the diversity within the arts represented, and the wealth of services, businesses, and organizations positioned to help Chicago creative professionals. And I believe that all of us who attended found something of value to our individual and collective endeavors among the Expo's rich offerings.
If you missed this year's Creative Chicago Expo, you can still access links to participating vendor—exhibitors, consultants, and workshop descriptions and sponsors (see below). What's more, materials from Expo workshops will be available on the CAR site.
And . . . next year's waiting for you.
LINKS
Creative Chicago Expo 2009
Creative Chicago Expo Vendor Directory
Chicago Publishers Gallery
Chicago Artists Resource (CAR)