Artomatic 419 Lite Breathes Life into Fort Industry Square

By Michael Hayes
Minister of Culture

Artomatic 419 last year was amazing, but this year the paired-down version may have actually outdone the original in many ways.

Born in DC, Artomatic is a clash of local art of all kinds under one roof for a few weeks.

After years in the chocolate city, this event made its way to the Glass City last year.

But this year the venue alone was enough to pique my interest.

Fort Industry Square.
 

It’s sad, but I guess I’m so much of a Toledo person that maybe I shouldn’t be surprised when other folks don’t know about this historical landmark.

Downtown on Summit St. directly between the Maumee River and the Seagate Center is a block-long brick four-story building that is probably one of the oldest usable structures in the state. Fort Industry Square is a beautiful building.

I’ve always dreamed of having our record company headquarters in that joint.

But, anyway, Artomatic 419 Lite made 2007 a vast improvement by filling three separate wings of Fort Industry Square. On the Water Street level, an art for sale gallery and an open sound stage greet visitors. Live music courtesy of local acts such as neo-soul singer/songwriter Yasu as well as rock band Phantasmagoria and hip-hop collective Great Lakes Crew were all on point.

I witnessed all of those acts personally and I can tell you, they were all amazing. Each gave the type of show that made you say “Damn, I wish more people were here to see this.”

Oh yeah, while those acts and many others were on stage…. there was a tattoo artist at the back of the room laying down ink on whomever wanted it.

Upstairs, Hylife Media was hosting poetry.

Spoken Word heavyweights Imani Lateef and John Dorsey blessed the spot as well as a newcomer … I can’t remember her name (sorry) – but she was amazing.

She’s a regular at Hylife’s Monday night Poetry at Club Prestige… she does this piece called “C.O.P.” – my favorite official favorite poem of 2007.

And then on the fourth floor there was even more visual art.

And I mean literally amazing pieces of any type you can imagine.

Photography. Still life painting. Pencil drawing. Anything!

I was in Ashley Eichner’s gallery for a while and I was amazed.

Imani Lateef and Yasu

The whole event was punctuated by that atmosphere down there at Fort Industry Square.

Right on the water with a view of the downtown area, it was easy to appreciate all our city has to offer.

Some would end up saying “you almost forget you’re in Toledo… this is really nice.”

But for those in the know…. going to an event with forward-thinking individuals who have created an atmosphere of expression and power… that sounds like the Toledo I know.

And that was the point.

Good job, Artomatic 419!

(Marc Folk – get at me !! … got idea for this art district)

glasscitytruth@yahoo.com

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