After six years in college, I thought I was a fairly cultured person. I have been fortunate enough to play music in Eau Claire for the last eight years. Through my experiences at UWEC and my experi­ences in music, I have met a number of artists from the many genres of the art world. So you can imag­ine my surprise when I heard the term art incubator. What in the world is an art incubator?

A little over a month ago, I was approached by six friends who were starting an art incubator here in Eau Claire, and asked if I would consider do­ing public relations for their business. After a few meetings, I happily agreed to help promote their business. Shortly thereafter, I was asked to sign on as a partner. Again, I was more than willing to join the team.

So after a hectic year of serving as student body president, why would I sign on to help promote and run an art incubator? Why not just relax and focus on graduating? Well the answer is simple: I believe in the Chippewa Valley and I believe in what we are trying to do. I also believe that all of you will believe in us as well.

In early June, we plan on opening Eau Claire's premiere art incubator. We expect to be located at 120 Graham Avenue (the old FS Appliance and TV building). We will be known as Destini Artworks, Incorporated.

We are surrounded by an amazing pool of artis­tic talent in the Chippewa Valley. The University and local high-schools are filled with wonderful artists. If you go downtown or visit Banbury Place, you will find several stores and art studios. On any given night, you can go to several local clubs and find talented musicians or other artists. Our mission is to provide a venue for artists of all types. We plan on offering a central location where artists can share ideas with other artists and at the same time develop their own skills. We will embrace all forms of art from painting, theatre, music, martial arts, writing, and everything in between.

Destini Artworks will appeal to all age groups. Our motto is "Artists from 8 to 80." No matter what your level of expertise or field of art, we will have something for you. We plan on having painting by the hour. We will provide canvas or pottery to paint. We will have an art gallery that well-known local artists can display and sell their work in. We will provide wall space for consignment of artwork from all types of artists. Destini Artworks will have a classroom for workshops and meetings. We plan on providing rehearsal space for music and theatre groups. In return for that rehearsal space, these groups will be able to put on shows for all mem­bers of the public. Does your child have a birthday coming up? Have their party at Destini Artworks. They can paint on canvas or paint pottery. To round all of this out, we will have a coffee bar which will have a wide selection of fine beverages. We will be alcohol-free and smoke-free to appeal to ages and all groups.

The seven owners of Destini Artworks all come from the many genres of art. We have painters, sketch artists, graphic design artists, musicians, actors, martial artists, & photographers. The one thing we can all say with certainty is, at some point, someone took the time to encourage and help foster our talents and dreams. That is the goal of Destini Artworks. All of us have called Eau Claire home for a number of years. We want to give back to the community that has given so much to us. We plan on having monthly charity events and work­ing towards a scholarship of the arts. We want to work with all businesses in Eau Claire to help create economic growth. The current downtown revitalization project provides a perfect opportunity to do just that.

Imagine, if you will, the sidewalk artists of the great cities and imagine walking down the main sidewalk of downtown Eau Claire where you can watch artists painting on the other side of the window. Imagine walking into Destini Artworks and seeing your favorite local musician putting on an acoustic set of music, or imagine seeing a group of local actors putting on a play. Imagine a relaxing coffee lounge area where you and friends can come and enjoy a peaceful lunch in an artistic atmosphere. Imagine a place where your knitting group can hold their weekly gathering. Imagine a place where you can sign up for acting lessons or self-defense classes. Imagine a place where you can bring your children to learn to paint. Imagine a place where local artists can develop their skills and carry those talents out into the world. Imagine a place called Destini Artworks.

Art documents and performances help create our history and culture. The bounds of human creativity are limitless. We hope to provide a venue to nurture and foster all forms of art. By doing this, we can cultivate our community. We hope you will join us in this worthy endeavor.