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There is a fledgling group that has formed to aid, support, network, listen, and build what artists are telling them they need to succeed and prosper. The organization is calling themselves The Parkside Arts Council. Their vision is that Antrim and Kalkaska counties become centers for a thriving artist community.

Performing artists, visual artists, writers, and other artists usually are good at their particular talent. That is their strength, and the council wants them to be able to do spend most of their time doing just that while a support group takes care of their needs.

Needs could encompass promotion and marketing, networking with other artists in their field, providing workshops on materials, techniques, and economics, and may even include a physical place to work, perform or display.

The Parkside Arts Council wants to make our area a place where it is easy for an artist to succeed, thereby attracting more artists to the area, and bringing out those "closet" artists who already reside here. They want all types of artists to view our area as one of great opportunity.

It's always curious how a movement like this gets started. In this case it was a pure happenstance meeting between two Antrim County residents at a local restaurant who had not known each other before. Meet Diana Milock and Amanda Kik.

After that first meeting, there were a couple of coffee get togethers, where the two women discovered a mutual interest in the arts and for supporting artists. In fact, Amanda and her husband Brad were passionate and devoted to this cause. Discussions and brainstorming came in waves, as the vision began to take a more feasible form.

The true test came when this core group of pioneers decided to organize an event that would attract artists and afford them an opportunity to listen to what those artists needed to be successful. There were 100 people at that first meeting. Again, the concept was, "Let's listen, and see what they need." The result: the artists did have real needs, and basically nowhere to turn for help. The visionaries, Milock and the Kiks, felt like their initial mission was verified, so they moved ahead.

They are currently in the process of doing their homework, seeking out grants, and composing a formal mission statement. The progress is on sound footing now that they know what artists need. Milock describes the organization as, "An outreach to all forms of the arts: theatre, music, visual artists, and writers. There is nothing political about our group."

At this point, this core group of organizers need you. Are you an actor looking for a stage? A dancer looking for costumes? A seamstress who wonders if the clothing you have made is art? A singer looking for musicians? A watercolorist who needs marketing direction? A person who knows of an available space in Antrim or Kalkaska counties? Someone who has a friend with talent who just needs to be brought out of his or her workshop? You are all out there.

The vision is there for the Parkside Arts Council. They see a main facility with many satellite studios throughout the counties. The founders have already proven themselves to be master networkers. If you would like to get in on the action, there are websites, email addresses, and phone numbers for you. Check out the Kik's website: www.ARTmeetsEARTH.org.

Email Diana Milock at: dmilock@chartermi.net. There is an exciting momentum here that can only enhance our communities and allow our artists to flourish.