jaxunderbelly

Cherri Czajkowski

 Here we go with another great interview by local biking enthusiast Cherri Czajkowski.  Cherri has been hosting themed “Women’s Rides” on the last Sunday of every month and is now jumping on her newest idea which involves organizing an art show to take place at the end of this year.

1. It’s so nice to meet you Cherri.  Would you tell me a little about yourself?  What brought you to Jacksonville?  In short, I am a socially awkward person who gets bored with normal existence.  I have a lot of interests, and enough ADHD to try and do ‘em all.  I’ve lived in the Jacksonville/Orange Park area since about fifth grade.  Went to UNF for two years and then left to live in Philly for a year, I came back June ‘08. 

2.  Tell me about the Monthly Women’s Ride you have been hosting and what you have planned for the future.  The Women’s Ride typically happens on the last Sunday of every month and usually has a ‘theme’ to it.  While initially it started as women’s -only, it quickly grew to encompass all genders as a steady-paced, 10-15 mile ride through downtown.  I believe this city needs more organized rides, more ways of getting people interacting, and isn’t cruising down some leafy by-streets a great way to meet new friends?!  In the future I’d like to incorporate events around the women’s ride, in order to have it grow from being just a bike ride, to something a little bit more.  After all, I understand not everyone loves biking, or maybe does but not in a group, but I know we’ve got to have some other things in common.  For example, in September, the Saturday before we had a big band night at Steamworks where a lot of riders came out, as well as a bunch of other music enthusiasts.  In December, I want to host another band night and art show, both with a women-positive focus as it will be our one year anniversary.

3.  I also see you have a blog, http://makeitactionville.blogspot.com/, which looks like a great place to brainstorm and keep new ideas flowing.  Was that your intention and how has the community reacted to your ideas?  That was my exact intention, and its recently really starting to take speed.  In the last month I’ve had several people come up to me with projects they wanted to get off the ground, and get word out.  Which is effing awesome!  My want in all this is to see Jacksonville with a strong and diverse community such as Portland, Chicago, Austin, etc.  I want people to say, let’s visit Jax for a weekend they’ve got some great shows/businesses/alternative spaces/activities. 

 4.  Tell me your thoughts on the local Jax art scene.  Why have you decided to get involved?  Art has never been a personal strength, in fact the couple art electives I took in college turned out to be the ones I had the hardest time with!  That said, a lot of active people in Jacksonville are foremost into art, with a lot making some really great pieces.  I’m in love with the recent JAXPAC street art, because not only did more than one person work cohesively on it, but street art brings work to people who wouldn’t normally go to a gallery show.  While at the same time, I believe the people behind JAXPAC also regularly show their art.  This kind of dualism in community and more personal pieces really got me thinking about our city’s artists, and how much they are a part of our city.  I see a lot of great pieces around town at art walks/First Fridays in Five Points/etc., but how do we get more people out to these types of events in general?  What would happen if more artists started working together on bigger projects?  In the end, me wanting to get involved with the local art scene is kind of my way of saying, ‘I appreciate what you do, but can we work together and get more people doing more, in order to create a larger and stronger community?’

 5.  I admire your positive approach and ambition.  Is there anyone here locally that you draw inspiration from?  While theres a lot of great people doing stuff here, I don’t know if it’s so much inspiration from that as past experiences, particularly in Philly.  Before I left, I was just waiting for Jacksonville to be a better city (I guess it’s just been an annoying gut feeling saying there has to be more).  But in Philly I saw it was people, no different from myself, who were the ones making that city so awesome.  I realized if you want something you can’t wait around for someone else to start it, you have to stand up and act.  If you’re doing something worthwhile enough, the support will come to you. 

Call to Artists

6.  Thank you for your time Cherri.  Please tell us how to be a part of your upcoming events!  Email me; or if you see me, stop and talk to me.  If you’re into something, talk to me about it, we can make it happen.

CALLING ALL ARTISTS!
2010 Jacksonville Jazz Festival Poster Contest
Submission Deadline: September 1, 2009
2010 Poster Contest Parameters (PDF)
Do you have a great idea for the 2010 Jacksonville Jazz Festival poster? The winning artist will receive a cash prize and festival perks associated with being the artist of the 2010 Jacksonville Jazz Festival commemorative poster. Submit your vision for the 2010 poster today!

5 Points T-Shirt Design Contest

You’re staring at a computer screen already.  You’ve got skills.  How about putting them on a T-Shirt.  E-mail submissions to: 5pointsshirtcontest@gmail.com by September 1st 2009.