[Winona] visioning

[MJ Greenwald]

While we are brainstorming about the downtown and the arts scene, I'd like to throw in my two cents and remind folks that Winona is a stained glass mecca.  We could design a walking tour around some of the local stained glass treasures.  Also, it might be worth commissioning some public stained glass art, to build on this glorious track record.  Maybe those who have a better sense for the downtown could suggest some locations.    The pottery studios on 5th Street are rented collaboratively by artists who also do their work there.  They often have classes and shows with collaborative aspects.  If some of the empty spaces in the downtown, particularly upstairs rooms, could be renovated for studios at an affordable rate, you might get some of that kind of traffic and interest in the downtown.  In Minneapolis, the artists went into lots of empty warehouse spaces and eventually made the downtown very trendy.  It could happen here too.  The key is to find a way to make it affordable.  Organizations like Artspace can help.  Support from the city would be helpful.   Martha Greenwald   My website:  www.geocities.com/imagine7229