Once a month the city of Syracuse opens its doors, exposing an array of art forms to the masses. In order to promote art interest in the community, art venues throughout Syracuse host a monthly event called Th3.

Th3 is a series of free events, shows and receptions held on the third Thursday of every month from 5 to 8 p.m. at 24 of Syracuse’s most popular art venues. This month’s Th3 will include a talk by illustrator Kianga Ford at The Warehouse Gallery, sneak previews of openings at Artrage and the Westcott Community Art Gallery, and much more.

Currently in its third year, Th3 started as a collaboration between the Everson Museum of Art and the Delavan Art Gallery, said Amy Komar, the current coordinator of the Th3 events.

‘It started to generate communication between arts venues and to engage the community in art,’ she said. ‘It now includes a very diverse group of art. The galleries have various specialties so everyone can find what they like.’

Elaine Quick, programs coordinator for The Warehouse Gallery, said patrons are able to choose which venues to visit depending on their favorite artistic form, whether it’s illustration, painting, folk art, photography or any other form of art.

Quick said the number of Th3 patrons has risen steadily since the start of the event almost three years ago. However, she also explained that not as many students come to the events as organizers would like.

‘At The Warehouse it has mostly been community, which is a little surprising. When architecture was in the building it was about a third students, but now it’s mostly community.’

Many students simply do not know that the event is taking place, while others expressed concerns about its setup.

‘I’ve never heard of it before and art is interesting, but I have class and homework during the week, so I probably wouldn’t go,’ said Tiffany Poole, a communications and rhetorical studies major. ‘If it were open on the weekends I might go.’

Komar plans on changing that. She said that Th3 is currently working with local newspapers, including The Post-Standard, to create videos of Th3 events to post on their website.

Quick also explained that although only a small number of students attend the events specifically at The Warehouse, student involvement behind the scenes is an important part of the Th3 events as a whole. Both Quick and Komar explained that students are always welcome to come to the events and get involved.

‘Everyone can attend the events, but we always need people with more direct involvement in the Web site, shows, and to help come up with new ideas,’ Komar said.

ampaye@syr.edu

Published on January 14, 2009 at 12:00 pm