Maplewood Gothic. I couldn't help but think if Grant had only chosen Woodside, the restoration would have happened a long time ago. all we'd be worried about now would be parking for the tour buses. never underestimate the power of art (or Photoshop for that matter). With apologies to Grant Wood, all relatives and the Chicago Art Institute.
What does Maplewood history have to do with one of the most famous American paintings, American Gothic? Well the answer is almost nothing but that won’t stop me from posting a blog about it anyhow.
Maplewood Gothic. I couldn’t help but think if Grant Wood had only chosen Woodside, the restoration would have happened a long time ago. All we’d be worried about now would be parking for the tour buses. Never underestimate the power of art (or Photoshop for that matter). With apologies to Grant Wood, all relatives living and dead and the Art Institute of Chicago.
This is seriously “the bomb!” It needs to be put on a poster with the slogan, “SAVE WOODSIDE. GRANT WOOD WOULD IF HE COULD” or something far more clever, of course, for a whole new campaign. Then, circulate the poster to all businesses in Maplewood with requests for donations. Hold a BBQ or some kind of cook-out in Woodside’s front yard, get Maplewood restaurants to donate the food, charge admission, sell raffle tickets with a $500 prize (or a value of some kind consisting of gift cards donated by Maplewood businesses.). Give attendees an opportunity to make suggestions as to possible future uses of Woodside and how it can sustain itself. Offer a free B&B weekend to the winning suggestion (this, too, could be donated by an area B&B in exchange for some free PR.). Maybe if the Maplewood community can be lured to the Woodside’s site and get involved in some activities, they will understand why preserving it would be in the interest of the community. I’m not sure if a handful of passionate, die-hard preservationists will be able win this battle without an area-wide very loud, very visible campaign that appeals to the general public. I’d be happy to help!
Tee Shirts too..!!!
This is seriously “the bomb!” It needs to be put on a poster with the slogan, “SAVE WOODSIDE. GRANT WOOD WOULD IF HE COULD” or something far more clever, of course, for a whole new campaign. Then, circulate the poster to all businesses in Maplewood with requests for donations. Hold a BBQ or some kind of cook-out in Woodside’s front yard, get Maplewood restaurants to donate the food, charge admission, sell raffle tickets with a $500 prize (or a value of some kind consisting of gift cards donated by Maplewood businesses.). Give attendees an opportunity to make suggestions as to possible future uses of Woodside and how it can sustain itself. Offer a free B&B weekend to the winning suggestion (this, too, could be donated by an area B&B in exchange for some free PR.). Maybe if the Maplewood community can be lured to the Woodside’s site and get involved in some activities, they will understand why preserving it would be in the interest of the community. I’m not sure if a handful of passionate, die-hard preservationists will be able win this battle without an area-wide very loud, very visible campaign that appeals to the general public. I’d be happy to help!
Ralf, You have laid it out! The blueprint is there. Are you dialed in Friends of Woodside? Don’t forget the tee shirts.
Love it!!!