Artists on the streets? Why not?

This Grapevine article from March 2008 applies today:

I was talking with an artist/gallery owner the other day about the Art Stroll and we both agreed that the Grove needs to go back to some of its roots.

We would like to see working artists on the streets. Now she thinks they should sell their wares. I think they should paint only. No selling and they should only be local artists.

So as not to turn the place into a flea market or carnival, maybe three artists a day will work -- all through permit basis and they will rotate daily or weekly -- there would be a different set of artists each day. The artists will paint on canvas, and I think, add a little charm to the streets. The artists would hand out business cards and direct interested buyers to galleries or their homes for sales, but they would not be selling right there on the street. They would be only working and that would be the objective -- an artist at work, just part of the scenery.

This would only be for artists painting on canvas, no jewelry makers, no t-shirt designers, ceramics, etc. This would serve to add an artistic air to the area and give a working artist some outdoor scenery to paint before the public.They could move around and not be confined to one area, they could paint whatever strikes them.

I think this would add a lot of charm to the area and let the Grove stand out a bit. They do this in New Orleans and it really is quite charming to see an artist at work, oblivious to the people around, just enjoying being in their element.