Hello everyone, I'm new to AFI, but not to the arts community. I live in Chicago and have been housing arts for over 10 years. During show season, I have accommodated up to 6 guests in a 3bdrm condo. I'm going to list in the AFI classifieds. I'd like some input on what YOU would be looking for in terms of temporary housing during a show. Type of accommodations? Price? Ammenities that are important? Thanks for your help. I hope to meet some of you soon.
housing (3)
For any of you out there looking for a place to hang between shows in Northern Michigan, the lodge next to me is a great spot. It's inexpensive, is good for working or playing and has lots of vacancies this summer. Brethren Bungalows is in the small town of Brethren. It is right next to my cabins. Brethren is on the Manistee River which is an awesome fishing, tubing, canoeing river. It is about 15 minutes from Manistee and Lake Michigan. The lodge consists of 6 small 1-2 bedroom, clean and cozy cabins and a big house which rent for the day, week or month. You can look at their website: www.brethrenbungalows.com or call Patty at (231) 477-5588. Tell her I sent you...
Good Luck out there!
We moved to Coldwater, MI, that winter, chosen because there were big homes we could afford (which we needed to hold the studio, darkroom, framing area), it was within a few miles of the Indiana Toll Road (good for east-west travel), on a north-south Interstate and we could reach Cleveland, Indianapolis and Chicago within three hours, as well as our regular Michigan shows. Plus, it was so safe that some of our neighbors didn't even have keys to their houses, they left them unlocked. If your property got broken into the police would immediately catch the culprit because someone would know someone who knew who did it. It has been perfect for us.
Where to live is a continuous thread of conversation at the shows. Here is a terrific article by Susan Hegger from the St. Louis Beacon about Hannibal, MO, a haven for artists Joachim Knill, Janice Ho, Matthew Naftzger and others. They have bought houses, apartment buildings, old community centers, the old jail and are transforming the town.
Do read the article. It is full of information about artist's lives, earning a living and gives hope. Then tell us more about your life style choices.
