Roberts

Hello readers. My name is Clara Robertson, and I’d like to take a minute to tell you about me.

I’m a mother to a beautiful little girl, a writer, a singer and a traveler. If there is one thing I’ve learned in my life, it is simply that life will surprise you. It may be with people or places or random experiences, but rest assured that you have no idea what’s coming next. That is what I intend to highlight in this blog. The surprising ways that people find inspiration, the stories behind what they do and the beautiful things they feel and create.

In joining the “AltArts” team, I’d like to give you a glimpse into the past, a not-yet-seen piece of art, a deeply moving song — at least it is to the musician — and take you into some of the more overlooked subcultures of our fair world. Here, I will give you new things to think about, challenge what you know about art and artists in all walks of life, and I will do it while sharing my personal opinions and experiences. I look forward to introducing you to talented people from all over the region, updating you on events and, of course, giving you my spin on it.

So, intrigued reader. Come here to be the first to experience that local writer’s story, or hear the girl next door let go in song. Find out what motivates them, ways that you can get involved in the arts yourself, and maybe even find out something you didn’t know. I look forward to sharing with you all and meeting you, discovering your stories and all the ways that you and the person next to you will surprise and inspire me.

Clara Robertson

Begley

“Alternative to what?” a friend asked incredulously, when I shared the news about my new alternative arts blogging gig. Resisting the urge to wax snobbish and weave a tapestry of nonsense for him, I instead gave pause and considered his point.

In a nutshell, alternative art is an alternative to a putting art in a box, or perhaps more appropriately, a frame. Performance, found art, high concepts, soundscapes, installations, film, independent theater, design, community projects and any number of other possible avenues of expression could be covered here.

Artists are constantly pushing the envelope of expression and technique. They blur the lines between inspiration and entertainment and enrich our communities in the process. Through this forum, I hope to bring some attention to their creativity and craft.

While certainly not the only angler with its line in the water, an organization that has taken the alt-art bait hook, line-and-sinker is the Quincy Not So Fine Arts Society (NSFAS). Spearheaded by four Quincyans, the hodgepodge organization is “Dedicated to Illuminating the unheard/unseen music, theater, film, art, cooking and writing of Quincy and bringing it to the masses,” according to its Facebook page.

Not So Fine Arts Society logo

Having promoted such events as an “iron belly” competition, a traveling farce based upon the Lincoln Douglas debates and numerous other concerts and art exhibitions, the NSFAS has certainly made strides in helping to haul ashore the myriad of talent lurking in the waters of Quincy’s underground art scene.

While speaking with Alex Sanders, one of the group’s organizers, it was made clear that the laissez-faire approach to selecting the artists and styles of expression they choose to support has been an important key to their success thus far. “It’s really just about creating a venue for people to express themselves and get their creativity out there,”  Sanders said.

The primary vehicle for delivering their guerrilla arts message has been the Internet, so check out their Facebook page and get your face to the next event.