Seesaw Gallery and local businesses launch 'Second Saturday' arts series, ask Englewood City for support

Hailey Schneider, representing Seesaw Gallery, told the Englewood City Cultural Arts Commission that a group of local galleries and arts organizations will begin a recurring "Second Saturday" series this weekend to coordinate open hours and events across multiple venues.

Schneider said Redline has opened studios, Access is sharing space with Los Phantasmas, N Collective recently moved off Santa Fe, and the Curtis Center and several businesses are taking part. "We thought, let's get together, share open hours, give people a reason to come down, go to multiple spaces, eat dinner," Schneider said. She said an interactive map showing participating venues and events is in development.

A city staff member said the city can support community events in different ways but that the city's official social-media channels typically promote events only when the city is a sponsor or provides funding (for example, a grant from the Cultural Affairs Commission or a business-acceleration award). The staff member explained that policy is intended to keep the city's social channels equitable given the volume of requests.

Commissioners and gallery representatives discussed outreach channels and logistics. Schneider said she maintains a working list of participating venues and offered to share contact information with the commission. Commissioners suggested ways to connect with the schools and with local businesses to expand awareness.

Schneider asked whether the city could post the event on its channels for the first Second Saturday; a staff member said the commission can support the effort in other non-sponsored ways and suggested that formal sponsorship or grant funding would allow the city's official channels to promote the event.

The commission did not take a formal vote on sponsorship at the meeting. Schneider left printed materials and contact information for follow-up.