Check Out Whitney and Patrick’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitney and Patrick.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
When the pandemic hit, a lot of art spots closed. There was a void in the Fort Collins art scene. I (Whitney) had just moved back to Colorado from Florida where I had found art on the streets a few times. It was such a fun experience and I thought Fort Collins was a perfect spot for a free Art Friday movement. I looked around but realized no one had started one and thought “Well, why not me?”

So I framed some collages and sewed a few little mushroom plushies and set them out in old town Fort Collins with little tags explaining why they were there. Patrick joined a few months later, bringing his amazing photography, digital art, and cyanotype prints. Since then, we’ve had a bunch of local artists reach out and donate art to the cause.

We have people who go out every Friday with friends to search for art. It’s truly a beautiful community. And a community that exists solely under the belief that art is for everyone regardless of class, race, or background…art is for everyone.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think our biggest challenge has just been outreach. Neither Patrick nor I am super social creatures so getting the word out has been solely through art drops, art shows, and social media.

It only took 2 years but we are finally working on getting a logo and getting stickers and fliers made about who we are, why we are doing what we are doing, and how others can get involved.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
We are committed to providing free art to Fort Collins communities. We love being a part of the art scene in town because it’s so diverse and welcoming. We have so many talented friends from diverse backgrounds and we really treasure that.

We’re so proud to be in our second year of free art drops! I think the thing that sets us apart from others is we encourage EVERYONE to participate regardless of whether you consider yourself an artist or not. We’ll set out a crayon drawing if someone wants to donate it to us because the right person will see it and appreciate it.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
The art scene is always changing and I feel the best way to roll with those changes is to allow yourself to be fluid in your art. Allow yourself to grow and change and seek inspiration from people and things around you. Be the art you want to see in this world.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Www.instagram.com/focofreeartfriday