Artists and vendors say they plan to defy city orders banning outdoor tables and food trucks at ArtHop — some of them directly, some of them more creatively.
Because of the 15,000 people who can show up on the street at the once-a-month event, Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias and Fresno Code Enforcement said outdoor vendors and food trucks would not be allowed at the Thursday, Aug. 1 event. He said that ArtHop had strayed from its origins as an indoor event.
Arias said they needed the month to figure out what the future of ArtHop would look like.
The announcement caught small business owners by surprise, with many saying they rely on ArtHop for their income.
Pedro Cullin Jr., who identified himself as a vendor, asked at Thursday’s Fresno City Council meeting what the fines would be for operating outdoors. He also asked if it would be a one-time fine or hourly.
“I’m just going to be out there that day regardless so I wanted to know what the fine would be,” Cullin said.
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Duo Has a Creative Workaround
Charlie Hazel and Eddie the Okay say they do a collaborative piece on the streets of downtown Fresno during ArtHop. While Hazel writes poetry, Eddie the Okay draws. If someone likes a piece, they sell it to them.
As Hazel addressed city council, Eddie drew a picture for Arias. Hazel said that Arias declined the piece.
Charlie Hazel (left) and Eddie the Okay hold artwork and a message for Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias Thursday, July 26, 2024. (GV Wire/David Taub)Hazel said setting up in protest wouldn’t contribute to the solution. But he said he would still go out there and advertise.
“I feel like I still have the right to do that,” Hazel said.
Hazel’s said he might don cardboard and attach his artwork to himself.
“And if someone wants to donate and pick a piece, they can pick a piece. I can’t see why I can’t just walk out there with a little cardboard thing,” Hazel said.
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Change.org Petition Circulated
The group Alley in the Valley started a petition Tuesday on Change.org calling on Arias to reverse the decision about the Aug. 1 ArtHop. As of publication of this story, it had 3,700 signatures.
Alley in the Valley founder Dakari Cleveland helps vendors get business licenses. He says he helps activate “underutilized” spaces in Fresno. He wrote on the petition that he plans on being on the street this coming Thursday.
“This announcement by Council Member Arias was wrong and immoral. This decision by Arias’ office will affect so many artists, micro-businesses/vendors, musicians, families, downtown bricks and mortar, and most of all the entire Arthop community that loves to enjoy what Downtown Fresno has to offer every 1st Thursday,” Cleveland wrote on his petition.
