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Articulate City is a Sister Act |
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Written by Erin Frustaci
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Thursday, 12 April 2007 |
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 The Sutter sisters were tired of being the youngest in the room. In a city where art thrives, they noticed people their age were missing out.
“We spent a lot of time going out around Fort Collins to these great art events or live music, which seemed to be typically attended by a largely retired crowd,” 35-year-old Julie said.
Instead of just complaining about it, she and her sister Jeanie, 30, took action.
They held a “focus group” in their backyard and invited friends and friends of friends — all 20- and 30-somethings. In reality, it wasn’t that these young people didn’t like art, but rather there was so much going on, they didn’t know which events to choose.
“With 27 different calendars of events in town, it can be overwhelming,” Julie said.
Other reasons were that some people felt uncomfortable going alone or were intimidated by art.
“An environment sometimes exists with art that has the potential to be stuffy,” Jeanie said.
To change this, the sisters formed Articulate City, a social networking group for the arts open to anyone and everyone. Each month Articulate organizes a party that includes some kind of art/culture/music/ entertainment activity, food and drinks and good company.
“We want to help people realize that there are cool things happening in Fort Collins and you don’t always have to go to Denver,” Jeanie said.
Articulate City charges $200 for an annual membership, $25 in advance or $30 at the door for any given event. Last month, the group saw “Urinetown: The Musical” at The Nonesuch Theater. Though Articulate City is young, with only three events so far, it is growing. The sisters have 28 annual members and 40-50 people showing up at each event.
“We have a feeling this is going to be big,” Jeanie said.
Jeanie and Julie have always enjoyed trying new things and grew up in a house where music was always around. They hope to eventually organize several Articulate City events a month.
“We would be doing these things anyway,” Julie said. “Now we just have 50 more friends to go with.”
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VITAL STATS
Name: Julie Sutter, 35, and Jeanie Sutter, 30, both of Fort Collins
Company: Articulate City
Title: Co-owners
How long have you worked there? Started business in January
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IN THEIR WORDS
What impresses you?
When people are authentic, even if it’s bizarre. Michael McDonald is your favorite singer? Great! We support you! Ya Mo B There!
What doesn’t?
When people take arts and culture ultra-seriously. Art can be fun … and funny!
If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing?
Jeanie: Designing accessories out of re-used/recycled materials.
Julie: Reading a lot more and writing a lot more.
Both: Traveling.
What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever done to make money?
Jeanie: Working bingo nights.
Julie: Working in the lingerie department at Wal-Mart.
Both: Auctioning ourselves off as a double-date for a local charity event.
Any interesting anecdotes?
We have an entire closet in our house dedicated entirely to costumes. People come over and put them on at random times. Mayhem ensues regularly.
What do you do during your breaks?
Jeanie: Log on to www.perezhilton.com and read it unapologetically.
Julie: Perform improv one-act melodramas about how insane my schedule is.
What’s the biggest payoff in your job?
When someone comes up to us after an event and says “That was INCREDIBLE. I never would have come here on my own if you wouldn’t have told me about it.”
Pets?
None. Jeanie’s been afraid to get attached to a pet since her beta fish, Al, died. The toilet ceremony was very touching and tastefully done, but stressful.
Family?
One other sister (between us in age) who lives in Colorado Springs, plus lots and lots of extended family in Sterling. Go Tigers!
TV?
We don’t have a TV. Not that we’re against TV, it’s just harder to meet new people and experience life from your couch.
Books?
“The World According to Garp”, “Dune”, the Harry Potter series, lots of business books. Favorite authors include Stephen King, Augusten Burroughs, David Sedaris, Alice Hoffman, Dennis Lehane. Jeanie tends toward depressing stories about struggle. Julie leans toward books on spiritual wisdom and mysticism. Maybe they’re actually reading the same books sometimes? Hmmm.
What makes you get out of bed in the morning?
Knowing that our incredibly enthusiastic Articulate City members are counting on us to plan fun events and keep them in the know about art around town.
How do young/new employees get ahead?
By combining your enthusiasm with a strong work ethic. And by getting involved; you can’t expect success if you’re always sitting meekly on the sidelines. Join something! Do something! Participate.
What is it about this job that makes it challenging?
We both own other businesses, so finding time to make it all fit in every day.
Did you ever think in a million years that you’d work here?
Owning our own business? Yes. Owning this particular business? No.
What’s the smartest thing you’ve ever done while at work?
Attracting members to the group who are excited about the arts, and excited about Articulate City, and liable to tell others about it completely out of the blue.
What’s the one thing you wish you could do on the job that you can’t right now?
Have enough money to contribute to a retirement account.
What’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever done while at work?
Introducing CSU’s Jane Slusarski-Harris as “The Dance Head” instead of “Director of Dance”. Very IN-articulate.
What’s one thing about your job you would do, even if you weren’t paid to do it?
Well, the truth is, we’re a startup, so we’re NOT really getting paid for any of it right now. So, ummm … everything? Donations, anyone?
Name one thing in your life that really prepared you for your job.
Throwing parties and meeting people. And having diverse interests and friends.
What do you do when you’re not at work?
Travel, hang out with family, read a lot, and listen to tons of music.
Are you the boss? Do you think you should be?
Julie: Yes. Jeanie: Yes.
Seriously, though, you really have to clearly define roles and divide the labor, particularly in a family business, or you end up screaming at each other.
Movies?
“Say Anything”, “If Lucy Fell”, “Bull Durham”, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”. Anything directed by John Hughes (up until the Macaulay Culkin years, that is – sellout!), anything directed by Rob Reiner or Christopher Guest.
What Web sites do you have bookmarked?
www.articulatecity.com
www.artsalivefc.org
www.pandora.com
www.youtube.com
www.onelook.com
http://farstrider.net/DeepThoughts/Handey.htm
http://bitchphd.blogspot.com
www.perezhilton.com
Where do you play?
Lee Martinez Park, local theaters, local breweries and New York City.
Where do you eat?
Pueblo Viejo, JeJu, Choice City Butcher and Deli and Café Ardour.
Favorite spot?
Old Town!
Bonus question (you didn’t ask this, but we’ll tell you anyway):
What music have you been listening to lately?
Jeanie: The Weepies, Shawn Colvin, Dave Barnes, Sarah Harmer and Wham!
Julie: Paolo Nutini, Belle & Sebastian, Coby Brown, Van Hunt and The Police | Only registered users can write comments.
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