Why the art festival roves and where we're roving to

About Us Home What we do for artists and why Why the art festival roves and where we're roving to Why Mike Likes Bikes Guerilla Urban Camping The Artopium Art Troupe

Written by Michael Betthauser, Owner, May 2008 I have to admit, that for a time I've wanted to do some kind of adventurous journey through far-away lands. When I was 8 years old I used to sit around and daydream of taking long treks through the Rocky Mountains, or through the Amazon rain forests. Of course, being 8 years old, I also imagined I was on some perilous mission to rescue an ancient artifact, like Indiana Jones or something. So it came naturally to me that I would want to take the Artopium art festivals on the road with me; on a journey to discover new and exciting art from all over the world. Artopium's Roving Festival is starting out in Austin, Texas for a number of reasons. First, there's a ton of music, art, film, fashion, books and much more here. It's a mecca for the arts, even despite it's current gentrification. Second, the temperature is moderate enough that one can easily camp through an entire year. Third, I freakin' love this town! Artopium is currently roving within the Austin city borders via bicycle, as a form of preparation for various greater journeys. I like to think of this action as being similar to a flock of birds flying in various circular patterns to make calls to other birds to join their flock for migration. I, too, am circling Austin (on my bicycle), throwing festivals, seeking others of like mind to join me on my journey to far-away lands. There are several long distance bicycle, urban camping journies that are planned for the Roving Festival. The first several small trips I have planned are coming up this Summer (2008) possibly in May and June. The first trip I have planned is a simple one, From Austin, TX to the local national park and campsite "McKinney Falls". There is also the possibility of making a small trip to a very cool place just outside of Austin called "The Hundred Acre Wood". For my first long distance ride, I will be going from Austin to San Antonio. This trip is mostly to prepare for long distance journeys and may not have an event associated with it. Hopefully by mid summer 2008 I will be undertaking my longest U.S. journey from Austin, TX to Denver, CO with a possible festival planned for Denver. After this I hope to be followiing my friend Freeman to this years Rainbow Gathering where I will be helping with the Millaways kitchen. And for my first European tour, I will hopefully be cycling from Amsterdam to Berlin, by way of the Czech Republic, throwing as many festivals along the way as I can. I plan for this trip to start at the beginning of 2009. Hope to see you there! Check out the next article "Why Mike Likes Bikes". Sponsor Mike. Your bicycle or camping equipment company will receive a lot of attention as Mike and his Artopium Art Troupe rove through Europe and the U.S. throwing festivals. Could Mike be riding your company's bicycles, using your company's camping gear, talking about your company, putting your logo on a large banner at the festivals, and placing your logo on all of the Artopium related websites? Could the story on this page be about your brand equipment or store? Let us know what you think! Or, check out these ready-made sponsorship packages that you can order online right now. Make a donation. Don't have a logo but want to help anyway? Make a donation to the Artopium Art Troupe to help fund their next festival and travels. Your money goes to a good cause and helps under-funded art and music to have a new and unique place to be expressed and enjoyed by local communities around the world.