07/18/2026
Well, for the most part, the cat's out of the bag. Yes, Mountain View Provisions LLC played a significant role in the development of the
Helper Arts Festival web presence.
I'm aware this likely won't change the opinions of the crowd that sees controversy in using AI to generate visual media. But hopefully this will shed some light on the creative energy I've witnessed and had the pleasure of being part of.
When I came into the festival to work on the website, the vision was totally different. A more basic, "expected" method was being used.
Then it all unraveled. Creative differences with a commissioned artist led to a pullback, ultimately causing the remaining PR team to make a decision that, as it stands now, was a wiser choice.
Many believe what they want about the poster. But I can tell you, between the brainstorming, the creative meeting at Oren's place, and the
Hours into days of code work and development, the soul that many say doesn't exist is very much alive and sentient in this festivals theme
The website is layered and offers something for everyone. As we get closer to the festival, more content on the individual artists, vendors, theater aspects, film features, and the car show will all come to life.
The site is built for it: featured bios, photos, links to socials, and more, so festival goers can revisit the moment that captured or inspired them. We've all been to events and forgotten a name, or regretted not buying something. This website closes that gap and then some. Allowing the visitor to revisit at will :)
It's my sincere hope that I, and my company, can keep providing space for creative energy to show up through code. To prove that code can, in fact, be art. And maybe over time, other festivals will catch the vision of a fully built out production.
If the artist community wants a different approach next year, now is the time to start. Reach out to the director, the board, and the Helper Engine team, and let them know you want in on designing the next spread. No matter what your visual art form is, painting, illustration, photography, mixed media, whatever you work in... if it works, it works, right?
I'd love the challenge of mutating the website to fit your vision. Give me something bold to build around and I'll make the code bend to meet it.
I appreciate all the support and kudos this project has received. In the coming days, I'll be sharing more about what was built and how others in our community can benefit from it.
https://helperartsfestival.com
