ArtWalk celebrates 25 years of showcasing local talent
By Nelson Daily Staff
The event has been a mainstay to local artists in the Heritage City for more than two decades.
Friday, the Nelson & District Arts Council welcomes the public to the 25th ediition of ArtWalk located a various businesses in and around the downtown core.
“ArtWalk is not just about showcasing local artists but also about selling,” Event Producer Joy Barrett told The Nelson Daily.
“It’s very hard to make a living in art so this is an opportunity for artists who can’t show their work in a gallery or other venue to showcase their talent.”
Barrett said this year ArtWalk features 36 artists to showing their work at 16 venues from Baker Street down to Front Street.
Friday first opening features 16 of those artists.
Friday, August 2, ArtWalk organizers will stage a second opening showcasing 16 other artists.
“Last year we set a record for sales with $18,000,” Barrett said.
“I hoping we can top that again this year.”
Barrett said the long history of ArtWalk is proof of its success.
“ArtWalk offers area artists the opportunity to have their work viewed by more than a thousand art-lovers, gives downtown businesses a doorway into creative culture and is a veritable feast for the ArtWalking public,” Barrett explains.
Friday’s gala opening runs from 6-9 p.m. and features live music, artist performances, sand sculptors, chalk artists, face painting and more.
The evening begins with a parade down the 400 block of Baker Street led by the Kootenay Kiltie Pipe Band.
“(The parade features) participants in a lively march around the ArtWalk route,” Barrett said.
“Keep an eye out for 20 poems by local writers that will be featured in locations along the route, part of ArtWalk’s “Poetry Lives Here” project.”
More information, including brochures and maps, is available at the Chamber of Commerce, Touchstones, at participating venues or online at http://www.ndac.ca
