Our town of Coldwater, MI had it's semi-annual ArtWalk, sponsored by Arts Alive, last thursday evening in the shops and restaurants of the downtown area.
It was a crisp, dry autumn evening and attendance was good but not great. Participating venues offered refreshments and there was a ticket that attendees had stamped at each stop with the possibility of winning a prize at the end of the evening.
The artists included three photographers, two watercolorists, tile mosaic, monoprint and a four-piece band!
They were:
Sean Chess ~ Digital Photography
Kathryn Barnes ~ Watercolor
Dia Massey ~ Photography
Joan Larsen ~ Monoprint
Kalyn Parnell ~ Tile Mosaic
John Garrett ~ Watercolor
Stephanie Parshall ~ Photography
Arts Alive ~ "High Seas" ~ Mixed Media
16th Avenue Band ~ Music
I spoke to several artists who had sold artwork during the evening, despite low attendance, and everyone seemed positive and thought it was a worthwhile venture, from an increased exposure standpoint.
Joan Larsen, the monoprint artist, lives and works in Spring Arbor, MI and in 2008 was invited to design an ornament for the White House Christmas Tree. She attended the December 2, 2008 Artist Reception, along with husband Steve, at The White House, hosted by the First Lady, Laura Bush. She has exhibited work in numerous juried competitions, both locally and statewide, including a one-woman show at The University of Michigan.
So, I'm curious...are there other towns in Michigan (or elsewhere) that have similar events, art walks, gallery crawls, etc. and how do you feel about participating in them? Is it worth the hassle? Would first-time exhibitors benefit from the exposure? Is it a good off-season / Holiday investment in time and money or not so much?
Let me know what you think...as a newcomer, I'd value any input you could offer up.
Replies
Christina, what are monoprints?
I was there -- but how did I miss the band? Was that while I was doing shots of wine at the coffee shop?
Here's another cool event coming up in Ann Arbor:
Westside Neighborhood Art Hop
12.14.13 12-5PM
The boundary for the Art Hop is the neighborhood bordered by Liberty,
Seventh Street, Pauline, and Eberwhite Woods. Residents within this boundary are welcome to offer their homes as venues and show their own art, that of artist-friends, or of artists that the organizing committee can refer to them. If you are interested in participating as a venue or an artist, email lnisson@comcast.net with the subject "Westside Neighborhood Art Hop."
Hey Connie, the band was at the coffee shop...remember? I don't think you'd had any wine yet, had you?
The Ann Arbor Art Hop sounds really cool, have you ever been to one? Love the idea of people opening their homes for this, kind of a combination home tour and art walk...