The Art Walk on Friday evening is always a lot of fun. There is almost more art and music than one can take in throughout one evening.
Friday evening was on the warm side, but what a beautiful evening to walk around the streets of downtown Lancaster and soak up the ambiance of art. music and good food.
This year, there were 42 venues that played host to 65 local and regional artists. Attendees enjoyed water colors, acrylic oils, photography, sculptures - including the eye-catching outdoor sculptures placed around the downtown area - and handcrafted jewelry. Several of the artists included Linda Beverly who displayed Altered Photography at the new AHA Children’s Museum, and Trisha Clifford -Sprouse, who had acrylic paintings and handmade books at National City Bank. Trisha will conduct a workshop on visual arts for Major Arts for Minors on July 22 at the Decroative Arts Center of Ohio.
One place I stopped in was the Monarch Gallery which was host to a variety of artists. Every person, including me, was presented with a fabric gardenia, which I thought was a nice personal touch. I was also given a slip of paper and was asked to write down a painting that was my personal favorite. It was hard to choose because they were all so good. As hard as it was to not write down the beautiful giant sunflower painted by Sandra Packer, that was displayed prominantly in the window, I chose Curtain Call. If I had the money, I would buy it.
Sandra said this was the second year the Monarch Gallery has participated in the ArtWalk. She said it was so wonderful to see so many people stop in and enjoy the variety of painting displayed. She said it was good for business as well.
“I actually spent several hours outside and watching the scores of people walking around and enjoying the wide variety of art available,” Sandra said. “I came back in and have equally enjoyed watching the people having a good time while in here.”
Meeting people is another reason visitors come in droves to the downtown event. In some cases, it’s an annual reunion of sorts for people who may have moved away and return to Lancaster to enjoy the ArtWalk with old friends.
Mary Ann and Ken from California met up with former classmates and friends.
“My husband is an artist, so it’s good to see other works,” Mary Ann said. “Besides, we walk for about an hour every day. Coming to the ArtWalk is a good way to get in that exercise and enjoy wht’s offered here with friends.”
To that I say - so true!!
Recommendations for Saturday:
For the kids, go to any or all of the events during the Festival Fair Day at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds.
For the adults - by all means, go enjoy Wynonna at the Ohio University-Lancaster Wendel Concert Stage. With a full moon and great music - what a great setting for a date night!!!
July 21, 2008 at 9:07 am
Thanks for the kind words and good quotes about the Artwalk, Monarch Gallery, and my art!!!
Great exposure for all artists involved in the Lancaster Festival!
What a treasure for Central Ohio….Music, Fine art, acitivities for all ages and tastes!!!!
July 21, 2008 at 7:59 pm
I’d like to recommend the fellow exhibiting at Chase bank
July 21, 2008 at 8:42 pm
I’d like to recommend the display of drawings at Chase bank, in Broad st. forgive me, but I can’t remember the name of the artist there, I think it’s a Mr. James, or Jones or Jenkins, something beginning with ‘J’.
Anyway, I cannot recall seeing such an interesting series or works. This is the kind of thing that gives art a good name. The artist deftly combined all manner of ideas around the theme of multiculturalism via sound draftsmanship and a playful sense of humor; some of the titles are as good as any comedy writing going on right now.
See for yourself.
Simon
July 22, 2008 at 8:56 am
I concur… The Guy at Chase is exceptional. I’m a civil engineer, and don’t usually buy into the idea of modern art, considering it obscure and alienating, perhaps that’s part of the point, but surely the remit of art is to connect and open certain channels of communication which other areas of culture refuse to acknowledge?
This exhibit left a powerful impression. The artist, Matthew S Johns is his name by the way, had used visa application documents as a framework onto which he made pencil drawings. The drawings encompassed a range of ideas and references that rattled a (lead) sabre at the impositions of authority onto the individual, regardless of the type and location of regime in question. Porches with trap doors!
… and yes, at certain points the stuff is hilarious! Which I wouldn’t have considered do-able given the ‘political’ nature of the exhibit.
Bravo.
Tim Carpenter.