Submitted
The Nelson and District Arts Council’s 31st annual ArtWalk opened last week.
There were lots of smiles and good times after the rain showers subsided. Seventeen venues took part, ranging from restaurants and coffee shops to the boxing club — displaying 25-plus artists in the first of two ArtWalk opening nights. Sales where brisk at numerous venues with art lovers eager to support local artists’ newest works. The night also included dancers, musicians, puppeteers, and hula hoop performers that entertained the public and artists alike.
The evening included artists at each of the venues chatting with the public about their work, techniques, and their inspirations. Abby Wilson (showing at Remedy Rx) demonstrated her painting talents while Maya Heringa (showing at SHARE Nelson) led a kid-friendly watercolour workshop. Every year the Nelson and District Arts Council strives to create an ArtWalk that is a fun and fresh experience for art lovers and artists alike. Sometimes art is not all you get at ArtWalk.
Artist Louis Bockner (showing at the Nelson Boxing and Athletic Club) is donating all the proceeds of his ArtWalk sales to the Wait’s News relocation fund.
Save your brochure for the second ArtWalk opening that takes place Saturday, July 27 from 6 to 9 p.m. During this evening there will be participatory art spaces set up around town (as marked on the brochure map). These spaces will have canvases, typewriters, a mural practice wall, a drum kit, ukuleles, and more. All of these spaces will have instructors helping you become the artist.
(The Nelson and District Youth Centre renovations have excluded the centre from taking part in ArtWalk this year even though they are on the brochure.)
The Nelson and District Arts Council thanks the business community for their continued support of ArtWalk. The venues open up their spaces and their walls in support of the local arts community and we couldn’t continue this event without that support.
