Are you looking for the perfect painting or photograph to hang above your fireplace in Newburyport? Perhaps a sculpture as a focal point for the bedroom?
Art Walk is a self guided tour of Newburyport’s finest galleries and craft stores. The event allows participants to view a wide variety of art in a wide range of mediums at their own pace and in a less intimidating context. Organized by the group of participating galleries, the Newburyport Art Association and multi-media craft shoppes those involved pay annual dues to run the event and promote the four planned weekends and the many artists who will be showcased.
Valerie of Valerie’s Gallery at 28 State Street has participated since the first “Gallery Walk” in 2002. She and the other inaugural members saw that these types of events were gaining popularity in other cities like Rockport. Newburyport was a natural extension as it already drew art lovers from a wide area of New England and had the existing infrastructure in place with landmarks like the Firehouse Theatre to participate. She says that the original mission has stayed the same, to have, “a light and friendly way to visit galleries, enjoy special events such as demonstrations, refreshments, music and to learn about the art represented at the various galleries.”
There is presently no business sponsor and the participants cover promotional expenses and currently run the event themselves. The formula has worked well so far. The event has really grown organically by word or mouth and the high quality of artists represented.
The free map of galleries can be picked up at any participating location, (including Valerie’s Gallery and the Firehouse Theatre), the Newburyport Art Association and the Newburyport Chamber of Commerce.
A sample map can be seen here at the ArtWalk website.
ArtWalk Weekend Tours 2013