Monday, July 18, 2011

Arts Commission of Greater Toledo Announces July Art Walk Venues & Features



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo (ACGT) is pleased to announce that Art Walk series will continue on Thursday, July 21. Art Walk is held each summer, on the third Thursday of each month, May through September. This is the Art Walk’s fourth season. 

Remaining 2011 Art Walk dates are August 18 and September 15. Hours are 6 – 9 p.m. 

The program is presented as part of the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo’s Live Work Create Toledo initiative, embracing economic development and revitalization through the arts. Under this umbrella, Art Walk is the sister program of Artomatic 419! and The Gallery Loop. 

The Art Walk has grown exponentially in its previous three short years, growing from featuring less than 10 venues in its first year and a slim attendance, to finishing the 2010 season with a peak attendance of more than 700, and featuring an average of 20 venues each month. 

The Art Walk offers Toledoans an opportunity to come out and explore their Downtown, visiting great locally-owned galleries, businesses, artist studios and other venues while perusing and purchasing unique, locally-crafted one-of-a-kind art work and gifts – all while enjoying the fresh summer air and getting a little exercise, be it walking, biking, or otherwise. 

This year, ACGT will continue the 2010 implementation of sponsoring local performers with “busking” (a.k.a. street performing) licenses from the City of Toledo, allowing them to perform legally on city sidewalks during the event while collecting tips. 

July’s sponsored street performers will be musicians Meaghan Roberts and Lucian Townes (both solo acoustic guitar players), musician Ian Welch, performance artist Katie Komuniecki, performance artist Bianca Marcia, experimental rock/jazz duo What’s Next and the funky musings of Earl Cookie.  

Also up-coming this season will be the installation of nearly 20 more “Art Benches” installed in the Arts Zone/Warehouse District. Ten of these colorful benches were installed during the 2010 season to help spruce up the streets of the neighborhood and increase its identity and visibility as an arts district. The benches were painted by youth apprentices in the award-winning Young Artists at Work program, which employs diverse and at-risk teens for six weeks in the summer, exposing them to an intensive multi-media arts training and long-lasting job training skills. 

Continuing this year will be the use of ACGT’s teal Live Work Create Toledo flags, which Art Walk-goers can use to identify participating venues during the event, and creative-based businesses throughout the season. 

New this year is the addition of a local pedicab (bicycle taxis) service offering event goers rides from the St. Clair Village to Uptown, and vice versa.  

July Art Walk Venues:
Maps and venue/artist details are available for download from http://www.acgt.org/. Maps will also be available at participating venues the day of the event. 

ARTS ZONE / WAREHOUSE DISTRICT
1. Shared Lives Studios Gallery 20 N. St. Clair St.
"Artist Review," showcases Linda Richards, Jennifer Schefft, Jeffrey O'neil, Craig Toczynski, Marc Arnett, Beth Robinson, James Dungan, and Bianca Roberts. The July Art Walk also includes Chalk-o-lott : A celebration of chalk drawings.  A large chalk board will be set up for all visitors to add their own personal artwork to the mix.

2. Studios of Carol Imes-Luscombe 321 Perry St. Same building as Shared Live Studios Gallery, but on the third floor. 
Features the working studio of printmaker and painter Carol Imes-Luscombe. 

3. 20 North Gallery 18 N. St. Clair St.  419.241.2400
40 Greatest Hits,
this career retrospective of Toledo native Phil Hazard spans his mid-70s work as a pioneering neon artist in NYC, to his more recent pop art paintings.  

4. T-Shirts by Max Reddish near the corner of St. Clair and Washington
An array of unique, Toledo pride-themed t-shirts are for sale.

5. Sur Saint Clair 1 S. St. Clair St. 419.241.7100
Showcasing several talented local artists for the July Art Walk:  Michael Provenza (surreal and magical contemporary landscape oil paintings), Mr. Atomic (whimsical and humor-filled paintings inspired by comic books, Saturday morning cartoons, and sci-fi movies), Rodriguez-Lehmann (pop culture inspired ceramics),  Brooke Harland Isabell (distinct eclectic sassy and classy handcrafted jewelry), Mary Ellen Graham (glass works that freeze the power and perfection of a moment), Sandy Hall (elegant to chic jewelry designs incorporating semiprecious stones, freshwater pearls, hand-forged metalwork, handmade lamp work glass beads, and more).

6. Jack Wilson Gallery 19 S. St. Clair St. Gallery entrance is up the stairs in the rear of the building.  Features metal-worker Jack Wilson’s sculpture and pottery by Red Stanley.

7. Art Supply Depo 29 S. St. Clair St.
The first week of business for downtown’s new locally owned art supply store. The Art Supply Depo will provide high-quality materials at affordable prices, while creating an inviting atmosphere where artists can network and feel like they're a part of a community. The Depo features an art reading room and meeting space, free wifi, gallery space, and a flexible store floor that will be able to support a multitude of activities in Toledo's Art Zone.  Check out some of their featured products during the Art Walk.

8. Homeslice Pizza 28 S. St. Clair St.  419.724.7437
Paintings by Jerry Gray, Kerry Krow, Jason Vahle, Yusuf Lateef, Nathan Masternak and Helen Grubb.

9. Ahava Spa & Wellness Center 34 S. St. Clair St.  419.241.5877
Details to be confirmed.

10. Downtown Latte 44 S. St. Clair St.  419.243.6032
Details to be confirmed.

11. Swank Gifts 48 S. St. Clair St.  419.241.9340
Swank Gifts boutique shop specializes in unique, affordable gifts. View a large selection of one-of-a-kind jewelry, and an array of products from talented local artists.

12. Young Artist at Work Booth near the corner of St. Clair and Lafayette
Come buy some great, affordable art from local young artists.  Since 1994, ACGT has presented the award winning Young Artists at Work (YAAW) program.  This six-week summer employment opportunity enables diverse and at-risk youth to benefit from an intense exposure to the arts.  Student apprentices between the ages of 14 and 18 were selected in a competitive process for 6 weeks of summer employment as working artists.  The objective of YAAW is to provide an intensive arts experience that fosters artistic self-expression and a quality work ethic that can impact the youth throughout adulthood.  The program encourages expression, refinement, cross-cultural sharing, and the exchange of ideas.  The opportunity provides exposure to the concept of art as a business, as well as the creation of public art for the greater Toledo community.

13. Bozarts 151 S. St. Clair St.  419.464.5785 
Note Books & Sketches Exhibition. ALL ARTISTS ARE WELCOME TO BRING WORK for "pin up" display or passing around. The evening will also feature live painting, live music & performances, & a film showing at 9pm following the Art Walk.

14. Olive Street Studios 252 Ottawa St.
Enjoy open studio tours, featuring:  Brad Bechtel, Brian Juchartz, Carl Porreca, Crisstoffer Muntz, Dan Wallace, Doug Kampfer, Jessica Besterman, Jodie S. Peace, Mike Cerveny, Renee Spillis, Richard Reed, and Scott Ziegler.

UPTOWN / OLD WEST END

15. Toledo Free Press Warehouse Huron at Washington Street www.toledofreepress.com
Toledo Free Press will host a poetry reading as part of the event, featuring local poets John Dorsey, Michael Grover, Kayla Marie Williams, Christina Brooks, Mike Hackney and Greg Peters. The readings will take pace at the Toledo Free Press warehouse at the corner of Huron and Washington streets across from Fifth Third Field.

16. Secor Studios 425 Jefferson Ave.  419.514.7496
(Take elevators to floors 5, 6 & 7) In the historic, former Secor Hotel, The Secor Artists host Open Studio Night. Visitors are encouraged to roam the studios of more than 15 artists located on the 5th, 6th, and 7th floors, as well as the 1st Floor Gallery. 

17. Space 237 237 Michigan 419.255.5117 space237.com
Space 237’s summer show “Visions of Beauty and Consequence” opening night is Thursday, July 21st from 6-9 pm. What a great way to start Thursday's Art Walk with our opening reception and attending artists Sandra Jane Heard and Ani Avanian.  Heard’s pieces are organic and portrayed in the round which juxtapose nicely with Avanian’s flat monochromatic drawings.  Refreshments and free parking will be provided.

18. Zyndorf Glass & Arts 320 N. Michigan St., 2nd Floor (across from library)
Presents unique and creative expressions in glass, chic and unique women's clothing as well as many other art forms from an array of talented artists. Wearable, functional and decorative art at affordable prices.

19. Sidewalk Chalk Project Main Branch of the Toledo – Lucas County Public Library 325 N. Michigan St.
As part of Etsy Craft Day the public is invited to create a large-scale sidewalk chalk project from 1-5pm at the Main Branch of the Library. The Library has approximately 429 squares for chalking.  Hopes are to have a completed sidewalk chalk masterpiece in time for the Art Walk event.

20. Gallerie 333 at TSA 333 14th Street www.ts4a.org
The current exhibit is Kaleidoscope 2011.  In addition to our exhibit, TSA has invited area Etsy Sellers to hold a sale in our gallery.  This event is known as the Etsy Craft Party.  The sale is from 5-9pm (one hour prior to Art Walk).  The Etsy Craft Party is a collaboration of http://www.shoptsa.etsy.com/ and http://www.colorsofeden.etsy.com/.

21. Toledo Emerging Artists Booth on Adams between 14th and 15th   419.297.4994
Toledo Emerging Artists is a group of artists making a living through their artwork, also sharing resources, ideas, and professional encouragement with their fellow artists from the Northwest Ohio region.

22. Music Expo Booth near the Toledo City Paper Offices
Toledo Music Expo will present information and line-up for their Saturday, June 23 musical networking and performance event.

23. Toledo City Paper Offices 1120 Adams St. 419.244.9859  www.toledocitypaper.com
The Toledo City Paper welcomes visual artist Steven Athanas and photographer Daniel Steck. Live music and drinks will be provided.

24. Glass City Cafe 1107 Jackson St. 419.241.4519 www.glasscitycafe.com
The CafĂ© stays open late with live music, great, homemade food and its amazing collection of historic Toledo memorabilia on display, along with the best collection of locally-based merchandise, including Toledo-themed T-shirts and hoodies and Shine Ceramics for sale.  For July, GCC proudly displays photographs by well known and long time Toledo photographer Mark Packo. The exhibit will feature selected pieces from his previous exhibit, "Iron Town, Maumee Bay & The Glass City".

25. Madhouse Gallery 1215 Jackson St. 419.873.0538 www.madmadmad.com
Brought to you by Madhouse and AIGA Toledo Chapter is an exhibition titled Hand Lettered.  No fancy pants technology, just good old fashioned homemade letters. Show runs through July 28. 

26. Manos Garden Mural w/ Toledo Grows/ACT Corner of Jackson & 14th Streets www.artcornertoledo.com
The mural at Manos Garden was designed and painted by Har Simrit-Singh as an Art Corner Toledo Project.  This is a partnership between the artist and local urban agriculture agency, Toledo GROWS.  Enjoy live music and see the seedling of a new community garden, just beginning to bloom.

27. Peep Show 1500 Adams, next to Manhattan’s Restaurant
Area artists exploring their libido in an uncensored exhibition of erotic art.  Over 30 local artists have works on display.  Please note adult content.  You must be 18 years of age to enter.

28. Scrap 4 Art 1501 Adams St. 419.720.2978
Scrap4Art is a nonprofit with a mission of reducing waste and making low cost materials and supplies available to educators and artists. Come make a project or enjoy a snack. 

29. Truth Art Gallery 1811 Adams St. www.thetruthtoledo.com
The Truth Gallery features a fine collection of African art works in its latest exhibition, “Art of Ghana.”  The exhibit features striking wood carvings, traditional masks, wall profiles, shadow statues, and more. This evening also features a live jazz band. 

30. Collingwood Arts Center 2413 Collingwood Blvd.  419.244.ARTS www.cactoledo.org
Resident artists show work in this 100+ year-old architectural treasure, be sure to see all three galleries. 

The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo is the longest standing arts commission in the state of Ohio that develops and promotes the arts in the community, serving Northwest Ohio since 1959.

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