The very first 1st Fridays Art Walk in Fairfield
happens October 4th
Friday evening, October 4th from 6:00 to 9:30PM, ten art galleries and studios around the Fairfield town square will open their doors for the first of the 1st Fridays Art Walks. The latest works by many local and guest artists will be on display. Some of the galleries will also provide live music and refreshments. In addition, to round out the evening, many art/gift shops and restaurants in the downtown area will remain open. Watch for such additions as 1st Fridays dining specials!
The schedule of art exhibits for the first three 1st Fridays Art Walks (October 4, November 1, December 6) can be found at more than 30 shops, restaurants and galleries around town.
"It was just an idea, an obvious one, really", says Stacey Hurlin, founder of ArtLife Society, the primary sponsor of the event. "Several of us saw how successful the FunFest gallery walk was in August. It just struck me that, in this amazing town, we can have regular art walks without ever worrying about running out of fresh talent."
A primary goal of the 1st Fridays Art Walk is to attract lovers of art and entertainment from surrounding towns and cities. Says Stacey, "Why not? We have so much to offer here, but it isn't always apparent. If we want to draw visitors to Fairfield, and also get Fairfielders out to enjoy their own town, let's create one evening a month when Downtown Fairfield has her lights on."
Since news of the 1st Fridays Art Walk has gone around, Stacey has received inquiries from several semi-closet artists. According to her, "The mental wheels of many artists are turning fast right now. They are seeing a possibility that wasn't there before, the possibility of seriously showing their work."
Among the participants are the "four Courthouse alley galleries" that are already making a name for themselves in Fairfield's growing art community: Winter Moon Pottery and John Baker Jewelry featuring functional pottery by Mark Wilkins; Prairie Moon Gallery hosting a November show featuring New York artist John Staiano' oils that combine art with Vedic architecture; Gallery 51 East featuring Jeri Felix in October and Bill Teeple Studio's Annual Student Show with works by over 70 students in December; and Manuel Coradin's ever-changing upstairs Showcase.
Right around the corner, Henderson's Gallery has some exciting plans for a "Small Works" show in December exhibiting more than 40 artists original paintings all framed 14"x12" or smaller. Skyline Studio and Gallery will feature the newest landscapes of Betsy Huffsmith and Bonnie Dinkle. Mel Sauerback's Photography Studio will offer his captivating images, including both still-life and figure studies. At the Entre Café, during the 1st Friday Art Walk evenings, The North Room, usually for dining, will transform to display select fine art, first with works by Diane Naylor in October, then by Suzanne Mazur in November. Across the square, Americus Diamond and Gallery 108 feature the vivid, Impressionistic paintings of Christopher Kufner. Temple Dance and Art Studio is transforming its image to become a showcase for more art display, often with dance themes.
And that doesn't even count the many shops and restaurants in Fairfield that also regularly display artwork.
The 1st Friday Art Walk is the first project undertaken by ArtLife Society, a non-profit organization formed to provide opportunities, enrichment and education in the Arts. Says founder, Stacey Hurlin,
" The 1st Fridays Art Walk has benefited from an extraordinary level of enthusiasm and support from everyone involved. It is with great pleasure that ArtLife presents these 1st Fridays Art Walks: ten galleries, numerous downtown
shops and restaurants around the square, all open and inviting you to feast your senses."
1st Fridays Art Walk will happen again November 1st and December 6th.
For more information about 1st Fridays Art Walk, have suggestions on promotion of these events, or if you are a local or out of town artist and want to exhibit your work, please send an email to: artlifesociety@gmail.com.
This article comes from THE IOWA SOURCE