Whether you are an aficionado or an aspiring Van Gogh, Little Italy’s ArtWalk 2008 is sure to offer something that appeals to every palette.
ArtWalk, San Diego’s largest free urban arts festival, returns to the neighborhood from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 26 and 27, and will feature hundreds of artists, thousands of pieces of art made from several media, live performances, food and activities for the entire family.
“The purpose of the event remains the same after 24 years,” said Sandi Cottrell, ArtWalk managing director and a board member of the Little Italy Association, a nonprofit public benefit corporation that promotes the revitalization and beautification of the neighborhood. “ArtWalk, going back to its roots, was created to offer the opportunity to enjoy and consider owning original art. It enables more people to have the experience of purchasing original art.”
Cottrell said that when the event started, the exhibits were housed in various empty spaces in Little Italy and the Gaslamp Quarter, and guests were shuttled from space to space. About eight years ago, Cottrell added, ArtWalk was moved into the streets for a more festive atmosphere.
“(ArtWalk) is an easy way to see art and actually talk to the artists,” said Jesse Miller, a local lifeguard artist who will exhibit in this year’s ArtWalk. “Sometimes, walking into a gallery can be a little intimidating, and they usually only represent a few artists, and there are usually only salespeople at the gallery. But at ArtWalk, you can see work from hundreds of artists ranging from people just starting their art careers all the way to established artists, and they are all there to meet and talk to.”
According to the ArtWalk Web site, last year 100,000 visitors bought $1 million worth of art from more than 400 participating artists and visited local businesses, restaurants and hotels.
ArtWalk is also a kid-friendly event, with several activities scheduled for KidWalk, taking place at Amici Park, on Date Street, three blocks East of India Street. These include the opportunity to participate in the Art Miles Mural Project, an international painting ­project that “promotes global harmony through mural making,” according to the event Web site. This is in addition to face-painting, kite-making and decorating animal masks, among several other kid-friendly projects.
New this year is the ArtReach Bench project. Artists will paint benches donated by Dixieline ProBuild lumber that will then be sold by silent auction. Proceeds will benefit ArtReach, an organization that promotes art programs in local elementary schools.
A set of live musical and dance performances is also slated for both days of the event. Local bands The Coyote Problem, The Grams, The Cathryn Beeks Ordeal and Little Italy’s own Monarch School Steel Drum Band will entertain visitors.
Malashock Dance School and Eveoke Dance Theatre’s adult group will also take the stage with their cutting-edge performances.
Stages and performance areas will be set up throughout the event in Amici Park, Piazza Square and at intersections of blocked-off streets.
The locations span Beech Street to the south and Fir Street to the north, with Kettner Boulevard and India and Columbia streets as the primary cross-streets.
Many featured artists, who come from all over Southern California and Arizona, view ArtWalk as a highlight each year.
“I’m looking forward to the diverse audience who sees my work and occasionally buys it, the exciting atmosphere, sharing stories with fellow artists,” said Jim Bates, a watercolor artist from Fallbrook who will participate in ArtWalk for his third year in a row. “I continue to show at ArtWalk because it’s a fun two-day outing for my wife and me.”
Admission to ArtWalk is free. Visitors are strongly encouraged to take the trolley to the area. For more information and a preview of participating artists, visit www.artwalksandiego.org.