Sandi Cottrell says “there’s always something magical” about ArtWalk, Little Italy’s annual weekend open-air visual and performing arts festival. In one crucial respect, last April’s event was the most magical to date. For the first time, art purchases topped the $1 million mark, surpassing the previous high of $850,000 from 2004. And while the new art collection seminars may or may not have spurred sales, they helped color the event as the serious cultural experience it’s become.
In fact, ArtWalk is San Diego’s largest such occasion. And with a major city art department weighing in the mix, the inception of a second ArtWalk was only a matter of time.
ArtWalk on the Bay, set for Oct. 14 and 15 at Embarcadero Marina Park North behind Seaport Village, is the natural “” nay, inevitable “” extension of the spring celebration that’s gathered such steam the last 22 years. “A lot of artists had been asking about a [fall] festival,” said Cottrell, ArtWalk managing director. “They, and we, envision it to be a long-term event. We’re going into it with that in mind.”
So is the Port of San Diego, the event’s sponsor. Its art department will hold its first San Diego Sculpture Show in conjunction with the new ArtWalk “” the port is expecting about 60 exhibitors and 700 sculptures to help mark its first decade as a force in city public art. Catherine Sass, director of the port’s public art program, characterized the event as a chance to fill a gap in the visual arts community’s body of fare.
“Currently,” she said, “many talented San Diego sculptors must travel to other cities to exhibit their work. The San Diego Sculpture Show will give our own community of art lovers an opportunity to view and purchase both traditional and groundbreaking pieces from our own backyard as well as those of visiting artists from around the world.”
About 100,000 visited last spring’s ArtWalk, which means patrons spent $10 on art per man, woman and child. The commercial reality, however, isn’t nearly so uniform. Multiple sales of work valued at $1,000 to $2000 per piece is commonplace. And one exhibitor sold $40,000 worth of art during the festival of 2005.
“The artists,” Cottrell said, “embrace ArtWalk as an opportunity for sales as well as the community’s artistic [enrichment]. Serious exhibitors have asked for this new show. It’s not all walking away with a $40 pair of earrings.”
ArtWalk on the Bay hopes to reflect the same ideals. Like the spring event, this ArtWalk is juried. That means that the artists are required to supply images of their work along with their registration form and payment. The judges then review the work based on specific artistic criteria in an effort to ensure visitors’ access to the best experience possible.
As at the April gatherings, patrons will have the opportunity to meet with the 120 artists who ideally inspired their purchases. Local arts organizations will offer hands-on project for kids during KidsWalk, an offshoot from the original Art Walk. The San Diego Museum of Art will offer an introduction to Chinese brush painting for families. The four musical performers per day include old-school singers/songwriters The Grams (Saturday) and roots rockers The Coyote Problem (Sunday). Both acts commence at 3:45 p.m. San Diego’s renowned Old Globe Theatre will also contribute to the performance itinerary.
Seaport Village is located downtown at 849 West Harbor Drive near Kettner Boulevard. Embarcadero Marina Park North sits on the eight acres just behind it. There is no admission charge for ArtWalk on the Bay, which runs from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. both days.
Tickets to the Port of San Diego Sculpture Show are $12 and are available online at www.sandiegosculptureshow.com. Further information about ArtWalk on the Bay is available at www.artwalkonthebay.com or at 615-1090.