Local "Art Walks" as a Support System for Artists and Art Venues
Yesterday was "Art Walk" here in our hometown.
Art Walks-- sometimes called "Gallery Walks" or "Art Night" can be an excellent ways for artists and art galleries in a local community to come together to promote art and creativity.
"Beatrice" original painting by Laurie McClave
What Exactly is an "Art Walk?"
It's a fairly simple thing, really. Once a month, local galleries and art spaces stay open late, and generally use the night as an opportunity to open new art exhibits and installations, or to have "meet the artist" evenings at their premises.
Here in our town, for example, Art Walk happens on the first Saturday of every month.
Most venues-- where we are, there are about 20 of them-- stay open till about 9:00 or 9:30 at night and offer snacks and refreshments, as well.
Benefits
The primary benefit from having a "city wide" art event evening is the interest and foot traffic it generates. Because it has become a "known event," a lot more art enthusiasts are out and about. On a normal Saturday, we get maybe 60 visitors to the gallery... on "Art Walk" days, 120-150 is not unusual.
"What The Moon Brings" original painting by Scott Holloway
Collectors and enthusiasts come "ready to shop." Because this evening involves a lot of "first showings" visitors are more likely to also be "shoppers" than at other times of the month. We asre more likely to sell expensive original works on this night than any other.
There also tends to me "media support." The newspaper will generally put a story in their "lifestyles" section, and will combine gallery advertising into a single page at a reduced rate.
Is there an "Art Walk" or "Gallery Night" in your town? If not, would you like to see one-- does it sound like a useful way to promote art?
Till the next time-- thank you for reading!
The Red Dragonfly is an independent alternative art gallery located in Port Townsend, WA; showcasing edgy and unique contemporary art & handmade crafts by local and worldwide artists. All images are our own, unless otherwise credited. Where applicable, artist images used with permission.
Once a year in my city, Belgrade, capitol of Serbia, we have something called NIght of the Museums, Museums and Publik art galeries are opened till midnight on that day, well visited. And smaller galeries can participate so in officall anouncment of the event ,are also listed and anounced. I think that then some museums are ticket-free and some special exibitions are held.
Very nice! I remember something similar from my original hometown of Copenhagen in Denmark. There were always a lot of people-- especially families-- out for it.
Same here, wisit increses every year rapidly, but organizers are also expanding events each year, even some art studios are opened. I have several friends doing pottery and they also participate.
We get the occasional artwalkers in our gallery, it's a nice little boost to the visitor numbers for sure.
It's nice because we often get new clients who would not otherwise go shopping, but for this one day a month they do get out.
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