The Redlands Art walk event was held Sunday, Oct. 29, featuring artwork from more than 100 local artists, spotlight galleries, live entertainment and food.
This event, is held twice a year and features tents with artwork lined up and down State Street in downtown Redlands.
A handful of local business have galleries focusing on local artists, including Augie’s Coffee, Parliament, Ozel Jewlers, and many more…
Attendees rush in for support and experience what these artists are all about. Without this event, many artists would not get exposure for their art work.
“My favorite part of the art walk is probably being around everyone,” said Marcus Mercado, a local artist who had a gallairy at Darls pet shop. ”It’s not everyday you can be talking with someone and another artist will walk up and join in the conversation.”
The DTR Artwalk represents the blending of the local art movement and the involvement of small businesses.
This event started from the Redland’s community that felt the city needed an art walk. It is a way to get exposure for local businesses through art, and now gives artists more venues to show their work.
“It is our hope to grow this event into a self-sustaining, community-centric event that will happen on a quarterly basis,” said Rob Pearson, the founder of the art walk, which he started in 2010. “When we started the art walk, downtown was a ghost town on Sunday, but the walk has been a way to boost traffic and has been part of the art renaissance in the area.”
The event has grown from just an alleyway behind Augie’s Coffee House to a complete street closure for a few blocks to accommodate over 100 different artists.
“There will be something for everyone at the walk,” Pearson said. “In addition to extending its reach to Seventh and State streets, the event will feature more than 100 artists representing various mediums, from painting to ceramics, displaying their works and having a few knick knacks available for purchase.”
The local artist will also work on a piece of art during the event; Katie Cullen, a local pottery worker presented a live demo.
“At the artwork, you are literally surrounded by like-minded individuals that share a general idea, while throwing in their own spice to the mix,” said Mercado. “Before you know it, everyone is excited to go work on something new. It’s pretty amazing.”
With all this art to look at, there are places that you can fill up your stomach with food and drinks. The event has Mill Creek BBQ and Fire Pizza for food with beverages from Ritual Brewing Co., Escape Craft Brewery, and State Street Winery.
Pearson is now no longer the organizer, due to moving out of state. He is passing the torch to a local business manager and artist Blair Smith to keep the event on the same road of growth.
“I want to focus on finding the best local artists and just keep getting people more involved in the local community,” said Smith.
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