Walking the Artwalk

Abi and Diane Wood

Jesse, Abi and I brave the 100 degrees to check out the summer Artwalk.  Longmont throws open the downtown for Artwalk three times a year, and closes off the streets from Third to Ninth for musicians, actors, street artists and buskers.  Cafes, coffeehouses, bars and boutiques stay open late.  Crowds fill their swag bags with free pens, hacky sacks, free books, frisbees and tons of paper generated by local nonprofits and businesses.   

The work of local artists is displayed and sold courtesy of said cafes, coffeehouses and bars, as well as impressive local galleries, such as the Muse, the Firehouse and the Great Frameup.  


Family art activities for kids are a big hit, with graffiti boards, watercolors and art paper flowers.  Abi talks with pastel artist Diane Wood, who suggests Abi and I should show our work at the Pumpkin Festival.  We pop into the cool Dickens Tavern to view her paintings and experience a brief refuge in the cool dim bar.  Abi finds another artist she knows exhibiting her metal work, Charlotte Zink.  They exhibited together in Loveland this past winter.

 

Little girls tumble

Karate clubs, gymnastics groups and masquers allow folks a glimpse what they are up to.  No belly dancers tonight.  The heat causes the crowds to be light at first, but as the day moves to dusk the crowds increase.  Jesse enjoys watching the girls' somersaults and cartwheels and the swashbuckling knights' combat. 

Jazzy blues singer colors the evening

Abi and I shop in a cute little store that also houses Apron Strings bakery, while Jesse sits outside listening to the country western singer and visits with the passersby.  

Tall girls try not to tumble

Abi says, "I always wanted to be the kind of person who frequents this sort of thing, and here I am!"   Yeah, that's how Jesse and I feel.  It's great to live in a city with a small-town feel.  Next Artwalk will be held September 21, and will feature a photo contest.