First Friday ARTWALK November 4th! 5:30 to 9:00 pm
By Michelle Smythe
(Please note that the official “October” ArtWalk took place on Friday September 30th as part of the Corpus Christi First Initiative. The “First Friday” ArtWalk will return on November 4th and this anomalous situation will not occur again until September 2012.)
Join the crowd in Downtown Corpus Christi for the First Friday ArtWalk! This event has become the THING-TO-DO in Corpus Christi with regular monthly attendance nearing 5000. ArtWalk continues to highlight the exceptional talent of our local artists and musicians.
During ArtWalk, over 70 downtown businesses feature art, music, refreshments, specials and discounts. The event begins and ends in La Retama Park where visitors will find artists and food vendors, live music and an all around festive atmosphere. La Retama Park is located at the triangle between Mesquite, Peoples and Schatzel Streets.
The ArtWalk extends from the museums and convention center through Downtown to the Tango Tea Room. To get to the outer reaches of ArtWalk, just catch the ArtWalk Express, a bus graciously provided by The Regional Transit Authority that transports ArtWalkers to areas like the museums, Yachting Center and the Art Center of Corpus Christi. The Art Museum of South Texas, Asian Cultures Museum and Museum of Science and History all offer free admission during ArtWalk.
The Art Museum of South Texas has two wonderful exhibits on display. Beyond Shared Language: Contemporary Art and the Latin American Experience includes works by 14 artists of Latin American-descent (from North, Central and South America). The exhibition explores issues relating to cultural identity, ethnicity, religion and both the fragility and fluidity of their visual language. Also on view is Revelations: Women’s Art from the Permanent Collection. Included in the exhibition is the recent acquisition of Judy Chicago’s ‘Grand Hands of Choice,’ as well as work by local artist Betty Mobley, Texas artist Madeline O’Connor, and national artist Jenny Holzer.
The fifth annual Third Coast National is on display at K Space Contemporary. The exhibition features new works of art from all over the United States. This is one of the premier shows at K Space Contemporary. In the Art Star gift shop, new works by recent TAMUCC graduate Kristi Beach will be on display. New K Space artist and recent MFA graduate David Fuentes will be exhibition new works of art in the Hot Spot (3rd Floor gallery).
While visiting ArtWalk venues, be sure to pick up raffle tickets at each ArtWalk location (shops, galleries, and museums). Bring the tickets back to La Retama Park by 8:45 and put them in the raffle drum for a chance to win some great prizes. The drawing will be held at 9 pm. Prizes include gift certificates, door prizes, and the grand prize – an original work of art by a local artist. ArtWalkers must be present to win.
The DTown Tram continues to transport ArtWalkers to centrally located venues in the heart of Downtown with HOBO aboard to entertain the crowds playing their special blend of “Honkadelica”. Both the RTA ArtWalk Express and the DTown Tram connect at La Retama Park.
For ArtWalk maps and general info, look for ArtWalk Ambassadors wearing bright orange shirts. Some are on Segways (thanks to SegCity), and some are stationed at key locations around Downtown. ArtWalk maps are also available on the ArtWalk Tram, at the DMD booth in La Retama Park, the Art Center, K Space and Water Street Market. Free parking is available and all venues are near favorite Corpus Christi eateries. Admission is FREE.
www.artwalkcc.com
For continuing updates, check out the ArtWalk website www.artwalkcc.com and sign up for the email newsletter to receive our monthly flyer announcing new ArtWalk events! You can also join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/artwalkcc.
ArtWalk is organized by the Corpus Christi Downtown Management District. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, volunteer or a participant in the ArtWalk, or have any art related business, suggestions or ideas in regard to the ArtWalk, contact Alan Albin, Downtown Management District (alanalbin@dtowncc.com, 882-2363).