Downtown ArtWalk
First Friday ARTWALK:
DECEMBER 2nd – 5:30 to 9:00 pm
JANUARY 6th – 5:30 tp 9:00 pm
By Michelle Smythe
The Holidays are here, and what better way to find some truly original Christmas gifts than at the December ArtWalk on Dec. 2nd, 5:30 to 9:00 pm? ArtWalk kicks off “Corpus Christi First”, a campaign aimed at attracting visitors to Corpus Christi the first weekend of every month, followed by Marina Market Days on the first Saturday and the BridgeWalk on the first Sunday.
ArtWalk has steadily gained popularity and regularly attracts 4000 – 5000 visitors to the Downtown area. 73 Downtown businesses are now participating in ArtWalk and offering a variety of ART, entertainment, movies, performers, refreshments, specials and discounts.
ArtWalk 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 Schatzell Streets.
The ArtWalk extends from the museums and convention center in S.E.A. Town, through Downtown, to The Center on S Water Street (Tango Tea Room). To get to the outer reaches of ArtWalk, just catch the ArtWalk Express, The Regional Transit Authority trolley Route #79 that provides ArtWalkers with a free 30 minute shuttle service from 5:30 til 9pm between La Retama Park, the Yachting Center, the Art Center of Corpus Christi, and all the venues in S.E.A. Town. The Art Museum of South Texas, Asian Cultures Museum and Museum of Science and History all offer free admission during ArtWalk.
Specially for the festive season there will be even more live music than usual to be heard all over the ArtWalk area during the December ArtWalk. (There will be music in January too, check the website for emerging details of bands and locations – www.artwalkcc.com)
The entertainers and venues for December are:
K Space Contemporary. . . . . . . . . . . . .Brad Brown & Sam Glynn – acoustic folk/grass
Desiree’s @ The Seamen’s Center 1501 Mesquite . . . Adrian Taylor – “CowJazz”
WaterStreet Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bobby Hesch – saxophonist
La Retama Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Get Off the Lawn – bluegrass
Home of Festival of the Arts, 1521 N Chaparral . . . . . .Joe Green – jazz
Urban Fare Café . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jimmy Willden – acoustic rock
Business Interiors of Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Barbara and David Brown
Threads. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Various bands
ArtWalk Tram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HOBO – honkadelica
House of Rock is hosting the 2nd Annual Rolling Art Show in December followed by their regular After party featuring “The Bar Nutz” staring at 9pm
K Space Contemporary is hosting their Annual Open House. Exhibitions include new works by K Space Artists and a small works exhibition titled, A Little Christmas. A Little Christmas (referring to the size of the artwork) features works that are smaller than 20” and are modestly priced. Over thirty artists are participating in this exhibition. Also opening, is the extremely popular 4th Annual Ornament Show & Sale. Unique, clever, and collectible ornaments by local artists will be available for sale at great prices. Music will be provided by Brad Browne and Sam Glynn. This is one of K Space’s most popular shows of the year. The open house continues throughout the weekend with demonstrations and hands-on art projects led by artists. See “K Space Open House” for more information.
In the Hot Spot (3rd Floor Gallery of K Space Art Studios), Texas A & M University’s Student Art Association will be hosting their annual show and sale. This exhibition features great student art work at great prices. Do Not Miss it!
The Art of Caring: A Look at Life through Photography is on view at the Art Museum of South Texas through December 31, 2011. The collection of 200 photographs depicts how life events are celebrated and honored, and portrays “caring” in every stage of life from birth to old age. Organized by the New Orleans Museum of Art, the exhibition features some of the most famous photos ever produces.
Also at The Art Museum in December The South Texas Cinematheque Screening Series will be screening the documentary film Echotone during ArtWalk at 7:00 PM in the HEB Auditorium. Director Nathan Christ will be in town from LA for a Q&A after the screening. Here’s a link to more info about the film: http://echotonefilm.com/
And here is a link to South Texas Cinematheque’s facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/southtexascinema
The Art Center of Corpus Christi will NOT be participating in the December ArtWalk. However, on December 8th from 5 to 7pm they will host the opening of Wildlife in Focus, an exhibition of photos created through the Coastal Bend Wildlife Photo Contest (CBWPC) in which private landowners and wildlife photographers partner to raise awareness for the conservation and protection of wildlife and habitat. This unique collaboration promotes awareness of the need for conservation and protection of the wildlife and habitat in the newly expanded sixteen counties surrounding Corpus Christi, Texas. Exhibitions of the Art Association of Corpus Christi and South Texas Traditional Art Association will also be on display.
New locations for December/January include GoGo at 417 Schatzell, Turban Sue’s Exotic Record Boutique at 415 Schatzell, La Bahia Restaurant in their new location of 429 Schatzell, Villains Collectables at 619 Mesquite, Desiree’s Restaurant at The Seamen’s Center 1501 N Mesquite, and Home of Festival of the Arts at 1521 N Chaparral in Heritage Park.
While visiting ArtWalk venues, be sure to pick up raffle tickets at each ArtWalk Gallery, Museum, Shop, and Cultural Venue location (Bars and restaurants do not have raffle tickets). 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 approximately 8:45 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”. The RTA ArtWalk Express Route #79 and the DTown Tram connect at La Retama Park, the tram provides a 15 minute service and the trolley a 30 minute service.
For ArtWalk maps and general info, look for ArtWalk Ambassadors wearing bright orange shirts. A few 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 (not in December), K Space and Water Street Market. Free on street parking is available, LAZ parking offer a $2 rate in their Water Street/Schatzell open lot, and all venues are near favorite Corpus Christi eateries. Admission to ArtWalk venues is FREE.
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). Information on how to become involved as an Artist, Sponsor, Venue, or Volunteer is available from the “Get Involved” menu item on www.artwalkcc.com
Downtown Update
