"Toledo Set to Celebrate its 17th Annual Labor Day Weekend Art Walk"
Every year on Labor Day weekend, the artists of Toledo host a unique event, opening their studios and galleries to the public for three days. Not only will the artists be showing a large body of recent work for sale, but also this special event will give the public the opportunity to enjoy refreshments and meet the artists themselves, many of whom are award-winning and enjoy national and international reputations.
This year’s event is held Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Sept. 4-6 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., is the 17th Art Walk. It began in 1993 with three working professional artists who had their own studio/galleries: Michael Gibbons, Douglas Haga and Ivan Kelly. Since then, as more artists have moved to Toledo or advanced in their professional careers, the popular event has continued to grow.
Each artist participating in Art Walk will be present throughout the three-day weekend. Many of the artists will be showing their work in their own studio/galleries, while others will be participating in various group shows around Toledo. Most of the event locations are in or very near Toledo’s Arts District., which encompasses a portion of Main Street and the street one block above it. Visitors may pick up a self-guided tour map at any of the participating studios and galleries in Toledo. Enjoy art demonstrations, art talks & sign up for free raffle.
The tour map includes listings for all ten different gallery/studio locations, each of which will also be clearly marked with sidewalk signs or banners. Visitors who stop at all ten locations and get their map signed by the artists can enter to win one of several works of art donated by Toledo artists. Completed maps can be left with any of the participating galleries and studios.
This year’s participants include:
Working Studio-Galleries are:
Michael Gibbons, Nationally Awarded & shown oil artist. Art Talks @ 1:00 each day. Gallery Michael Gibbons @140 NE Alder St.,
Ivan Kelly Nationally Awarded & shown oil artist; Ivan Kelly Studio-Gallery, 207 East Graham St.
Larry Sommer, Fused Glass Artist; 82 Sunny Ridge Road
Vel Miller, Internationally acclaimed Western artist guest of J.P. Studio in the Justice of the Peace Building, 177 NE First St.
Dave Silwones, wood turner; Carol Grant-Loomis, weaving and fine art gourds; Becky Miller, paintings and drawings at Skybound Gallery-Studio. Will do demonstrations from Noon to 1:00 & 1:00 to 3:00. 305 N. Main St.
Frank Jones, photography showing at Toledo History Center, 208 Main St.
Toledo Art Walk Founders Exhibit: Michael Gibbons, Ivan Kelly and also Douglas Haga oil paintings showcased in the Art Walk Founders exhibit at the Yaquina River Museum of Art with their oil paintings. 151 NE Alder St.,
Toledo Arts Guild at Port Station One, 496 NE Hwy. 20
Gallery Briseño with guest artists, 404 NE Main St.
Toledo High School Students showing Collage and Posters at Toledo Public Library. 73 NW 7th St. (Closed Monday)In previous years, anywhere from 500 to over a 1000 visitors come thru – There is excitement in the air. This is a family event that everyone can enjoy and then discuss with others when they get home. It is a wonderful opportunity to see so many artists at work and, at the same time, be able to learn from the artists. Most of the artists are not available on a regular schedule – they are out in the field/workshop working.
The art walk encourages professional artists to show their works and educate the public on professional artists work environment and involvement. This is a great time to get to meet and talk to each artist.
Art demonstrations, art talks, free art walk raffle. Art Map/raffle cards available at each location.Toledo is located a short ten minute drive east of Newport on Business Highway 20. Be sure to visit Art Walk website (www.toledoarts.info) for more information on the participating artists and their work or call 541.336.1124./336.2797.
