By Alan S Albin
ArtWalk is a monthly Downtown Corpus Christi event held, on the First Friday of every month from 5:30 to 9pm. It is organized by the Downtown Management District in association with K Space Contemporary and the assistance of several other sponsors.
Although it started as a specific “Art” event the direction it has taken is very much that of a “neighborhood event” involving more than just the art community of Downtown.
Indeed ArtWalk has grown from 5 venues to 56 participating businesses as of the December event. This expansion has prompted the grouping of venues into the following categories thus allowing any Downtown business to take a legitimate role within the First Friday ArtWalk event:
Although it started as a specific “Art” event the direction it has taken is very much that of a “neighborhood event” involving more than just the art community of Downtown.
Indeed ArtWalk has grown from 5 venues to 56 participating businesses as of the December event. This expansion has prompted the grouping of venues into the following categories thus allowing any Downtown business to take a legitimate role within the First Friday ArtWalk event:
• Galleries The “core” ArtWalk venues
• Cultural Venues usually involving art or artists
• Shops many with art on display and for sale
• Restaurants & Bars all offering discounts & specials, some with art on display
• Other venues which do not fit the other categories but wish to be
involved in ArtWalk either as art venues or sponsors
ArtWalk is based in La Retama Park, which is the triangular park between Peoples Street and Schatzell Street in the shadow of the Wells Fargo Building, and the fun begins at 5:30pm when a band begins to play and the DTown tram takes off on its’ first tour of the ArtWalk circuit.
WaterStreet Market is another large enclave of ArtWalk venues and there is always a band playing there and art vendors outside the shops. The WaterStreet group of restaurants usually have specials and discounts on offer each ArtWalk evening and, weather permitting, operate their Tiki bar outside in the market square.
The Art Center of Corpus Christi at 100 Shoreline is the third focal point of the ArtWalk where music is provided and vendors are always present in addition to the monthly rotating gallery exhibits. Desiree’s by the Bay restaurant is also open for dinner on ArtWalk nights.
The Center on South Water Street is another central point on the ArtWalk. Whilst it is quite far from the central Downtown hub of the event it can be easily reached by taking the RTA ArtWalk Express from La Retama Park; once there you will have 30 minutes to visit with the many businesses located in The Center before catching the next “Express” to continue visiting with other ArtWalk locations.
The DTown tram has HOBO on board playing their unique brand of “honkadelic” music and they have become a major attraction on ArtWalk as they sing and play their, sometimes irreverent (but always family friendly) way, around Downtown. Many people simply ride the tram to benefit from this only one of its kind experience.
ArtWalk takes place come rain or shine and in the unlikely event of inclement weather The Art Center of Corpus Christi at 100 Shoreline is our alternate “Hub” where the La Retama Park vendors, band, and prize draw will relocate if necessary.
WaterStreet Market is another large enclave of ArtWalk venues and there is always a band playing there and art vendors outside the shops. The WaterStreet group of restaurants usually have specials and discounts on offer each ArtWalk evening and, weather permitting, operate their Tiki bar outside in the market square.
The Art Center of Corpus Christi at 100 Shoreline is the third focal point of the ArtWalk where music is provided and vendors are always present in addition to the monthly rotating gallery exhibits. Desiree’s by the Bay restaurant is also open for dinner on ArtWalk nights.
The Center on South Water Street is another central point on the ArtWalk. Whilst it is quite far from the central Downtown hub of the event it can be easily reached by taking the RTA ArtWalk Express from La Retama Park; once there you will have 30 minutes to visit with the many businesses located in The Center before catching the next “Express” to continue visiting with other ArtWalk locations.
ArtWalk takes place come rain or shine and in the unlikely event of inclement weather The Art Center of Corpus Christi at 100 Shoreline is our alternate “Hub” where the La Retama Park vendors, band, and prize draw will relocate if necessary.
Maps of Downtown showing the ArtWalk venues, the tram route, and the RTA direct shuttle route are available at the following locations:
• DMD booth in La Retama Park
• K Space Contemporary on Starr Street
• On the DTown tram and the RTA ArtWalk Express
• The Art Center of Corpus Christi
• The Center on South Water Street (Tango Tea Room)
• From First Friday Ambassadors and Volunteers throughout Downtown
(look for the orange polo shirts on Segways and orange T-Shirts on foot.)
Although there will always be lots of exciting things going on at the four major locations please do make an effort to tour the other venues which are scattered throughout the Downtown area. Most of these venues can be comfortably reached on foot, it is after all, - ArtWalk. However to reach some of the outlying venues such as The Yachting Center on the People St T-Head, The Center at 505 S Water Street, and even the Art Center at 100 Shoreline, you may wish to take advantage of the DTown tram (15 min service) and the RTA ArtWalk Express (30 min service) details of which appear on the ArtWalk map or you could just ask an “orange shirt”.
Prizes generally include:
• First Prize - Painting by David L Phillips $500
• Second Prize - SegCity 1 hour tour for 2 $100
• Third Prize - DMD Downtown Gift Certificate $50
• Fourth Prize - DMD Downtown Gift Certificate $25
The prize draw rules are very simple and finite:
• One ticket per person per venue.
• Only tickets issued on the night accepted.
• Draw open to all ArtWalkers including venue owners and staff excluding organizers.
• Tickets must have Venue and ArtWalker names written on them.
• Must be present to win.
• Disputes will be settled on site and DMD decision will be final.
• Everyone should have a good time and enjoy ArtWalk!
Please do come on Downtown on the First Friday each month to show your support for the many people and businesses of this community that generously donate their time, effort, and resources to provide the public with an entertaining, enjoyable, and sociable experience on ArtWalk.
Specifically it is important to mention the ArtWalk sponsors each of whom contribute, in their own important way, to make ArtWalk a growing success:
• Corpus Christi Parks and Recreation,
• Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority,
• Downtown Management District,
• House of Rock,
• K Space Contemporary,
• Nueces County,
• David L Phillips,
• Produce Gallery,
• SegCity Corpus,
• Whetstone Graphics
• and for December, Badlands 94.7 FM
FMI:
http://www.artwalkcc.com
http://www.facebook.com/artwalkcc.com
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