The downtown-Washington ArtWalk returns Nov. 10.
This free-to-the-public showcase of local visual art runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Main, Water and Gladden streets.
The quarterly happening features art in galleries open to browsers, collectors or the plain curious, with refreshments and live entertainment thrown in for good measure.
Participating galleries include the Beaufort County Arts Council’s Lane Gift Shop on Gladden; Inner Banks Artisans’ Center, RiverWalk Gallery and Arts Center and Lone Leaf Gallery on Main; and Art Tyndall’s studio on Water.
The Turnage Theater also has gallery space and has taken part in ArtWalk in the past, said Neil Loughlin, co-owner of Lone Leaf.
Visitors and residents are invited to drop by the galleries and stroll from stop to stop, dropping in on shops and restaurants along the way.
Begun in 2009, ArtWalk is designed to draw attention to Washington’s visual-arts community, related Joey Toler, executive director of the arts council.
“It’s an opportunity for people to spend some time downtown after hours which doesn’t usually happen,” Toler said, adding the event draws traffic for participating merchants who keep their doors open during ArtWalk.
“I think it’s very important because it gives everyone an opportunity to come downtown and just have a nice, leisurely evening,” said Beth Byrd, executive director of the Washington Harbor District Alliance, which promotes downtown as a destination.
“It’s just such a fun night, and it brings out a different type of person, more of an art lover type of person,” said Byrd, whose organization partners with the arts council to stage ArtWalk.
Inner Banks is likely to have finger foods and live music by the Beaufort County Traditional Music Association, said Dottie Walker, a participating artist.
RiverWalk will host a reception and an exhibit of photography by Washington High School students, said Daniel Sleeper, a volunteer at the gallery.
Two new RiverWalk member-artists, painter Susan Hamrick of Greenville and photographer Dana Eddings, will have works on display.