The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

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October 12, 2008

Andra Bryan Stefanoni: Art walk scheduled

PITTSBURG, Kan. — Acclaimed author Isak Dinesen wrote, “Through all the world there goes one long cry from the heart of the artist: Give me leave to do my utmost.”

For the past five years, artists in the Pittsburg area have been doing their utmost to bring attention to art and to the downtown as a venue through biannual “art walks.” This Friday’s event promises to be the best one yet, organizers say, now that the first phase of the downtown streetscape project is complete, and orange barrels and cones are gone.

Art Walk on Broadway will kick off at 4 p.m. and will conclude with a musical performance at 7:30 p.m. Those who attend can expect an immersion in music, dance, the spoken word and visual arts, extending from Euclid Avenue to Tenth Street along Broadway.

The event is much like visiting an art gallery or museum, but in a less formal atmosphere. Those who attend can wander from one art stop to the next in their own chosen order and spend the amount of time they wish at each stop.

But committee chairwoman Rhona Shand said that unlike a museum, art walks allow visitors to connect with artists and performers on a one-to-one level.

“I believe that art walk gives a comfortable introduction to the arts,” she said. “It’s an environment for the whole family to enjoy and participate in.”

The event is a collaborative effort involving residents of Pittsburg, regional artists with diverse talents and specialties, and downtown merchants. It is best described as “a free, self-guided tour of in-store art exhibits designed to highlight local artists and the local businesses hosting them,” Shand said.

The event has evolved since its inception and each year includes new attractions. Among this year’s highlights:

n “Word on the Street,” in which performers will offer spoken-word presentations ranging from poetry to historical stories of Pittsburg.

n “Artist at Work,” in which area artists will create works while people watch. Styles will range from painting and jewelry to ceramic wheel and raku firing demonstrations.

n “Masks Across Broadway,” which allows the area’s youngest residents to participate in the art-making atmosphere. Children can create “tribal” masks during a scavenger hunt leading to different locations throughout the art walk’s route.

Additionally, a variety of activities for all ages will be provided by many area organizations, including the Colonial Fox Theatre Foundation and Pittsburg State University’s University Art Association.

Information on scheduled artists and performances, and on volunteering, is available via a Web site: www.myspace.com/pittsburgartwalk.

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