NEWS VIEWS
Street art
ARTWALK IS BACK IN THE DISTRICT
cover story Sam George
For two days this weekend, Second Ave.
North and the surrounding blocks will turn
once again into the bustling art show known
as Artwalk, now in its ninth iteration. In
recent years, Artwalk has blossomed into a
premium event, featuring scrumptious vittles,
live music, wandering street acts, work by
over 100 artists to peruse and all at the cost
of nothing to you, dear reader. According to
the show’s website, over 10,000 people have
attended each year for the last two years, and
this year should be no exception, especially
Friday night, which is known to turn into
a giant party as dozens of local businesses
throw wide their doors to host what is essen-
tially a giant communal gallery opening.
There couldn’t be a better place downtown
to draw 10,000 people to these days, by the
way. Second Ave. North is hoarding quite the
collection of fabulous little spots, and a trip
there on any day is bound to be interesting.
The area also boasts some great architecture,
especially the ornate facades on some of the
older buildings. If you’ve been harboring a
fear of downtown for some unfathomable
reason, than a trip to the area Artwalk calls
home would certainly make you think twice.
The real piece of Birmingham on display
here is the talented visual arts community
we harbor. Artwalk’s participating artists are
mostly local, with a sprinkling of regional
flavor, so if you’ve been wondering what the
HERE’S A REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLING OF SOME OF THE WORKS THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE:
6 september 9 - september 16, 2010 B I R M I N G H A M W E E K LY
Birmingham arts community has to offer,
than consider this weekend your two-day
primer. There will be a host of mediums on
offer beyond traditional paintings, including
photography, sculpture, prints and jewelry,
and for those interested in walking away from
the affair with something to fill that blank
spot on the wall, a wide array of price ranges
will be available within the show.
Volunteering for Artwalk also offers an op-
portunity for local residents to get involved,
and those who do will receive a free t-shirt
and free pass to the Artwalk after-party at
Sloss Furnaces on Saturday night. Volunteers
typically assist artists, sell merchandise and
monitor performance venues.
Whether you choose to volunteer, or
decide to simply enjoy the excellent art and
local flavor that Artwalk has to offer, you
are bound to have a good time at the very
economical price of free. Who could ask for
anything more?
Artwalk begins on Friday night from 5 – 10
p.m. and continues on Saturday from noon to
6 p.m. To find more information on volun-
teering for Artwalk, preview the artists and
art that will be on display or see a map of the
venues, visit www.birminghamartwalk.org.
Sam George is the managing editor of Bir-
mingham Weekly. Please send your comments
to editor@bhamweekly.com.
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POLLEN COUNT Libby’s
This week: Plant
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Weeds — Absent
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