The inaugural El Dorado Art Walk kicked off yesterday, as local artists arranged some of their work in downtown businesses in hopes of promoting both.
Organized by the Downtown Business Association, Caroline Callaway, sales and marketing manager at the El Dorado Conference Center, described the week-long event as "a celebration of local artists and downtown businesses."
"The goal is to showcase local artists, while giving the community an event to come out to and participate in, in downtown El Dorado," she said.
Through next Friday, Oct. 27, as local residents visit downtown businesses, they'll see in 12 stores work by more than 15 local artists, some of which will be available to purchase.
"There's some photography, there's some, you know, more traditional work like paintings and things," Callaway said. "So that artist's, or those artists' pieces of work will be displayed in the store, depending on what the pieces are and how big they are, that kind of thing, and people can wander around the store and see the art while they shop."
Participating businesses and artists include:
- All About Flowers, featuring the work of Lyndsey Tucker;
- Shelter Insurance, featuring the work of John Ginger;
- Harrison Financial Management and the Olde Towne Store, featuring the work of Fadil Ismajli;
- Murphy Pitard Jewelers, featuring the work of Maria Oliver;
- Marilyn's, featuring the work of Danny Givens and Margaret Combs;
- Shelly's Shoes, Etc, featuring the work of Hannah Hopson;
- Gourmet2Geaux, featuring the work of Wesley Beard and Lisa Burton Tarver;
- Maddie's Boutique, featuring the work of Jaci Tucker;
- Southern Threads, featuring the work of Brittany Daniel;
- Kyle & Co. Skin and Lash Studio, featuring the work of Ann Trimble;
- The Haywood, featuring the work of Brandi Parker;
- And Purely Creative, featuring the work of Marla Tomlinson, Spencer Purinton, Brian Briley, Taylor Thomas and Mike Means
Callaway, who sat on a committee with South Arkansas Historical Preservation Society Executive Director Steve Biernacki and Rep. Bruce Westerman Field Representative Yancey Kyle to organize the Art Walk, said the event will end with special hours at downtown businesses next Friday.
"There's a reception event on the 27th with extended hours, so if you, you know, have a busy work day and you can't get downtown to these stores before they close, then hopefully on Friday the 27th, you can come out. Those stores are extending their hours until 7 p.m.," she said.
Each participating business will offer something special that day, whether it be snacks, sales or, like several businesses have partnered to present, a small block party.
"There's a little group on the corner of Jefferson and Elm that's doing a whole party. I think they're going to have a DJ and that's where we've got a few more artists coming in just for that," Callaway said.
Work that residents – or visiting Airstream campers, Callaway noted – wish to purchase will be labeled with the artist's contact information or another way to contact them about buying, she said.
"If you go to the Haywood, Brandi Parker has her art there – really great stuff – and she made individual little cards with QR codes for each piece," Callaway said. "People should not be paying the store for the pieces of art. We wanted to make this as simple as possible for the businesses... So it's really up to the artist. Most of it's going to be either a contact number to get in touch with the artist... or it's going to be some sort of electronic payment."
Each participating business has a flyer for the Art Walk in their window, and Callaway said the QR code on those flyers will show those who scan it a map and list of all participating businesses and the artists they're partnered with.
Participating businesses will maintain regular hours except for on Oct. 27.
"We certainly encourage everybody to come out and enjoy some arts and some fun," Callaway said.
For more information about the Art Walk, visit facebook.com/downtowneldoradoar.