The first 20 venues on the 2016 Art Walk and Sale will be covered with a guided tour hosted by Mary Forbes when the annual walk officially begins Friday morning, Aug. 5.
People interested in taking this first walk will gather at Lake City Auto Care Mall on Oliver street starting at 11:30 a.m.
The opening ceremonies will include the unveiling of the grand prize of a wood carving by Spirit Carver Dean Ross and musical entertainment by LeRae Haynes and friends.
During the opening walk artists will be in attendance to meet and talk with the walkers.
Once picking up your Art Walk and Sale booklet at The Tribune/Weekend Advisor on First Avenue or at any one of the participating venues walkers are eligible to collect stamps at each venue for the grand prize draw.
Walkers qualify for entries for the grand prize draw according to the number of stamps collected: 1-16 stamps equals one entry; 17 to 32 stamps equals two entries; 32 to 48 stamps equals three entries; and 48 to 63 stamps equals four entries.
Walkers also have the opportunity to participate in The People’s Choice Awards by voting for their favourite artists and merchants.
The three most popular artists and merchants will be recognized with a people’s choice award.
The 2016 Art Walk and Sale has grown substantially this year to include 63 business and public venues hosting art exhibits, up from 54 venues and exhibitors last year.
Of the 63 artists featured, Arty the Art Walker Willie Dye says 21 are new to the art walk this year and nine are returning to the art walk after a hiatus.
The art walk features a wide variety of art work including water colour, acrylic and oil painting, pottery, wood carving, quilting, weaving, sculptures and more.
“I think it is going to be absolutely great,” Dye says. “Art Walk is a great opportunity for the artists and the merchants but mostly for the people who get to go out and look at some great art.”