Evening walks on Lopez Village are magical: from sunsets over Week’s wetlands or Fisherman Bay to quaint walks through the Tranquilly trail of urban forest life, natural beauty and local human and more- than-human community abound. Lopezians are very lucky to be neighbors to the vibrant birdlife singing at dusk or swooping over marshes across the watercolored painted sky. It’s no wonder Lopez inspires artists of all mediums to create work here.
Local artists and businesses are the generative center of Lopez arts and culture, and are at the center of the new monthly community event, First Saturday Art Walk. These Art Walks were organized by the Lopez Library, Chimera Gallery, Sharpari, and Old Hand and offer a free and easy opportunity to enjoy the arts on the island while mixing and mingling with new and old friends.
As the name says, the First Saturday Art Walk takes place the first Saturday of each month from 5-7 pm and is a free, self guided event located in the Village of Lopez Island. Activities include artist exhibitions and talks, live entertainment, free family art activities at Lopez Library, food trucks, and specials at local participating restaurants and businesses. Each month has a seasonal theme ranging from The Green World of Spring to the Family Circus and Dog Days of Summer.
Most First Saturday Art Walks feature artist talks at the Lopez Library at 5 pm, and Chimera Gallery at 6 pm, as well as on going work at both Old Hand and Skarpari. Please visit each link for monthly details.
Summer Art Walk Dates and Map- blue dots are locations on the Art Walk:
July 6: Participating locations and events: 5-7 pm
5 pm: Artists talks at Lopez Library: Featuring the visual works of Amy Feron in the display case, and on the walls a Circus themed group show. Live music by Lopez Library Artists in Residence, The Lark and the Loon who will perform live old timey blue grass and classic Americana music.
6 pm: Chimera Gallery Artist Talks with new work by Lydia Lukahnovich and Martha Spieker
6:30 pm: Janis Miltenberger Open Studio (5-7 pm) and artist talk at 6:30 pm. Come hear from this world renowned glass sculpture artist about her work and on going process.
Both Old Hand and Skarpari will be open between 5-7 pm for drop in explorations of their locally crafted arts and artisan goods.
Drop by Brewvado or Blue Heron bistro for drink and food specials as well as Apizzapie food truck!
We hope you can join us for this monthly event amplifying and supporting local arts, culture and business on Lopez Island.
To get involved in First Saturday Art Walks, please email Nikyta@lopezlibrary.org. Everyone is welcome!
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Art Walk Themes and Dates for 2024:
- March 2: A Green World
- April 6: Unicorns & Magic (with Unicorn Parade & Dance Party at LCCA!)
- May 4: May the Fourth Be With You (Star Wars Theme
- June 1: Rhythm and Rhyme (Music and Poetry)
- July 6: Family Circus
- August 3: Dog Days of Summer (Dog focused with costume contest!)
- September 7 : Photos and Film
- October 5: Farming & Agriculture
- November 2: Dia de Los Muertos
- December 7: Holiday Lights
(Needlework detail by Julia Mira, Artist in Residence 2024 & exhibiting Artist March ’24)