Art demos, gallery tours and a night of student films are leading up to the 23rd annual Red Deer Artwalk Festival on Saturday, June 18.
The “Artwalk season” officially kicks off tonight with a 5 p.m. launch party at the Velvet Olive. Those joining the party will get details about the Artwalk Festival and the events leading up to it, and prizes and fun are promised.
Artists-About-Town will start on Saturday, June 11, at the Red Deer Market and continue through the following week, featuring artists demonstrating their work at various locations. These include the Kerry Wood Nature Centre, City Hall Park, Veterans Park and the Recreation Centre.
The Artwalk Amble Gallery Tour will be held on Thursday, June 16. This guided tour to Red Deer art galleries starts and ends with a private reception at the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery (MAG). Tickets are $20 ($15 for those under age 13), and can be purchased at the MAG, Sunworks or Gallery IS. A lucky person will win a $200 door prize towards any art at participating galleries, including the Harris-Warke Gallery, Gallery IS, MAG and Voyageur Art and Tile.
The fourth annual Friday Film Night will be held under a big tent on June 17 in Rotary Recreation Park near 47th Avenue and 44th Street. The 7:30 p.m. event will showcase short independent works by students in the Red Deer College Motion Picture Arts program. It’s free — including the popcorn — but make sure to bring some lawn chairs.
The grand Artwalk Festival day happens on Saturday, June 18, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the same park. Enjoy the extensive Art Market, which features original works by local and regional artists, as well as demonstrations, interactive activities and live music.
This year’s feature artists, Betty Schnell and Doborah Petersen, will be painting and making glass beads, respectively. Sasha Grinnell will help make masks and Brenda Smith will create henna tattoos.
The outdoor stage will come alive with the music of Randi Boulton, Donna Durand, The Eclectics, The Neopolitins, Paeton Cameron Band, Lisa Heinrichs and Ross Stafford.
Everyone is invited to enjoy this free, all-ages festival in a beautiful setting.