Modesto’s Art Walk a community gathering downtown

The final Third Thursday Art Walk of the season will be Aug. 20, in downtown Modesto, making way for some new art spots to join the trek come September.

Read “season” as a loose term, since the art walk runs year-round. But every six months, organizers give businesses on the tour a chance to come and go.

This is the 12th year of monthly events that showcase the works and wares of local artists in a relaxed, all-ages atmosphere, with food, drink, entertainment and other activities along the way.

“It features all the great things Modesto has to offer, all the great talent we have in our own community,” said Art Walk committee member Jennifer Price of downtown’s Chartreuse Muse Gallery.

An average Thursday night might find 200 to 250 people milling in and out of the participating downtown galleries and businesses, Price said, based on a regular count done at Chartreuse Muse.

That foot traffic includes people of just about any age, ranging from parents with their children to young adults and up, she added.

“Especially when the weather is nice, people like to get out and walk around,” agreed Phonsie Bates, Central California Art Association board member.

The CCAA’s Mistlin Gallery offers food, refreshments and, usually, wine for the art walk. In addition, there’s generally live music or another form of entertainment, Bates said.

This month, the entertainment is actually part of the exhibit. Mistlin debuts “Collision IV” on Aug. 18, a mash-up of photography paired with poetry. At the Art Walk two nights later, poets will read their works while the paired photographs are displayed.

Several of the photographers and poets will be on hand at the gallery for an artists reception the night of the Art Walk.

Bates said the monthly Art Walks are well attended, with people enjoying the art and interaction.

“We usually have a lot going on,” Bates said. “Art, wine, music, art classes (that are) free during event.”

Often, one or two artists will offer a “trunk show” to sell more of their wares.

Because participating businesses come and go, organizers reprint the Art Walk brochures every six months. Those updates allow new businesses to join the walk without having to wait a year, Price said.

The season that ends this month had seven stops, but Price said that number will grow in September.

Ryerson Art Collection, which had been part of the current season, has left downtown, Price said. But joining Mistlin Gallery, Chartreuse Muse, Peer Recovery Art Project, Carolyn Huff Photography, Barkin’ Dog Grill and Preservation Coffee and Tea for September will be Still Smoking, 1313 J St., and Trevino’s Barber Shop, 909 10th St.

One or two more businesses also might be added in time for the Sept. 17 walk, she added.

Price and Bates agreed the Art Walk is a great attraction to downtown that can appeal to almost anyone, from families to couples on a date night to older adults out for the evening.

“It’s free, it offers food and art and music,” Bates said. “It’s a good event for the community.”

This story was originally published August 11, 2015 at 3:34 PM with the headline "Modesto’s Art Walk a community gathering downtown."