San Diego’s largest urban arts event, ArtWalk, returns to Little Italy in Downtown San Diego for its 20th anniversary on April 24 and April 25. Initially a San Diego- based effort, Artwalk has grown to become a binational art and music festival that celebrates various art forms and cultures.
This year’s event marks the 20th anniversary of this celebration of art and will appeal to a wide assortment of people, with over 400 artists and their work in various mediums, including paint, sculpture, dance, electronic imaging, poetry, drama and architecture — a category that may even attract engineers!
For those who don’t quite understand the concept behind ArtWalk, it’s a one-mile route through Little Italy that shows off the great efforts of nationally known artists from both sides of the border. A fusion of San Diego and Tijuana artists, there is a wide range of artwork from all genres but this year, 12 specific artists were chosen for exhibition in the visual arts spectrum to represent ArtWalk itself, including Michelle Abrams and Igor Koutsenko. Abrams’ work can be seen at Abrams Art Studio in Point Loma, and Koutsenko’s artwork appeared on Bravo’s “Artbreak.” All in all, the collaboration of their work produces a medley of very different artistic styles, techniques, cultures and most importantly, personas.
ArtWalk reveals the talents of these artists, but also gives people an opportunity to interact with the artists and possibly buy a piece of work. It’s a chance for citizens of San Diego and tourists to become acquainted with and gain insight into the different elements of art. The works will be on display in local businesses, booths, studios and outdoor galleries.
Performing artists will also bring the streets of Little Italy to life with their personal brands of music. Thirteen local bands will play on every street corner, bringing a sort of Balboa Park atmosphere to Downtown. There will be something for everyone, ranging from flamenco guitarists to garage indie rock.
Feel free to bring the kids, as ArtWalk offers an interactive KidsWalk, with instruction from local artists and hands-on projects. The incredible opportunity for children to interact directly with the artists themselves facilitates an atmosphere where children can become burgeoning art aficionados. Some artists’ booths will be classified as “kid-friendly art” so that parents can rest assured their children will be safe in a boob-flashing-free environment.
ArtWalk is sponsored and programmed by several local nonprofit art and civic organizations including San Diego Art Institute, San Diego Performing Arts League, Institute for Arts Education, San Diego Dance Alliance, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego and many more.
For more information about ArtWalk 2004, call (619) 915-1090 or visit the Web site at http://www.artwalkinfo.com. San Diego ArtWalk will take place each day from noon to 6 p.m.
