Blaine Arts Council (BAC) is set to start a monthly downtown art walk on Friday, August 1.
The public is encouraged to start the First Friday Downtown Art Walk at the Blaine Art Gallery, 922 Peace Portal Drive, where BAC will introduce the artists whose work will be displayed in August.
The event will also serve as the grand opening of the art gallery and its gift shop following the July 4 soft opening. Appetizers will be served.
Deb Freeman, Kay Dee Powell, Marjie Miller, Ruby Starr, Scott Smith and Vaune Ainsworth will be the featured artists in August.
BAC president Margaret Owens said attendees can meander around downtown to enjoy the restaurants and shops. Participating businesses will hang BAC members’ art and be open late during the art walks.
BAC saw the art walks as a means to build Blaine as an arts community, Owens said.
“If we’re working together, the community wins,” she said. “I want to see downtown thrive and this is one of the ways we can do that. The more art we bring in, the more businesses will grow.”
Businesses participating this month include Peace Arch City Café and Bar, Drayton Harbor Oyster Company and L&L Bakery.
BAC is looking to grow the list of businesses. Businesses located within walking distance of downtown can email Owens at communications@blaineartscouncil.org.
Owens said she was inspired to start an art walk in Blaine after seeing them done in other cities, such as Sacramento, California, where she participated, and Bellingham.
The art walk is the latest event from BAC, which just held its annual art festival July 26-28. Owens said BAC hopes to use its gallery to hold art classes, children’s book readings and other artistic endeavors in the future.
“We’re looking to create a community event,” Owens said of the art walk.
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