Arts & Entertainment

Art Walk Lets Residents Explore City's Venues

2nd Fridays events draw the curious downtown.

Art Works Downtown lured San Rafael residents to the many galleries, open studios and exhibits  Friday evening as it has on the second Friday of each month for three years.

The art walk includes maps of the many art venues scattered throughout downtown, and special displays and discounts at restaurants in an effort to connect artists and the community. 

The idea of the monthly tour is to promote art and business as well as the downtown area.

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"We want to bring more people out and help them experience something cultural," said Petrina Wielgos, managing director of the nonprofit organization. "We want to make people aware San Rafael has an arts side."

Art Works Downtown has been at its locations from 1325 to 1337 Fourth St. for 12 years. It houses studios for 40 local artists and offers exhibits, educational events, affordable apartments for artists and other programs.

Find out what's happening in San Rafaelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The art walks attract from 200 to 500 visitors and businesses are increasingly taking part in the event, said Stan Gibbs, program manager.

"It was a challenge for us to get people down here and downstairs, but once they do they see what we have to offer," Gibbs said. 

Artist Agne Correll, who owns ROOM Gallery at 1320 Fourth St., is featuring the work of  Chor Boogie, a San Francisco spray paint artist, whose art has taken him to Mexico, Brazil, Australia and China.

Also featured at ROOM is Scott Amour, who has been creating acrylic and paper collages for 40 years.

The amazing thing, Correll said, is Amour is colorblind but creates multi-layered, complex works.

San  Francisco artist Tim Armstrong prepared for the evening's event with a flour and water lace-like floral pattern on the sidewalk in front of Art Works early Friday. His works are especially environmentally friendly -- they are usually eaten by pigeons.


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