Art walks should be about art
art walks are a way to celebrate creativity, culture, and community.
I've been thinking a lot about downtown Ukiah’s First Friday Art Walk lately and how it sometimes feels like the business community is trying to take over the event for their interests. For over a decade, I have actively participated in the art walk. I've contributed as an exhibiting artist, showing my work at participating venues, attended as a patron of the arts, and hosted monthly art shows at the MEDIUM Art Gallery, which I co-founded in 2021 with my two friends, Lillian and Meredith.
Lately, I've noticed that the original intention of the art walk has often been overlooked in favor of the commercial interests of local businesses and entrepreneurs. While these businesses are essential to our community, they can also help preserve the art walk's original purpose by displaying local art at their establishments and remaining open during the art walk.
Art walks are designed to support the local community through programs that benefit artists, artisans, crafters, micro-businesses, and youth. These monthly events offer a unique opportunity to showcase art publicly while collaborating with local businesses, creating a vibrant environment for networking, relaxing, and enjoying refreshments.
I don’t know who started the art walk in Ukiah, but a quick Google search tells me that art walks are rooted in the community-centric initiatives of the mid-20th century when artists and local businesses began collaborating to make art more accessible to the public. The concept gained momentum in the 1960s and 1970s, with cities like New York and San Francisco leading the way. These early art walks were often grassroots movements aimed at revitalizing urban areas and making art an integral part of everyday life. Over the decades, art walks evolved, expanding to smaller towns like ours here in Northern California. They became regular events, often held monthly, to draw consistent foot traffic to local businesses and galleries. Integrating food, drink, and live entertainment became common, enhancing the overall experience for those in attendance.
Why can’t we do this in Ukiah?
The marketing for our local event sometimes leaves me feeling confused. The monthly press release often starts by stating that Ukiah is a walkable town. While that may be true to some extent, it doesn't consider practical concerns. For example, recently, the temperature soared above 100 degrees during the event. Is it reasonable to expect people to walk around in such extreme heat? What about the winter when it’s raining heavily?
This past month, the first item in the press release was unrelated to art. It was about a business selling clothing. It's important to remember that art walks are mainly about the art itself, not just the physical act of walking or the businesses hosting the event. The primary focus should be on the art, with everything else being secondary.
When we opened the MEDIUM Art Gallery three years ago, it took over a year for our gallery to be included in the monthly announcements sent to the media, and despite hosting monthly art exhibitions, our physical location is not listed on the website that provides information about the monthly event. Additionally, two venues listed are at the exact location, and another one hasn't hosted art shows in years. It seems like the art walk is being overlooked by those running it.
I wish more people understood the value the art walks have for both artists and viewers. These events provide essential exposure, networking opportunities, and potential artist sales. For viewers, art walks offer a unique, enjoyable way to connect with the art community, making their purchases more meaningful and memorable. The rich history of art walks underscores their importance in fostering community spirit and bringing art into everyday life.
When we established the Deep Valley Arts Collective, we crafted a mission statement that centers on fostering artistic development while enhancing the well-being of our community. If you are a local business owner interested in participating in the art walk, please contact us at info@deepvalleyarts.org. We can connect you with artists eager to showcase their work locally.
cp out.
I heard the people that are pushing the Artwalks this year meet at Black Oak Coffee on the Tuesday following the artwalk, at 8 am. I am sure they would love all the help they can get. It’s open to the public.
Agreed. The Art Walk has always been disorganized. I believe our downtown businesses are crucial as collaborators but they should be sponsoring the effort and featuring local artists in their storefront. Otherwise, it’s just The Chamber of Commerce/Visit Ukiah capitalizing off the event. Obviously, having your business open during those hours is smart but to be involved in the “Art Walk” you should be exhibiting local artists and musicians.