Downtown Findlay to get artsy

One of Findlay's favorite events, ArtWalk, will take place at 30 galleries, shops, restaurants and businesses on Friday in downtown Findlay. The spring ArtWalk locations are within walking distance of each other and will house musicians, artists displaying their work and also highlight local vendors. Artists will be on hand to discuss their work and process, and art will be available for purchase as well. Many artists in the Jones Building will be opening their studio doors for tours, demonstrations and displaying their work for sale. The Findlay Art League will celebrate the opening of its annual Member Show. The Marathon Center for the Performing Arts will include the Hancock County Student Showcase in the Fisher/Wall Art Gallery, artists hosted within MCPA, and live music from RB Stone throughout the evening, as well as St. Michael's Una Voce Show Choir at 6 p.m. Una Voce will also perform at Hancock Hotel at 7 p.m. In addition, Hancock Hotel will house local artists' work in their lobby. Inspire Music & Wellness Studio will hold an Instrument Petting Zoo from 5-7 p.m. The interactive experience will give children an opportunity to try out a variety of musical instruments at 332 W. Main Cross St. New downtown businesses, hand + home and 3 Oaks, will participate in ArtWalk for the first time. Both businesses will host artists as well as highlight local vendors whose goods line their shelves year-round. The Findlay-Hancock County Public Library will host a Tiny Art show, with artwork created on miniature canvases from local children, teens, and adults. The library will also hold a puppet show from the Mazza Museum at 5:45 p.m. and a performance from Liberty-Benton's a Capella group, Fermata the Blue, at 6:30 p.m. The Friends of the library's book sale will be open from from 5:30-8 p.m. The Jones Mansion will have Findlay High School's String Quartet performing, as well as artists located within the historic home. St. Andrew's United Methodist Church will host Findlay Troop 312's annual chicken barbecue dinner, with meals available for pre-sale online. The cost for a meal is $11. Limited walk-in purchases will also be available. Live music can be heard at several locations, and DORA beverages will be sold at participating bars and restaurants for participants to enjoy while they take in ArtWalk. Many locations will also be celebrating Cinco de Mayo with drink and food specials. ArtWalk is a triannual, family-friendly, free event that takes place the first Friday of May, August and November in an effort to promote the arts and integrate them throughout the downtown Findlay business community. This event is a collaborative effort among Visit Findlay: Hancock County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Findlay Art League, Jones Building Artists and Marathon Center for the Performing Arts. A complete list of participating locations and artists can be found at VisitFindlay.com/ArtWalk. Printed maps of ArtWalk locations are available at the Visit Findlay Welcome Center, 123 E. Main Cross St., with limited copies at all participating locations the evening of the event. For more information, go to VisitFindlay.com/ArtWalk