Art Walk returns to Findlay

FINDLAY — ArtWalk is returning to downtown Findlay from 5-9 p.m. today. The quarterly event is held on the first Fridays of February, May, August and November. The free, family-friendly event is designed to bring local artists, musicians and downtown businesses together for a day of live music, visual art and local cuisine. "We have so many talented people in the arts, either with visual arts, musicians, or performers," said Community Relations and Development Manager for Visit Findlay Danielle Wilkin. "This is a really great opportunity to highlight those artists while also promoting shopping and business in downtown Findlay." Organized by Visit Findlay in collaboration with the Findlay Art League, Jones Building Artists and the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts, ArtWalk is returning with more than 30 participating locations this time around. "This one's gonna be a little bit more immersive than it has in the past because we've had so much interest from artists, which is such a great problem to have," Wilkin said. "I had more artists reach out that were interested this year than I have in the five years I have done this." Two new businesses will be participating in ArtWalk — Stuttgart Classic Cars and Main Street Deli Bar/Arcade. Stuttgart will be opening its garage to the public, featuring its car collections and artwork. Main Streets Deli Bar/Arcade will be hosting two visual artists. New additions also include face painting at Smarty Pants Toys and Gifts and sidewalk chalk art at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church. During the hustle and bustle, live music will be featured at multiple venues throughout the evening. Musicians/artists include: Ryan Parker, Gardner Family Lounge Bar Open inside MCPAMark Heitkamp from Hawk Beat, spinning vinyl, LBE Vintage, 6-9 p.m. Joel Starkey, game day organist for Flag City Sluggers, Mancy's Steakhouse Mikaela Umbs, harpist, Findlay Art League Singers/musicians at Midwest Financial Planning Group, Gem's Fairy Cakes, Trends on Main, The Bourbon Affair, Logan's Irish Pub and Yeager's Modern Man Local student groups performing include: Findlay High School's String Factor, 6 p.m., Findlay-Hancock County Public LibraryLiberty-Benton Fermata the Blue, 6:45 p.m., Findlay-Hancock County Public LibrarySt. Michael's the Archangel School Show Choir Una Voce, 5 p.m., Findlay Inn & Conference Center Nearly all participating locations will feature artwork for display and purchase, including watercolor, acrylic, digital art, fused glass, woodwork, ceramics and other media. Among the participating venues, special events during ArtWalk include: Hancock County Advanced Student Art Show, Fisher/Wall Art GalleryFifth Third Bank Wall of Fame Induction, MCPA, 6-6:30 p.m.Public demonstrations and sales, Jones Building Artist StudiosMay Member Show, Findlay Art LeagueTiny Art Show and Hancock County Student's Art Show, Findlay-Hancock County Public Library For a quick bite, Dante's Rolling Food Truck will be parked outside the MCPA and Call of the Canyon will be offering ready-to-go meals. Downtown restaurants will also be open during ArtWalk. "If you want to go to a restaurant during ArtWalk to eat, they're usually packed," Outreach Coordinator for MCPA Kelda Heitkamp said. "We found that having a food truck out here seems to work for people and is quick." The event has grown in popularity over recent years, growing from two times a year to four. "It very much feels like if you were to go to an art festival," Heitkamp said. "There's way more foot traffic downtown too, it's become very popular," For more information and a full map of participating venues, visit https://visitfindlay.com/artwalk.