September 20, 2022
By:
Hundreds of DeKalb County residents converged downtown Friday evening for the first Art Walk, sponsored by the Shoppes of West Walnut.
“It was a perfect night for a perfect gathering,” says Bert Driver one of the event organizers and sponsors.
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“Judging from the enthusiastic turnout, people here in Dekalb County are hungry for this kind of cultural get-together.”
For art aficionados, Art Walk presented a unique opportunity to explore the old and new, right here at home. Participating artists exhibiting their latest creations along Walnut St. included Gerry Smith Burklow, felt/paper mache; painter Lara Cottrell; Beverly Mayes- mixed media sculptor; One Stop Soul Shop- MacKenzie; Kerry Judkins, acrylic and oil landscapes; Andy Murphy, landscape photographer; photographer and woodworker Matt Antoniak; and Tabitha Thierjung, Glass Artist in Residence at The Appalachian Center for Craft. Best of Show Honors went to Lara Cottrell while Gerry Smith Burklow earned Best Display.
Meanwhile, a free art gallery was set up showcasing originals by Renoir, Dali, Whistler, and other renowned masters from the collection of Shane Brock, as well as a vintage hand carved tusk on loan from Crede Colgman.
Live musical entertainment for the evening was provided by members of MTSU’s Cerulean Soul Jazz Band.
“By every measure, Art Walk was a success,” notes Driver. “We promise there will be more events like this for the people of DeKalb County in the future.”