(Above: A painting by Jason Hewitt will be one of many artworks on display during the downtown Springfield Second Friday Art Walk in March.)
Edited by Randi Bjornstad
Downtown Springfield’s Second Friday Art Walk for March 10
Guided Tour
Downtown Springfield’s Second Friday Art Walk has been a monthly fixture for more than six years, but not one that always has been easy to maintain in terms of funding and sponsorship.
Now, however, the Emerald Art Center has stepped forward to manage the popular event, center executive director and art walk co-founder Paula Goodbar said.
“This is a definite step in the right direction.” Goodbar said. “We will now have volunteer resources and the ability to find more funding to help it grow.”
Attendance at the monthly art walks has grown significantly, with as many as 500 participants except during severe weather, “bringing plenty of commerce to the local restaurants, shops and galleries,” she said. “We want to see those numbers continue to grow.”
The theme for the art walk on March 10 is “March of the Mad Hatters,” and Goodbar, who will be the official tour guide, urges guests to don their wildest millinery for the occasion. At the end of the walk, there will be a Mad Hatter hat-or-costume contest, with prizes.
The tour begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Emerald Art Center, 500 Main St., where exhibits include artist Jeremy Wilken’s “up cycled” Whoa-Botz creations as well as a photography show, “Decaying Connections,” featuring the work of art center member Misha Gehr.
Other stops on the tour include:
* Haven (349 Main St.) — Whimsical mixed-media/encaustic art by Patty Fahlstrom; refreshments.
“On the Hill” is one of the pieces of art by Heather Storrs that will be on display at Haven during the Second Friday Art Walk
* 331 Mosaic (331 Main St.) — Digital art by Heather Storrs; refreshments and a demonstration by the artist.
* Hearts for Hospice (449 Main St.) — One-of-a-kind earrings, bracelets and necklaces by Gini Hornbecker of Sister Stones Jewelry, featuring natural gemstones with accents of sterling silver, brass, pewter, glass, bone, crystal, shells, seeds and “findings.” Music by The Refreshments.
Art by high school students in Springfield is on exhibit at the Springfield Museum in March
* Springfield Museum (590 Main St.) — Art created by high school students in Springfield will be on display.
*Tronson Gallery of Contemporary Art (740 Main St.) — All-new work in watercolor and oil by Michele Thorp; refreshments.
Michele Thorp’s painting of a blue heron is part of her show at the Tronson
Gallery for Contemporary Art
* Cascade Center for Spiritual Living (741 Main St.) — Photography show, “Birds, Bugs and Botanica,” by Paige Cannon.
* Memento Ink (525 Main St.) — Photographs and paintings by Albert Southavilay and Marie Sidathong, plus refreshments and Mad Hatter contest.
More arts and culture
* Springfield City Hall (225 Fifth St.)
* U.S. Bank (437 Main St.) — Show of oil paintings, “Flowers & Landscapes,” by Norma Wade; open 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the bank lobby.
* Malerische Gallery (236 Main St.)
Second Friday Art Walk sponsored by Emerald Art Center, 541-726-8595
