Three reasons you must go to Arts Walk

J AMIE KUSER SNAPPED A photo of four of his friends following each other across First Street in downtown Fort Myers. In the conspicuous picture, each one is holding up a painting so all you can see is their legs — one pair bare, two pairs of pants and one with a skirt.

"Yes, I stole it from 'Abbey Road,'" said Mr. Kuser, publisher of Happenings Arts and Entertainment Magazine. He set up the image based on The Beatles' album cover. "There's no denying."

The picture, taken last year, has become the ubiquitous promotional image of Art Walk, a downtown Fort Myers event held on the first Friday of every month. The art galleries stay open late to debut new works and people flood the streets to walk around and see them; live music and performances are included for free. You'll probably get to meet the artists, too.

"That night there's a high chance you're going to be able to meet an artist at any gallery," Mr. Kuser said.

Art Walk began last October when gallery owner Greg Knezevich brought the idea to Mr. Kuser and others, based on similar events in Miami and elsewhere. Mr. Knezevich has since closed his gallery and moved to Miami. But Art Walk continued to grow as more gallery owners, restaurants, boutique stores and artists in downtown's River District became a part of a growing local art scene.

COURTESY PHOTO Top, from the left: interior of Arts for ACT gallery and boutique; exterior of Café Matisse; and interior of daas Gallery. Above, at daas Gallery, paintings from the top left: "Red," "Soft Eyes," "My Eyes are Sad Eyes," and unknown, by local artist Piper Rudich; and below them, "The Pendant," by daas co-owner David Acevedo. "There's definitely kind of a bubbling arts scene that's happening now," said HOWL Gallery/Tattoo owner Andy Howl.

The 33-year-old graphic designer, tattoo artist and painter opened his gallery and tattoo shop downtown on Broadway in March. Since then, he has stepped into the role of creating Art Walk's Web site and keeping the momentum going.

"It was kind of easy for me to jump in and build the logo," said Mr. Howl. It's a graphic depiction of Mr. Kuser's photograph. "As far as the branding the event, I kind of orchestrated it to a degree. Everybody's contributed in some way."

Art Walk gained funding from the city, and more participating venues, including restaurants and boutique shops like Enjewel on First Street and Inspire! on West First Street, which also stay open late that night. An after party, where gallery owners, artists and others mingle, is held at different venues. This week it's at Spirits of Bacchus, a tapas bar on Hendry Street, and begins at 10 p.m.

A free shuttle is available at Art Walk to take people to different galleries and sites, including the historic Burroughs Home on the eastern outskirts of downtown. A free one-act play at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center is an added event.

"I think it's exceeded what we actually planned on and we're continuing to grow it," Mr. Howl said. "We're still putting energy into what we can do to improve it and what we can add, as far as more street performers and that kind of thing."

On the first Friday in October, Art Walk will celebrate its one-year anniversary with the biggest Walk yet.

"It will kind of be going into version two," Mr. Howl said. "It will be a little bit bigger. You'll see more advertising and that kind of thing."

Art Walk also coincides with Friday Night Live, a family concert series in the Patio de Leon.

"I think the two reinforce each other pretty well," said Frank Greathouse, owner of Real Guitars. He has kept Friday Night Live funded with the help of Raimond Aulen, owner of The Indigo Room bar, and one-time gifts and a tip jar. Sanjah Reggae will perform Aug. 7 in the Patio.

"Donations will be gleefully accepted," Mr. Greathouse said.

Art Walk artists sell original work

At past Walks, people have found works by both the famous and iconic (for instance, Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg and Marilyn Manson), as well as a growing lineup of fresh and local talent. That includes Heather Clough, 26, a Fort Myers artist whose "Octopods" have been a best seller at HOWL. A canvas makes up the body and polymer clay octopus legs dangle off the canvas humorously.

"I know the 'Octopods' are really popular," she said. "I think that they're fun and different and they make people laugh, I guess. Somebody told me they're like toys for your wall and I thought that's kind of cute and it fit."

Original, lower-priced works are selling well downtown.

"Anything less than $300 — that seems to be the key," said Claudia Goode, curator at Art for ACT. "And just about everything will go if it's under that price. So I guess affordable is right now the key."

Art Walk is one of the strongest nights for sales at most galleries.

"From a gallery point of view, Art Walk is definitely a night you can count on to do sales," Mr. Howl said.

The galleries on Art Walk nights have often been packed and the overflow fills local restaurants, bars and boutique shops that stay open late. After seeing the results — an estimated 1,000 people come downtown that night — the Fort Myers Redevelopment Agency agreed to help market the Walk by allocating $1,000 per month to promote it. At about $1 per person who comes downtown, it's a promotional no brainer for the city.

It's also good business for downtown workers.

"With the economy bad, people still go out and look," said Erin Murphy, 24, a waitress at Café Matisse on First Street. Pianist Melody Cooke will play there from 6 to 8 p.m. "We're busy from start to finish. It's really hectic but it's a lot of fun."

"It reintroduces downtown to the general population of Lee County," said Paul Jean-Pitre, owner of Café Matisse.

.. if you go

>> August 7 Art Walk stops
Art Walk is on the first Friday of every month, from
6 to 10 p.m. For a complete guide to all participating
to www.fortmyersartwalk.com or see the map
available at River District locations.
Art League of Fort Myers
Summer time fine arts show
1451 Monroe Street
275-3970
www.artleagueoffortmyers.org
Arts for ACT Gallery and Boutique
Back to school reception featuring art from grades
kindergarten through college. Dana Alvarez, a
contemporary vocalist, will perform from 6 to 8p.m.
Valerie Elam will perform easy-listening jazz.
2265 First St
337-5050
www.artsforactgallery.com
Café Matisse
Pianist Melody Cooke will play from 6 to 8 p.m.
2236 First Street
362-1831
Burroughs Home
Exhibit featuring Sanibel artist Peter Zell.
2505 First St.
332-6125
http://www.uncommonfriends.org/
daas Gallery
Opening exhibit for Frida: "Thoughts, Blood and
Flowers, A Tribute to Frida Kahlo."
1542 Broadway Street
980-1394
www.daasgallery.com

Enjewel
Featuring Del Sol jewelry artist Terry Meza
2218 First Street
415-4023
Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center
"Final Stage," free one-act play at 7 p.m. and 8:30
p.m. Also on display, the landscape and abstract art
of Carol McArdle.
2301 First Street
333-1933
www.sbdac.com

HOWL Gallery/Tattoo
Artist reception for High Brow Hot Rods, The Auto-
Expressionist Paintings of Daniel Brown
1514 Broadway #101
332-0161
www.howlgallery.com
Space 39
The gallery is temporarily located in the Palm Room
at the entrance to the Hotel Indigo and will feature
an exhibit of modern and contemporary art.
39 Patio De Leon
690-0004
www.spacethirtynine.com