By By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER
Lifestyles & Features Editor
Art connoisseurs flocked to downtown Washington on Thursday evening for the spring ArtWalk, presented by the Beaufort County Arts Council and the Washington Harbor District Alliance.
A dozen or so local galleries and merchants were hosting shows and guest artists during the event, according to BCAC Executive Director Joey Toler.
For Toler, the evening began with the official opening of this year’s BCAC Members’ Exhibit, which showcases approximately 100 works by some of the area’s finest artists.
“There were huge crowds from where I sat,” Toler told the Daily News on Friday. “I believe a lot of people started out here, since our reception started a little earlier than ArtWalk.”
Along with the Members’ Exhibit, other opportunities to enjoy the fine arts were offered by Art Tyndall Studio, BCAC Lane Gallery &Gift Shop, Crabby’s Stained Glass &Collectibles, Inner Banks Artisans’ Center, Lone Leaf Gallery &Custom Framing, Notes Café/Evolution Gallery &Lounge and Riverwalk Gallery.
In addition, Charisma Boutique Inc., I Can’t Believe It’s A Book Store, Pamlico River Antiques, Russell’s Men Shop and Whimsy’s offered what Toler called an “art element” in addition to their usual merchandise. Local Plein Air painters were also at work throughout downtown Washington during ArtWalk.
Seven lucky individuals were recipients of prizes offered by participating artists and galleries. Winners of the ArtWalk drawing were Shawn Watters, Elizabeth Picone, Mary Morrison Dixon, Sara Woolard, Barbara Lawrence, Doug Dosher and Fran Roper.
Thursday’s event was a follow-up event to last fall’s well-received Art Walk, and this one proved to be just as popular, according to Toler.
“Everybody was surprised. Everybody had wonderful sales,” he said. “It was just a wonderful night. It was a nice, warm evening and everybody was just loving it.”
The event also brought in visitors from outside the immediate area.
“We had several people from out of town, and they said it was wonderful to be able to come to Washington and have something like this to do,” Toler said. “Anybody who says the arts don’t have an economic impact on the downtown area needs to get out and talk to some of these gallery owners.”
For those who missed ArtWalk, the participating galleries are open on a regular basis.
And visiting the Washington Civic Center Gallery, where the Members’ Exhibit is on display, is always an option. That show is slated to remain on display through June 30.
The Washington Civic Center Gallery is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Occasionally, the Civic Center is closed for private functions, so the public is encouraged to call the Beaufort County Arts Council in advance to verify hours. For more information, call 252-946-2504 or send e-mail to beaufortcountyarts@embarqmail.com.