Arts Warehouse Offers Summer Alternative To First Friday Art Walk
Off season? Not in Delray! Especially for the Arts Warehouse team and their family of artists, there is no reason to slow down during the Dog Days of Summer. That’s what air conditioning and the weather-proof art space is for!
In an effort to continue to engage with locals, summer visitors, and continue to support local artists, the Arts Warehouse team created the Summer First Fridays, which is an extension of the monthly Art Walk Event sponsored by the Downtown Development Authority (DDA).
The goal of these monthly events is to promote the amazing local artists at the Warehouse and give visitors a glimpse into their offerings. The work is updated/rotated every few months so there’s always something new to see and appreciation. After all, locals need summer programming, too!
“Arts Warehouse is a ‘one stop shop’ for art experiences. You can visit a working artist in their private studio, view their works in progress and learn about their artistic process one-on-one,” said Grace Gdaniec, Arts Warehouse manager. “In the studios you are also able to support the artists by purchasing work to add to your art collection/start collecting! The studio program and having the 15 studios right on site is really a unique experience in Delray Beach, and also Palm Beach County. So I consider the studio visits a great experience!”
The Summer First Fridays will feature art exhibitions, free art activities, open art studios, and artist talks. New shows include “Traces,” a group exhibition of five artists whose work showcases the artist’s hand in varying ways, as well as a solo exhibition of altered landscapes by Natasha Tomchin in the East Gallery. The July activity will be a firework-themed activity, there will be two floors of 13 resident artists to meet, and artist talks are held at 7:30 p.m. for about 20 minutes. Oh, wait, and the event is free and fun for all ages, and there will also be live music!
“The exhibitions we program are contemporary and unique to what else one might see around Delray Beach. It’s the goal to fill a certain niche in the exhibitions that are shown, in order to give visitors a different experience to what they may see at other local galleries,” Gdaniec said. “Even if someone does not consider themselves an appreciator of art, taking a walk through a gallery may spark a new thought, idea, or at least share a bit of information. The viewing experience is something that is special and I think really makes the visit.”
Not only is this a great way to beat the heat this summer, but an awesome opportunity to support the studio artists, view the latest art exhibitions, sign up for a future workshop, or purchase a piece of art from the gallery or the studios.
“Any chance we have to educate people on the importance of supporting small businesses, especially at Arts Warehouse as an arts small business, is one we are taking,” Gdaniec said. “Arts Warehouse encourages people to experience art in multiple ways, including viewing artwork with themes that may require the viewer to learn something new or see something from a different perspective – all part of the Arts Warehouse mission. We are a space to experience in multiple ways. And by anyone!”
The July event is held Friday, July 1 from 6 to 9 p.m. Free frozen treats will be available, (perfect for summer!), and the Happy Hour Bar will be open with $6 Beer, Wine, and Spiked Seltzer. Please visit www.artswarehouse.org or call (561) 330-9614 for more details.
