The first, free “Open Gallery Night” will be held Friday, Sept. 16, in Coronado featuring ten art galleries and six businesses participating in the event from 5:00-8:00pm. A free double-decker “ArtMobile” will transport art lovers along Orange Avenue, from the Coronado Ferry Landing to the Hotel del Coronado, with stops along the way.
Refreshments will be served in most of the galleries and participating restaurants will feature “Open Gallery Specials.” Boney’s Bayside Market has scheduled a wine-tasting for that evening, and at least two of the galleries will feature live painting demonstrations (Stephen Clayton and Dan McGeorge).
“This is an amazing first effort for us,” says Heidi Wilson, who along with Doug St. Denis, has been working the past several months to make Coronado aware of its thriving arts community.
“The enthusiasm is electric, and it can only get bigger and better,” she adds. Look for colorful “balloon bouquets” to mark participating galleries, businesses and trolley stops. Pick up your free, yellow “ART HAPPENS” lapel buttons at participating galleries.
The event is strategically planned as a “kick-off” to the Coronado Art Walk, which begins the next day and runs through Sunday, the 19th.
Friday evening, as one of the Gallery stops, the Coronado Museum of History and Art at 1100 Orange Avenue, will offer work from the “Featured Artists” of this year’s Art Walk.
“Night time is the absolute most fun time for galleries the lights add wonderful energy, the art looks great, and everyone’s in a good mood on Friday night,” says gallery owner McGeorge, one of the event organizers.
Recently, Mayor Casey Tanaka officially proclaimed September 2011 as “Celebrate the Arts Month” in Coronado. A follow-up, FREE, “Art Happening” is planned for September 26 in Coronado. Watch your local listings for details.
Additional participating galleries include: Stephen Clayton Galleries, (Ferry Landing #111); Art for Wildlife Gallery, (Ferry Landing, #101); Tina Christensen Gallery, (138 Orange Avenue), Island Light Photography, (1109 Ninth St.); Art and Frames by Wood, (936 Orange Avenue); Brent Haywood Photography (Taste of Oils, 954 Orange Avenue); Austin’s gallery (1024 C Avenue); St. Clair Gallery (1330 Orange Avenue); and Dan McGeorge Gallery (1340 Orange Ave.)
