A new and improved Art Walk
offers opportunities for local artists in Hermosa Beach
The Hermosa Beach Art Walk is definitely evolving. This year, the fifth annual Art Walk had a different location, a different schedule, all in service of the same goal: a venue for local artists, and a means of facilitating arts education.
On the bustling corner of Pier Avenue and PCH, the Art Walk was a refreshing and eclectic haven of creativity. While this past weekend was scorchingly hot, artists lovingly assembled their booths with paintings, sculpture, photography, and crafts like original furniture and jewelry. The participation contract for the event requires that all the work shown be original, as the event aspires to be not only a marketplace, but a means of exhibition for local artists trying to make their work their passion.
In its earlier years, the event was held on lower Pier Avenue along the street’ sidewalks, limiting the space for each artist’s display to a crowded less than three feet by ten feet. With a move to the Hermosa Beach Community Center’s generously sized lawn, each artist was given a full10×10 foot space to work with, and the entire event was able to house more artists total than before. The result was much more centralized event with a coherence that gave it a sense of community.
The Board that organizes the Art Walk each year is pleased with the change. “If the artists and the community like this location, we are going to continue it out here, and so far it seems like a big success” described coordinator and Art Walk President, Ken Klade.
In recent years, the Art Walk has also consolidated its schedule from a spaced-out three evenings over the course of three summer months, to a single day. This need-based change was a result of participating artists feeling a single, full-day event would be more useful, and practical.
“One day is more conducive to the artists becoming more well known, it’s easier for them in the long run. It works better for the community too,” according to Board member Sienna Tucker.
“We thought that if we had it on a full day, more artists with better quality work would take the time to come, and they have,” agreed Board member Sam Perrotti.
The addition of music and educational programs as well contributed to the Art Walk’s status as an “event,” which could be seen in the various families and lingerers in attendance. A steel drum band, drum circle, and the very jubilant Manhattan Beach Hyperion Outfall Serenaders were among some of the musicians that likely helped draw and hold the attention of passers-by.
“We introduced more music, and I think next year we will try to incorporate even more,” Tucker planned.
Besides demonstrations on sculpture, glass blowing, and painting for all ages, the intimate size of the event and sense of community betterment afforded explanations of any of the art by its creators. An interested father asked how the thick impasto of a painting was achieved, while potential buyers learned how colorful glass pumpkins and vases were blown.
This educational aspect defines the mission of the Art Walk Board. Tucker is involved with a women’s group artist scholarship, and Klade hopes the event will eventually be able to contribute even more to local schools and create scholarships.
With these educationally and creatively oriented ambitions, there is no doubt that the “artsy” community of Hermosa Beach will welcome the new and improved Art Walk back next year, perhaps expanded as a two-day weekend event. According to Tucker, they will be glad to be back: “As long as the city approves it, we are there.”
Photos by Shelby Chambers
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