FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 15, 2011

Pueblo’s First Friday Art Walk , the free ticket to summer fun

PUEBLO‐ Welcome to Pueblo’s First Friday Art Walk! The art galleries will be open for extended hours beginning at 5:00 pm on May 6, June 3, July 1, August 5, September 2, and October 7 and they will be exhibiting newly hung shows, serving refreshments, and hosting live entertainment. You can create your own free walking tour of over 19 locations by starting at one gallery, picking up a guide, and traveling on to your next destination after mingling with the artists. All activities associated with Pueblo’s First Friday Art Walk are free.

Pueblo’s First Friday Art Walk offers visitors more than paintings, photography, fiber arts, sculpture, glass, and pottery.  Many galleries have special demonstrations of “live art activities”, and visitors are treated to live music and entertainment in galleries and restaurants.   Every First Friday, you can enjoy street performances at the corner of Union Avenue and C Street.  Visitors should allow extra time to explore the art on the Riverwalk and take a boat ride, and perhaps also squeeze in a meal at one of Pueblo’s excellent local restaurants.  There’s something for everyone to discover.

The fun continues as the sun goes down.  This summer’s newest participatory art experience is The Moving Wall Project. The Wall silently exhibits classic and experimental films in a variety of settings around town. These guerilla-style filmsters will randomly pick a building somewhere in downtown Pueblo and display films on its walls. If you’re interested, you can only find the Moving Wall by stumbling upon it, or by becoming a Fan of the Pueblo Performing Arts Guild on Facebook.

This May marks the one year anniversary of Pueblo Performing Arts Guild’s (PPAG) involvement in the coordination of marketing efforts for the Art Walk.  PPAG’s executive director, Susan Fries, says, “The galleries have seen a lot of success with this collaborative project.  Last May eight galleries were participating in the art walk, this May we are marketing for 19 Art Walk stops.  We’ve received countless inquires from artists this past year that want to participate and need gallery space to show their work.  As a result, four new creative industry businesses have opened on Union Avenue, with a fifth scheduled to open later this summer.  We’re very proud of our efforts, because those creative industry businesses filled empty store fronts on Union Avenue this past year.”

Because there is limited gallery space, but an abundance of artists, some clever arrangements have been made with owners that have empty storefronts.  The large windows of the Colorado Building at Main Street and 4^th Street have been filled since December with works by artists Maria Lopez and Karen Wallace.  And, last month, the art work of CSU-Pueblo students graced the windows of this historic building.  The overall effect of art filled window space makes for a much improved pedestrian experience in the downtown area.

One of the recently opened shops on Union Avenue is The Party People at 103 S. Union Avenue, where magic and parties are their creative industry.  Mr. E says, "The Friday Night Art Walk is a very real opportunity to showcase your business. We have met countless new people and developed several solid leads which have resulted in new revenues. We consider it one of our most valuable business resources. And, it's a heck of a lot of fun too!”

“We look forward to another exciting summer of Art Walks -- and art in general -- in Pueblo,” said Linda Cates, a potter at Cup & Bowl, 116 Midway Avenue. “We constantly see new faces in the gallery, and the growth we see challenges us as artists to view our special niche in Pueblo’s cultural center. Art is such an important part of Pueblo’s economy and we are glad to be here, and especially delighted to be a part of Pueblo’s historic district.”

Mo Valdez, owner of Lastleaf Printing and Design, can be found at 213 S. Union Avenue.  He’s the creator of this summer’s Art Walk poster.  Valdez began participating in the Art Walk last summer, and he says, "I love the FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK! Being a visual/graphic artist myself, I believe the Art Walk brings in prospective clients that would not have found me otherwise. That along with the atmosphere of the evening on First Fridays make me glad to stay open late, and I encourage not only those in the creative industry, but everyone in Pueblo to experience the Art Walk for themselves!”

For a complete map of locations and updated activities visit www.PuebloPAG.org before your visit.  Of course, you’re welcome to enjoy Pueblo’s arts every day.

Participating Galleries & Artists:

Downtown Area:

Sangre de Cristo Arts Center, 210 N. Santa Fe. The seven galleries open to explore.

Downtown Bar, 103 Central Plaza. Local artists on display in this friendly gallery bar.

The 5th and Main Espresso Bar Gallery,  421 N. Main Street.  New artists each month, featuring selections of live music and poetry reading.

In the Union Avenue Historic District:

High Vista Fine Art Gallery, 301 N Union Ave, Artist co-op gallery located in the beautiful El Pueblo History Museum.

Wireworks Coffeehouse, on the Riverwalk. Art and Music.

B. Vant. Garde Gallery , 123 S. Union.  Always live art projects happening during the Art Walk.

The Party People, 130 S. Union Ave. Art and live magic performances.

Prairie Rose, 129 S. Union Ave. Old time photography studio.

Daily Grind, 209 S. Union Ave. Local art and music.

Last Leaf Printing & Design, 213 S. Union, Features original silk screen poster and apparel designs.

Steel City Art Works, 216 S. Union, Co-op art gallery always lively with music, treats and beverages.

John Deaux Gallery, 221 S. Union, Artist receptions and open until 9pm.

Turf Exchange Art Center,221 S. Union,  Artist receptions and open until 9pm.

PPAG, 232 S. Union Ave, Live Performances

Oliver Design, 309 S. Union, Features local painting and jewelry.

Mesa Junction Area:

Cup & Bowl Gallery, 116 Midway,  First Friday activities often feature raku firings, music, and fun for the entire family in their outdoor kiln garden.

Colorado Fiber Arts, 121 Broadway, Features collections of new fiber artists each month.

Lanes House of Glass, 111 Colorado Avenue, The glass gallery includes an interactive glass creation for guests to enjoy.

Tea Tree Café,  119 Broadway, Next door to Colorado Fiber Arts local artists’ creations and live music.

Pueblo’s First Friday Art Walk Guide is available in all galleries and participating businesses. The guide includes a plan of activities and a map.  More information, schedules, galleries, and activities can be found by visiting www.PuebloPAG.org.  The sponsors for the Summer 2011 First Friday Art Walk activities are Urban Renewal Authority of Pueblo, Visual Artists of Pueblo, Pueblo Performing Arts Guild, Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce, and Legacy Bank.

The Pueblo Performing Arts Guild promotes the production, enjoyment, and collaboration of the arts for

the purposes of economic development and an enriched quality of life in Pueblo.

‐Pueblo Performing Arts Guild-