Art Walks

I've been assigned by the City Paper to cover the past few Art Walks in Charleston. The Walks involve 32 member galleries representing way over 500 artists. The galleries stay open late on the first Friday evening of March, May, October and December; other stores and artspaces stay open to catch the same crowd.

Charleston's French Quarter Galleries folk got peeved with me the first time I mentioned those unofficial openings, so these days I make sure to mention the official organizers when I review the event.

Just over a week ago I ended up on an entirely different art walk, completely by accident.

The Olde Village walk used a pedestrian-friendly part of North Charleston. Stores, restaurants, salons, the quaint bank and post office showed a few paintings each. the atmosphere was relaxed and friendly, and a public art project came to fruition - my son Sam was one of the contributors.

the evening was smaller in scale and less ambitious than Chucktown's Art Walk, which worked in its favor - free glasses of wine and hors d'ouevres were not necessary to attract the happy punters who visited the village. The French Quarter Galleries could learn a thing or two from the North Charleston Art Festival's partnership with local businesses.

I happened to visit the walk because Sam had his art etched onto a public exhibit; he's a much more successful artist than me. Even if Sam hadn't been there, though, I still would have enjoyed myself. I hope the walk's repeated at next year's Art Festival, with a little more promotion and much-deserved hooplah.