Downtown Paris ARTWALK: A night of art, food, and fun

 
Last Friday evening saw Main Street in Downtown Paris filled with folks enjoying a beautiful night with friends, food, and fun. The sixth Downtown Paris ARTWALK was well attended. Hundreds of people visited friends and perused art on and around Main Street.   

Twenty-two venues hosted over forty artists. Artists included Paris locals and other artist from surrounding areas. Artist Evan Fugazzi of Lexington referred to his first Downtown Paris ARTWALK as “a great experience.”  

“It was great to celebrate art and enjoy an evening with lots of new friends in Paris, KY,” said Fufazzi.

 
Miranda Reynolds (far left) visits with folks at The Edward Jones Investment office.


Evan Fugazzi talks with folks at Edward Jones Investments

Bobby Shiflit, owner of Frames of Main Gallery, refers to Downtown Paris ARTWALK as “a social block party” and believes it is a great event for the community.   


Pat Conley and Chamber of Commerce Director Lucy Cooper


Ambassador Pat Conley of The Treehouse B&B on Stoner Creek greets the crowds.  

Each venue offered refreshments, highlights included: Smoked pork tenderloin at Edward Jones, Sweet Potato chips with honey Blue cheese dip at Campbell’s, Fresh fruit salsas at Varden’s, a beautiful hors d’oeuvre buffet at Kentucky Bank, Smoked salmon pate at Loch Lea Antiques, Champagne punch at Ardery’s, and Beer cheese at Fister Sister’s.


Crowds gather trying to get into Varden's

 
Baby's first ARTWALK.

After many requests to extend the hours, Downtown Paris ARTWALK ran until 9 o’clock this year. Restaurants including Migdalia’s and Campbell’s report having busy evenings for post-ARTWALK dining. 

 
White Horse Gallery had big crowds

Thumbs up for ARTWALK!

Downtown Paris ARTWALK is a volunteer run and organized event of The Main Street Promotions Committee. The Committee wishes to thank all the artists and visitors who made Downtown Paris ARTWALK a success; and a special thank you to the volunteers who help make everything possible especially the venues who graciously host artists and their artwork. 

 
Varden's has a packed house.


Varden's served Henry Bains Meatballs and Fresh Fruit Salsas.
Steve's Watermelon, Pineapple, and Apple Salsas were a hit.

Downtown Paris ARTWALK is held twice a year, in the spring and summer. The next ARTWALK will be in April.

Brian Privett's office was open for ARTWALK.


Donna Lyn Eads talks to a visitor at Varden's.
Eads was the guest artist at Varden's.

Downtown Paris ARTWALK






Friday, July 17
5:00 - 9:00 o'clock
Rain or shine
Food and beverages at every location
No Cost
Maps available at all locations
Green balloons to mark venues
987-4700 for more information 

Varden's artist for the July ARTWALK will be:
Donna Lynn Eads

Artist Bio

Donna Lynn Eads

The Southern artist Donna Lynn Eads celebrates the simplicity of nature through large scale paintings in conjunction with smaller pastels drawings. Eads show at Varden's are examples of her small pastel drawings.

Upon graduation from High School, her artistic talent carried Donna Lynn to the College of Charleston in South Carolina.  There she continued to flourish as an artist earning two degrees, Studio Art and a Minor in Art History.  At the completion of her two degrees Donna Lynn took a hiatus from the Art world to pursue other talents.

Geographically the artist has come full circle, returning to Lexington, Kentucky to focus on her artistic interpretations of the natural surroundings and to give back to the community that has given her so much.  

Donna Lynn has been a featured Artist on Lexington’s Gallery Hop and has shown her work throughout Central Kentucky and beyond.  



Donna Lynn Eads's art is for sale at Varden's starting Saturday, July 11 and will available through July. Call 987-4700 for more information.

Prices range from $75 - $450

This is the third year and sixth Downtown Paris ARTWALK sponsored by the Paris Main Street Program.

"This time we have extended ARTWALK until 9 o'clock allowing for more time to visit and socialize," says Steve Walton, one of the organizers.
 
22+ venues on and around Main Street Paris will host over 32 artists. Paintings, photographs, sketches, and mixed media art will be on display throughout downtown. Maps will be available at each location, and big bundles of lime-colored balloons will mark their spot.

Artists include Ben Fryman, Kay Seither, Mary Clare Estes, Bill Berryman, Donna Eads, Murry West, Nancy Kleck, Barbara Hawkings, Paul Craycraft, Kay Collier-McLaughlin and many more.


Kay Collier-McLaughlin is a local artist, writer, and personality. Visit her at White Horse Gallery on Main St. during Downtown Paris ARTWALK.

Also, the exhibit Bybees: Central Kentucky Art Pottery will be featured at The Hopewell Museum.

Each location, in addition to art, will offer refreshments.

Highlights include: Mock Champagne Punch at Ardery's Antiques and "The Fountain", Beer Cheese at Fister Sisters, Henry Bain's Meatballs at Varden's, Lyn's famous Smoked Salmon Pate at Loch Lea Antiques, and the cats at Nancy Kleck Art Studio have special culinary plans. 

Varden's will be hosting Donna Eads.

Our complementary "nibbles" will be:
Homemade Henri Bains Meat Balls
Tortilla Chips & Fruit Salsa (watermelon, pineapple, & apple)

For more information contact Steve Walton 987-4700.

If you visit:
Downtown Paris ARTWALK
Friday, July 17
5-9 o'clock
Rain or shine
Complimentary food and beverages at every location
No Cost
Maps available at all locations
Green balloons to mark venues

Dreama Tolle Perry

Check out Dreama's art at Downtown Paris ARTWALK

Friday, July 17



And see her art online at www.dreamatolleperry.com

And don't miss her blog "Dreama's Day to Day Paintings"

Downtown Paris ARTWALK
Friday, July 17
5- 9 pm

This is the third year and sixth Downtown Paris ARTWALK sponsored by the Paris Main Street Program.

"This time we have extended ARTWALK until 9 o'clock allowing for more time to visit and socialize," says Steve Walton, one of the organizers.
 
21+ venues on and around Main Street Paris will host over 25 artists. Paintings, photographs, sketches, and mixed media art will be on display throughout downtown. Maps will be available at each location, and big bundles of lime-colored balloons will mark their spot.

Artists include Ben Fryman, Kay Seither, Mary Clare Estes, Bill Berryman, Donna Eads, Murry West, Nancy Kleck, Barbara Hawkings, Paul Craycraft, Kay Collier-McLaughlin and many more.

Also, the exhibit Bybees: Central Kentucky Art Pottery will be featured at The Hopewell Museum.

Each location, in addition to art, will offer refreshments.

Highlights include: Mock Champagne Punch at Ardery's Antiques and "The Fountain", Beer Cheese at Fister Sisters, Henry Bain's Meatballs at Varden's, Lyn's famous Smoked Salmon Pate at Loch Lea Antiques, and the cats at Nancy Kleck Art Studio have special culinary plans. 

For more information contact Christi Fish, Main street Manager 953-1315.





If you visit:
Downtown Paris ARTWALK
Friday, July 17
5-9 o'clock
Rain or shine
Complimentary "nibbles and sippages"
No Cost
Maps available at all locations
Green balloons to mark venues

Downtown Paris ARTWALK was Picture Perfect



Friday, April 24 could not have been a more perfect evening for the 5th Downtown Paris ARTWALK. Artists and art lovers came together for a night of food, drinks, and art.

25 venues hosted over 50 artists. Plus, many other businesses were open on Main Street Friday evening providing an opportunity to showcase all that Downtown Paris has to offer.

Organizers estimate 500-600 people visited Downtown for ARTWALK.  "There were tons of locals and people from Lexington, plus folks from Cincinnati, Louisville, and several groups from out of state," says Steve Walton, one of the organizers.

Walton attributes The Rolex Three Day Event to the influx of people from outside the region.

"This was the 5th Downtown Paris ARTWALK," says Miranda Reynolds, another organizer. "People know Paris is about horses, history, and hospitably. ARTWALK shows them we are also about bringing our community together and showcasing our fantastic city. When you mention Paris, people know there are great things happening here."
 
The art and artists were as varied as the venues. Art included: painting, pottery, sculpture, stained glass, photography, and jewelry. Established and professional artists, beginners, and students all showed their talent at ARTWALK. Venues were equally as diverse: spanning from Riley's Tire Store to Hardy Dungan's home. Antique stores, restaurants, offices, retails shops, hair salons, and Fister Sister's Bakery. Three "just off Main Street" locations also participated: The Paris-Bourbon County Library, Hopewell Museum, and First Presbyterian Church.     .

Venues for Downtown Paris ARTWALK offered snacks, treats, appetizers, and beverages of all sorts.

Four bands brought music to Main Street, insuring that ARTWALK was not only a treat to the eyes and taste buds, but also to the ears. Bands played at Frames on Main and in the parking lot across from Kentucky Bank. Stonefence Bistro had music for post-ARTWALK fun, and After the Rain entertained at Migdalia's "ARTWALK After Party".   

Downtown Paris ARTWALK is sponsored by The Main Street Program.

The next Downtown Paris ARTWALK will be held Friday, July 17.

On Display at Downtown Paris ARTWALK: Art and Hospitality



Once again The Paris Main Street Program is bringing artists and art lovers together. Downtown Paris ARTWALK will be Friday, April 24. This is a great opportunity to meet artists in the community and see their work up close and personal. 

Over 50 artists will be participating in the fifth Downtown Paris ARTWALK, representing a variety of mediums including pottery, painting, wood sculpture, stained glass, photography, textiles, and jewelry. 22 participating venues, including The Hopewell Museum.

Meet artists and ask questions, find a unique gift, or just catch a glimpse of the creative process in action. Visit with friends as you stroll the streets of Paris.

Each ARTWALK venue offers free "nibbles and sippage". Snacks, treats, appetizers, and beverages of all sorts. Downtown Paris ARTWALK is a great example of Paris hospitality.

Restaurants in Downtown Paris offer ARTWALK Specials.  

Free Live Music at Migdalia's starting at 8:00.

Come and be inspired by Downtown Paris ARTWALK.

If you visit:
Downtown Paris ARTWALK
Friday, April 24
5-8 o'clock
Rain or shine
22 venues
50 artists
Free food and beverages at every location
No Cost
Maps available at all locations
Green balloons to mark venues
987-4700 for more information  


List of participating venues:

Ardery's Antiques & The Fountain at Ardery's
627 Main St.
987-8180

The Art Studio

Blandon Cherry's
807 Main St.
338-9943

Campbell's of Paris
519 Main St.
987-5164

Discovery Antiques
624 Main Street
859-225-8918

Edward Jones
507 Main St.
988-0109

Fairbanks Antiques and Stuff
Patty Fairbanks
224 Main St.

First Presbyterian
517 Pleasant Street

Fisters Sisters Bakery

Frames on Main
618 Main St.
987-0172

Hardy Dungan

Hopewell Museum
800 Pleasant St.
987-7274

HHG Photography
Holli Gibson
623 Main St.
987-6435

Kentucky Bank
401 Main St.
987-1795

Loch Lea Antiques
410 Main St.
987-7070

Migdailia's
500 Main Street
987-0855

Nancy Kleck's Equine Art
431 Main St.
987-2728

Overly and Johnson
340 Main St.
987-9879

Riley's Tires
813 Main St.
987-5213

Stonefence Bistro
730/732 Main St.
987-1990

Varden's Cafe, Specialty Foods, and Emporium
509 Main St.
987-4700

White Horse Gallery
431 Main St.
859-484-9497

Downtown Paris ARTWALK
Friday, April 24
5-8

Varden's Guest Artist will be Jon Ott of Millersburg, KY.  Read more about Jon Ott

So far there are 22 venues signed up for this season's Downtown Paris ARTWALK.

Each venue offers free "nibbles and sippages" to visitors.

Varden's will be providing:

Roast Beef and Bleu cheese finger sandwiches
Sugared grape skewers

PLUS: Great wine, beer, and champagne specials

"Jon has a great eye for photography, I love his pictures!"
says Steve Walton, General Manger of Varden's

"We like Jon's work so much we used him as the photographer for  www.vardens.com." continues Walton.

Below are examples of Jon Ott's last show "Unrestored Paris"

Friday, April 24th

Downtown Paris ARTWALK
5pm - 8pm

Artist: Jon Ott
Show:"Postcards from Paris"
Medium: Photography

Join Varden's and 21 other venues to experience great art and great food. Each venue offers free "nibbles and sippages".

See some of Jon's work at www.jonottphoto.com.

The Downtown Paris ARTWALK has announced its 2009 dates:

Friday, April 24 2009

Friday July, 17, 2009



"When the Main Street Organization started putting on ARTWALKs we didn't realize the cultural ramifications the event would have. People came downtown that hadn't visited in years. Folks from neighboring communities drove to Paris to see us and our artists. Locals found themselves visiting with old friends they hadn't seen in years. Just like art opens minds, ARTWALK opened doors to re-connect with friends and build new relationships.", says Steve Walton.

For more information about Downtown Paris ARTWALK visit www.vardens.com

Of the 40 artists scheduled to appear at Downtown Paris ARTWALK, 15 of them will be hosted by Varden's.

Including TRUDY TIBBS, SALLY CASH, SHERRY CARPENTER, LOIS DESIMONE, ANNE GAY,  BETTY HOSKINS, MARY JEAN JENKINS, SARA LORD, JOAN MAYER, MARY ANN MCKEE, BRENDA PETTIT, SUSAN STEMPEL, DOROTHY SWOPE,  ANN TAUCHERT, KAREN WARD.



Here is a sneak peak...

Building Community Through ARTWALK


The Paris Main Street Organization is once again bringing artists and art lovers together. Come and be inspired at the Downtown Paris ARTWALK, Friday July 11. This is a great opportunity to meet artists in the community and see their work up close and personal.

Forty artists are participating in the Downtown Paris ARTWALK, representing a variety of mediums including pottery, painting, wood sculpture, stained glass, photography, textiles, and jewelry. See a demonstration, meet the artists and ask questions, find a unique gift, or just catch a glimpse of the creative process in action.

"We have found that not only does ARTWALK expose artists to enthusiasts, but it also showcases our city's reputation for hospitality." ,says Steve Walton

Walton, one of the organizers of the twice year event, believes ARTWALK helps bring folks together.



"When the Main Street Organization started putting on ARTWALKs we didn't realize the cultural ramifications the event would have. People came downtown that hadn't visited in years. Folks from neighboring communities drove to Paris to see us and our artist. Locals found themselves visiting with old friends they hadn't seen in years. Just like art opens minds, ARTWALK opened doors to re-connect with friends and build new relationships.", Walton says.

Each ARTWALK venue offers what Walton refers to as "nibbles and sippages". Snacks, treats, appetizers, and beverages of all sorts.

Restaurants in Downtown Paris offer ARTWALK Specials.

Diversity of venues separates Paris from other locales. Hosts include: a tire store, multiple antique stores, a beauty salon, restaurants, offices, a bank, assorted retail stores, a church, the library, artist studio's, and the town's museum. 

Live music can be heard at Varden's, which will also be hosting 12 artists and their work. 



If you visit:
Downtown Paris ARTWALK
Friday, July 11
5-8 o'clock
Rain or shine
25 venues
40 artists
Free food and beverages at every location
No Cost
Maps available at all locations
Green balloons to mark venues
987-4700 for more information  

Here is a funny little video Jessica made at the last ARTWALK. It makes me smile every time I watch it.

Click here

The Forth Downtown Paris ARTWALK is just a month away.

Varden's will be hosting 12 artists this ARTWALK!!!

Varden's offers live music, free hors d'oeuvres,
& Happy Hour Prices on wine and beer.

Hors d'oeuvres include:
Herbed Cheese balls w/ roasted red peppers
Snowy Chicken salad w/ pimentos and snow peas served with crackers and assorted breads
Marinated Vegetables

Mark your calendar for Downtown Paris ARTWALK, July 11 from 5-8

The Forth Downtown Paris ARTWALK is just a month away.

Varden's will be hosting 12 artists this ARTWALK!!!

Varden's offers live music, free hors d'oeuvres,
& Happy Hour Prices on wine and beer.

Hors d'oeuvres include:
Herbed Cheese balls w/ roasted red peppers
Snowy Chicken salad w/ pimentos and snow peas served with crackers and assorted breads
Marinated Vegetables