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Thursday, 30 August 2007 |
by JULIA HARR
Lifestyles Reporter
Walk, run, skip, and jump to the Downtown Boone Art Crawl.
Every first Friday of the month, the Downtown Boone Development Association holds a large art exhibit in several venues on King Street.
Local artists are given the opportunity to set up a mini studio for Boone residents and visitors to enjoy and purchase art in all mediums and varying prices.
Free food and drink are offered by many sites on King Street.
The crawl typically starts at 5:30 p.m. and ends when people start to go home.
Ample parking is available on Queen Street after 6 p.m.
| File Photo | The Appalachian
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There is no charge to walk around and enjoy the art and food, but people are strongly encouraged to purchase art.
The Art Crawl started in December 2005 as a result of the November Downtown Boone Development Association meeting.
“People wanted more evening activities to do,” Executive Director of
the Downtown Boone Development Association Tuesdae Rice said.
“Businesses received it really well and were eager to take part.”
To participate, local businesses pay a small fee to cover the charges for advertising the event.
Artists then contact the participating businesses to arrange a time and place they can set up and showcase their creations.
“If an art student wants to display their work they should contact a business to participate,” Rice said.
Rice encourages Appalachian State University students to attend the Art Crawl.
She loves getting Appalachian involved with the community and works with the Appalachian and Community Together (ACT) office.
The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts always participates in the Art Crawl.
“It’s so important to take full advantage of this,” Rice said. “It’s a
safe walk from campus, it’s free and it’s a rich cultural experience.”
Rice said the Art Crawl has grown significantly in the past two years.
“People come and have a good time, so they go home and tell their friends and then they come. It’s a lot of fun,” Rice said.
Months people wouldn’t expect the Art Walk to be popular are actually
some of the most popular. January through March are very busy months,
she said.
“There’s not much else to do in Boone during that time,” Rice said.
“I love going to the Art Crawl,” sophomore recreation management major
Katie M. Bowers said. “It’s a great time to take a friend and catch up
while enjoying some art.”
Bowers is personally acquainted with some of the artists and takes time to show her support.
“You can tell the artists really appreciate your support,” she said.
“They love that you are taking the time to come and see what they’ve
worked so hard on.”
Bowers attempts to go to the Art Crawl every month and she usually takes a friend.
“If you have the opportunity to listen to music and see art, you’ve got to take advantage of it,” Rice said.
The first Art Crawl of the semester will take place Friday, Sept. 7.
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