It is a walk through art history and new artwork never seen before.
The annual Art Around Town Gallery Crawl returns featuring a variety of local artists' work from 4:30-8 p.m. Friday, April 26 at nine local art galleries, all free of charge and open to the public.
The art crawl itself has been around for 10-15 years, and the event has grown in its more than six-year existence under the leadership of Capital Arts and JC Parks to include eight to 12 galleries.
"We have many repeat people and a few new people as well. Gumbo Bottoms is new this year and they will feature artists' work from Four Quarters Art House," Porrello said. "When I first started (at Capital Arts about six years ago), Gumbo Bottoms used to host the after party. Now it has come full circle and with them joining back into the event and highlighting artists is wonderful. They are a great location for when that crawl is over to continue to enjoy artwork with some drinks and nightlife."
New galleries and businesses are always on the look out to be included on the Art Around Town Gallery Crawl, including Jefferson City Museum of Modern Art, Porrello said. After seeing on average 400-600 people come through their spring art crawl annually, they decided to include a fall crawl last October.
"The fall crawl went very well. We averaged about 350 guests. It was about half, primarily because we were competing with football season and weather," Porrello said. "However, we were excited to see such a good turnout. We plan to host another fall gallery crawl this year."
With fused glass and a journey through media to sculptures and paintings and historic posters, the variety of art displayed during Around the Town Art Crawl is abundant.
With the Best of Show winner receiving $250, the student artists get to display their original pieces to the public and will start their reception at 3 p.m. in conjunction with the art crawl. Their exhibit will be open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday from April 26 through May 10 at Richardson Fine Arts Center, 710 E. Dunklin St.
"It is really nice to get out and support these students. Those students and youth who are showcasing their own exhibit that are a part of this crawl, they are the future generations of what we will see in the galleries and in the stores. They are the art future," she added.
Porrello, who also has an award-winning painting in the Jefferson City Adult Fine Arts Show alongside her husband who scored two awards, loves hosting the Jefferson City Art club's annual local exhibition's reception during this event each year.
"We do music, have hors d'oeuvres and refreshments, and guests get a chance to visit with some of these award-winning artists," she said, noting Columbia based musician Keith Fletcher will also perform during the reception. the Jefferson City Art Club Adult Fine Arts Show is open for public viewing from noon-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday now through May 3.
"Our location, Capital Arts, and the locations of The Art Bazaar and The Village Art Studio are on the outskirts of the tour. I recommend to start or finish at one of those two locations and then centralize in the middle. That not only helps every location get really good foot traffic; it helps people to utilize their time better," she said. "I have traveled around during the gallery crawl before, and some years I get around to all of them and sometimes I don't. You never know what you are going to find at one location that grabs your attention and keeps you there."
Art Around Town Stops
Capital Arts Gallery, 1203 Missouri Blvd. - View the professional and amateur winning artwork in the annual Jefferson City Art Club Adult Fine Art Exhibition. Meet these local artists and enjoy refreshments during the exhibit's reception. Keith Fletcher will provide music.
Elizabeth Rozier Gallery, 101 Jefferson St. - View the current exhibit, "Join, Save, Buy! U.S. World War II Posters."
The Art Bazaar, 1502 East High St. - View the new collection of local art and meet and greet with the artists during this "Spring Garden" themed evening.
The Village Art Studio, 1507 East McCarty St. - Watch a fused glass demonstration by Andy Cleeton, and story by and see the classroom space and all of the art projects.
Missouri River Regional Library Art Gallery, 214 Adams St. - Enjoy light refreshments and view art exhibit of Amy Hernandez Greenbank's work in a journey through media, from charcoal to digital.
Cole County Historical Museum, 109 Madison St. - Browse the Cole County Historical Society and other memorabilia such as the Zuendt portraits, oil portraits of governor's wives, works by Lester Parker and much more.
Lincoln University's Richardson Fine Arts Center, 710 E. Dunklin St. - Enjoy works displayed during the annual Student Art Show (with reception prior to the crawl at 3 p.m.).
Cottonstone Art Gallery and Frame Shop, 116 E. High St. - View artist Jim Dyke's "Cardinals" collection, as well as handpainted neckties and buttons. Nick Gazca & Friends will also perform.
Gumbo Bottoms, 221 Madison St. - View artwork featured by artists from Four Quarters Art House.
Capital Arts, Jefferson City Art Club, Jefferson City Parks and Recreation, Cultural Arts Commission and Missouri Arts Council co-sponsor Art Around Town Gallery Crawl. For more information, call 573-635-8355 or visit www.capitalarts.org.