Art Walk: The Merry Month of May
A breezy afternoon with intermittent rain or sunshine mixed with cold air greeted those who ventured out for the May 4, 2012 Art Walk. As per usual, the many participating venues did much to overcome any trepidation about weather.
Taste is very individual; but at this monthly event, a huge range of visual, musical and culinary creations plainly denied that the old adage: “you can’t please everybody.” This Friday had something for everyone!
Over shops, business offices and galleries greeted walkers with a wonderful array of visually interesting and eye-catching pieces. Starting at the Art Center, a judged show containing local pieces adorned the walls and provided something for everyone to ooh and ah about. One startling collection was that of jewelry exhibited by Ann Gaffney, but there were many more eye catching items and also undeniably yummy edible tidbits. Hard to choose!
Other exhibits featured stained glass, posters, custom cards, more jewelry, a fashion show, sculpture, and the work of middle school, high school and ISU students. Remembering that taste is an individual perception, three more exhibits were still, for me, special attention getters
First, Sandra Schow’s “low-relief assemblages” as described in the Art Walk brochure, were full of imagination and deeper meaning, too. She has, over time, developed a complex and often whimsical approach that gives the viewer many moments to enjoy puzzling over the geometry, color, and focus of each. Her pieces were shown at the New Dawn Gallery, a wonderful venue which holds on to a bit of the refined atmosphere of its original use as The People’s Store. Check out the stained glass light fixtures!
Photography offered another compelling group. Tim Frazier’s works showed his accumulated expertise combined with fresh ways of viewing and catching “aha” images. Several other venues treated visitors to differing photographic styles and subjects, all of which were worth seeing.
Finally, Stan Gates’ Fine Art Gallery was a must. It contains elegant and refined works. They complement the old world architecture of the building as they show the visitor examples of Gates’ sculptures and the oils and water colors produced by other artists he has selected to grace his gallery walls. Bravo!
Music is also a part of the Art Walk. In fact, this first Friday monthly event is a bit like walking through a high-toned outdoor market. The eyes are soothed and/or startled; the taste buds are stimulated, and the ears are treated to an expansive selection of tones, tunes, and tempos.
By the time one has covered the many venues, going out to dinner becomes a reasonable finale. Nicely, that activity provides many opportunities to discuss findings, likes and comparisons from the Art Walk.
It’s easy to appreciate that event because its diversity of artistic expression gives us an excellent example of Pocatello talent and creativity. Afterthought: the galleries will probably continue their showings for a time if you didn’t get to the Art Walk.













































































































































































