May and June Baywalks at the Visual Arts Center

Last week I joined a crowd of local artists in the home of Bob and Sandy Sober for an update on the Arts and Humanity Council of Tulsa’s Visual Arts Center, set to open fall 2010 in the Mathews Warehouse at Brady and Boston.

The VAC will boast a 4,000-plus-square foot gallery, plus two 1,200-square foot galleries, six artists studios and classrooms (though the number escapes me). The center will be very artist-oriented; member artists may rent the studios for a nominal fee, member organizations may use the galleries for a nominal fee and artists will help decide the programming for all of the VAC’s exhibit spaces.

In an effort to generate buzz and excitement about the center, the VAC is hosting Baywalks (like the one in March) to coincide with the Brady Arts District’s First Friday events.

Baywalks are tentatively scheduled for the first Friday in May, June and July (provided there is no interfering construction at the center), and artists may set up shop to show and sell their work to passersby. Because of space, the event is limited to 20 artists per month. Below are all the details.

Something to look forward to in June: Grace Grothaus, local artist and Momentum 2009 Spotlight Artist, will display her installation “McWilderness” at June’s Baywalk. I didn’t get to see the installation firsthand at Momentum (and am very disappointed about that) but I have heard nothing but good things about it. Read my friend Ashley’s blog about it here.

VISUAL ARTS CENTER BAYWALK
PART OF THE BRADY ART DISTRICT’S FIRST FRIDAY ART CRAWL

FRIDAY, MAY 1
EVENT 6 – 9 PM
SET UP 5 PM

MATHEWS WAREHOUSE
100 E BRADY
2 truck bays on the northwest corner

LIMITED TO THE FIRST 20 ARTISTS TO SIGN UP TO SHOW AND SELL THEIR WORK!

ENTRY FEE: ONE BOTTLE RED/ONE BOTTLE WHITE WINE AT THE DOOR TO SHARE WITH GUESTS

• Bring easels, table, chairs, wine, food, candles…whatever it takes to set up your art

• AHCT will provide: ice, cups, lighting, water, information about the VAC

• Electricity source is limited. Lights will be set up, but no electricity is available for artists booths.

• Construction is progress! Baywalk with happen the first Friday of the month during May, June, and July…AS LONG AS CONSTRUCTION PERMITS. SUBJECT TO CHANGE!

• Please sign up tonight or email Meghan at pr@ahct.org