Contact: Mary Ellen Charapko
954.547.9014 phone
info@islandcityartwalk.com
www.islandcityartwalk.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Last Island City Art Walk Before the Rainy Season
Five years ago (2006), gallery owner and director, Mary Ellen Charapko developed a fresh concept, something that had not been tried before in Broward County, a collaboration of local art and business in the form of an “art walk,” bringing fine art, pop-up galleries, music, and even theatre, into a one-evening function. Island City Art walk was introduced to Wilton Manors and it became an overnight success on the third Friday of the month. The Island City Art Walk was founded before the recession, but, before and during this recession, it has been an invaluable means to drive business into town. Just recently, surrounding towns, including adjacent town, Fort Lauderdale (Las Olas Boulevard), have taken note and are now beginning to start their own art walks, collaborating business and local fine art. The Island City Art Walk is a stress-free function meant to enrich the general public and encourage the creation of art in Broward County. There will be over 30 business sponsors along the drive sponsoring over 40 artists. The Island City Art Walk is free to the artists and free to the attendees. Many of the businesses along the drive serve refreshments. A free trolley is also provided for the public.
The featured local artist for the April, Island City Art Walk, is Barbara J. Lloyd who will be exhibiting her paintings at Island City Eye Care. Lynn Dolan and Claudia Castillo will present fine art at Wilton Manors Main Street. IberiaBank, White Glove Antiques, Shades of the Past Antiques, The Manor, Gallery XO, To The Moon Marketplace, Pink Submarine and Art Frenzie are some of the businesses collaborating with local artists. Mangum Gallery will be featuring ceramist, Ken Butler. Island City Traders will be featuring the photography of Mitchell Bloch. The contemporary works of Julio Green will be shown at the Naked Grape Wine Bar. Golding-Savino will present a variety of art in collaboration with Galerie Lausberg (Toronto & Germany), curated by Mariavelia Savino and will be located at Gables Wilton Park. Directly next–door, a solo exhibition by Florida nature photographer, Peter J. Nolan, The Florida Series, will be featured in Ellen Charapko Gallery, Alternative Space. Ellen Charapko Gallery will feature a solo, Flawed Perfection by Madrid artist, Alberto Murillo.
Mary Ellen Charapko, Owner/Director of Ellen Charapko Gallery and owner of Island City, Inc., is the producer and organizer of the grassroots, Island City Art Walk, a mile long, “private party function” which began in December 2006. The Island City Art Walk sponsors and artists continue to promote cultural awareness in Broward County and contributed to the economic growth in Wilton Manors. Charapko and the sponsor businesses on Wilton Drive are solid “supporters of the arts.” Come and join us for an artful evening on The Drive!
Please see Directions/Map Page for further information: http://www.islandcityartwalk.com/directions.html
A Glance From the Catwalk, 2009, Barbara J. Lloyd, 48 x 36 in, Acrylic on Canvas
