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August 2, 2010
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August 4, 2010
The St. Mary Chamber of Commerce is pairing up with the city of Franklin’s Main Street Program to host the first Promenade D’art de Franklin this month.
Scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 28, from 5 to 8 p.m., the art walk invites people to view local artwork as they leisurely stroll down Main Street in downtown Franklin.
Ten artists are expected to partake in the art exhibition, including popular locals, Laura Zuniga, Catherine Siracusa, William H. Parr and Jon Eenigenburg. As dusk sets in, several of the Main Street merchants will transform their shops into art galleries, displaying a number of pieces by the painters. Many will also serve hors d’oeuvres and refreshments.
According to Marla Chirdon, director of community development and head of the Main Street Program in Franklin, the event was conjured up as an answer to a call for more art in the area.
“After talking with a number of people in our community, we felt that there had been a dearth of what we would call an arts community,” she said. “There was a dearth of offerings for younger and older people to get involved in art and we saw potential in this venue.”
An artistic drought was not always the case in the city. The Promenade D’art de Franklin is a new way of bringing awareness of the arts back into the area, according to Chirdon.
“Years and years ago, there had been successful art festivals organized by a few merchants in downtown Franklin,” the director explained. “This is our way of just reinventing that concept and reinvigorating the community with an arts presence.”
The art walk is a social event organized to celebrate art. It is designed to not only bring attention to local businesses, but also to allow people to participate and experience art education, Chirdon said.
“It really is a win-win situation,” she exclaimed.
The intended atmosphere of the walk is one of sophistication. For that extra touch of finesse, everyone is encouraged to wear white.
“People can expect an elegant evening of friends, art and social exchange,” Chirdon said. “We are asking for people to dress in white linen or white cotton, though we aren’t going to turn somebody away if they wear something else. We are trying to make it an elegant evening affair.”
To kick-off the event, the St. Mary Chamber is hosting its Business After Hours on Thursday, Aug. 26, at 6 p.m., in the newly-renovated Lamppost building in Franklin. Art walk participants are invited to come and socialize with one another, along with other businessmen and women from the area.
“It’s like an opening ceremony where the artists can mingle with the merchants,” Chirdon said. “We are encouraging participating artists to bring some of their pieces for viewing and we are also going to have a guest speaker, photographer Jim Byron, who is well-versed in the old masters.”
At the art walk, the artists will have pieces available for purchase and markers will signal which merchants are open and who is on display at each particular location.
There is no charge to partake in this laid-back saunter and all are welcome to attend.
Earlier in the day, a separate art exhibit is scheduled at the Alex P. Allain Memorial Library Branch in Franklin. Students from select local elementary and high schools displaying some of their artwork.
For more information about the Promenade D’art de Franklin, contact Chirdon at (337) 828-6345.
Franklin’s Main Street Program hosts its first Promenade D’art de Franklin Saturday, Aug. 28, from 5 to 8 p.m. The event will feature the works of 10 local artists.
