The Arts & Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana Art Council 2023 Spring Art Walk is Saturday, April 29, 2-6 p.m. in Downtown Lake Charles. Last weekend, two big events combined.  This weekend, get ready for a three-bie (three free events in one day). The Lake Charles Downtown Jazz Festival is 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday.  At Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center, enjoy an opening reception and two new gallery installations, 5:30 to 7 p.m., on Saturday.    

The Spring Art Walk features pop-up art galleries, art activities and demonstrations, competitions between local artists and local student artists, food trucks, live performances and an extensive outdoor market, bringing a full-fledged street-side arts festival to the heart of downtown Lake Charles, according to Cameron Fultz, project coordinator for the Arts & Humanities Council.   

Fulz said the list of vendors has never been so long.  “Last year we had about 55. This year, we’ve signed up 77. With the food trucks that makes 95 vendors, total.”

Arts and Humanities Council of SWLA and Panorama Music House will present the Downtown Lake Charles Jazz Festival in the 300 Block of Broad Street, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Local schools will showcase their most talented jazz bands and show choirs at 330 Broad St.across from Panorama Music House: Moss Bluff Middle, 11 a.m.; Sulphur High School, 11:45 a.m.; St. Louis Catholic High School, 1:15 p.m.; Westlake High School, 2:15 p.m.; Barbe High School, 3:15 p.m.; DeRidder HIgh School, 5:15 p.m.

Opening receptions and two new gallery installations at Historic City Hall coincide with the Spring Art Walk this year. “Galleries in Bloom” opens 5:30 – 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served. The Dr. Francis G. Bulber Youth Orchestra will perform.

The Artisans’ Gallery will present “Spring Opulence,” a multi-media collection that includes ceramics, sculpture, painting, baskets and more. Some of the pieces may be purchased and artists will be on hand to answer questions.

Gallery by the Lake will open “Behind Their Eyes” in their permanent gallery located on the second floor of Historic City Hall. Abigail Brumett is the featured gallery artist in this collection and is also a full-time student at McNeese State University. Her work includes charcoal drawings and oil paintings accompanied by written monologues.

While at Historic City Hall for these openings, visit the Black Heritage Gallery and the “Five Artists” display. Robbie Austin’s “Memories are Uncertain Friends” is on the second floor. “From the Ashes, “history and photography from the Great Fire of 1910 is also on the second floor. “Ordinary Moments “is on the third floor and features art of “seemingly insignificant moments in everyday life” by Amy Wentz.

Hit each participating downtown venue to see how they support the arts and Downtown Lake Charles. Make stops at  Alexander Art Studio, Barbers on Broad, Bespoke Hat/Salon Lindsay, Botsky’s, Bux Kajun Korner, Luna’s, Olive & Indigo, Papersmith, Pujo Street Café, The Villa Harlequin, Panorama Music House, Erdace Apartments, Tia Juanita’s, American Press, Mia’s Downtown, and Steel Magnolia.

Spring Art Walk 2022 is sponsored by The City of Lake Charles, CSE Federal Credit Union, and Beverage Sales Inc. All alcohol sales directly benefit the Arts & Humanities Council of SWLA.

Spring Art Walk Lineup

Performing artists for the 2023 Spring Art Walk  include: Christian Youth Theatre, Barbe Show Choir, Lake Area Ballet Theatre, and Brandon Broussard and Chez de Bon Temps.

Featured Spring Art Walk artists are: AKA Cosplay and Art, Legacy Crystals by Heather Arsement, With Love, Wendy Boyett Art, Art of Page Gardner, Francine’s Studio, Green Cottage Creations, The Bubbly Tubb, Kallan Stout Designs, The Nature’s Clay, Maya Designs, Salvaged by Shonna G., Faeartsstuff, Christy’s Handcrafted Jewelry, Carolyn’s Creations, TCW Wood Products, Ragamuffin Comics, Blackbird Décor, Moss & Magnolia Jewelry Boutique, All Made Up, PhotoTek of Lake Charles, McNeese Student Art Association, RE – Christy Blalock, Art Story, Sandra Attales Studio, M.D. and E. Woodcrafts, Crystal Visions Glass, Gypsy’s She Shed, The Inkling Girl, Gallery by the Lake, All Forked Up, Polly Bea’s Creation, JTX10, BSPottery, PEACE OF MIND, RuthMHandmade, Camellia Jewelry, SG BOUDREAUX/Author, Starr Designs, Cary’s Creations, Fleur Fatale Co, SWLA Do No Harm, Stage One The Hair School, Otter Limits Apothecary, Henna stall, Layla Bee Boutique, The Glittered Magnolia, Black Pot Bookshop and Design Studio, SWACO SOCKS, Brysen Hamilton Photography, As You Wysh Designs, Michaela Carroll Visual Art, Calcasieu Parish Public Library, Paragon Ink, Jacqueline’s Artsy Creations, Ten Thousand Villages, Sandra Walkin Furniture & Finishes, Bracelets by Penelope, Sadie Paints, SWLAR Cultural Diversity Committee, Charred Creations, Steve Carving Cabin, I Made It Myself, The Cha Cha, Factory, Taryn Louviere Studios, Just A Girl Who Loves Art, Fleurdleighs, Flame Wax Candle, Paint & Fire, Mystic Trove and Candles, KATY’S KRAFTS, INARÚ ART, Lavet Face & Body Artist, Chaos and QBL creations.

Local food vendors will include: Kona Ice of Sulphur/Lake Charles, Soul Sisters Food and Catering LLC, Krystal Candy, The Mac Box, Gary’s Grub Hub, Diana’s Cakes, Confections and More, The Ooey Gooey Factory, Hilicious Food Truck, Country Girl’s Catering LLC, The Liberty Tree Street Kitchen, Tropic Treats LLC, Sugar Pack, Splash Products, Kalee’s Krackers, Pretty Way Tea, Sno-B’s Express, Creole Hidden Garden, Little Cornhouse, KingRolls.