Downtown readies for Friday’s pop-up culture event

Spring Art Walk Promo picEvan Lewis

Residents are invited to head downtown on Friday for the Arts Council of Southwest Louisiana’s annual Spring Art Walk as vendors line the streets and spaces transform into pop-up galleries for the evening.

Art in its many forms will take over 18 downtown venues and spill out into the street with live performances, games, art competitions, a beer garden and 50 vendors selling locally crafted works, said council head Ashli Waldrep. 

“It really brings people together and highlights all of our talents here in the region,” she said.

An Art War will feature teams of adults and students competing to create a mural in one hour in front of an audience — a “pretty exciting” thing to watch, Waldrep said. A winner is chosen through tips.

“Washed Up,” by Robin Stoddard-Jones, exhibiting at The Villa. 

Waldrep called it a year of expansion for the event, with a record number of vendors and galleries to explore. 

“We’re growing and expanding,” she said, adding that organizers are expecting “big crowds.”

Venues will offer drink specials, concessions, demonstrations and giveaways.

Participating venues are 3b & E Marketing, Alexander Art Studio, Blue Dog Café, Botsky’s, Business First Bank, Cajun Gypsy Corner Market, The Children’s Museum, Historic City Hall, The Paramount Room at Historic Calcasieu Marine Bank, Pujo St. Café, Pure Press Juicery, Salon Lindsay/Bespoke Hat Co., Salon Mixx, Sloppy’s Downtown, Stellar Beans, Tia Juanita’s Fish Camp, The Villa, and an artistic lighting installation by Lumiere Du Lac at 311 Broad St.

Work by Andra Gustin will be on exhibit at Botsky’s.

Featured artists and performers include Candice Alexander, the Artisans Gallery, Barbe Show Choir, Bayou Writers Group, Seth Barrilleaux, Cal-Cam 4-H Club, Christian Youth Theatre, harpist Jane Clark, Stephan Darnutzer, Amber Duplechin, Meagan Green, Andra Gustin, Taylor Hickey, International Dance Co., Robin Nicole Jones, Lake Charles HEMA Academy, McNeese Drumline, McNeese Visual Arts, Eddie Mormon, Nee de Traditionne, Christy Osborne, Greta Painter, Pelican Sunsets Photography, Petite Matisse art school, Robert Saxy Richard, the St. Louis High School Art Club, Alana Young Tezeno, Ginny Waggoner, and Lyd Walls.

A full list of artists is available at www.artscouncilswla.org. Maps of participating locations can be picked up during the event.

For more information, call the Arts Council at 439-2787.

SportsPlus

Local News

Judge Davis elected newest member of Court of Appeal

Local News

Jeff Davis elects two new mayors, re-elects police chief

Local News

Cameron voters approve four bond issues

Local News

Early election takeaways: Next president will lead fractured nation

Local News

Speaker Johnson re-elected to a fifth term in the House

Local News

Trump, Harris win reliable states while voters await battleground results

Business

Westlake Chemical plant fined $825,000

Local News

Rafael strengthens to Category 1 hurricane as it barrels toward Cuba

Local News

AP race call: Trump wins Texas

Local News

AP race call: Trump wins Louisiana

Crime

11/5: Calcasieu Parish Sheriff announces arrest list

Local News

Tropical Storm Rafael expected to become a hurricane — possibly overnight

Local News

‘Cream of the crop’ responds to call for state’s largest marching festival

Local News

PHOTO GALLERY: State Marching Championship

Local News

Trump, Harris cede stage to voters who’ll also decide control of House and Senate

Business

City of Lake Charles issues #ShopLocalLC Challenge for holidays

Business

Jeff Davis Police Jury supports plans for solar manufacturing facility

Local News

America decides: Election Day is here

McNeese Sports

Cowboys drop opener to Jackrabbits

Local News

Sulphur water quality conversations to be held this week

Crime

11/4: Calcasieu Parish Sheriff announces arrest list

Local News

UPDATE: Helicopter crash victim was a student pilot

McNeese Sports

Cowgirls roll in front of loud crowd

Local News

PHOTO GALLERY: Calcasieu fifth-graders fill Legacy Center