Music spilled from coffee shops, artists painted in storefronts, children sang, and visitors wandered block after block discovering something new.
This quarter's ArtWalk theme was Sights and Sounds, transforming downtown into one giant immersive creative space.
Inside the Center for Contemporary Arts, dozens of artists filled the galleries with paintings, handcrafted ceramics and jewelry, giving visitors the chance to browse the exhibits and purchase work directly from local artists.
For multimedia artist Braeden Kuppin, making art has always felt inevitable.
“Growing up both of my parents were ceramists so I was doomed from the start. I was just that kid who was daydreaming and making stories in my head. It turned into me drawing them. Now I make a living sculpting weird things out of clay so I can’t really complain there,” Kuppin said.
Today, Kuppin works with several different mediums, creating sculptures, jewelry and other pieces that visitors can take home.
“I work in a ton of different materials. Mostly resin right now. I use that to make jewelry primarily, cause I realized early on that everyone wants something pretty. People want art but something you can wear every day is easier to justify and more affordable than painting that you can put on the wall,” Kuppin said.
And the artwork didn't stop at the gallery doors.
Businesses throughout downtown became temporary studios and performance spaces.
Surrounded by greenery at Lily Lane Plant Company, visitors watched painter Larla Morales move between two canvases to create two paintings at the same time.
“We are at Lily Lane right now and I am painting some of the plants here. I am doing a collage style piece. I am working in tandem right now with two paintings. I’m going to switch back and forth between these as the evening progresses,” Morales said.
For Morales, ArtWalk isn’t just another downtown event. It’s part of her childhood.
“I’ve always been interested in art. I was really lucky to grow up around alot of creatives that really encouraged me to learn to paint and to experiment. And I was really lucky to be able to go to the ArtWalk when I was a kid. Some of my first memories were from being down town when I was 6. I’m 34 now. Artwalk and downtown have just been so close to my heart,” Morales said.
Just down the street, musician Jess Goodlet played her guitar and sang a cover of “Put Your Records On” inside Majestic CoffeeHouse.
A few blocks away children became works of art, thanks to the magic of fairy princess face painting at the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature. As they waited in line, they got a sample of songs the Dyess Children's Theatre performed in their June Show-Finding Nemo.
All across downtown, art took many different forms.
Inside Scenic Route Art Cafe, visitors could watch digital art being created as well as explore Allison Robertson’s collection of memorabilia celebrating women in music.
“We have the women’s music museum here. I’ve been collecting stuff since 2002 that’s just Women’s Music Memorabilia. We are celebrating women in music in general but celebrating local women in music,” Robertson said.
Along the walk, some guests took the opportunity to create some art of their own.
At Front Porch Coffee Company and Bakery, Andi Keidl’s booth let guests experiment with cyanotype printing using ultraviolet light.
“We have coated watercolor paper and it’s UV sensitive, since we are inside we are using UV light. Arrange the feathers how ever you like. You do want to press them between glass though to keep the contact print sharp.” Keidl said.
Even the very materiel for the interactive creations sparked conversation.
“These are actually my chickens feathers. These little guys here. It’s Robbie & Pepper. They're my little babies,” Keidl said.
Nearly thirty years after the first ArtWalk, the event has grown well beyond the walls of the Center of Contemporary Arts. For one evening each quarter Abilene’s downtown comes together to give people a chance to stroll, instead of scroll, and to engage their senses and minds in creativity.
The next opportunity to experience the ArtWalk will be in October. Dates and theme announcements can be found on the Center for Contemporary Arts Website.
Link to ArtWalk Updates - https://www.artwalkabi.com/
Link to Center for Contemporary Arts Website - https://www.center-arts.com/