By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
The Summer Art Walk in Hays will return this Friday night, allowing area residents to see various artistic expressions from painting to music at locations throughout downtown.
The event is scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
"This is a really great lineup for this Summer Art Walk," said Hays Arts Council executive director Brenda Meder.
At the Arts Council, 112 E. 11th, she said three exhibitions will be showcased, anchored by Storm, featuring local and regional artists.
"They are all storm-inspired pieces," Meder said. "Some of them are very literal, with some of the most gorgeous, stormy, and almost turbulent looking skies. Some of them are more metaphorical and address different kinds of storms that happen in our lives. There are even a few pieces in there that are a little bit more socio-political from the storm perspective."
Margie Hammerschmidt will be featured in her first exhibition, Two Years with Brush ‘n Paint, in the center as well.
"We wanted to get her started in a way that fit the amount of work she had, and so our hall gallery is going to be featuring these wonderful paintings," Meder said.
Ellinwood artist Robert Joy will also be featured in the center with Things Imagined.
In conjunction with the Art Walk, the Hays Public Library will celebrate the completion of a significant remodel, with a special celebration beginning at 5 p.m.
"We want to celebrate that and let people know what we did and recognize the people that played a big part in the remodel," said Hays Public Library communications coordinator, Callie Kolacny.
During that celebration the Hays Chamber will host a ceremonial ribbon cutting and the Downtown Hays Development Corporation will host a brick presentation.
Kolacny said the library event will be a good kick-off for the Art Walk.
"We're going to have our presentation, and then we will be all done in time for everybody to just enjoy downtown Hays and walk around and do the Art Walk."
Along with a variety of visual arts presented at the library and other downtown businesses, live music will be featured during the Art Walk as well.
There will be a Community Acoustic Jam session in front of the Fox Theatre, 1202 Main.
"It's a wonderful group of individuals who like making music together, mostly on stringed instruments, and they just play together."
At the Paisley Pear Wine Bar, Bistro and Market, 1100 Main, along with works from Groovy Doodle, Wade Richard is set to perform from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
And wrapping up live music for the evening, the Hays Young Professionals will host a street dance featuring Anthony and the Animals in the Downtown Pavilion, 10th and Main from 7:30 to 11 p.m., according to Hays Chamber president and CEO Sarah Wasinger.
"It's free to attend for the public," she said. "All you have to do is bring a lawn chair, maybe some awesome dance moves, a cooler with some cold beverages, and it's just going to be a great time to enjoy a wonderful evening in downtown Hays."
A full calendar of events can be seen below, or a printable version is also available on the Hays Arts Council's website.
