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Taking art to the people

Summer ArtWalk kicks off with opening receptions Friday night

What: ArtWalk

When: June 29-Aug. 31

(0pening receptions June 29, 6:30-9:30 p.m.)

Where: Locations throughout the village

How much: Free

You can see some of clay artist Penny Martyn’s work at the end of Lorimer Road, next to the Valley Trail. If you wanted to see more you could make an appointment to visit her Garlick Mountain studio in Emerald Estates.

Or you could meet her Friday night at the Adele Campbell Fine Art Gallery, discuss her work while nibbling on canapés and perhaps bring some of her art home.

You could also meet and nibble with the other 50 artists who will be at 30 “galleries” sprinkled throughout the village Friday night for the opening of ArtWalk.

“ArtWalk is an opportunity for locals and visitors to get a taste of the great talent in the Sea to Sky corridor while walking through the village drinking a coffee, using the Internet or checking out the local stores,” said Doti Niedermayer, executive director of the Whistler Arts Council.

Now in its fourth year, ArtWalk brings regional artists and their work to cafes, restaurants, retail outlets, real estate offices and regular art galleries for the months of July and August. From ceramic artists like Martyn and Vincenct Massey to painters such as Chili Thom and Cary Lopes to photographers like Leanna Rathkelly and Wim Tewinkel, art will be front and centre in 30 locations throughout the village.

ArtWalk began in 2004 with 17 participating host galleries. Last year 27 galleries and more than 40 artists participated.

This year’s ArtWalk gets underway Friday night, with opening receptions at each gallery between 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. An after-party will be held at Merlin’s starting at 9:30.

A brochure with a self-guided walking tour map lists all the venues and exhibiting artists. The brochure is available at the Whistler Information Centre, activity centres, Millennium Place and other locations around Whistler.

“ArtWalk exists to bring art to the public in accessible venues and provides a sales opportunity for local artists who have few outlets to exhibit their work in Whistler,” said Niedermayer.

ArtWalk is presented by the Whistler Arts Council and Whistler Real Estate Co. Ltd.