Oklahoma City area arts districts planning Valentine’s Day art walks this weekend
Jesse Whittle created the acrylic painting “Heart” for the Paseo Arts Association annual members exhibit, this year themed “Hearts on Fire.”
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Valentine’s art walk
Districts offer romantic alternatives for Valentine’s weekend
Couples who fancy a romantic stroll for Valentine’s Day can have their walk and see new artwork, hear live music, nosh fancy snacks and even take advantage of tattoo discounts this weekend.
Three of the metro area’s arts communities — the Paseo Arts District, Plaza Arts District and Norman’s Circuit of Art — are celebrating the day of devotion and adoration with special art walks.
The Paseo
“A Romantic Stroll on the Paseo” will be the historic district’s first Valentine’s Day art walk. Participating galleries and studios will offer new, love-themed artwork, free chocolates and sweets and complimentary wine tastings from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday in the Paseo, between NW 28 and Walker and NW 30 and Dewey.
Artists around the district will be selling romantic artwork, along with jewelry, handmade cards and other items appropriate for gifting.
“You can come out and buy something for your valentine right there instead of going to the mall and having to pick something,” Paseo Arts Association executive director Lori Oden said. “And then it supports local artists as well.”
The walk will provide an amorous alternative to the usual dinner and a movie, she said. Instead, couples can dine at one of the district’s eateries and meander through the galleries.
“We thought we would give people some other options for Valentine’s Day,” she said. “The Paseo is kind of romantic. You can just stroll along and it’s not rushed. And you get to be together instead of watching a movie, when you’re not talking to each other.”
While art and refreshments typically are offered during the Paseo’s monthly first weekend walks, the neighborhood has dreamed up special treats just for the Valentine’s event. International Dance Studio will do tango demonstrations, and a strolling violinist will set the mood with music. University of Central Oklahoma creative writing students will pen love poems on demand at their Poetry Stand.
“They’ve actually been specifically training to do this … so that’s something different,” Oden said. “We’re just trying to come up with some different events and some different times to bring people down here other than first Friday.”
In addition, the Paseo Arts Association’s annual members show will be on view at Paseo Art Space, 3022 Paseo. This year, the members chose a Valentine’s Day theme, “Hearts on Fire,” for the show.
Several shops and galleries in the Plaza District will selling Valentine’s Day-theme items during the LOVE on the Plaza art walk tonight.
Plaza District
Tonight, the Plaza District’s monthly second Friday LIVE on the Plaza art walk will be transformed into LOVE on the Plaza in honor of the holiday. LOVE on the Plaza will be in the air from 7 to 11 tonight in the Plaza District, NW 16 between Indiana and Blackwelder.
Along with new art exhibits and holiday deals, the art walk will feature an ‘80s-theme prom dubbed the “Lover’s Ball” at Paula & Co.; the Oklahoma debut of the new musical “Snapshots” at Lyric on the Plaza; and a $40 love tattoo special at No Regrets Tattoo. Warpaint Clothing Company, a new retailer offering American Indian-style fashion, will celebrate its grand opening during the event.
“It’s family friendly always, but there’s a lot of younger people that come. It’s just kind of a fun thing to do on a Friday night that’s free,” said Lindsay Zodrow, owner of Collected Thread boutique, of the art walk. “It’s very energetic and … it’s not just centered on couples.”
Like her shop, many Plaza businesses specialize in handmade or vintage items and local artwork, particularly with funky flair. In keeping with that spirit, Collected Thread will offer a Valentine’s kissing booth.
“It’s just going to be a silly, fun, like throwback to a carnival,” Zodrow said. “I think something that a lot of businesses down here strive for is to bring something to Oklahoma that doesn’t exist already.”
Shoppers look at jewelry during a recent Norman Second Friday Circuit of Art.
Norman
In Norman, the Second Friday Circuit of Art is celebrating its first anniversary from 6 to 10 tonight at galleries, businesses and other locales around town. The monthly art walk showcases the historic downtown arts district along with outlying studios, the University of Oklahoma, Campus Corner and more.
Several Norman galleries will be open throughout the evening, with most featuring free admission, live entertainment and new artwork ranging from photographs and paintings to jewelry and sculptures.
“Art is a great gift for any giving opportunity,” said Norman Arts Council executive director Rick Fry.
The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art will mark Valentine’s Day with hands-on card making, live music by the OU School of Music and a short film by deadCENTER Film Festival. and Auguste Rodin’s romantic sculpture “The Kiss.” Ivan Peña Trio and Off Boyd Jazz will play at Sonder Music, Dance & Art, while musician/storyteller Jahruba will perform at Norman Public Library.
Along with ambling among the galleries, participants can catch Cleveland Area Rapid Transit trolleys that loop through the art circuit. Rides are 50 cents a stop or $2 for the evening.
Valentine’s Day art walks
“A Romantic Stroll on the Paseo”
When: 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Paseo Arts District, between NW 28 and Walker and NW 30 and Dewey.
Information: 525-2688 or www.thepaseo.com.
LOVE on the Plaza
When: 7 to 11 tonight.
Where: Plaza District, NW 16 between Indiana and Blackwelder.
Information: 308-5991 or www.plazadistrict.org.
Second Friday Circuit of Art
When: 6 to 10 tonight.
Where: Art galleries throughout Norman.
Information: 360-1162 or www.2ndfridaynorman.com.
-BAM
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