Olympia is getting ready for this year’s Spring Arts Walk, a vibrant two-day celebration of community, culture and the arts in downtown Olympia.
This year’s spring event runs 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday, April 24 and 12 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 25.
Earthbound Productions’ popular Luminary Procession and Procession of the Species coincides with the Spring Arts Walk celebrations.
The Luminary Procession starts Friday, April 24 at 8:30 p.m., and the Procession of the Species starts Saturday, April 25 at 4:30 p.m.
From exhibits and events to hands-on activities, more than 125 neighboring businesses are taking part in the experience and “transforming downtown into a bustling hub of imagination and expression you won’t want to miss,” the City of Olympia said in a news release.
Over 200 artist exhibits will be set up for visitors to discover new and original works of art, attend artist receptions, live demonstrations,and participate in interactive opportunities.
There will also be live music, dance, comedy, circus arts and dramatic performances throughout downtown Olympia.
The two-day event features an Arts Market at Percival Landing showcasing over 90 artists, makers and artisan vendors. A four-block downtown street closure will offer a pedestrian-friendly space to gather, celebrate, enjoy hands-on activities and see impromptu performances by creatives from the Olympia community.
Olympia Arts Walk is a semi-annual community event celebrating the arts.
Each Arts Walk, an artist is selected to create an original work for the event cover.
This spring features artist Fern Tallos and her acrylic painting Spring Garden, which showcases her distinct style influenced by her Scandinavian heritage, cultures of activism, DIY and punk.
“I am guided by the notion that when we make art, it is activism, and that creating joy through this work is a radical act,” Tallos stated.
The City of Olympia will air an in-studio interview with Tallos at artswalkoly.com on Tuesday, April 7.
To help the city prepare for the Spring Art Walk, the Olympia Downtown Alliance is hosting a spring clean-up event from 9 to 11 a.m. on Friday, April 18.
“We’re tackling trash and graffiti to help get the streets camera-ready for Arts Walk,” the Downtown Alliance stated. “Bring your Oly spirit and let’s make downtown shine!”
For more information or to sign up to volunteer, visit https://loveolydowntown.com/events/loveoly-cleanups/
