Artwalk-July 8th, 5:30-8:30 pm by Kate Krimson

Artwalk, Abilene’s free art experience, will have much to satisfy your eyes and your ears on July 8th.


The new exhibit of the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature (NCCIL-102 Cedar) is Golden Kite, Golden Dreams: the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) Awards, which will feature art from past winners. Some of the artists whose work will be included in the exhibit are Robert Sabuda (Pop-Up Book Master), Tomie dePaola (writer/illustrator of Strega Nona), and William Joyce (Dino Bob and Rolie Polie Olie creator). Two featured artists, Barbara McClintock and Richard Jesse Watson, will be having a gallery talk during Artwalk at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free. There will also be a free art activity.


The Grace Museum (102 Cypress Street) will also have a free art activity, as well as some great exhibits. Yosemite 1938: On the Trail with Ansel Adams and Georgia O'Keeffe is fun exhibit for fans of either artists and lovers of the outdoors. Adams’ photographic genius can be seen all over this fine exhibit. Drawing on the Past: Selections from the Bobbie and John Nau Collection of Texas Art features Texan paintings from private collections.


The Center for Contemporary Arts (220 Cypress Street) will have four new exhibits opening. Guns n’ Rosas, an Eric Villarreal exhibit, explores the different interpretations that children of different cultures have when playing with toys, especially weapon toys (like water guns). The Rosas part of the exhibit is paintings of Chicano women. Jessica Cunningham’s photographs in Ranch Stories depict the everyday occurrences of life on a ranch. Katy Presswood and Carol Mitchell, former art teachers and current members of the Center, display their art in Three Score and Nearly Ten. Dirty Drawers, a group that meets to draw at the Center, will hold their annual exhibit.


Cockerell Galleries & Studios (1133 North 2nd Street) has Jennifer Nieland’s “Art of Romance” in the Main Gallery and many wonderful works by many artists in the studios upstairs.


Music is also around during Artwalk. Trippin’ Blu will be rockin’ Minter Park (the corner of Cypress Street and 2nd St). The Abilene Swing Dance Society will be teaching classes at 8 p.m. in the Windsor Hotel Ballroom (401 Pine Street-2nd floor) for $5. Tony Barker will be performing by the Cockerell Galleries.


Come enjoy the local scene at Artwalk. It’s FREE and FUN.