Photo by Sandi Carroll for NSBNEWS.net. Cutline: Jason Lott smiles as he makes a glass ornament at Galleria di Vetro Dec. 5. Lott, along with Kyle Carni and Vaigale Duers-Stevens, will demonstrate flameworking as part of Art Walk on Flagler Avenue, which will be held 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Santa will slip away from his workshop and busy schedule to visit Art Walk on Flagler Avenue on Saturday.
He knows that it is the perfect place to take a relaxing stroll and do some last minute shopping. Santa will be on the avenue until from, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., then he must get back to work at the North Pole. So bring your cameras and your "wish list" to the gazebo at Flagler and Pine streets.
You can visit this special holiday Art Walk from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., as you avoid the traffic and the crowds at the malls and stroll along Flagler Avenue, the charming five blocks between the Indian River and the ocean.
There will be something for everyone, including art works on display in galleries by more than 120 artists, as well as and dozens of visiting artists. The popular monthly event showcases painting, jewelry, ceramics, decorative art, glassblowing demonstrations, sculpture, fabric arts, pottery demonstrations and more.
Presented by the Gallery Group of Flagler Avenue, there will also be entertainment and a special prize drawing.
Remember to pick up an Art Walk program wherever you see the blue and black flags with the white "gg" logo and be sure to get it punched at each of the five sponsoring galleries for a chance to win this month's free prize drawing from Jewelry of Joy, 307 Flagler, a hand-blown glass ball ornament. The store features unique items and a jewelry and sculptural collection created right in the store.
Other sponsoring art galleries are TaDa Gallery, 113 Flagler Ave.,which showcases art works by more than 50 local artists; Galleria di Vetro, 310 Flagler, which has live glassblowing demonstrations, classes and sculptural glass; Palms Up Pottery, 413 Flagler, offering unique pottery pieces and pottery classes; and Beachsyde Jewelers, 415 Flagler, a gallery that exhibits distinctive items and custom designed jewelry from more than 10 independent jewelry designers.
DJ Dennis will be playing everyone's favorite holiday music at the gazebo at Flagler and Pine, and live glassworking demonstrations will be presented at Galleria di Vetro throughout the day. Visitors can watch glass artists Kyle Carni, Vaigale Duers-Stevens and Jason Lott create unique jellyfish and seahorse ornaments.
Art walk is the perfect way to get in the holiday spirit, and it will provide a great opportunity to shop for those last-minute Christmas gifts. Also, some galleries will host free wine and cheese receptions from 3 to 5 p.m.
The Gallery Group of Flagler Avenue is seeking professional artists in any medium to display their art from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. the fourth Saturday of the month during Art Walk on Flagler Avenue, New Smyrna Beach.
FAST FACTS:
# Art Walk themes for 2009 will be: January, "Black and White"; February, "Fabrics and Textiles"; March, "Culinary Arts"; April, "Recycled"; and May, "Paint Out"; June, "Waterworks"; July, "Christmas in July"; August, "Surfs Up"; September, "All That Jazz"; October, "Fantasy Works Halloween Spooktacular"; November, "Christmas Village"; and December, "Special Christmas Celebration."
# Each month the Gallery group judges the work of visiting artists on the street, and two of the sponsoring gallery owners serve as judges. A place prize of $100, 2nd place prize of $75, and 3rd place prize of $50, along with corresponding ribbons are awarded at the end of the day. First place in November went to Damien Share, from Melbourne Beach, for an acrylic seascape. Second place went to Taymon Loving Smith from New Smyrna Beach. He works in oils and acrylics. Third place went to John Rooks of Tallahassee, for an abstract work.
For more information about Art Walk, or to request an artist's application, please call (386) 428-1770, 386-689-2672, or visit www.flaglergallerygroup.com. And don't forget that the NSB Water Taxi now stops at the west end of Flagler Avenue, at the Grill at Riverview every two hours starting at 12:30 p.m. The taxi also makes stops at Riverside Park and the Marine Discovery Center in New Smyrna Beach, as well as two locations in Ponce Inlet. For details, please call (386) 428-4828 or visit www.nsbtaxi.com.