Local Art At Its Finest

“Art is literacy of the heart” or so said Elliot Eisner, the emeritus professor of Art and Education at Stanford University. This statement is reflected in the paintings, photographs, jewelry, and sculptures showcased at the 13 downtown locations of the Third Thursday Art Walk in Modesto. Each third Thursday from spring to fall, you can find Modesto business owners opening their doors and hearts to locals in order to show off the talents of artists from the Central Valley. It’s a casual event, but one definitely worth fitting into your evening. Find a unique piece of jewelry to wear, a painting to put on your mantle, or discover awesome downtown stores and galleries you may have never knew existed like Crow Trading Co. and The Chartreuse Muse.

Yes, the Art Walk season only runs from March to August and has now come to a close, but that doesn’t mean that Modesto is going to cease their creativity until next spring! If you’re feeling artsy or just appreciate a great piece of art and glass of vino, catch the Modesto Art & Wine Festival on Saturday September 25, 2010. This is an event put on by the Central California Art Association and many other beloved, local sponsors. The festival will last from 11am-8pm and will showcase beautiful displays from over 100 local artists, an assortment of live music, and wine tasting sessions from over 20 wineries. Don’t leave the kiddos at home either (unless you want to); there will be interactive art stations put on by the Teachers Association. Purchase your tickets at the gate or in advance at Tresetti.com.