The Sam Houston State University Art Department will hold their fourth annual Art Walk starting today through Friday.
The event will showcase student art installations in the storefront windows of Avenue L Café at 1215 Sam Houston Ave.
The Art Walk is a grassroots student event that attempts to engage the Huntsville community in the practice of contemporary art. Through unconventional display locations, such as storefront windows and empty lots, SHSU art students and alumni aim to develop a dialogue with the community that might not seek out an on-campus gallery or the downtown Satellite Gallery.
The exhibit will showcase work by current SHSU students as well as alumni in all media formats. The event was started by Catherine Cartwright, an alumni of Sam Houston State. Cartwright is currently an MFA student at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
“[Cartwright] was interested in creating an event that bridged campus and community,” Annie Strader, Assistant Professor of Art and Advisor for the Student Art Association, said. “She initiated the relationship with the people who run Avenue L cafe and they have continued to support the event by allowing the Student Art Association to utilize their window spaces and building for the week of the event for the past four years,”
Strader said the event has grown over the years and extends outside of Avenue L to the empty lot between Avenue L and the Donut Wheel for video projections and live performances.
With the opening of the Student Satellite Gallery this past year, the Art Walk has been able to expand even further and extend around the corner. This year, the Satellite Gallery will be open as a Senior BFA exhibit to feature the work of Krissty Batres, Justin Casias and Colton Clifford.
“The goal of the event is to connect the campus art scene with the community so it is geared towards inviting everyone from the community and campus to come out and have an art experience this Friday November 14 from 6 to 8 p.m.,” Strader said.
The event is free and all who are interested are encouraged to attend.
The exhibit reception will be on Friday Nov. 14th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. where there will be live performance art and outdoor video projections along with a BFA senior exhibit at the Satellite Gallery. The exhibits inside will be open Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday from 6 to 8 p.m., and Saturday from to 4 p.m.
