With 12 First Wednesday Art Walks each year, each edition has its own personality. The winter months mean colder temperatures and sunset shortly after the event begins at 5 p.m. Summer means warmer, sometimes downright hot, temperatures and longer days.
April begins the peak season for Art Walk. Spring has sprung Downtown and since it’s the first gallery tour after the start of daylight saving time, this evening the sun sets just 12 minutes before 8 p.m.
Each Art Walk also has a theme and this month it’s “Artistic Ambitions” and an opportunity for young professional and service organizations to share what they do with those who come Downtown for art and entertainment.
Some of the highlights:
• At Hemming Plaza, art walkers can visit booths set up by iMentorJax, IMPACTjax, JCCI Forward, The Miracle Board benefiting the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, the Pawfessionals benefiting the Jacksonville Humane Society, Wild Things benefiting the Jacksonville Zoo and the World Affairs Council.
• The Ivy Ultra Bar will host a cocktail party for young professionals.
• The Museum of Contemporary Art and Cafe Nola are sponsoring a “Sip, Snack and Search” scavenger hunt for teams to test their knowledge of the Downtown art scene and compete for prizes.
• Among the 15 “Off the Grid” galleries, at 111 E. Bay Studios, F13RCE Dance Theatre performs “Ambitious Connections” with a cello solo by Goliath Flores. The Art Center Cooperative at The Carling features the work of artist Yvonne Lozano. Southlight Gallery celebrates the Earth with featured artist Grant Ward, and The Next Gallery will host an exhibition of paintings by Lee Harvey.
• Parking at meters is free after 6 p.m. Free parking for Art Walk is also offered at the covered garage at Adams and Clay streets, courtesy of LAZ Parking.
For details, visit www.downtownjacksonville.org or ask a Downtown Ambassador for an Art Walk guide.