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Show ART LET'S TAKE A STROLL: PROVO'S MONTHLY GALLERY STROLL DRAWS A CROWD BY ABBEY ELISON PHOTOGRAPHY VIRGINIA JOHNSON DOWNTOWN GALLERY STROLL FIRST FRIDAYS OF THE MONTH FROM 6 – 9 P.M. GALLERIES TERRA NOVA GALLERY, 41 W. 300 NORTH PROVO COMMUNITY CHURCH, 175 N. UNIVERSITY UTAH COUNTY ART GALLERY, 151 S. UNIVERSITY THE WAGGENRY STUDIO, PROVO TOWNE SQUARE, STE 215 WINDOW BOX GALLERY, 62 W. CENTER COVEY CENTER FOR THE ARTS, 425 W. CENTER GET IN TOUCH WWW.GALLERYSTROLL.BLOGSPOT.COM WWW.UTAHVALLEY.COM WWW.TERRANOVAGALLERY.COM WWW.PROVOCOMMUNITYUCC.ORG WWW.UTAHCOUNTYARTGALLERY.COM WWW.WINDOWBOXGALLERY.COM WWW.COVEYCENTER.ORG WWW.ROOFTOPCONCERTSERIES.COM WWW.STEVENWAGGONER.COM 6 I THE V MAGAZINE Gallery Stroll offers an adventure that leads to a whole new side to Utah County and specifically downtown Provo. So, what is the Gallery Stroll? In a nutshell, on the first Friday of every month, from six to eight, downtown Provo opens their doors to display the artwork of local artists for all to see. The Gallery Stroll was started in 1999 by the Provo Arts Council under the direction of Kathryn S. Allen, who is currently the Program Director at Downtown Provo Inc. Many of the interviewees discussed the struggle to make the arts a thriving part of Utah County. The Gallery Stroll has had a bumpy row to hoe, but things are looking better than ever before. "The weather, and definitely the artists and the galleries, but ultimately the energy of the artists and their willingness to promote their work" has made a tremendous difference, Allen said. Jared Morgan, executive director of Downtown Provo Inc. focused on the topic of "making Downtown a destination spot rather than a pit spot." He was impressed with the success of a student-run gallery called the Waggenry during the last Gallery Stroll. He said it was by far the most popular show of the Gallery Stroll. The Waggenry studio was started by a young painter named Steven Waggoner who needed a space to paint and wanted to get involved. He and fellow painter Annie Henry (the studio's title is a fusion of their last names) converted the decrepit loft into a usable space, and they've since collaborated with local artists to make the studio a destination point for the community. Jann Neilson, one of five artists who displayed at the Waggenry during last month's Gallery Stroll, had an extremely successful show—selling two pieces and getting commissioned for two more. "It was a dream come true," she said. Not only is the Gallery Stroll a way to connect with the community and get involved, but it's a great evening for date night, or a night out with the girls, boys or family. Galleries are encouraged to provide light refreshments so there's free food along the way. It's best to start at the Covey Center for the Arts. While there, enjoy the current art display, note the fabulous stained glass windows and receive directions to the next gallery. Each gallery will send strollers in the right direction, completing a circuit of six galleries scattered throughout downtown Provo. But the Gallery Stroll is about more than just art. Music (including the free "rooftop concert series" beginning this Spring) and performances (including mimes and gypsy dancers) are often included in the roster. And twice a year, in April and October, they have the "Art Chase." Patrons are given cards with partial pictures of a piece of artwork throughout the stroll. Each time they match a piece with one of the pictures they get their card punched. If they can fill up their cards they can submit them into a drawing where they have the chance of winning all sorts of prizes ranging from gift baskets, original artwork and free stays at local Hotels. When all is said and done, the Gallery Stroll is about uniting the community—and creativity is the glue. |