By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
Feast your eyes on vibrant artworks at this year's Summer Art Walk, featured at various locations throughout the heart of Hays.
Highlighting work from across the state, the "Loosely Speaking" opening reception will showcase nearly a dozen different artists.
Brenda Meder, director of the Hays Art Council, said artists from both Hays and beyond will have their open-to-interpretation works on display.
"Artists speak through their work, whether its the form, color or media," she said. "In some cases, it may be recognizable subject matter but done in a truly very loose style."
"Loosely Speaking" begins at 6:30 p.m. and continues until 9:30 p.m. at the Hays Art Center, located at 112 E. 11th St.
The opening reception will feature paintings, sculptures and ceramics from 11 artists in this summer's exhibition.
The public display runs from June 21 to August 15 and will spotlight work from Charles Baughman, Cally Krallman, Kathleen Kuchar, Ron Michael, Angela Muller, Beverly Radefeld, Danielle Robinson, Von Pounds, Barbara Stevens, Robin Valenzuela and Teresa Wasinger.
"It truly is what the name implies," Meder said. "It's a wonderful mix of styles and lots of colors."
On the night of June 21, you can explore more art pieces at up to 14 different locations, including:
- Chestnut Street Building, 1200 Main St. for "Bigger Together: Bigs & Littles Creative Showcase"
- Paisley Pear Win Bar & Bistro, 1100 Main St. for Silver, Copper & Gold Handwoven Jewelry Designs by Sami J. Randle
- Studio 711, 711 Main St. for Paintings, Prints & Drawings by Michael Jilg
- Breathe Coffee House, 703 Main St. for "Illustrative Design" by Jenny Cox
- Fusion by Manual, 700 Main St. for "Earthly Delights" ceramics by Rylie Hazelton
- Downtown Defiance, 111 W 7th St. for Sculptures by Kurt and Ashley Breshears and "In Defiance of Cancer" fundraising project
- From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Taylor Gallery of Art, FHSU Center for Applied Technology, is "Mostly Metal" by FHSU sculpture students
- Hays Public Library, 1205 Main St. for outdoor photography by Rob McDonald and "AmeriCosmos" music performance by Matt Venuti
"Matt Venuti will be playing during the entire time of the art walk. You may want to check out other places but with him playing so much, you'll have time to sit down and take in a good chunk of his concert," Meder said.
Live music will also be offered by Brad Dawson and Luke Johnson from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Paisley Pear.
Earlier in the day, a youth showcase performance at 11 a.m. and a performance by Lora McDonald at noon will be at the Downtown Pavilion, 117 E. 10th St.
You can find a complete list of locations and information on displays here.
The Hays Art Council is also still offering engaging activities for young artists with the Sizzlin' Summer 2024 classes in visual and performing arts.
"We have a nice variety of classes that still have room in them. You can enroll up until the end of the week before classes begin," Meder said.
Classes feature painting, acting, theatre, guitar lessons, and a variety of mixed-media arts and craft workshops.
Registration is required prior to the start of classes as class sizes are limited. You can access the complete list of summer classes and a printable registration form here.
Meder said art walk attendees are welcome to visit the art work displays in any order and for any length of time they prefer.
"One of the biggest things the art walk does is provide an engaging experience without fear or trepidation," Meder said.
You can find more information on the Hays Art Council's website and follow them on Facebook.
