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Before The Fireworks. . .
By C.B. Jackson

In the downtown area of Jacksonville, Florida, the local artists, musicians, sculptors, and many other talented individuals come together and bring their best work out for one night each month. The reason for this monthly gathering is to show off their latest efforts to anyone and everyone passing through the downtown area of town that night. It is usually a high-spirited night, filled with good food, tasty wines, jamming music, lively conversations, and a generally happy spirit for all present. Quite a joyful event to behold!

In case you didn't know, this event is called The Downtown Art Walk. On average, a crowd numbering between one to four thousand pass through more than 50 different locations throughout the downtown area, with some simply browsing, while others will find that one piece of art they have been searching all over for to add extra appeal to their office or home. All of the Art presented may not strike your fancy, trust me, but something on display will catch your eye, and you will hear yourself think "I must have that piece!"

Now, the day The Downtown Art Walk is set every month, without failure, is on the first Wednesday of each month (rain or shine).  The original organizers of this monthly event, Downtown Vision, Inc., set it up this way and it is still going strong, without any major snags, seven years later.

It just so happened that, for the month of July 2007, the first Wednesday of the month fell on the fourth day, which just happened to be Independence Day!  Because of this major scheduling issue, Downtown Vision, Inc. decided not to put on the monthly art walk, which is reasonable, considering the circumstances.

BUT . . . what about the crowd!  On an average Independence Day night, between 15,000 and 40,000 people gather together on both sides of the St. Johns River to 'ooooo' and 'aahhh' all the pyrotechnic displays being propelled into the air in vivid colors.  And where do most of these partyers park?  Why, they park right downtown and they take a casual stroll through the area, window-shopping and taking a few minutes to admire the things and places they usually don't take the time to notice during their busy work week.

It was for this reason that the members of The Artists Cooperative decided to open that night, even though there was no official art walk, and to serve wine, chips, and homemade dip to those individuals who happened to drop by.  And for the few people (between 30 and 50) that did stop, what a rare treat they received:  Miss Rita Blum and Miss Leigh Murphy, as well as Miss Patty McGee, were on-hand to give anyone there a personal tour of their work, and they were even willing to explain their artistic vision to those present.  WOW!

What a rare and precious treat for the party-goers who happen to stop by The Art Center Gallery.  To meet and greet these major artists in person -- what a thrill!  And all this happening-Before the Fireworks!!

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Published by A City of Expression, a global arts organization based in Jacksonville, FL USA

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