Downtown Ames felt completely different during this year’s Art Walk in the best way possible. For a few hours Thursday evening, Main Street turned into a walking gallery spilling with art in and out of shops. People slowly moved from one stop to the next while listening to local music artists.
Downtown businesses opened their doors to dozens of local artists, each bringing something different to the table. There were paintings, ceramics, jewelry, woodwork, prints and even mixed media experiments. Every few steps, there was something new to look at.
There were many different artists of all backgrounds to talk to. Many were excited to share their history and how they got where they are. One that stuck out was M.A.L.T Ceramics; Tiffany Antone was selling things you wouldn’t see anywhere else. Her booth at Dog-Eared Books drew a lot of attention as she shared her creative process.
The Loft Resale hosted Audrey Stirling, who made metal sculptures that stood out to other multimedia artists in big retail stores. Her art was a great experimentation. Another that stood out the most was Flying Pencil Art; she has a staple mushroom man character that is super whimsical and makes you wish you could live in that world.
The whole downtown got in on the different art. Food trucks like Ames Superdog and The Outside Scoop kept people fueled for their art-finding adventures. One of the best parts of the night was how easy it was to explore. You didn’t need a plan. You could walk into a shop and discover your new favorite artist.
Places like the Octagon Center for the Arts and other participating businesses felt especially busy. People were gathering and bouncing between pieces. It wasn’t rushed. It felt like everyone was just enjoying being out together.
The Art Walk not only gives Ames a chance to show off its creative side, but it allows artists and businesses to blend for one night, making Downtown feel all the more connected.
