05/18/2005
Organizers plan second Art Walk
By: Donna Osborn, Headliner News
The Ozark square was alive with the sound of success May 14. The town's first Art Walk, sponsored by Main Street, Inc. reveled in good weather and happy people."This is just fantastic," said Ozark Mayor Donna McQuay.
"It is a good combination of things and a lot of fun. Just seeing people strolling across the street is a treat for the downtown area."It was a treat for the downtown area and its businesses. Val Archer with Enchanted Parlor said the store was busy until closing. Business equaled that of the holiday season, she said.
"It came close to our Christmas business," she said. "We had a very big weekend. It brought in a lot of new customers and we had to call in extra help."
Across the street, Pam Garrett at the Ozark Mercantile said the same.
"It was wonderful. I was tickled to death," she said. "Robert Snook did a real good job. A lot of people came in and said they didn't know that we were here."
Snook, Main Street Program director, spent part of Monday morning talking to artists who want to participate in the next event, slated from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., June 11.
"We should have something similar," he said. "I've had two artists already this morning telling me they would like to come.'
Snook also said the feedback gathered from the artists was good.
"I'm told that photographer Jim Mayfield sold about $1,500 worth of photographs," Snook said.
Local artists gathered outside the town's eclectic retail stores to display and sell artwork from oils and pastels to photos and handcrafted jewelry. And, the bright sun reflected off the high-gloss and chrome finish of about two dozen classic cars that lined two sides of the inside square. With hoods propped open, they beckoned to curious onlookers.
Graphic artist and designer Patrick WcWhirt signed copies of the Main Street's first logo that he designed, while a trio of meandering musicians, the Garbonzos entertained with an unconventional approach to the strolling minstrel.
The band, consisting of Tim White on guitar, Chris Slatinsky on accordion and John Ehlers on the embellished washboard, has been together for more than 30 years. And, as you might have guessed, the name came from an uncomfortable experience with garbanzo bean salad.
Pat and Ken Kuper, Highlandville, joined friends Ed and Audre Dunning, Ozark, for the afternoon. Resting on a bench outside the Enchanted Parlor, the friends said they were enjoying the day.
"I heard about this event and was interested," Pat said. "I am an artist-- a sculptor."
Although Pat didn't display any of her work that day, it is something that might interest her in the future.
Main Street Director Robert Snook said staging another Art Walk later in the summer is a very real possibility. In addition, that won't be soon enough for Jay and Amy Johnson who moved to downtown Ozark, just steps away from the square, from Michigan less than a year ago.
The couple made the short walk from their home with their two retired greyhounds, Ace and Mandy.
"We just (walked) down to join in the fun," Amy said. "We were involved in the community where we came from, Flushing, Michigan. We just fell in love with Ozark. It's such a beautiful place."
The Johnsons said they want to become involved in the Ozark community as well. They'll have plenty of opportunities.
The Ozark's Parks Department is having another community build, May 21, to finish the playground donated by Mike and Helen Quirk of the Ozark McDonald's. And, the Annual Rubber Duck Race, July 30, is just around the corner with the special added attractions, the Kinetic Kontraption Race and special guests from Foley, Alabama.
©Ozarks Newsstand 2005
