365 Days in the First Coast, 365 Activities to enjoy

Welcome to my site. On one of my travels, I stumbled across this site www.365-la.com and decided to make one for Jacksonville. Hope you like it!

If you are looking for Asian events in Jacksonville, please check out my other blog at jaxasianresource.blogspot.com

Monday, August 15, 2011

Day 1 - Downtown Artwalk

I love Downtown Artwalk. It's every first Wednesday. It's well worth the trek to the city's urban core. Lots of art to see. Plenty of musicians to listen to, people to watch, places to eat, and things to do. This event is FREE and kid friendly for the most part. Just watch out for the artwork in the old library. It gets a bit edgy for young kids unless you're ok with them seeing nude artwork.

Check out their website: http://www.downtownjacksonville.org/Marketing/First_Wednesday_Artwalk.aspx

From my previous Yelp review:

There is so much to do during ArtWalk. A lot of restaurants that are usually open only for lunch extend their hours and MOCA keeps its doors open and visitors get in for FREE. Also, businesses in the area become temporary galleries for the night, displaying works from local artists.

The type of art usually featured in ArtWalk can range from realistic traditional styles to more modern and whimsical stuff. There are different types of art displayed from sculptures, paintings, photography, jewelry, etc.

The ArtWalk spans several blocks, [which includes the Landing], but most of the action happens around Hemming Plaza and Burrito Gallery areas. I don't know why.

Hemming Plaza becomes a hub buzzing with vendors and artists selling their goods and sometimes the drum circle is out there with the bellydancers or someone may be performing.

One spot to note is the old main library. It turns into a huge multi-floor gallery where people display their paintings, photography, and other artworks. Another impromptu gallery is an old fire station right across the street.

Next door to the fire station is Burrito Gallery, which is the unofficial gathering for hungry art enthusiasts looking for a quick cheap eat (they really LOAD their burritos here!). Bars are also doing special things during this event.

They used to allow people to walk around with open containers of alcohol, but I think that was changed. And there used to be free wine and snacks everywhere, but now some places charge for the wine. Crappy economy I guess.

If you miss this one, there are several other art walks around the area, such as the First Fridays in St. Augustine and another in Five Points and 3rd Thursdays at the North Beaches Art Walk in Atlantic Beach.





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