WEST TOWN — This weekend's West Town Art Walk will bring art in all forms to 30 shops along Chicago Avenue, as well as offer food trucks, beer tastings and a chance for artsy revelers of all ages to make masks and show off their new creations in a parade.
The fifth annual art walk, on Chicago Avenue from Milwaukee to Western avenues, is slated for 5-8 p.m. Friday and noon to 8 p.m. Saturday. The events are sponsored by the West Town Chamber of Commerce, Dovetail and Seek Vintage.
During the two-day event, attendees can enjoy visual art, music and fashion from Chicago artists showcased within 30 West Town shops, businesses, restaurants and bars. Prizes, including a set of tickets to "Wait, Wait. Don't Tell Me," will be raffled off.
Admission is free and a map of art walk stops along with official event pins — that allow access to discounts, free rickshaw rides and after parties — are available at a check-in station at Dovetail, 1452 W. Chicago Ave.
New features this year include food trucks (Da Lobsta, Perogi Wagon, Chicago Cupcake, and more) and a parade called "Art That Walks" where art walkers of all ages can show off their creative chops.
Organized by Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art, the Art That Walks event runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and will start with an "immersive art making and art sharing workshop" at Eckhart Park, 1330 W. Chicago Ave., from 10-11:30 a.m.
“Given the art supplies and inspiration, every person is capable of creating works of beauty and enchantment,” said artist Hugh Musick, who conceived the Art That Walks parade.
Materials including plain white shirts will be provided; participants are also encouraged to bring their own masks or costumes from home to walk in.
At 11:30 a.m., everyone who has made a costume or brought a costume will line up in front of the Eckhart Park field house along Chicago Avenue. From noon to 1 p.m., the group will parade down the West Town Art Walk strip together, along with a marching band.
The parade will conclude with a special dance party with live music in Eckhart Park where dancing, mingling and "celebrating each other’s creativity" will be encouraged, Musick said.
A full lineup, including where to get complimentary tastes of fall beers from Tenth & Blake and Forbidden Root and a list of sales and shop promotions is available on the art walk's website.
West Town Art Walk Schedule:
West Town Art Walk Map [Provided]
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