Back-to-School KidsWalk - September 13th, 2007

Enjoy ArtWalk Thursday, September 13th from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. Start the new school year on the right foot by coming downtown for the KidsWalk ArtWalk! ArtWalk is sponsored this month by Texas Tech University at Abilene.

The Center for Contemporary Arts will be hosting several groups that will have information about activities for children. Organizations including the Girl Scouts and Ballet Abilene will be present, as well as the Big Country Home Educators Association and Abilene Christian Schools.

Calling all Kids to the NCCIL! We are going on a Sidewalk Safari to Africa with Dr. De Soto. Help us create a sidewalk jungle in chalk. Step inside so visit our William Steig: The Man who Never Grew Up exhibit. Steig is the creator of the now famous Shrek. Join us at 6:30 PM for a special reading of the book Doctor De Soto Goes to Africa.

The Historic Paramount Theatre presents Babel at 7:30 PM. Three parallel stories occurring on three separate continents collide in this multidimensional story that explores what happens when love is ignored, squandered, or annihilated by anger, alienation, hatred and violence. In English, Arabic, French, Spanish, Japanese, Japanese sign language and Berber with English subtitles. $6 for adults, $5 for students, senior, military and children. Please note: this film is Rated R for language, sexual content, and violence. Parental discretion is advised.

Katy Presswood invites you to her opening for her Textures exhibit at 5:30 PM. She will be upstairs at the Center for Contemporary Arts.

Galleries and Museums

The Center for Contemporary Arts, 220 Cypress St.

Jane Adams Breed Gallery: Images of the Southwest: Past and Present by Signature Artist Member Barry Arthur. Barry Arthur's work is filled with scenes that are as vivid and realistic as the Great Southwest from which they are drawn.

Gallery 2: Portraits by Abe Aronow. In an ongoing project, Aronow captures the spirit of fellow photographers, curators and others who have influenced the medium. See the faces of photographers whose work you know and love including Ansel Adams, Annie Leibovitz and many others.

Gallery 3: Textures by Katy Presswood. The work in this exhibit draws influence from dirt, rocks, clay, plants, sticks, twigs and bones. The work is mostly non-objective, dominated by color and texture.

Gallery 4: Snapshot! Photography by area youth. This exhibit features the work of area ninth grade students who participated in a photography and writing workshop hosted by the Center & Abilene Reporter-News.

Ruth Jackson's Children of India exhibition will continue to be on display in the conference room. Mehndi artist Amanda Pettit will return for this month's ArtWalk, and will be providing henna body art.

Cockerell Galleries and Studios, 1133 N. 2nd St.

The Cockerell's 2nd St. Gallery will be displaying the works chosen for the 2007 Big Country Art Association Competition. At the galleries and studios by artists Ash Almonte, Nancy Capra, Hannah Capra, T. M. Gand, Doug Hodel, Samantha Manski, and Jessica Natalee Templeton. You are also invited to come and enjoy a visit with Certified Hypnotherapist, C. Kahl.

Frontier Texas!, 625 N. 1st St. - Open until 6 PM.
Ask for the "ArtWalk" discount for $1.00 off each admission all day.

The Grace Museum, 102 Cypress St.

The Grace will be closed for the evening. Please visit at another time. Normal hours are Tuesdays - Saturdays, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM and Thursdays 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM. Thursday Evenings, 5:00 - 8:00 PM are free to the Public.

Closed Sunday, Monday & Major Holidays

NCCIL (National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature), 102 Cedar St.
The original Shrek is coming to Abilene in all his ogre-ugly, but loveable, glory. The artwork of classic children's book author, illustrator, and creator of Shrek, William Steig, will be featured at the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature September 6th through October 19th. The exhibit includes 50 original watercolor illustrations from the Steig family's private collection.
12th Armored Division Memorial Museum, 1289 N. 2nd St.
Enjoy free admission and small gifts for children donated by Vanessa Harris.

Restaurants, Coffee Shops and Cocktails

The Beehive, 442 Cedar St. Enjoy live music, free hors d'oeuvres and a happy hour drink special from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.

The Civic Plaza Hotel, 505 Pine St. The lobby and restaurant will be open from 5:00 - 9:00 PM

Cypress Street Station, 158 Cypress St. Art by Mike Lanier will be on display this month.

McKay's Bakery, 226 Cypress St. Grab a bite to eat, and try a wide variety of treats.

Monks Coffee Shop, 233 Cypress St. Step inside Monks for signature summer drinks and enjoy art by local artist Katrina Willis. Live music begins at 7:00 PM. Open Thurs.-Sat. until midnight.

The Warehouse in the T&P, N. 1st & Pine St. Continue the fun into the night with live music & drink specials. Open 5:00 - 7:00 PM for Happy Hour. Open until midnight. 21 & up.

Specialty Shops

Cassandra's and Company, 173 Pine, St. Stop in to see a great selection of the exclusive and extraordinary including Vera Bradley. Open until 7:00 PM during ArtWalk.

The Leaf, 202 Cypress St. The Leaf features an espresso bar with hot and iced espresso beverages, including Italian sodas, iced tea, and sodas; tobacco, cigars, and pipes, teas and gifts.

The Honeycomb Tree, 1166 N. 2nd St. Shop until 8:00 PM. You'll find the best prices on fashion jewelry, hand-crafted belt buckles, scented soaps, candles and lotions along with unique gifts, antiques, collectibles, shabby chic and country furniture.

Texas Star Trading Company, 174 Cypress St. At the Texas Star Trading Company, you'll find a great selection of books, music and unique gifts, all representing the Lone Star state!
Park and Street Vendors

Dream On! will offer free dream interpretations in front of Busch Jewelers.
Stephen Alexander will be showcasing his photography and Stephanie Herndon will be displaying her artwork on Cypress Street in front of the Center for Contemporary Arts.

In Minter Park: The Wylie High School Jazz Band will be playing from 6:00 - 6:45 PM

In Everman Park: Hong's Martial Arts School will give a demonstration at 6:30pm, and will have information about their school available. Also there will be Mary Tan with Foreign Enemy Jewelry Design, Island Fashion Accessories' handmade Philippine jewelry, and Little Bitty Hippie Jewelry's handmade selection. Classical guitarist Sterling Vaughn will be playing two sets - one at 6:10 PM and one at 7:00 PM.

An Improv Comedy Troupe from Abilene High School will also be performing during the evening.

Funding and Support

ArtWalk, a major program of the Center for Contemporary Arts, is generously supported by grants from: the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council: the City of Abilene, Taylor County, and the Downtown Revitalization Program of the Tax Increment Finance District, the Abilene Reporter-News, Dodge Jones Foundation, GAP Radio and the Campbell Foundation.
ArtWalk is also funded in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts.

For more information on ArtWalk, contact The Center for Contemporary Arts at 677-8389.

Our ArtWalk Sponsor for September is Texas Tech University at Abilene.