ArtWalk 2012 is now underway, with 24 locations showing off the works of 23 artists.This year, Olds, Didsbury, Sundre and Carstairs are participating, with Innisfail deciding not to participate due to major construction going on in the downtown core. What began six years ago in Olds and Didsbury has now expanded to a regional showcase of artists due to the sheer volume of artists in the area, said Osi Cruz-Lahtinen, president of the Wellspring Visual ArtNetwork.“I think because it is a mutual benefit (for businesses and artists) to promote the arts in the community. Central Alberta is the area where there are, per capita, more artists than in other regions,” she said.Woodcarving, wood-turning, jewelry, metal-working, beading, photography and painting are just a few of the different media on display during ArtWalk, which runs until Sept. 3.Word has been spreading so much over the past few years about ArtWalk that Cruz-Lahtinen said tours of art aficionados are now coming from Edmonton and Calgary to visit the participating businesses to view the art on display.“I think this is why more people want to get involved. It's not only the local people visiting the different towns, supporting their own artists – which is great, and we are really thankful for it – but it is also being promoted somewhere else. I think it's just people finding out and telling each other because this, we have heard for years,” she said.This year, for the first time, the ArtWalk will be featured in Art Trends, an Edmonton-area arts magazine – getting the word out even more. People can also find out about ArtWalk 2012 at www.wellspringvisualartnetwork.com or on Twitter by typing in @AlbertaArtWalk or @WellspringVANA or Facebook by typing in facebook.com/wellspringvisualartnetwork. People can also access the website through their smartphone by scanning the bar code on the ArtWalk pamphlet that is available at many businesses.Currently, there is a mini-show and sale going on at the Mountain View Museum in Olds. A full show and sale of the artists participating in ArtWalk will be taking place Oct. 27 and 28 in Olds at the cadet hall next to the Olds Sports Complex.
