Gallery Stroll in the Press

Downtown Provo Gallery Stroll continues to promote culture and art

Lindsay Johnson & Greg Wilcox

Issue date: 4/7/08 Section: Life

An event featuring one-of-a-kind art, hip fashion boutiques, fresh music, gourmet food, and ... Provo?

The Downtown Provo Gallery Stroll is no longer the best-kept secret for an enjoyable -- and free -- Friday night. With the recent sprouting of trendy shops and restaurants in the past few years and the continuing revitalization effort in downtown Provo, the stroll is quickly becoming the "it" place to be for students, art connoisseurs, and curious local residents.

The concept of the Downtown Provo Gallery Stroll is genius and is, for the area, experientially unique. On the first Friday of each month, a choice selection of businesses around State Street and University Avenue remain open late from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., while each shop debuts new artwork from local artists.

The public "strolls" from gallery to gallery, mingling with artists, admiring and purchasing their work, picking up cool threads at Coal Umbrella and Mode Boutique, and sampling Italian gelato from Maestro's Gelato Café.

The art remains displayed in the ten businesses involved until the next month when new local artists and their works are showcased. It's a win-win-win situation: Up and coming artists are exposed to the public, local businesses bring potential customers in, and the public is introduced to new art through a fun, interactive experience.

As if that weren't enough, Mode Boutique owners and the Gallery Stroll's coordinators, Ryan and Rebecca Neely, decided to add a twist for the month of April. The theme is art chase. When art strollers visit each exhibit and have a card punched, they will be entered in a drawing for various prizes, including dinners at Guru's and Ottavio's and a night at the Hine's Mansion. Cards are available at all participating venues.

For more information on the Provo Gallery Stroll, including the featured artists for the month of April, visit http://www.DowntownProvo.org or http://www.ModeBoutique.net

Provo Gallery Stroll: Art Chase
Friday, April 4
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Downtown Provo

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