Sacramento Art Walk: Second Saturday of the Month

General comment: In Sacramento, the second Saturday of every month means time again for Second Saturday Art Walk where galleries all over town stay open late (usually until 9 or 10 pm). That, in and of itself, is not overly interesting, but the evolution of the event is. You see, it started out as an art thing with only galleries open late, and only "art people" attending. However, as more and more people ambled on down to each successive episode, and more and more businesses and restaurants in the immediate gallery vicinities saw what was happening, more of them decided to stay open late too. These days, all kinds of businesses participate alongside the galleries, from restaurants to real estate agencies to clothing stores, and the so-called "art walk" is now one giant party with certain blocks so crowded, you practically have to crowbar your way through the masses if you expect to see anything at all.

So there you have it-- one more example of the power of art, here responsible for bringing all kinds of people together in a festival-like atmosphere one night a month. And plenty of people who know little or nothing about art or who aren't comfortable in art galleries (but who like to have fun), run around just like the cognoscenti, lose themselves in the hubub, see and learn about all kinds of art pain-free and easy, and in the end, more galleries and more artists sell more art to more people. Isn't that marvelous? Plus let's not forget that on these nights, art is also responsible for pumping many many many thousands of dollars into the local Sacramento economy. Gets you thinkin' about possibilities, doesn't it?

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The Art Foundry Gallery, 1021 R. Street, Sacramento, CA 95814; 916.444.2787: Dick Ratcliff - Works in Bronze; The Subject is Color - Paintings, Sculpture, Mixed Media byTwelve Artists.

Comment: Combination gallery and foundry features a live bronze pouring in the foundry at 7:30. Rows of chairs are set up for the audience to sit and watch.