Panhandlers, Main Street construction and an economic recession have not been kind to artists in downtown Gainesville.
But that did not stop 10 downtown art establishments from participating in the Gainesville Art Walk Friday night.
The Art Walk, held on the last Friday of every month, gives local artists a chance to promote and display their work.
The displays ranged from an artisan who frames diplomas to a tattooed man who played songs for passers-by on a cello covered in purple feathers.
Artists and shop owners enticed visitors to come into their stores with giveaways.
“I used to give out wine until I realized that I was just attracting underage people who were coming in here and taking it,” said Troid Brett, owner of Floating Island Gift Shop. “Now I just give cookies.”
Wine or no wine, getting visitors to participate in the Art Walk is becoming increasingly difficult.
Sales are down about 50 percent since the recession set in, Brett said.
Several artists, however, said they foresee brighter days ahead for the downtown art scene.
The conclusion of the Main Street construction is expected to increase both foot and vehicle traffic, said Jeff Knee, a promoter for the South Main Community Arts Center.
The completion of the new downtown dog park and the science museum should also help revitalize the area, he said, as should the expected county-wide crackdowns on homelessness amd vagrant activity.
For art-loving locals, the revitalization cannot come soon enough.
“Art is important,” said Nita Garland, who lives three blocks from downtown and frequently visits art shows and shops around Main Street. “The Art Walk is important. What Gainesville expresses through the Art Walk is important.”
