ArtWalk opens doors to artists’ studios

Visual artists throughout Lawrence and Douglas County opened their doors to the public Saturday for the 10th annual Lawrence ArtWalk, a self-guided tour of area studios.

More than 90 artists displayed their work at 39 venues that ranged from the Lawrence Public Library to artists’ homes.

Sculptor and ceramic artist Cyndy Paloma Lester chopped kindling for a wood stove at her North Lawrence home Saturday evening, trying to stave off the chill of the fall air as a patron looked over the pieces the artist had put on display.

This was the first year Paloma Lester participated in the ArtWalk. She said she was pleased that her stop received a good deal of traffic in the afternoon.

“Everybody is always encouraging me to do this kind of thing, and get myself out there,” she said. “If I’ve sold anything in the past, it’s usually been through word-of-mouth, or on commission.”

Dozens of people also came through the ArtWalk stop at the Lawrence Senior Center, 707 Vt., where the works of the Downtown Tuesday Painters, an art club, were on display. Throughout the senior center’s activity room, visitors examined canvases with brightly colored renderings of familiar Lawrence scenes: the Kansas University Campanile, brilliant sunsets, cattle.

Lawrence resident David Matkin’s sons, Atticus, 4, and Samuel, 2, seemed more interested in the complimentary candy and cheese puffs than the paintings, but their father said he had enjoyed perusing the local artists’ fare.

“The artists really capture the essence of the community,” he said. “They seem to have their fingers on the pulse of the area.”

The ArtWalk continues today from noon to 6 p.m.Maps are available at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H., the Lawrence Visitor Center, 402 N. Second St., and all ArtWalk stops. Both maps and guidebooks will be available at Ad Astra Galleria, 205 W. Eighth St.There is no charge for the event.

The ArtWalk concludes today.