Lawrence artist Ben Ahlvers applies glaze to a work in his Bee Series before firing the piece in a kiln Wednesday afternoon at the Lawrence Arts Center. Ahlvers will display these and other works next weekend during the 11th annual Lawrence ArtWalk.

A tradition is something we expect – maybe eagerly await – to happen every year.

The Bizarre Bazaar, the frenzy of the sidewalk sale and the fire department rescuing Santa from the roof of Weaver’s Department Store are all part of what makes living in Lawrence a unique experience. Another Lawrence tradition is due to recur next weekend in the homes and studios of artists throughout the city.

The 11th annual Lawrence ArtWalk will allow art enthusiasts and anyone else who wants to get out and enjoy the weather an opportunity to see local artwork that’s displayed precisely where it’s created.

Ben Ahlvers is new to the show – and new, in fact, to Lawrence. Ahlvers, who moved to town last year from Ohio, works at the Lawrence Arts Center as a studio supervisor and teacher. He creates ceramic sculpture at his home studio but fires it in kilns at the arts center.

“I don’t know very many people in the Lawrence art scene besides the ones I work with at the arts center,” he says, “I saw this as a good way to get involved with the art community.”

Ahlvers, who has a Master of Fine Arts in ceramics from Ohio University, has sent pieces to group shows in London, Spain and China. But he also sees benefits in doing homegrown shows.

“I think it’s a good opportunity to get people in the community to be aware of what’s being made next door,” he says. “Plus it’s easier than boxing and shipping the pieces all over the country.”

Among the works Ahlvers will show in the ArtWalk are pieces from his Bee Series. The rotund clay figures have both insect and human attributes, from fingers and arms to wings and antennae.

Linda Frost, who makes mixed media textiles, is among more than 50 artists in this year's Lawrence ArtWalk, a self-guided tour of area artists' studios.

“At the foundation of my work is the idea of identity and how it is formed,” he explains. “Translating thoughts of people, places and events from my past into the art that I create is where the fun is at. The end result is always a little tongue-in-cheek, but the work always begins from something real in my life.”

While artists like Ahlvers are new to the area, some stops on this year’s ArtWalk will be inhabited by local favorites. Constance Erlich was selected to be the featured artist this year, and her work appears on posters for the event.

Another familiar face, Linda Frost has lived in Lawrence for more than 30 years.

“I came as a student and never left,” she laughs.

Despite her veteran status in the art scene, this will be Frost’s first year in the ArtWalk. She’ll display her textile art at her home near the Kansas University campus.

“My sewing room is too messy,” she says, “so I think I’ll just do it in the dining room.”

Frost’s work combines quilting, screen printing, stamping and sewing. She draws her inspiration from a variety of sources, including comic books, her pets and paintings she admires. Given the complexity of her work, she sometimes finds it difficult to explain her style to people without textiles experience.

“Just last week, I told someone I’m a quilter, but … it’s not that exactly,” she says. “Sometimes folks will say they’re textile artists or mixed media or wall quilts to separate them from traditional bed quilts.”

Frost stitches a bird for one of her artworks.

Frost is looking forward to showing her work instead of merely talking about it.

“I think the ArtWalk puts a more personal face on it,” she says. “You get an in-person explanation of how it was done or what inspired it.”

Ahlvers agrees that part of the fun is talking to people in the community about your work.

“It’s really cool to see what’s going on in that shop you drive by every day,” he says. “And for me personally, going into someone’s studio is interesting. I’m always interested in seeing how something was made or done.”