Jan. 5, 2002 — Six Christiansted galleries will keep their doors open after hours Thursday, inviting the public to stroll the historic downtown district streets and stop in to see their offerings during the second monthly "Art Thursday."
Taking part in this month's art walk are Campen Gallery and Frame, Christiansted Gallery, Danica Art Gallery, Gallery Gia, Maria Henle Studio and Mark Austin's Fine Art Gallery. All will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday. Taller Larjas, which was involved in December's inaugural event, isn't this time but will be back for the February offering.
In addition to the fine-art galleries, art jewelry stores (Crucian Gold, I.B. Designs, Iona Skye, Jewelweed) and craft venues (Folk Art Traders, Memories of St. Croix) will be participating, as will several in-town restaurants that will offer specials to Art Thursday participants.
"Come stroll through Christiansted, enjoy the variety of art offered by the different galleries and dinner afterwards," publicity states, "and support Christiansted's Art Renaissance."
For the first walk, in December, "Turnout was good, despite a rainy evening, and very enthusiastic," Maria Henle, one of the organizers, said. While there was more shopping than buying, she added, "I have a feeling the economy, plus the lack of winter residents — they come in January — had a lot to do with it."
All of the gallery owners feel that the first walk "was really successful, as it brought out a lot of people — some of whom I have never seen at an opening of mine!" Henle said. "We were, overall, very pleased with the participation and the feedback from the public."
Given that this was the first after-hours walk, she suggests that a wait-and-see attitude is in order for business owners who may feel skeptical about the whole idea. "You never know what residual effect staying open might have — not to mention, it's good for the whole community," she said.
The accompanying map — available at all of the participating venues — indicates where the galleries are located. (Designed for the December walk, it includes Taller Larjas). Strollers can start and stop at any point throughout the evening, and spend as much time as they like wherever they like.
"The walking isn't all that much," Henle said. "It's more that people can get waylaid at a given venue, and thus not make it to all of them in an evening!"
The galleries are all in the downtown area except for Campen's, which is in Gallows Bay. "Most people drive there either first or last stop of the evening," Henle said.
The participating galleries will have light refreshments, and Henle, at least, is considering offering live music — at future walks, if not this one.
"We will continue doing this all season, as we know it takes time to establish an event like this," she said.
