In a recent FaceTime conversation, Jon Schleuning — Piedmont parent, artist, and Art Walk organizer — shared details of the upcoming May 2, 2021 Piedmont Art Walk. The inaugural Piedmont Art Walk in June 2020 was such an all around hit with artists, residents and city officials that many hope the event will become an annual tradition.
Like many good ideas, the inspiration for last year’s Art Walk occurred simultaneously when several Piedmont artists realized the need to share their artwork with the public after being isolated for months due to the Covid-19 pandemic. A group of artists led by Schleuning and Piedmont art teacher Larraine Seiden began working closely with The Piedmont Arts Fund and Piedmont city officials to ensure that all Covid-19 health and safety measures would be met, and in rapid order had created the first Piedmont Art Walk.
Schleuning describes the Art Walk as an event designed to raise awareness, appreciation and support for the arts, and in fact that is exactly what has been accomplished. As many of last year’s Art Walk artist participants and attendees mentioned, the event was a perfect way for people to discover the talent that exists throughout Piedmont. Unlike the more traditional art fundraising events such as The Big Art Party or the Birdhouse Gala, the Piedmont Art Walk by its very nature gives art collectors the opportunity to discover new artists while walking through familiar neighborhoods (map below). Artists set up their work on driveways & in garages throughout the city; each location mapped and available through a custom app that can be accessed by mobile device.
The Piedmont Arts Fund, a school fundraising organization connected to The Piedmont Education Foundation, raises funds for visual and performing arts and is the organizing body for the Art Walk. Artists participate in the Art Walk by invitation and agree to give a percentage of sales to The Piedmont Arts Fund.
This year’s artist line up includes many of Piedmont’s favorite art teachers–look for Shoshana Beary, Jennifer Gulassa, Raul Jorcino, Larraine Seiden and Karen Stanton. Current Piedmont High School students in the Piedmont Art Jam Club including Annabel Loucks, Jake Ochoa, Lynnea Bao, Athena Chang, Emma Jahn, Miranda Jaramillo will be present as well as former PHS art students such as Jack Lahaderne and Natalie Jeng who exhibited at the de Young Open in 2021.
Organizers are excited about the variety of art media being offered this year, with textile arts, ceramics, photography, abstract painting, watercolor painting and sculpture included. (Visit piedmontartsfund.org/piedmont-art-walk-2021 to learn more.)
All Covid-19 health and safety protocols will be followed, including masks, sanitizing and social distancing. Locations and lists of all exhibiting artists can be found through links available on piedmontartsfund.org. Bring your own water bottle, wear your mask and comfortable shoes and plan to stroll through Piedmont May 2, from 12-5PM, seeing some wonderful art and artists.
With support from the following:
