April 10, 2024

MONROE, NC — From Popsicle sticks to local bands to restaurants and shops, the downtown Monroe Art Walk has so many mediums, aesthetics and vibrant opportunities for attendees to view how the city is art.

The event is Friday evening 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in downtown Monroe.

Joyce Rentschler, founder of the Downtown Monroe Art Walk described the happenings of the event.

She said one purpose of the event is to promote the local artists in Union County.

She added on, “I wanted people to see the beautiful buildings and appreciate the architecture that Monroe has. I want people to be happy, have fun and a great time.”

All participating businesses will have a map/directory for the two-day event that Rentschler said is a group effort.

“I really appreciate that everybody comes together and work to get it done,” Rentschler said.

She said the involvement is a big great effort from various establishments in town.

The Monroe Science Center will have a display with a stationary bicycle that makes art as folks pedal.

A local Presbyterian church will have the chapel opened for attendees to see their artistic stained glass.

Artist Victor Gomez uses popscicle sticks as a medium. He created a castle with them that are no taller than four feet tall. His restored BW Bug with a trailer will bring the castle to the event.

Rentschler said 38 businesses pulled together and thought of which form of art they would showcase – this includes jewelry, clothes or paintings.

She said music is art. Music artists Sons of Beaches will be performing during the Art Walk. Waters Edge Duo will be performing as well.

On Friday and Saturday, the Dowd Theatre will showcase the art of middle and high school students. For Saturday they will have their inaugural student short film festival.

And there are more artistic happenings this weekend as well.

An unrelated pop-up market begins Saturday afternoon on Main Street.

Art Walk History

Rentschler and her daughter Andrea started the event full of art in 2007. She and her daughter were talking to a local artist about how there once was an art gallery crawl in Monroe, but it didn’t last long.

Rentschler said another arts event used to exist in town that faded out.

The two felt they could continue to have an art event like a gallery crawl.

When Rentschler and her daughter first did this, there were only eight locations involved. This year there are 42 locations involved. She said Pattie Duncan assists her now with the event.

“I started it because I love art and how pretty downtown Monroe can be,” she said.

She added they did not know the Walk would continue after so many years.

“It thrills me to death that people want to do this,” she said.