There's no doubt about it. Penticton is packed with artists. Good artists.

Photo Credit: NowMedia

Whether they're here for the scenery, the serenity, the weather, all those wineries and breweries, or a combination of the above is up for debate. But the fact is that we're a serious hotbed for the arts, and for all the galleries and the workspaces where art is created and displayed.

How good is that? It's awesome. We're lucky. A city without a vibrant arts scene is straight-up dullsville.

And this Thursday will be your best chance of the year to immerse yourself in it. It's called "Hello Santa! A Penticton Artwalk," and it promises to be a great cure for the November blues.

Photo Credit: NowMediaHello Santa! organizers Jessie Dunlop, Stacy Franck, and Bethany Handfield

Starting in the late afternoon and running through to mid-evening, the downtown arts community literally throws open its doors and invites you in.

You'll get to meet artists and find out what makes them tick, knock back nibblies, sip on wine or hot chocolate – or both – stretch your legs between stops, and socialize with other equally enlightened individuals.

Photo Credit: NowMedia Scene from prior artwalk

You may even want to purchase something along the way, knowing that your hard-earned cashola will go straight to an artist living and working right here.

What's not to like?   

Granted, Penticton is no stranger to art walks. There have been three of them over the last couple of years, always held in conjunction with other events.

Photo Credit: NowMedia Scene from prior artwalk

But this one will set some precedents. It'll be the first that runs solo, on its own night. It'll be the first to benefit from the support of the Penticton & District Community Arts Council (PDCAC). And it'll be the first with double-digit venues. There's nearly 20.

The event kicks off at 4 p.m. on Thursday, November 21st when the four most southerly Artwalk venues open. That includes the PDCAC gallery at Leir House, the home studio of noted local painter Glenn Clark, the Make Good BC collective of designers and builders, and the Okanagan School of the Arts at Shatford Centre, which is debuting its Children of the World exhibit.

Things really get smoking at 5 p.m. when another 12 locations, including all the downtown galleries, join in the fun. Most are within walking distance of each other and several will offer beverages and bites.

Photo Credit: NowMedia Scene from prior artwalk

As with previous Artwalks, you'll undoubtedly run into the same people out on the streets that you just saw in the last gallery. And that can create some great sidewalk conversation.

Of note is Cormier's Studio on Vancouver Avenue, which opens at noon, and Matheson & Grove Fine Art on Martin Street. Co-founder Renee Matheson says the latter will have an open house all day long, with live jazz music beginning at 4, and sculptors Kindrie Grove and Mark Werklund doing their thing 'til closing. Moreover, the studio will station some of its artists across the street at Slackwater Brewing.

The Penticton Art Gallery hosts the evening's grand finale starting at 7 p.m. with the opening reception for SheShe, a show by Vernon artist Julie Oakes that curator Paul Crawford says will "turn the whole main gallery into a giant exhibition." It'll also be the official launch of the Gallery's annual Under 500 Exhibition and Sale.

Photo Credit: NowMedia Scene from prior artwalk

Other openings that evening will occur at Leir House, where the PDCAC debuts the dual-themed show Ornamented and Long Night's Journey, Saint-Germaine Café and Gallery, Tumbleweed Gallery, BeeLong Gallery + Studios (with a collection of diminutive 6-inch by 6-inch works), and Lloyd Gallery.

Photo Credit: NowMedia Scene from prior artwalk

Simultaneously, the Bench Market will feature a retrospective of globally recognized wildlife and nature artist Terry Isaac. "He was so generous as a human being, talking about his art and encouraging people with their own art," said PDCAC administrator Bethany Handfield last week. "He's one of the true hidden heroes of our town."

There is no admission or obligation to participate in the Artwalk. And you needn't follow the prescribed south-to-north route. Indeed, you can join in and leave whenever you like, though keep in mind that the venues that open first will also close first. Please refer here for more information.

Photo Credit: NowMedia Scene from prior artwalk

According to event co-organizer Jessie Dunlop of Tumbleweed Gallery, the idea behind a Penticton art walk germinated organically a couple years ago when Tumbleweed and Saint-Germaine Café & Gallery opted for a joint exhibition opening.

"And it was really fantastic," she said. "People really seemed to love it. And then another sister gallery, BeeLong, opened up just down the road, and we thought it might be a good idea to work together. So then we decided to go down to the other galleries and see if they'd like to be part of it."

"So the first year we were getting settled, the second year was bigger, and this is the third year and it's kind of doubled in size."

Photo Credit: NowMedia Scene from prior artwalk

The big draw, she said, is that regular folk, the kind who don't know Van Dyke Brown from Alizarin Crimson, can chat one-on-one in an unpressurized environment with those who do. "People get to come in and meet the artists and experience the atmosphere and talk with them to find out what inspired them."

Handfield added that other businesses are aware of the event and may extend their hours accordingly. "We hope they'll take their cue from the galleries being open and turn it into a corridor of excitement. There'll be lots of time while you're walking to stop in at one of our amazing local restaurants and have a little tipple or snack."

Photo Credit: NowMedia Scene from prior artwalk

Both Handfield and Dunlop are thrilled that the PDCAC is now involved in the project.

"The Arts Council met with the galleries and with Jessie earlier this year when I came on board," said Handfield. "We wanted to see how we could support art groups and art businesses, and we respectfully asked if there was something we could take off their shoulders, and the galleries were quite happy with us doing that."

And both expect the event will only grow from here.

Photo Credit: NowMedia Scene from prior artwalk

"We'll be working with the Downtown Penticton Association much more closely in the future," said Handfield. "The DPA will be at our next planning committee meeting for the spring Artwalk. Hopefully they can provide some additional funding to help us."

And lastly, all the organizing parties want you to know that the event is fully inclusive. Adults, kids, families, Martians – it's all good.

For more information on Hello Santa! A Penticton Artwalk, go here.

Photo Credit: NowMedia Scene from prior artwalk

Photo Credit: NowMedia Scene from prior artwalk