Living Democracy student organizes Linden Art Walk
Published 4:43 pm Monday, June 3, 2013
Kaleb Kirkpatrick, a student at Auburn University, will be working on an Art Walk project this summer in Linden through the Auburn University College of Liberal Arts Living Democracy program. He is planning the project with the help of Kathryn Friday of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Brenda Tuck of the Marengo County Economic Development Authority.
An art walk is a one-night event where art is displayed in the downtown of a city. Bigger cities have art galleries where the art is displayed, but in Linden, locally owned businesses will display work from regional artists who have been invited to display their art. Some pieces may be available for purchase.
“I got the idea from Auburn where they have an art walk every summer,” Kirkpatrick said. “I went last year, and I think it would work perfectly for Linden. It’s a positive community-building event. People may buy something, or they may not, but either way, they will see what’s inside the businesses and hopefully they’ll want to come back in the future.”
Kaleb Kirkpatrick is helping organize an Art Walk for Linden that will be held Friday, June 28.
In addition, student art will be displayed in the windows of vacant downtown buildings, and student-made wind chimes will be placed around town. The student art will be created at an art workshop on June 19-20 from 9-11 a.m. at the National Guard armory in Linden. Children 8 and older can participate. All materials for the art will be provided.
The Linden Art Walk will be June 28 from 5-8 p.m. There will be a chalk art competition for children starting at 4:30 p.m., and there will also be a carnival on the lot by the Linden Fire Station.
Kirkpatrick said his experience so far with the Living Democracy program has been a good one. He has been in Linden for four weeks so far this summer.
“It was a pretty big culture shock for me at first because I’m from Mobile, but I’m adjusting to it,” he said. “It’s been a good experience working with people and getting real-world experience.”
For any questions or to register children for the art workshop, email project coordinator Kaleb Kirkpatrick at kjk0016@auburn.edu or Kathryn Friday at fridakb@aces.edu, or call 334-295-5959.
