Anaheim, CA- Art walks are springing up faster than hipsters these days.  Following the examples of established walks, many cities are publicizing an art walk, often forgetting the key to a good art walk: art.  Two galleries and a handful of cafes and salons with art on their walls do not a “walk” make.  However, that said, sometimes there is gems in these plentiful events.

            This was the case at the Anaheim Art Crawl (a slight variation) last Saturday.  The art walk was nothing to blog about, their city hall filled with awkward art and a few other galleries in a stark area that makes Irvine look homey.  However, a few things caught my attention. 

            The Promenade Gallery had the art of two artists that are destined to have their names known in a few years. Ryan Chorbagian is a friend, so I’d seen his work, but not in such quantity, and I was highly impressed.  Ryan is attending school in Chicago right now, and I feel certain when he returns his name will be circulating in LA.  His showmate, Cliff Cramp, was also a fine example of illustration as art.  His glowing steampunk pieces were more than beautiful illustrations, they cross the line into art.

            The Sarah Bain gallery also boasted art by artists who ranged from typical to inspired.  Pamela Wilson’s fantastical pieces took portraiture to a new level.  The Sarah Bain gallery was one I liked stopping into when it was in Downtown Brea and I was excited to see it again.

            The Anaheim walk was especially weird because although there were less than five galleries, there were two live bands, five delectable food trucks, and two areas with craft booths.  The area inside of the Food Court/K&A Café was converted into a craft fair with at least a dozen rather accomplished crafters.  This kind of DIY aesthetic is heartening to see, and their wares were without exception beautiful and well-made.

            Personally I have mixed feelings about all the new art walks.  On one hand, I see nothing wrong with people being more aware and interested in art, or formerly dead areas in the hearts of Orange County cities becoming enlivened for one night a month.  However, part of me is wary of ploys by city governments to draw people for an artificial attraction.  In the end, I guess anything that allows talented artists to get their work known is not a bad thing.

Andrea Magee Steedman contributing writer and founder of rarwart.com