This group of eager Art Walkers was all smiles. (TCT photo by Jen Pike)

A grassroots group of community members, artists and businesses transformed the downtowns of Lewiston and Auburn into art districts on Friday, May 27 during the inaugural Art Walk Lewiston Auburn.

The Art Walk, the first in Lewiston in over a decade, is an independent grassroots endeavor by community members, artists, and local businesses that wanted to celebrate the extraordinary talent of visual artists in Lewiston-Auburn and around Maine.

“We have been overwhelmed with all of the enthusiasm for the inaugural Art Walk Lewiston Auburn,” says Michael Dostie of J. Dostie Jewelers on Lisbon Street, one of the event’s coordinators. He said the Art Walk truly showcases what can be accomplished when artists, businesses, and community members come together to bring new life to our downtowns.

Dostie said over 400 people visited the store on the night of the first Art Walk. An estimated crowd of 500 attended the event, far surpassing his expectations.

The event encouraged participants on an exploration of the downtown areas through self-guided tours of the local arts venues. In addition to stops like L/A Arts Community Gallery and Art Pulse, the hosts transformed J. Dostie Jewelers, the Lamey Wellehan building, local eateries and even unused window spaces into art exhibits for the evening.

“There is so much extraordinary artistic talent in Lewiston Auburn, from photographers to sculptures,” says Odelle Bowman, executive director of L/A Arts. “Just the fact that a grass roots movement was able to bring so many businesses and community members on board so that our local artists could be showcased speaks to the creativity and depth of the pieces you’ll be seeing throughout downtown.”

Art Walk will be held once every month, from May through September. The Art Walk is for those who love our community, are curious about it, want to learn more, appreciate the arts or just want to have fun.

The schedule calls for Art Walks on June 24. July 29, August 26 and September 30. If you are interested in learning more, or about getting involved in future Art Walks, please visit www.ArtWalkLewistonAuburn.com or email Team@ArtWalkLewistonAuburn.com.