No formal First Friday Gallery Walk on December 4, readers encouraged to assist Paseo in other ways



The City Sentinel (Dec. 2020 print edition) page 8

Oklahoma City – In support of Mayor David Holt’s request to help curb the pandemic, there will not be a formal First Friday Gallery Walk for December 4 (FRIDAY), the Paseo Arts Association (PAA) said in a late November press release. 
However, The City Sentinel joins Paseo leaders, encouraging readers to contribute to First Friday in Paseo by patronizing your favorite Paseo restaurants by curbside or delivery if available.

The release continued, “The merchants in our district still need your support more than ever. Many of them have online shopping options and we encourage you to take advantage of these and other social distanced options like purchasing gift cards to show your support. The Paseo Arts Association has always put the health and safety of its patrons first. With the steadily increasing threat of Covid-19 in our state, we believe that these precautions are necessary. We are proud and appreciative of your continued effort to join with us to protect our community and our city.” 

PAA’s annual “Deck the Walls 4×4 Art Show & Auction” will take place online this year. This annual fundraising event features original work donated by more than 85 Oklahoma artists that are all four inches by four inches in size, which many deem perfect for the beginning art collector and for one of a kind holiday gifts. 
Bids begin at $25 or you can “Buy It Now” for $75. The online auction begins Wednesday, December 2 at 12 p.m. and closes Saturday, December 5 at 6 p.m. 
For more information and to place a bid, please visit thepaseo.org.

The Paseo Arts & Creativity Center (PACC) will continue to display the Oklahoma Sculpture Society’s Annual Winter Sculpture Show in Gallery One and the PAA’s SmallArt Show in Gallery Two. Both will remain on display until December 23.

The Oklahoma Sculpture Society (OSS) is hosting more than 20 sculptural artists members and over 50 pieces of art. This annual three-dimensional show is premiering for the first time in the Paseo Arts District. “Having begun a conversation almost two years ago about bringing this show to Paseo, it took moving into a bigger space to accommodate them and we couldn’t be more honored,” says Amanda Bleakley, executive director of the Paseo Arts Association. 
Established in 1979 as a non-profit devoted to the education, appreciation and creation of three-dimensional art, the OSS members are from Oklahoma’s communities who wish to involve themselves in an artistic atmosphere focused on three-dimensional art in numerous mediums. Mediums include stone, wood, clay, bronze, ceramic, polymer, papier mâché, mixed media, metal and more.

Need to get started on your holiday shopping? Get even the hardest people to shop for checked off your list and give the gift of original art this season. 
The PACC presents the Annual SmallArt Show, featuring 80 works by artists from across Oklahoma, all smaller than 15” and priced between $25 and $199. From serene landscapes and natural prints, to vibrant abstracts and unusual sculptures, there’s a little bit of everything to be found in this exhibit curated by juror Brian Payne, Yukon High School art teacher. 
“You’ll not only find the most memorable gifts to give your loved ones, you’ll be supporting Oklahoma artists when you shop in the Paseo this holiday season,” said PAA Program Manager Paige Powell.

Oklahoma City’s Unique Arts Destination, the Paseo Arts District is located between NW 27th & 30th Streets and Walker & Hudson. 
Normally, on each First Friday, Paseo galleries offer special themed exhibits, guest artists and a variety of live entertainment — all within walking distance. 
Ten restaurants and a handful of other shops round out the Paseo’s distinctive atmosphere. 

For more information, call the Paseo Arts Association at (405) 525-2688 or email amanda@thepaseo.org. Visit thepaseo.org/join for membership information.