HOLMES BEACH – It was difficult to find a parking space and sidewalks were packed at the Jan. 12 Night Market. The event is a partnership between the City of Holmes Beach, Bradenton Area Arts and Culture, The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island (AGAMI) and many other area businesses. The event was formally called the Art Walk, but the departure of Island Gallery West left only AGAMI in Holmes Beach.
The monthly event, held the second Friday of the month, is meant to stimulate business for Holmes Beach merchants by extending hours later into the evening and allowing them to showcase what they have to offer with sidewalk sales, live music and product demonstrations.
The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island had artists demonstrations on the sidewalk in front of the gallery, live music from Larry Wilhelm, wine and snacks, People’s Choice Awards and an Artist Paint-A-Round, where artists collaborate on one painting. That painting was then raffled off after the event.
The AGAMI Featured Artist for January, Karen Eddy, was also on hand to talk to visitors about her featured front window display, titled Sky Wonders. Since moving to Florida five years ago, Eddy has been inspired by the colors found in the coastal sky and how those colors are reflected on the ample bodies of water that can be found just about everywhere. As a lifelong Southerner, she has paintings displayed in the gallery featuring low-country South Carolina and Georgia, in addition to her current home state of Florida. While all her works are unique, most do have one thing in common – colorful skies reflecting their beauty on a body of water.
“I was living in Arizona, and decided to move back here because I missed water,” Eddy said. “I’ve been fascinated by the clouds and the atmosphere and the sunlight. When I get up every day, it’s like a different painting.”
Eddy’s window display will run through Jan. 31 and all her works are available for purchase.
Although AGAMI spearheads the event, plenty of other Holmes Beach businesses took part, including Pizzano’s Pizza and Grinders, DCoy Ducks, Small Town Creamery, howluckyami, Irene’s Clothing Store, Sand Dollar, The Feast, Hurricane Hank’s, Freckled Fin and The Doctor’s Office. It was a treat for both art lovers and anyone looking for something unique they may only find on Anna Maria Island.
The next Holmes Beach Night Market will take place Friday, Feb. 9 from 5-7:30 p.m. or later.
