The 9th Annual ArtWalk Livermore is taking place on Saturday, October, 9, 2010, 11AM-5PM in Downtown Livermore. ArtWalk Livermore is a popular event that draws thousands out to stroll and enjoy a day of art, music, and shopping. Over 150 artists will set up exhibits displaying their work in boutique shops, wine bars, restaurants, sidewalks, and parks throughout the heart of this wine country town. Visitors will find artwork from contemporary to traditional, pottery to textile art, paintings, photography, handmade jewelry and more, from artists who are just beginning to award-winning professionals that display in museums and galleries across the country.

ArtWalk Livermore is not just another booth-upon-booth arts festival. It leaves most streets open and encourages people to stroll up and down the sidewalks and into shops, wine bars, and restaurants to view exhibits, creating an interesting cross between a celebration of arts and a festival, in a format that allows visitors to explore and experience the Downtown Livermore community in an atmosphere infused with art.

ArtWalk Livermore 2010 continues the tradition of providing an all-day, all-acoustic music event at the Livermore Valley Plaza, with excellent musicians from locals to an ArtWalk regular that flies in from Nashville, TN for the event. Details can be seen on music organizer Valley SingOut’s web page. Purchase a glass of wine next to the stage and relax while enjoying the music.

ArtWalk 2010 highlights include:

• Arts Activities and Craft Vendors on J Street, between First & Second. The activities here will be especially fun for kids.
• Take a ride in the ArtWalk Limo down to the Vine Center. Visit the artists there, and check out the cool new setup at the Vine. Patrons of the Vine can now order beer, wine and dinner from Zephyr’s during the movie.
• Get an up-close view of the Art Banners.
• Food Samplings at several exhibiting restaurants, including The Carvery at Harry’s Hofbrau and El Charro Taqueria.
• Be sure to check out El Charro’s and First Street Alehouse’s wonderful new digs.
• Explore The Breakfast Stop and other new Downtown Livermore businesses.
• Stop by the several working artist studios in the Historic Old Firehouse, right across from the Bankhead Theater.
• Browse several downtown gallery and art display sites that regularly feature local works, including Wild Vine, Panama Red, and the Ryan Fine Art Gallery downstairs from It’s All About Dancing.
• View group exhibits from the Sculpture Studio, a group of San Francisco Art Academy graduates at the Bankhead Theater, The Art Glass Shop, area high schools, Las Positas Community College, the Disabled Veteran’s Painting Group, and the award-winning Pathways to Picasso group, as well as the Christ-Centered Arts Festival/Trinity Church group and the Decorative Painting Society.