Walking the Walk

By MELISSA GARBER Bulletin Contributing Writer

Published on May 16, 2008

It's not every day Amherst residents can hear music drifting from town hall, and see crowds of people shuffling from one art gallery to the next, enjoying an exhibit and a reception at every stop.

But on the first Thursday of every month, art galleries all over downtown Amherst open their doors from 5 to 8 p.m. for the Amherst Art Walk. It's an event that invites Pioneer Valley residents to get out of their houses and explore what Amherst artists have to offer.

Now that the weather is nicer and spring showers have finally turned into May flowers, I decided to emerge from my own hibernation and check out the exhibits. The weather was pleasant for the first of May, sunny with a slight chill in the air, perfect for a stroll around town.

I began my tour at wünderarts on Main Street, where the Youth Action Coalition's exhibit "Inside Looking Out " was on display.

YAC members are Amherst and Ware middle schoolers and high schoolers who practice social justice and youth empowerment through art. There are four different groups within YAC: GirlsEyeView Amherst, GirlsEyeView Ware, Get Up Get Down and Video Vanguards.

In their exhibit, there were photographs, mannequins, masks and movies to explore. One particularly striking piece was a female mannequin with magazine pictures of body parts pasted all over. Outside of wünderarts, a crowd gathered to watch nine televisions, as alternating images and news clips flashed on the screens.

Members of YAC milled around the gallery, snacking on pizza and refreshments of the gallery, the Video Vanguards group screened its movie "Living in the Grey," a film about multiracial identity, gender and homelessness.

"We meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 5 to 8 to make beautiful videos," said Video Vanguards member Chris Maingi.

In a few weeks he will premiere his latest film, which addresses Africa's negative depiction in the media. Fellow Vanguard member George Wacu is also working on a movie. His film focuses on gang depictions in the media.

Following the YAC exhibit, I headed up Main Street towards the Jones Library. Upstairs, the Burnett Gallery was opening a show of contemporary Caribbean art by Puerto Rico native Gaddier Rosario, an Amherst artist.

The oil paintings of "CRIOLLO" are dominated by bright colors and highly textured paint. Many of his paintings focus on the sea, which he paints in purples, blues and oranges. Harpist Sarah McKee entertained the visitors, who could be seen munching on homemade snacks as they enjoyed the music and art.

"It's a wonderful way to get the community out to see the talent and creations of people in the area," said Janet Winston, an Amherst Art Walk committee member and Gallery A3 artist. "It helps to build the community spirit."

My next stop was across Amity Street at Gallery A3. The exhibit was packed with art enthusiasts who came out to see Bob Horowitz and Rebecca Muller's "Light: Remnants." Muller focused on mixed media, with pieces like "Words fill the gaps," a sculpture that looked like a wire fence with a wire spider on top.

"We are a group of artists that function as a collective and have been members of the Amherst Art Walk since it first started," Horowitz said. "The combination of good weather - especially spring and fall - and people's eagerness to celebrate this, brings foot traffic, good energy and a festive air."

Horowitz's photography made up the other half of the "Light: Remnants" exhibit.

"The large photographic prints exhibited at Gallery A3 rely on the interaction of light, space, color and form," Horowitz explained. "There is a tension created between the open landscape, sky, light, and human constructions or remnants within these spaces.

He said the prints invite a viewer to interact with these relationships, and ask their own questions.

For my last stop, I headed over to town hall for Marcia Rossi Wise's "Barns, Backyards and Beyond" exhibit. Her band, The Hot Flashes, could be heard performing before the building was even in view. Band members had set up in the foyer and played to a decent-sized gathering of fans. The cookies and green tea on the snack table were all but left untouched. People were too busy enjoying the music and art.

The next Amherst Art Walk will be held on Thursday, June 5. It's a great way to get out of the house and onto the streets of Amherst, where you can enjoy some art, some music and some snacks.