2021 Benicia Art Walk Season Ends Saturday

BENICIA, CA — The last event of the 10th season of Benicia Art Walk is slated from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9 on First Street in downtown Benicia. Demonstrations, music and original art are the highlights of Benicia Art Walk, sponsored by the City of Benicia through the city’s tourism program, Visit Benicia.

During Saturday’s Benicia Art Walk, the Galleries of First Street, an organization of the eight First Street galleries, will host the Benicia Art Passport competition. Stop by any of the participating galleries, pick up an Art Passport, then get it stamped at each Art Walk gallery for a chance to win $200 to spend at any of the eight galleries.

Visitors to First Street in October can also check out the unique scarecrows in front of businesses on First Street. Vote for your favorite or just marvel at the creativity. Ballots are available at Benicia Main Street, 90 First St. Voting ends Monday, Oct. 25.

Benicia Art Walk is always free and so is the parking. Look for the bright blue banners hanging in front of each gallery or pick up the 2021 Benicia Art Walk brochure and map to find the fun.

"Benicia Art Walk is an ideal opportunity to come for lunch, then stay for dinner and enjoy a great fall day by the bay," said Teri Davena, spokesperson for the city of Benicia. "There are plenty of great shopping and dining options along historic First Street in downtown Benicia. More information on the art scene in Benicia is available online at VisitBenicia.org/artsandculture."

Here’s a list of participating galleries and what’s in store during the Oct. 9 Benicia Art Walk:

The Little Art Shop at 129 First Street. Situated on the waterfront in the red-brick Tannery building, find the works of 30 different artists on display created in glass, wood, metal, clay, mixed-media, encaustic, textiles, assemblage, fabrics and mosaics. Artist Kerry Lee will be on hand with her Spirit Painting Showcase, works that will touch the heart.

Once Upon a Canvas at 129 First Street. Also in The Tannery, they are offering music and a demonstration during Benicia Art Walk. They invite you to visit their new artists on display and check out their Artist of the Month, Claudia Bennett.

Benicia Plein Air Gallery at 307 First Street. Carol Tarzier is the Featured Artist in October with her exhibition, Seas and Skies. Carol was juried into the Telluride and Sonoma Plein Air events this year, as well as into group shows featuring the California coast. Her show highlight works based on her Plein Air trips to Colorado, Sonoma County and Mendocino County. Meet Carol at the gallery, 2 –4 p.m. during Benicia Art Walk.

HQ Gallery at 333 First Street, Suite D. Mixed media artist Michal Lehman takes center stage as Featured Artist of the Month, with extra pieces on display. One of her creations will be the prize for the winner of the gallery’s October scavenger hunt inside HQ. Come in and see Michal’s unique plaques and what you might win. Also, on display out front will be Matilda the Artist scarecrow.

Happy Life Pottery at 632 First Street. They are both a teaching studio and an art/gift boutique store. Stop in to visit their beautiful, creative space and do some shopping, sign up for a class, or both!

Arata Art Gallery at 637 First Street. Stop by to meet artist Geri Arata, MFA, and view her Retrospective Solo Show. Her works are a visual treat of color and texture!

Artcentric, 733 First Street. The paint-you-own ceramic studio and gallery offers quality handmade art for sale and local Benicia souvenirs.

Gallery 621 at 920 First Street, Suite 203. Gallery 621 has reopened in their new spacious location above Olson Realty. The gallery features the works of 16 regional artists working in a variety of media including painting, printmaking, and sculpture. Relief sculptures by Tom Arie Donch, the gallery's newest artist, are included. Gallery 621 artists invite old and new friends to visit their new location!