Image courtesy of Art Walk (ArtWalkLB.com)

On Saturday, August 9 from 4:00PM to 10:00PM, Linden Ave., 1st St., Broadway, 4th St. and Elm will be closed to traffic while Long Beach’s 2nd Saturday Art Walk features over 40 artists and vendors.

Marek Dzida, artist and Chief Executive Director of the 2nd Saturday Art Walk in downtown Long Beach, spoke proudly of the long-running event, saying that “the art walk is the heartbeat of the downtown Long Beach community, we need this event, art is vital to the community.” According to Dzida, since 1996, up to 50 artists and 50 businesses have transformed the East Village Art District’s normally car-cluttered streets into a cultural hub of artistic discovery.

Dzida said that he and the rest of the committee often receive complaints that the artwork doesn’t reach a certain “caliber,” however only allowing established artists to show their work would go against the 2nd Saturday Art Walk Organization’s mission, which is “to secure a public exhibition space for artists of all media and all levels of art experience.” The art walk is open to every type of artist, new artists who have just completed their first series of paintings, established artists who love the street-selling atmosphere and younger vendors taking a crack at seeing how their work will be received.

For those looking to view or buy art from more established Long Beach artists, local galleries like the Stone Rose Gallery, Hellada Gallery and the Art Exchange will be open during the walk. While more practiced artists tend to show their work indoors, the younger up-and-coming artists gravitate toward the visibility provided by the street. The 2nd Saturday Art Walk is a happy union between the budding and the branded, the promising and the established.

For the still-unconvinced, keep in mind that those not willing to take a chance on the young visionaries putting themselves and their work out there may very well be missing an opportunity to discover astounding new works. This upcoming art walk will feature 20-25 artists, half of whom have shown work before and half who are brand new to the scene, says Dzida.

Two stages are dedicated to performances and live music to entertain the wandering viewer. Paintings, sculpture, photography, crafts and hands-on workshops for kids and adults give all attendees a chance to be an artist as well as a critic. Local businesses and coffee shops stay open late to offer goodies and a caffeinated jolt to those feeling tired. New local shops will also be presenting their wares on 3rd and Elm from 5:00PM to 9:00PM.

For more information about this upcoming art walk visit artwalklb.com.