The Red Bluf Art Walk is an annual event sponsored* by artists and businesses in Red Bluff. In 2007 there were about 15 participating businesses, one Art Gallery and about 30 artists involved. Venues included places like Wilma's Crystal Arts, The Big Picture, California Kitchen & Co., Carmona's Appliances, Dale's Carpet & Design, Ehorn's Antiques, Elmore Pharmacy, Gayle's Casual Clothes, House of Design, Humble Bee Cottage, Madison Grace Photography, Prairie Rose, State Theatre, Tea-rriffic on Main, the new Heartfelt Design Weaving Co-operative, and the Red Bluff Art Gallery. The event was well attended, though perhaps the Redding Searchlight was overly optimistic in saying that "thousands" were expected to attend.
It was perfect weather and the art was diverse, interesting and fun to look at. Food was great! Sales were sparse, as Tehama County has a very long road ahead in educating the citizens here just what Art is about and why you should have some in their homes. *The local County Arts organisation is working on educating the public, but lacks funding to do much in this impoverished rural county. They organise the annual Art Walk on a volunteer basis and also use the event as their most important fund-raiser/membership drive for the year.
Retail outlets, like Heartfelt, attracted spectators by having live animals in front of their shop in a small stall. This attracted quite a few visitors. Nonetheless, many of the males who enjoyed looking at live animals felt too intimidated to actually venture inside the art venues and look at art. Many husbands stood on the sidewalk outside venues, while their wives enjoyed the art inside the shops. Sometimes the groups of males standing around on the sidewalk outside shops was reminsicent of men waiting for their wives to use the public toilet. Yes, Tehama County is changing - but has a long way to go. The men will one day feel safe enough to enjoy art as much as they enjoy a good bull gelding sale or a steer roping contest. But it may be be a few years.
The 2007 event was successful, fun, and we all look forward to next year's event. Though it seems like once a year, compared to the monthly schedule that other cities have, is a pretty lean schedule. Artists have little chance of making a living in Tehama County...but with the new (and first in the county) Red Bluff Art Gallery and expanded space for wall art at some local retail shops, things are looking up!
May their be even more animals on the sidewalk for next year's event! (Can enlightenment be far behind?)
Brought to you by The Red Bluff Art Gallery
Photos by Anastasia Nelson and editing by Phil Dynan