There are so many cool Art Districts worth visiting around the United States that it is difficult to whittle it down to just six, but here are some highly worthy ones that demonstrate the value of what Art Districts have to offer. And if you don’t have the time to visit an art exhibit, you may still visit it by attending a virtual fine art festival.
1. Paseo Arts District North of Oklahoma City and the Brady Arts District in Tulsa, Oklahoma:
The historic and cultural Paseo Arts District was built in 1929 as a shopping district and today is a thriving artist community. Home to 17 galleries and working studios, you will find painters, photographers, various craftsmen and theaters devoted to music and dance. At the First Friday Gallery Walk, you can enjoy the work of local artists, the atmosphere and the wine tastings. The Paseo Arts Festival takes place on Memorial Day weekend and includes over 70 artists who receive awards of up to $1,000 in several categories. Oklahoma entertainers and musicians perform throughout the festival.
The Brady Arts District is located north of the central business district. The Brady Theater, built between 1912 and 1914, was originally the city’s municipal auditorium and continues to be used today for a variety of theatrical productions and concerts. In 1979, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The district received a boost in late 2012 when Guthrie Green opened with its public garden and outdoor stage.
2. The Art Deco district in Miami Beach, Florida
Part of the famous South Beach, this magnificent area is best enjoyed by taking a two-hour walking tour along Ocean Drive as you view the architecture and hear the history of the exteriors and interiors of the fascinating Art Deco buildings. You’ll end up with a free piña colada at a top-notch boutique hotel.
3. Tampa River Arts District in Tampa, Florida
A renaissance has taken place along the river and now is home to attractions including theaters and museums. The plan is for this to become a destination for those who appreciate nature intertwined with culture. The Glazer Children’s Museum, the Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, the Tampa Museum of Art and the Tampa Riverwalk attract visitors and residents.
4. River North Art District (RiNo)in Denver, Colorado
This newly christened Art District goes by the catchy nickname RiNo, even adopting a Rhino design as its official insignia. Creative businesses include art galleries, painters, furniture makers, media artists, photographers, sculptors and many studio spaces. A special event occurs on the first Friday of each month when dozens of galleries stay open late.
5. Downtown’s Arts District in Los Angeles, California
Attempting to create a “perfect neighborhood”, you will find now, or in the near future, people sketching in notebooks, food, a farmers market once a week, Handsome Coffee Roasters bringing the “Napa Valley of coffee”, an eyewear designer, the fashion company Mattison, the firm working on an L.A. branch of the boutique Ace Hotel chain, and more.
6. Oregon Arts District in Dayton, Oregon
Arts and history are presented in Dayton’s oldest neighborhood, which dates back to the 19th century. Passionate inhabitants want to preserve the entrepreneurial spirit of businesses that offer art, antiques, vintage merchandise and unusual items such as tattoos and paint-splattered pants. You can sip a latte and read poetry, listen to live jazz or rock out to local bands, laugh at a comedy club, watch a film with subtitles, treat yourself to some of the finest dining in Dayton or grab some street food.
Enjoy your visits to the Art Districts listed above or others which are historical, educational and give an uplift to your spirit as you view and take part in spectacular offerings.
Vicki Carpenter is an art historian with a passion for traveling the world to visit museums & exhibits. She recommends finding more information about visiting Oklahoma’s art districts at ChickasawCountry.com.
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