For Immediate Release April 3, 2013

Downtown Mount Vernon Art Walk and Storefronts Artists Reception

Celebrating art and downtown revitalization
Mount Vernon, WA The Mount Vernon Downtown Association is pleased to announce a Downtown Art Walk and Storefronts Artists Reception for Thursday, April 11th, from 5PM-7PM. The Storefronts: Mount Vernon project is a collaboration between the City of Mount Vernon, Shunpike, and the Downtown Association. Storefronts: Mount Vernon programs a series of arts installations and pop-up galleries and other creative enterprises in short-term uses of vacant retail spaces. A local jury will create a registry of artists who will inhabit empty spaces until they rent to commercial tenants. The Storefronts program works to bring life, brightness, marketing, security and walkability to Downtown Mount Vernon. Storefronts: Mount Vernon has already installed its first two art displays downtown with the works of Celeste Cooning and Julia Haack. Both artists will be on location April 11th for a reception to formally launch this exciting new program. Additionally, 14 downtown merchants will remain open to display art inside their businesses or storefronts for the Downtown Art Walk event. This is a great opportunity for our community to meet local artists, stated Downtown Association President Paul Springer, who will be highlighting artist Frank Bettendorf at the Front Gallery. There will be wine tastings, shopping, beverages and snacks available for purchase along the route, which winds down 1st St from the Lincoln Theater to the Skagit Valley Food Co-Op. The event is free to the general public. Attached is a roster of participants and walking map for the event. Maps with artist and event information will also be available the night of the event. ######### For more information, Contact Blair Anderson, MVDA Executive Director, 360-336-3801

Downtown Art Walk and Storefronts: Mount Vernon Artist Reception Thursday, April 11th, 2013, 5PM-7PM List of Participants
1) The Lincoln Theater 712 S 1st St 2) Marks on Pine 619 S 2nd St 3) Celeste Cooning Storefront 602 S 1st St (*Artist reception with light snacks and sparkling cider) 4) The Front Gallery 420 Myrtle St (*Featuring the art of Frank Bettendorf and a wine tasting event) 5) The Tattered Page 514 S 1st St (*Featuring several local artists work inside the store) 6) Riverclay Studio 513 S 1st St 7) Julia Haack Storefront 511 S 1st St (*Artist reception with light snacks and sparkling cider) 8) Gretchens Kitchen 509 S 1st St (*Featuring artist Terry MacDonald and Challenger Ridge wine tasting) 9) Heritage Gallery 504 S 1st St 10) River and Main Gift Shop 500 S 1st St 11) Ristretto Coffee Lounge &Wine Bar 416 S 1st St (*Wine, coffee, and snacks available for purchase) 12) Bisagna Law Office 407 S 1st St 13) Homeward Bound 406 S 1st St 14) Embellish 223 S 1st St 15) Tri-Dee Arts 215 S 1st St 16) Skagit Valley Co-Op 202 S 1st St (*Featuring the mosaic collage work of Linda White in the Mezzanine Gallery)