Fenton Art Walk Planned for July 14

Fine art will soon be everywhere in Fenton.

Officials are hoping the second planned for July 14 is bigger and better than a year ago.

Along with art displayed at merchants throughout downtown, entertainment is scheduled for the day this time around.

The Fenton Artwalk is a community event celebrating the arts and showcasing local and regional artists. The Art Walk will run from Shiawassee to Dibbleville at Leroy, then north on Leroy to the Biggby Coffee and Kimberly Kay Furniture, and West to Pipsqueak Boutique and Sawyer Jewelers on South Adelaide St.

A total of 29 locations will house participating artists, entertainment and family fun. Participating artists will display and sell their art in a unique storefront venue. Visitors will circulate through the storefronts to see and shop the artists and merchants as well.

The , and Churches all located on Leroy will participate with family activities at this year’s event. First Presbyterian Church will also host three artists.

Additionally, the will have children’s activities. The Fenton Community Orchestra will perform, as well as other musical acts, from rock and roll to classical, in locations on Leroy and at Millpond Park.

Merchants are encouraged to participate in the festivities by decorating their storefront. A team of judges will choose the most creative and appealing storefront. The winning merchant will receive the Fenton Cup. The engraved cup will be passed on to next year's winner.

A "Dueling Artists" presentation is planned where artists will be given a theme and a couple of hours to execute the piece, while the public will vote with a charity donation.

“As Fenton DDA Chairman I want to welcome all residents and non-residents alike to partake in a day of fun with the Bastille Day run and Fenton Art Walk in beautiful downtown Fenton,” said Craig Schmidt, Chairman of the Fenton Downtown Development Authority. “I encourage everyone to come and spend an enjoyable day with local merchants and gifted Artists in our friendly downtown district.”

The second-year event has been scheduled the same day as the Bastille Day Road Race to bring and keep people downtown, said Sharman Lamka, representative for Fenton's marketing firm New Moon Visions, who is organizing event.

The for 10 years, bringing more than 1,000 runners downtown in 2010 and 2011.

In the weeks leading up to the Fenton Art Walk, Fenton Patch will introduce you to some of the participating artists in a Faces of the Fenton Art Walk Series.