Holiday spirit was in the air downtown

Downtown was jumping Friday night, Dec. 2, during the annual Kalispell Art Walk.

"It was neat to see so many people downtown," comments Mary Witbrod, co-owner of Imagination Station. "Fun was in the air!" Witbrod says she was gleefully busy trying to keep pace with all her customers at the toy store.

The Hockaday Museum of Art is the primary planner and organizer for the art walks, which have been in existence for more than 15 years.

"The Hockaday does a great job," says Witbrod. "Every year it just keeps getting bigger and better."

Linda Engh-Grady, Hockaday's executive director, says that they did some new things this year. In the past, only the art galleries have been on the actual art-walk map, but because many of the other downtown store also stay open late that night, the galleries agreed to invite them to participate this year, too. That requires the stores to also pay a fee for advertising and printed material and, in turn, puts them on the map of art walk venues.

As art walkers stop in the shops they not only are treated to fine and festive refreshment but also a chance to win one of three gift certificates when they have their cards stamped at each participating business. Engh-Grady says that thanks to the additional participating galleries and stores, the amount of those certificates could be doubled this year.

This year's winners were: Mary Forman - $100

Linh Hoang - $250

Kathy Hill - $500

New this year, people could elect to ride to the various sites in a horse-drawn trolley; or in cars donated by Dollar Rent-A-Car, along with the drivers - a big bonus for many on a chilly night, especially to reach places off the downtown beat such as Strawberry Patch and the Conrad Mansion. Snappy's Sport Senter and Glacier Gallery in Evergreen are also long-standing art walk supporters.

The sound of caroling infused the evening as the Valley Voices community choir serenaded passers-by from the steps of the Hockaday, and another group, Infinity, caroled from store to store. Guitarist Steve Eckels also entertained Hockaday visitors.

"What was really nice was that since we opened the event to other stores, several of the businesses decided to feature local artists and their work," says Engh-Grady. Photographer Eric Caplan greeted guests at Ciao Interiors, painter Rob Stern was at Riel Antiques, Conrad Mansion featured the work of three artists, local high-school art students displayed handmade wreaths at the mall as a benefit for the art departments, and the Hockaday featured their traditional members-only art show.

From the angelic live mannequins that lit up the window at Alpine Lighting to the lively crowds that passed through the doors of the downtown proprietors, this year's art walk did its part to pump up Kalispell's yuletide spirit.