What is better than shopping on a Saturday? How about an event designed by artists to shop locally and get to see some incredible works of art?

Art on Broadway will be Saturday, July 22, along the Broadway corridor. This gallery crawl is designed to introduce local artists to community members who may have not heard of them before. 

With 13 shops participating, there will be a wide range of art styles and products for customers to admire and to shop. Most of the venues will have food and alcoholic beverages available during the event as well as live music to cater to the event. 

The unique part about this art crawl is that some of the venues are usually only for private showings, so this gives the community an opportunity to appreciate fine art and the creators behind it. The venues participating this year include Aaron’s Fine Rug Gallery, Alexandra Hall Art, Davey’s Bagels, Electric Works, Fancy & Staple, Gallery K, Hopscotch House, Lupkin Glass, Peter Lupkin Studio, Ruth Koomler Art, Sassie Cakes, Terry Ratliff Gallery, and The Hedge & MDFZ. 

Growing event

I spoke with Julie Wall, owner and creator of The Hedge, 1016 Broadway, about her role in Art on Broadway. 

“A small group of us created Art on Broadway when I moved to the block back in 2016, and I have been so excited to watch it grow since. It started with about three or four of us and has now grown to include so many more. 

“It’s always fun to welcome new businesses on the block to be included, too,” she said. “I always love this event, but I’m most excited for our new people included.”

Because it has grown like it has, it might be a good idea to wear some comfortable shoes.

“The event stretches all the way to Gallery K, 2445 Broadway, and even includes Electric Works,” Wall said. “It has grown into a really special event for this block and I’m so glad to be involved.” 

When you check out The Hedge, Wall said you can expect to see “a wide variety of pieces in the shop for sale that are made right in my studio. Soy candles poured into unique vintage vessels, snarky upcycled trophies from my family’s old trophy biz, lots of artwork, and tons of earrings and wearables. I always have the back studio open to folks to stroll through the workspace and see the machines that help make my work. I will also have a make-and-take piece available on an antique printing press that anyone can use to print a fun image.” 

Along with browsing the diverse artwork at the shops, you will also be able to pick the brain of many artists.

“Most every place has a specific artist they are hosting the night of the event,” Wall said. “Even if you’ve been to a spot recently, you really need to pop back in for Art on Broadway to check out the featured artists and work. We love seeing people park their car and walk the blocks!”

Fiber optics

I also spoke with Dean Leitch of Aaron’s Fine Art Gallery about being a part of Art on Broadway. 

“I continue to take part as a way to highlight the importance of art to our community,” he said. “With so many artists with galleries or retail storefronts along this stretch of Broadway, it is an excellent opportunity to show the city of Fort Wayne that the best place to find fine art is right here. I greatly enjoy having guest artists come in to show their passions and the results of their hard work.”

While their will be plenty of conventional artists displayed during the event, you can find something a bit different at Aaron’s.

“This year, two fiber artists are joining us at the rug gallery, Natalie Drummond and Sachiko Janek,” Leitch said. “Each work occupies different niches in the fiber arts, and I am excited to see what they bring to share with our guests. 

“Small businesses and independent artists are such an important part of any community. We hope to have a record-breaking turnout this year and are all excited to meet those finding each of us for the first time along with longtime customers as well.” 

Offering workshops, clothing, and framed artwork, Drummond designs gorgeous woven pieces with every color imaginable. 

Looking at Janek’s Instagram, @sachi.sometimes, she creates incredible rugs of logos, landscapes, and whatever else your heart desires. You can find some of her artwork on display at Bravas and Rough Draft Taproom.

I asked what community members can expect to see at their shop. 

“With more than 1,000 hand-knotted rugs in the gallery, we provide the city of Fort Wayne with masterpieces for their floor,” Leitch said. “Each rug represents weeks of work by a skilled artisan showing the newest designs and variations on timeless classic patterns.” 

It’s so fancy

Fancy & Staple, 1111 Broadway, will be featuring an art print show from Addeline Griswold and Jared Andrews. 

Showing off their funky and vibrant flash sheets, you can check out their original artwork and grab a complimentary snack from Friendly Ghost. 

Just down the street, you can stop in at Hopscotch House, where they will be offering free face painting by Mystic Brush. There will also be a Televent Photo Booth to capture all the beautiful face paintings.

Take a Stroll

After Art on Broadway ends Saturday, the corridor will remain busy Sunday, July 24, for Broadway Street Stroll.

Featuring many of the same venues, the stroll will feature art, food, beverages, and live music.

Designed for families, the stroll will include hands-on art activities and demonstrations. You will also receive a passport with chance to win a prize package. 

Along with the art, you can also hear singer-songwriter Jess Thrower perform at Hopscotch House at 2 p.m., while alternative rockers The Meat Flowers will be at Fancy & Staple at 4 p.m.