Art Walk

Revitalizing downtown San Diego is not an overnight process--or is it? Once a year, such magic can be worked, when ArtWalk banners are hung in galleries, studios, shops and cafes, drawing tens of thousands of people to explore the downtown area during a single weekend. ArtWalk, billed as a free open house of downtown's visual and performing arts, transforms tame sidewalks into teeming arteries. Overnight, it turns downtown's struggling art community into the hottest act in town.

The Conejo Valley Art Museum will hold its ninth annual ArtWalk, an outdoor fine arts and crafts exhibition featuring more than 160 artists, on Saturday and Sunday. The free event, put on with the assistance of the Conejo Recreation and Park District, is part of the Thousand Oaks Arts Festival. ArtWalk drew more than 10,000 spectators last year. This year's exhibition will include paintings, drawings and graphics, sculpture, ceramics, photography, textiles, crafts jewelry, and mixed-media works.

Ventura city officials are already on the prowl, seeking artists to display their works for the summer ArtWalk and Java Jump on July 26 from 6 to 10 p.m. The ArtWalk and Java Jump is a self-led art tour through downtown Ventura businesses, galleries, museums and coffee shops. Some downtown coffeehouses will also offer coffee tasting. During the ArtWalk, businesses temporarily host gallery exhibits.

Art enthusiasts will descend on downtown Ventura today for the Summer ArtWalk. The daylong tour will feature art displays at more than 50 galleries, coffeehouses and other locales. Most of the exhibits will be in a 10-block area. Participants can create their own self-guided route using free maps. Music will have an increased presence at this year's event. The roster of performers--with music beginning at 4 p.m.--includes Ojai-based singer Perla Batalla, Jonathan McEuen and Left of Memphis.

Women artists will be the focus of a special "Women's Art Walk" tour of West Hollywood art galleries Saturday at 1 p.m., to begin at the City Hall Council Chambers, 8615 Santa Monica Blvd. Preceding the self-guided tour will be a half-hour slide presentation by gallery owner Kim Kralj on the contributions of women artists. The free tour is to include a printed guide to works by women artists in 10 participating galleries, said Mari Riddle, an aide to City Councilwoman Abbe Land.

ART Fall is here, better keep your eyes peeled for that distinctive gray smokestack. During the Brewery Art Walk, a twice-annual event, more than 100 artist's studios will be open to the public. Stroll the grounds, meet rising artists like photographer Dave Lefner, talk to them about their work and purchase artwork from the source. The Brewery Art Colony, 2100 N. Main St., L.A. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Free. (323) 638-9382. http://www.breweryartwalk.com.

Ventura City Hall, local cafes and public galleries will throw open their doors Saturday evening for the annual Holiday ArtWalk. Presented by the Ventura Office of Cultural Affairs, the ArtWalk offers patrons a peek at art in both expected and unexpected places while enjoying music, tree-trimming and a visit from Santa Claus. This year's ArtWalk, from 5 to 9 p.m., will focus on the performing arts.

Flower shops, coffeehouses, retail clothing stores and even a portion of a sidewalk were joined to form a sprawling public gallery Saturday that drew several thousand people to downtown Ventura for a stroll and an art show. Sunny skies and 75-degree weather greeted visitors to the daylong ArtWalk, a city-sponsored event along Main Street that brings culture directly to residents by having local businesses display the work of dozens of local artists. "Art saves lives. It enhances life.

Eco-Art Walk, a free event in celebration of Earth Day, will be held today from 1 to 10 p.m. in downtown Ventura. Art displays, dance performances, music and children's art activities will be presented at 78 participating businesses, galleries and museums mostly along Main and Santa Clara streets, beginning at the west end of the city and working east to Kalorama Street.