Downtown stroll highlights locals

PROVO — When city leaders look at historic downtown Provo, they see a smile with missing teeth.

The missing teeth are the vacant stores, Downtown Business Alliance spokeswoman Raquel Smith-Callis said. So to improve the smile, the alliance has turned vacant store windows into art galleries, using the talent of artists who are mostly local.

"They give us a presence and increased (foot) traffic," she said.

A highlight of the galleries is the First Fridays Downtown Gallery Stroll, a self-guided tour where folks can meet artists and browse their work. Each Friday, a downtown entertainment/gallery stroll guide is available at any of the galleries or arts-related businesses, Smith-Callis said.

The monthly strolls often include refreshments and live music, she said. Participating venues sponsor the stroll along with the Downtown Alliance and the Provo Arts Council.

Coleman Studios, 117 N. University, will hold its own artists reception from 6-8 p.m. Featured is nationally known artist Michael Coleman and his sons, Morgan and Nicholas Coleman, Char Coleman said. The reception is open to the public, however some 200 announcements were also sent out, Char Coleman said.

Some of the art in the various windows is for sale; some is not. While each display includes the name of the artist, folks interested in acquiring any of the art or speaking with the artists must first contact the business alliance at 250 W. Center.

The alliance has contracted with Joseph Anderson to put in speakers at some of the storefronts. The business group is receiving original recorded music by the Mount Timpanogos Singer Songwriter Alliance, blending original art with original music, Smith-Callis said. The volume will be turned down to comply with the city's noise ordinance, she said.

Artists include students from elementary schools through college along with many professional artists. The works stay until the store space is leased. They are then moved to another location.

At one location in the Provo Town Center, a leasee asked the art to remain, Smith-Callis said. At another, the gallery was moved shortly after it was set up once the space was leased.

"This very aptly illustrates the unfixed nature of a storefront gallery," Smith-Callis said. "Around here we celebrate every time a space is leased as it is very good for our program!"

Current storefront galleries include: