Art Walk Welcomes Art Lovers to the River District in Downtown Fort Myers, Florida

Downtown Fort Myers, Florida, called The River District due to its proximity to the Caloosahatchee River, has become a mecca for art lovers with its many art galleries sprinkled in amongst offices, restaurants, and retail shops. Two years ago, more than 40 downtown businesses and art galleries got together to create Art Walk.

The first Friday of every month, art lovers pour in to the downtown River District of Fort Myers, Florida from 6 - 10 p.m. to stroll the sidewalks, tour the special art displays in the numerous downtown galleries, enjoy the street performers, and eat dinner on the sidewalk at the restaurant of their choice while listening to live music. Those who wish to can also attend the after-party from 10 p.m. to closing at a preselected downtown establishment, where they can meet gallery owners, artists and art collectors in a relaxed atmosphere of celebration.

We attended the recent two year anniversary of Art Walk on a gorgeous fall night. As we strolled along the historic streets of Fort Myers, Florida, we were greeted with the sounds of drums, dulcimer, guitar and keyboard accompanying various singers tucked here and there along the route, serenading the happy crowd. We were especially impressed with a young man named Mike Imbasciani, a 13-year old home schooled musician who plays some amazing guitar as he performed blues and classic rock in his trademark tie and fedora outside The Hideaway Sports Bar.

Delicious scents wafted on the breeze as we passed restaurants of every description, cooking up their specialties and bringing them out to sidewalk tables filled with hungry art lovers.

Weaving in and out of galleries along the way, we enjoyed a visual feast of colorful paintings, drawings, and sculpture, while being greeted as honored guests and offered cookies, wine and candy. I even managed to snag one of the coveted Art Walk buttons, a limited edition collector's item.

If you are interested in a beautiful way to spend an evening in The River District of Fort Myers, Florida, consider visiting Art Walk on the first Friday evening of the month. Visit Art Walk's official website for information, including a down-loadable map of the festivities. You can also find out how to access the free trolleys, if walking is not your thing.

With such varied destinations as Art of the Olympians, Coloring the World Art Gallery, HOWL Gallery and the stunning Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center to look forward to, a street party, music, delectable food and an amazing sunset over the river, Art Walk is the perfect way to spend a Florida evening in the River District of downtown Fort Myers, Florida.

Sources:

ArtWalk, First Fridays, Downtown Fort Myers

Fort Myers News Press, Young boy blues: Port Charlotte teen is a blues prodigy, Charles Runnells

Personal Experience

Wikipedia, Fort Myers, Florida