Put your sneakers on. The next art walk takes place Feb. 4th.
The “Front Porch Art Walk” was conceived as an arts event designed to give a fresh new platform for Hernando County artists and to draw more traffic to the businesses of Hernando Beach. After only a month in existence, the front porch art movement is growing by leaps and bounds.
The “Front Porch Art Walk” is an outdoor exhibit set to showcase and sell the work of local artists in a refreshing outdoor atmosphere, in front of and at the side of Hernando Beach businesses. The show was conceived by Yann Milcendeau, the owner of The Silver Dolphin, 4036 Shoal Line Blvd, Hernando Beach, and Diane Greenwell, website/social media coordinator for the Hernando Beach Property Owners Association and member of the Hernando County Fine Arts Council. The council lends its support to the event. Both organizers hoped to expand the size and scope of the Walk beyond The Silver Dolphin, which always has served as a showplace for local art.
Now, the “front porch” is set to get a whole lot bigger. “Join us in the Village of Hernando Beach for our first Saturday’s “Front Porch Art Walk” on February 4th from 10 am until 2 pm! Silver Dolphin Restaurant & Country Store will be one of our hosts. Brian’s Place (3430 Shoal Line Blvd, Hernando Beach) will be the second venue included in this event since it has already doubled in size!” reads an event notice. “Come early at 8 am and have some breakfast before the show at 10 am. Or sleep in and come to our show at 10 am and enjoy lunch in the Silver Dolphin’s Secret Garden overlooking the canal with turtles, fish, and a gator or two. Don’t forget about that special homemade fudge and Papa Clyde’s ice cream! Visit the country store inside to see more art by local artists.” Also included in the “Front Porch Art Walk” movement will be Beverly’s Coastal Living, 3422 Shoal Line Blvd, Hernando Beach, a Hernando Beach gift shop that offers local artists’ merchandise for sale in its gift store next door to Brian’s Place.
This expansion results from the strong community spirit of Hernando Beach businesses and artisans and the success of the inaugural “Front Porch Art Walk.”
“January 7th’s ‘Front Porch Art Walk’ was a success with 14 artists displaying their art and a top 10 day for the weather. Hundreds of people attended the event, with many getting a bite to eat at Silver Dolphin Restaurant & Country Store and exploring its Secret Garden, then strolling along the front porch talking to the artists about what inspired their work,” said Greenwell. “On February 4th from 10 am until 2 pm, Silver Dolphin Restaurant and Brian’s Place will be hosting the second Hernando Beach art walk with double the number of artists. Feedback from the artists reflected that nearly all had a successful day and appreciated an opportunity to market their work. The public was overwhelmingly supportive of the effort to bring arts to Hernando Beach. The Coastal Hernando Business Group and Hernando County Fine Arts Council hope this monthly event will continue to grow, giving the local businesses an opportunity to host and eventually having sponsorships that will provide funding to further support arts in Hernando Beach.”
Brian Alvarez, owner of Brian’s Place, is pleased to host this valuable extension of the “Front Porch Art Walk.” “I loved the event’s focus on local art and artists,” said Alvarez. “And I love the way it supports the community.”
A longtime art collector, Alvarez showcases prints and other artworks on the walls of his restaurant, where the menu offers a fusion between Spanish and Italian cuisine. “I love how the artists are creative with their works,” he said. “Just like I am with my food.”
Beverly Farro, the owner of Beverly’s Coastal Living, next door to Brian’s Place, has been making a place on her walls for the work of local artists since her store’s opening. “For eight years, I’ve always made a place at my store for the work of local artists. They are welcome here,” she said. “I do this because I love the arts.”
Farro stocks paintings, carvings, resin and metal artworks, woodwork, decorative cards, furniture, and other fine art at Beverly’s Coastal Living. “Since I stock all coastal and nautical merchandise, the work of Florida artists fits well here,” she said.
Farro fully supports the Hernando Beach “Front Porch Art Walk” movement. “It’s all about giving everybody a chance,” she said. “It’s a great idea to give so many talented people that chance.”
Interested artists and businesspeople who wish to participate in the “Front Porch Art Walk” can contact Diane Greenwell at [email protected] or (304) 633-7110.
