Marsha Clements – Artist

I don’t know if you are aware that communities all over our country are organizing Art Walks from Florida to California and everywhere in between. It is really an interesting phenomenon. I’ve been thinking about why this is happening and what the benefits of attending really are. Here are a few reasons that I think people attend art walks–and in particular the First Friday event at Sunset Center every month.

1. ART-I hope that the main draw for you to come to Sunset Center and visit my gallery SENTOSA is the ART. It’s important to me to have a variety of new paintings each month. I hope you enjoy seeing the new works in S.
2. VARIETY-In SENTOSA you will see a variety of styles and subjects and mediums. I mostly paint in oils–but I also do hand built pottery, fiber arts, jewelry and decorative painting. Be sure to look in my office and both of the gallery rooms for a variety of art. The artists in Sunset are all so different and so is their art. We have many different mediums and styles. There is something for everyone!
3.  All the ARTISTS are there-On any given day at any time during the work day you will find several artists at Sunset working in their studio/galleries. But you will also find several galleries closed. Even though I try to be in SENTOSA every afternoon Monday through Saturday, lots of things come up that keep me away.  Artists have to work to create and sometimes it cannot be done do at Sunset. SometimesI am in the Canyon painting.  Weyman Brown has to get out and dig up mesquite stumps to take back to his shop to turn into beautiful bowls and vases. Some artists are out taking photos on location. I’ve been gone for over a week–had out of town company and then went to visit the grandchildren in Missouri. But on First Friday–most are of us are in our galleries ready to talk to you about our ART! I don’t know about you, but I love to visit with the artist about their styles and techniques and the story behind their work. 1st Friday is your opportunity to do just that! Be sure to ask me any questions about the story behind a painting or what made me want to paint it or just how I did it.
4. Support your local small businesses. There is so much talk about  imported goods and products. You can hardly find anything that is really Made in the USA. Well, everything in SENTOSA is made by me! And almost everything at Sunset is made locally by a local artisan. A few galleries represent artists from other parts of the country. But you don’t have to worry about the money you’re spending going to manufacturers overseas. It will stay right here in our community. So every
5. It’s FUN! Art Walk really is fun. Not a month goes by that I don’t see someone that I haven’t seen in years. It’s the social event of our community every month. Your FRIENDS are there. You should be too–having fun!
6. It’s an opportunity to NETWORK-meet new friends and make contacts. Those relationships can be important to you. Life is all about building relationships!
7.  There is ENTERTAINMENT–a variety of musicians and performers can be found throughout the mall.
8. Get CREATIVE. It’s a great way to get your own creative juices flowing. For me, visiting galleries and talking to artists is a great way to get a little inspiration, think of new ways to do my art and try something totally different. It makes me more creative! I visited a couple of galleries in Wichita KS on the way home yesterday–but I’ll tell you something–not one of them compared with the Galleries at Sunset!
9. BEAUTY–The mall is a beautiful place. Starting with the sculpture garden–beautiful in every season and then as you move into the mall the plants are gorgeous–but the real stars are the galleries and the works of art adorning every nook and corner. Every artist has made their gallery their own. It displays the art and personality of the real artist within. Inside and out–Sunset is a beautiful  space to visit.
10. Support the local ART community and CULTURE of the panhandle by purchasing art from local artists. Sometimes local artists are taken for granted. Art doesn’t have to be created by someone far away to be worth buying. Many of the artists in Sunset are represented in galleries throughout the country. But our own local collectors don’t realize what they have in their own backyard!  Some of our artists have not yet developed a following, so you can make a purchase that may go up in value as that artist becomes well known. You can get some great deals on original art at Sunset! The ELEVENS are great example of that. You can purchase an original oil painting for $111 in SENTOSA. Now that is a deal!
11. First Friday Art Walk is FREE.  There’s no cover charge–you don’t have to pay to enjoy the arts at Sunset. You will find entertainment and refreshments around every corner. The only thing you have to pay for is the art you take home with you.