Art Crawl Will Be Covid Careful

WATER VALLEY – Covid be warned – you will not stop the 2021 Art Crawl!

That’s right, the 13th Annual Art Crawl sponsored by the Water Valley Arts Council will be a city-wide show that will run from October 28 to November 7. The crawl is structured to flow safely during a pandemic as co-directors Becca Finley and Zac Danneman report it will include store window displays and lawn installations which can be viewed without contact with others.

“We wanted to make sure that this year’s crawl happens, it is safe and doesn’t create controversy,” Finley explained about the plan that ensures there is no Covid exposure for participants. The store-front displays will be visible from outside and the lawn installations will be visible from the street, allowing everyone to view the community’s collective creative talent without rubbing elbows with one another

Danneman envisions the lawn installations could range from the larger-than-life murals to inspirations from holiday decor – all connected to this year’s theme, “Reveal, Rejoice, Remember… the 2021 Art Crawl Experience.”

It’s almost important to note that this year’s crawl is open for artists of all ages. The organizers encourage everyone from elementary students to seasoned artists to join the action. There are several ways to participate – store owners can sign up for the art to be displayed in their windows, and residents can sign up if they plan to create a lawn installation. Residents can also sign up for their lawn to be included as a stop for other artists who may not have an ideal spot on their property for a lawn installation.

Most importantly, artists can sign up to participate. The volunteers at the Arts Council will find the perfect location for their display – whether a store window showing or lawn installation.

Go to mainstreetwater

valley.org and click on the Arts Council tab to sign up. You will be directed to an easy registration page. The deadline to register is September 22 at 5 p.m. For questions or additional information, you can also email the arts council at createwaterval

ley@gmail.com.

After the sign-up period, Finley, Danneman and other volunteers will be busy coordinating the displays for the shows.

“We will connect the artists with the businesses,” Danneman added.

“There is no level of art that is not acceptable and we really want you to create,” Finley adds. “And remember this is a city-wide, family-friend event. If you don’t want your five year-old or grandmother to see it, don’t do it.”

A screening committee will review submissions to ensure they are appropriate.

Both organizers stress the importance of continuing the tradition that was launched  in the community back in 2009. They also acknowledged the efforts of a few key people involved in the earlier years.

“Bill Warren, Pati D’Amico, Betsy Person and Ramona Bernard, the reason this exists today is because of their tireless work through the years,” Finley explained.

“This is the 13th year of this being a staple. The format that it is taking is going to be visual art, but we would like to encompass as many different mediums and artists as possible,” Danneman also noted. “It is for everyone, it is from everyone.”

(The Water Valley Arts Council is a subcommittee of the Water Valley Main Street Association. Their mission is to promote artistic events that are representative of the community.)