Kirkpatrick leading Linden Art Walk

Kaleb Kirkpatrick is looking for artists, all kinds of artists.

He is searching for painters, potters, sculptors, jewelry designers and carvers. He’s hoping to contact artists of every age in the region.

Kirkpatrick is inviting them to take part in the first Linden Art Walk to be held Friday, June 28. He is organizing Art Walk as part of the College of Liberal Arts Living Democracy program at Auburn University. A junior in public administration, Kirkpatrick has a double minor in business as well as community and civic engagement.

He and six other students are scattered throughout Alabama this summer, setting up programs with partners in the communities they have chosen.

His partners are Brenda Tuck, the director of the Marengo County Economic Development Authority, and Kathryn Friday, Agriculture Extension Agent. In preparation for Art Walk he has traveled throughout the area. “I’m learning a lot about this region,” he said.

Kirkpatrick, who hails from Mobile, said in his city art can be seen readily at galleries and museums, but Linden doesn’t have those facilities. He borrowed the idea for Art Walk from a similar one in Auburn.

Artists have until June 25 to sign up for Art Walk, said Kirkpatrick. There is no fee for displaying work, and the artist can price and sell pieces if desired.

“The program is free for you to display work, be proud of and let the community enjoy,” he said.

All art will be displayed inside businesses along the main street of Linden. There is no limit on the number of pieces an artist chooses to show.

“All of the businesses will hopefully have at least one piece of art,” said Kirkpatrick.

If the artist cannot be in attendance, Kirkpatrick said he can arrange for the pieces to be picked up and returned.

Those interested in taking part in Art Walk are asked to send in their names by email or phone, explaining the type of art to display and an estimate of the number of pieces to be shown. He can be reached at kjk0016@tigermail.auburn.edu, or by calling 251-721-3909, or contact Friday at fridakb@aces.edu, or 295-5959.

Kirkpatrick said other activities also are planned for that evening. A chalk art competition will be held from 4:30 to 7 p.m. “Chalk will be provided, and there will be a small monetary reward to the first, second and third place winners,” he said.

Student art will be displayed on windows of storefronts along the street also, he added.