MARYSVILLE — Downtown Marysville will be showcasing area artists along with local shopping opportunities during the first “Art Walk” from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 13.

The Marysville Arts Coalition has worked with the Downtown Marysville Merchants Association to bring 10 artists to Third Street and its surrounding environs that evening, and the retailers who will be hosting this assortment of painters, photographers and artists in other media are already expressing excitement over the opportunity to turn their family-owned shops into mini-art galleries for the displays and demonstrations by the artists in temporary residence.

“I’m looking forward to a good turnout,” said Vicki Miniken of The Vintage Violet. “I feel lucky to have Karen Lyons coming to my store, because she hand-paints silk scarves. What better venue than this for art that you can actually wear? It’s a unique canvas that allows people to become walking art.”

Mary Kirkland of Hilton Pharmacy began practicing her watercolors three years ago, inspired in no small part by watercolor painter Glen Oberg, so she feels especially fortunate to have Oberg coming to her own store.

“I was almost beside myself,” Kirkland said. “He’s a very accomplished artist whose work I’ve admired everywhere I’ve seen it, including the Tulip Festival in La Conner. During the lead-up to the Art Walk, we’ll be displaying his pieces in our front windows.”

For those who might find Oberg’s original paintings a bit pricey for their budgets, Kirkland noted that he’ll have print reproductions of several of his paintings, so that customers can enjoy his visuals at home more affordably.

“We’ve got such a diversity of artists coming to downtown Marysville through the Art Walk, and their caliber is top-notch,” Kirkland said. “I’d like to see us grow on this and collect more artists. All in all, it promises to be a fun night out.”

While Patricia Schoonmaker of Trusty Threads was unfamiliar with photographer Westley Fullerton before the coordination of the Art Walk, she’s eagerly anticipating his presence all the same, not in the least because this is the first “art walk” she’s ever participated in, either professionally or personally.

“I’m just happy to be hosting an artist,” Schoonmaker said. “It’s something new for both me and the store. The Marysville Arts Coalition has really partnered with us to promote downtown Marysville. Our merchants make great hosts, so I hope to see this become an ongoing staple of downtown Marysville.”

Carr’s Hardware, Finders Keepers, Mr. Chairman, Lustre Mane Beauty Supply and Home Again Gently Used Furniture are among the other retailers along Second, Third and Fourth streets who will be hosting painters Janet Myer, Shirley Fulfs, Nissa Brandt and Jacques Drapeau, as well as photographer Teri Mixell and fused glass artist Rick Martinez.

Art Walk participants can collect artists’ signatures on an event map, with which they’ll be eligible to win a prize package donated by the Downtown Marysville Merchants Association.

The Marysville Arts Coalition will also have a presence at the Art Walk, during which visitors will be able to purchase and even decorate large plywood pumpkins, which will be installed in Pumpkin Patches throughout the city beginning in October.

“We envision hosting art events several times each year,” Marysville Arts Coalition Chair Beckye Randall said. “The plan is to showcase local artists, performers and musicians, artisans and craftsmen who help make Marysville a vibrant, energetic community.”

You can visit the Marysville Arts Coalition’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MarysvilleArts or email Randall at brandallrcf@gmail.com for more information.