GREENE – Denizens of Chenango County are invited to stroll, saunter, amble, wander around Greene’s historical downtown district while basking in the glow of fine arts and enjoying the last whispers of the season’s clement weather, for the Arts Council of Greene’s Harvest Art Walk, Thursday evening from 5 to 8 p.m.
The walk is a chance to open up businesses to the community and expose patrons to a wide variety of arts. The first art walk, in August, was a huge success and it brought hundreds of people to the downtown plaza. “I dare say we had at upwards to 300 people strolling around enjoying the arts and getting to see our local businesses,” said coordinator and Arts Council member Sharon McLean. “It worked out so well last time and with so many positive things said, our August Art Walk got rave reviews.”
Inspired by the success of the summer event, other Greene establishments decided to throw in their lot with the Arts Council and will be joining in on the festivities Thursday evening. The Methodist Church will be hosting performer Claus Evans of the Cider Mill Playhouse in Binghamton. The Bed and Breakfast will also be participating this time around and a private residence on 52 North Chenango St. will be specially decorated for the event.
In conjunction to the Harvest Art Walk and in light of October’s spooky connotations, Greene’s paranormal society will be organizing at the library in nervous anticipation of a haunted ghost tour. Kids will find a more jovial form of entertainmented in the pumpkin painting also to be held during the Harvest Walk.
The local business venues hosting the variety of artists will be serving light refreshments and the entire event is free. But of course patrons will have to cough up some dough for any of the art pieces they wish to take home.
The Arts Council of Greene is a recent conception, having been established around the beginning of the year by business owners in search of new and creative ways to help draw people to Greene during trying times. “When a bunch of us small business owners got together, it occurred to us that Greene has quite a few renowned artists,” said McLean.
An example of Greene’s renowned artists is J Schatz, featured on “Oprah’s Most Favorite” list whose glassware is sold nationally and will be on display Thursday.
Attending promenaders will be provided with maps marking the locations of the 25 venues, supplemented with the names of the 35 or so artists.
“I can remember the days before big box companies when Greene’s downtown area was brimming with retail storefronts exhibiting colorful wares and the streets were always full of hustle and bustle,” said McLean. These days, many of the business have become service-oriented in nature and it seems as though there are less people and traffic in the downtown district, she said. “But there are still beautiful buildings and small businesses in existence, representing many different and good reasons to visit downtown Greene. We wish to show people how proud we are of our community and what we do,” she said.
Presently the Arts Council of Greene has not yet solidified plans for a winter season event, McLean said they’re considering organizing some sort of cabin fever-themed shindig as a charitable fundraiser. “We want to continue expanding and promoting community growth,” said McLean.