The Smoking Cat seems to have popped up all over Toledo this year. It’s certainly one of my favorite pieces of street art. Have you seen the Smoking Cat?

Here we go! 2011 Art Walks in Downtown Toledo… an ongoing Summer event I highly recommend. Every Third Thursday during May through September (May 19, June 16, July 21, August 18, September 15) from 6-9 pm.

Visit www.acgt.org often for updated event details. Maps available at the info stations, at all venues during the event, and at www.acgt.org.

Venues include: 20 North Gallery, Bozarts, Collingwood Arts Center, Downtown Latte, Gallerie 333 at TSA, Jack Wilson Gallery, Madhouse, The Offices of Paul Sullivan, Secor Studios, Shared Lives Studios, Space 237, Studio M Printmakers, Sur Saint Clair Gallery, Swank Gifts, Toledo City Paper Offices, Truth Art Gallery, Zyndorf Glass & Arts, Glass City Cafe… and many more!

Park your car, walk or bike, and enjoy.

So much to see and do… it really does have to be split between three (3) Saturdays! The Ghost Hunt was a ton of fun – seriously do it. You can find your first clue on the second floor, at Studio Que’s space. We closed the day with live music at Bozarts and a post-post-party at the Ottawa Tavern with APB playing great record after great record. Counting the days till next Saturday!

So excited for this! The time has come once again for Toledo’s best art event of the year.

“For three consecutive Saturdays in April, more than 300 Toledo-area artists will take over two vacant buildings in Downtown Toledo, transforming them into the largest, most comprehensive and eccentric multi-media galleries in Northwest Ohio.”

Artomatic 419! is free, open to the public, and happening over the course of Three (3) Saturdays starting tomorrow–April 2nd, 9th, and 16th. Come on out! Check the website for schedules and more information!

Artomatic 419! | Downtown, in the Warehouse District | 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

This Saturday was the Vertical “Mix”, an annual fundraising party for The Arts Commission held this year at the top of the O-I/Fifth Third Bank building. Each year this party gets better and better, with amazing food and cocktails, live entertainment, and the best art auction in the city. As we arrived we were given complimentary binoculars so we could enjoy the amazing view to the fullest which included a “super moon”! The party was packed all night long with Toledoans in fancy attire. A big congrats to all the event chairs, volunteers, and to The Arts Commission!

The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo | 1838 Parkwood Avenue | (419) 254-ARTS