Downtown Frankfort, Inc, through sponsorship by the Kentucky Employees Credit Union, invites you to join us for our upcoming ArtWalk from 5-8pm on Friday, October 2nd.  Twenty-four ArtStops await you with their creative offerings—paintings, photography, ceramics, collages, jewelry and more—many with artists on hand to welcome you.

If you appreciate beauty along with function, then consider the many artistic crafts on display as downtown Frankfort joins in American Craft Week (10/2-10/11), kicking off this national event’s 6th annual celebration during ArtWalk. And while we recognize and celebrate our numerous, excellent craft offerings, please take note of the many extraordinary works of fine art around us.

Well-established Completely Kentucky, approaching its 25th year in business, offers the works of over 650 of Kentucky’s best artisans in wide array of both crafts and fine art.  M.A. Selbert, our 5th generation family-run jewelry business since 1842, offers jewelry, both fine and functional, along with crafted gift items.  

See the latest paintings and collages of Betty Beshoar at her McClure Building studio as well as ceramic tile collages by Gina Morales in her Alchemy Salon down the hall. At Studio 710, you will see Karen Carey’s new oils as well as paintings and scarves by Sandy Gulick and the one-of-a-kind found-object clocks crafted by visiting artist Mark L. Roberts.

Simply Garden, opened in the fall of 2014, has handmade decorative crafts for your home and garden for purchase or for you to create in one of their class offerings.

Shades of Blu Boutique (recently opened in the former Eclectic Mix space) will display the works of numerous local artists along with its jewelry and more.  Meet and welcome to downtown new owner/manager Sherri Hollingsworth. Brand new to downtown is Hallie Gray’s Graymarket Design at 333 St Clair, having its Grand Opening during ArtWalk.  Using her textile design and international relations degrees, Gray designs fresh, modern patterns which are then ethically produced by an artisan cooperative in Jaipur, India.

At the Grand Theatre Gallery, experience a first ever exhibition entitled THE COLOR OF MUSIC, THE SHAPE OF SOUND:  Melanie Sunbeam Smith’s Bird & Bela in B Series which consists of a series of ten mixed media works on paper, inspired by Don Sebesky’s orchestral jazz composition “Bird and Bela in Bb.” 

Capital Cellars has up for display a mixed water color and oils exhibit by Marie Renee Horne and at Rodgers Studio, photographer Bill Rodgers offers his images from in and around Frankfort, art compositions and portraitures. Nitro of Frankfort hosts young photographer Elizabeth Zoeller, exhibiting images of the people, places, and memories of her deeply beloved downtown Frankfort. At Vibrant Life, see locally made jewelry, fabric crafts and fine artworks as well as imported crafts and more.      

DeSpain Studio features the paintings of Donna DeSpain and other artists along with fine art photography and artists’ greeting cards. The Kentucky Coffeetree Café displays the bright and varied artwork of a group of local artists.  Buddy’s Pizza features three local artists with varying styles and mediums.

Full Circle Studio & Gallery (Note its new location—309 Shelby Street), a unique art gallery and working studio, features the works of Jennifer Zingg and Travis Kelley along with that of other local and national artists. Broadway Clay offers a wide selection of created onsite pottery as well as jewelry, paintings and more from local artisans.  

Along Bridge Street, there will be two groups of artists on display.  At “117”, the Kentucky State University art major students will “serve up” a gallery of fine art creations along with their special recipe chili in hand-made, take-home ceramic bowls while supplies last. Two doors down, “119” will host four local artists exhibiting their individual styles in a variety of mediums— photography, oils, acrylics, and mixed-media collage.

Paul Sawyier Public Library offers two original Paul Sawyier paintings along with 22 prints, its stained glass windows by Laura Mentor and batik by Doris Thurber. Poor Richard’s Books will feature local author Ray Peden who will sign copies of his novel, One Tenth of the Law.

To take us back a few years, the Capital City Museum hosts the soon-to-close Frankfort Art Club Exhibit.  The club was established in 1945, flourishing until 1962 following the destruction by fire of the Frankfort Hotel.   Similarly, the Franklin County Justice Center displays a “crazy quilt” which appears to have been crafted in 1949, bearing the names of many people associated with the old Peaks Mill School.

Spend a few enjoyable hours during an early October Friday evening in downtown Frankfort, experiencing the vibrant art scene and the city center’s creative energy.  Enjoy re-connecting with friends and making a few new ones.  Large orange ArtWalk pennants at each ArtStop will guide your way with full information available at

www.downtownfrankfort.com