Artists and patrons will be flocking to Okotoks’ historic Elma Street this weekend.
The Elma Street Arts Walk returns Sept. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with creators bringing a wide range of mediums, including paintings, crafts, ceramics, authors and even handcrafted furniture.
The event is organized by the Elma Street Artists and Merchants, a collective of businesses on the cozy street.
It’s a beautiful little street for one thing, it’s an artsy street, and it's turned out to be a real fun event,” said Gerry Epp, co-organizer, Okotoks resident and artist.
“People stroll up and down the road, we have artists of all different types. Everything from knitting items to food items to ceramics, of course painting and drawings.
“It’s just a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.”
Originally a participant since taking up painting in recent years, Epp got involved out of love for the event and the community.
“I was just a vendor there as an artist and just set up and this year I found myself organizing it,” he said, adding there will be pods of artists at venues along the street.
“We’re going to have 21 or 22 artists, we’re going to be in a few locations, there’s French 50, 94 Take the Cake, Lineham House and in clusters of spots.”
Elma Street and the town as a whole are a great environment for artists, Epp said, given the atmosphere and small town feel to the downtown area.
“Okotoks is an artsy town, and the Okotoks small town artsy culture is growing and I enjoy it a lot,” he said. “I look forward to this event and personally I just love to visit with people who are interested in art.”
Sharing the street with the local businesses ought to be a draw for both, Epp said.
“I’m hoping that us being in front of there will draw more people and it’ll be a busy street that day,” he said. “That there’s a lot of people out walking and looking and having coffee and just enjoying the day.
"That’s what we’re trying to promote, just a nice quiet street with artists and an outdoor market.”
For more information, visit facebook.com/ElmaStreet.Okotoks.
