Wichita Falls’ After Hours Art Walk for June 2023 was a rousing success. Revelers benefitted from great weather this time around (May’s event was a little wet), and people came out in droves. As usual, there was a little something for everyone, beginning with the event’s namesake attraction — art.
I stopped at the booth of Wichita Falls’ own award-winning artist and designer Wendy Coker, and I was shocked when Wendy told me she’d only been painting for… I think she said eighteen months. [ed. note: fifteen months, see comments] I was completely blown away.
“You’re awful talented to be so new to it!” I told her. I recommend Wendy’s art with enthusiasm. She’s incredibly talented.
In addition to all the art, small businesses and crafters had their products on display. I stopped at the Front Porch Farms booth to look at their assortment of handmade vegan dye-free soaps and I was told “Space Man” is their most popular scent — it was a very masculine fragrance. Later, when I got home, I regretted not buying a bar. Next time, for sure.
Singer/Songwriter Clint Vines was providing entertainment (which I really enjoyed) at the Downtown Farmer’s Market pavilion, and I couldn’t help but notice guitarist Dru Gid was adding tremolo to his performance by bending the neck away from the body of his guitar, a technique you don’t see in a live setting all that often. Pretty cool. I’m gonna make a point to catch a full Clint Vines show soon.
There was another band performing in the parking lot across from the Iron Horse Pub but I didn’t catch who they were. Cool variety band, with a mixture of rock and top 40 hits from the 90s and early new millennium. The drummer caught my attention with his commanding timekeeping. *Update* The band is called Sugar Daddy
Of course, no art walk would be complete without food, and there was plenty. BBQ? Yeah, got that covered. You could smell the hardwood grilling operation they had going on the sidewalk near Half Pint from a block away.
And of course, the sights and smells started workin’ on my hunger and I had to take a break to hit up the El Norteno on Wheels Taco Truck, which has become one of my favorites. Two barbacoa and three chorizo street tacos with cilantro, please.
Art Walk is the one event that encompasses everything this newsletter is about. Art, music, food, and the outdoors. If the weather is good, I’ll be there every time. It’s a no-brainer night of entertainment and shopping and fun.
If you’re just visiting Wichita Falls and going to After Hours Art Walk for the first time, bring your camera, because the carnival-like atmosphere will charm you.
Wichita Falls Art Walk is the first Thursday of the month throughout the summer.
All photos by the author, © FallstownFUSE.com
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You took some great pictures and wrote a great piece. Thank you for your kind words. And it has been 15 months since I started painting. Lol.