Downtown ArtWalk is scheduled to start its 2011 season March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day – and the monthly event will be bigger and better.

The Charleston Area Alliance has signed on three new locations.

A group of artists operating as Studio 1031, at 1031 Quarrier St., has joined ArtWalk.

White Oak Photography and KD Lett Photographic Studio Photopro, meanwhile, are joining ArtWalk at 107 Hale St., Suite 100.

In addition, Purple Moon owner Chuck Hampsher is opening a new store called Modern by Design on the corner of Quarrier and Hale streets. Later this year, the upscale furniture store and art gallery will be yet another ArtWalk staple.

“More and more downtown businesses are joining the effort to revitalize and reawaken the area,” said Susie Salisbury, the Alliance’s vice president for community development.  “ArtWalk brings people downtown, and once they see what it has to offer, we hope, they keep coming back.

“ArtWalk is the epitome of why more and more people are going downtown – to be part of a rich culture,” she continued. “Charleston offers food, ideas, expressions, shops and customs not found anywhere else, and its people identify with the charm.”

Visit www.CharlestonArtWalk.com for more information. ArtWalk runs from 5 to 8 p.m.

ArtWalk Locations

Art Emporium
Stray Dog Antiques
Gallery Eleven
Annex Gallery Taylor Books      
Good News Mountaineer Garage
Chet Lowther Studio
The Purple Moon
Romano & Associates Law Gallery
Visions Day Spa
Studio 1031
White Oak Photography & KD Lett     
    Photographic Studio Photopro

Take a stroll downtown and enjoy the best of what Charleston has to offer.

Art Walk Highlights

Taylor Books

Taylor Book’s Annex Gallery will present works by Charleston artist Ray McNamara.

After serving in the Navy during World War II, McNamara decided to devote his life to the visual arts. He attended the Art Institute of Chicago and has fulfilled his vows for the past half century. Taylor Books will be taking a look back at the life and work of this dedicated artist with a collection spanning the past 50 years. The exhibit features original pen and ink drawings, oil paintings, lithographs, woodblock prints and more.

Romano & Associates

The Romano & Associates Law Offices will be hosting an exhibit by two artists for the March ArtWalk.

Tiffany Aliff’s photography includes ordinary things and everyday occurrences shown from a unique perspective. It’s mundane daily life turned captivating pieces of art.

Rebecca Burch’s paintings reflect an interest in the common techniques shared by early mosaic and fiber artists, the Impressionists and modern RGB computer graphics. These pieces speak of contrast.

The Art Emporium

The Art Emporium will feature the colorful and thought-provoking mixed media art works of George Walsh from Scarbro. Walsh recently earned his degree in Art Education at Concord University, and this will be his first solo exhibition in Charleston. The artist will be present at the opening reception during the March 17 Artwalk, and the show will run through April 15.