DOWNTOWNLIVE!

Artists of all types fill the streets of Downtown Texarkana the second Friday of every month

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Painters, sculptors, musicians, seamstresses, you name it. Artists of all mediums fill the streets of Downtown Texarkana on the second Friday of each month. Called Downtown Live!, this event lasts from 6-9 p.m., mostly along Broad Street. On the sidewalks, artists create art out in the open for all to see and maybe even purchase. Walking down the street, you not only see art but smell delicious food saturating the air from a variety of food trucks dotting the way. To make the event even better, there is live music from different local musicians each month.

Downtown Live! was initiated and is supported by community members Ina McDowell and Joseph Raymond among many others. “Downtown Live! began as an opportunity to showcase our local talent with the gathering of artists on Broad Street. It now serves as a showcase for our downtown retail, local restaurants, and beautiful historic landscape that can only be seen in our downtown area,” Ina says. As several buildings are being restored, like the famous Grim Hotel, these structures provide an all-too-fitting backdrop for such an event where people can admire the architectural work in the historic Entertainment District.

With the large number of people filling the downtown area, it becomes congested really quickly everywhere. This means parking can be rather difficult and getting a table at a restaurant like Verona for example can lead to a rather long wait. To counteract this, there is plenty to walk around and see in the meantime. During the event, local businesses open their doors to artists from the area, giving exposure to the artists and strengthening community bonds. Local businesses like Silvermoon on Broad, The Gallery at 1894, and the Joseph Raymond Fine Art Gallery host local artists for all to come and visit during the event. On top of just watching the artistic process, visitors can interact with the artists. “Families love the chance to watch artists work and be able to ask questions about their work. The artists love being able to talk about their work in a casual setting,” Ina said.

The Gallery at 1894 on Olive Street holds its feature artist gallery opening to coincide with each Downtown Live! every month. In the Joseph Raymond Fine Art Gallery, there is a variety of different artists, but there are always new pieces and features with the event. These shared spaces give room for art and other attractions. “There is live music, public art, bike tours, pop-up artists, gallery openings, and tours of the buildings. We’ve even had the author Karla Moore introduce her new mystery, The Hotel Grim, with a book signing,” Ina says. Over the years, Downtown Texarkana was almost forgotten by the majority. In response now, many are constantly working to restore the once bustling downtown Texarkana to its past self. Events like Downtown Live! work to include as many members of the community as possible, while also bringing in outside talent along the way. “I believe we may have discovered some aspiring new artists while continuing to add new professional artists with each monthly event,” Ina says. Downtown Live! is building a community within Texarkana through art. As each month passes with a new event, more people attend and learn.

“There is talent in all of us, and Downtown Live! brings many forms of art. You just might discover the artist in you by attending the event and seeing the many forms of art,” Ina concludes.