Art Walk celebrates 10 years of local talent

Sheila Robinson had been in Riverview for only two years before she made an interesting observation: there sure were a lot of artists living nearby.

"I had this theory that artists were attracted to the old homes in the area," she said of the vintage neighborhood a few blocks north of the city's zoo.

Robinson, an oil painter, approached the Colonial Place-Riverview Civic League with the idea of sponsoring an "art walk" in the two adjacent historic districts, allowing resident artists to showcase their work on their front porches.

With 18 artists, a shoestring budget and a leap of faith, Robinson organized the show - and was amazed at the great response.

That was 10 years ago.

Today, the Colonial Place-Riverview Front Porch Art Walk is an annual tradition eagerly anticipated by the entire city.

From noon to 5 p.m. today, Oct. 12, more than 30 resident artists will display and sell their arts and crafts on their porches as visitors walk and bicycle through the picturesque communities.

The free, self-guided stroll offers insights not only to local talent but also to the history and architecture of two of the city's most beautifully preserved century-old neighborhoods, both of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and Virginia Landmarks Register.

In addition to promoting artists, Robinson said the art walk has helped build community relationships and unify residents in multi-ethnic, socio-economically diverse Colonial Place and Riverview.

Robinson headed the art walk committee from 1999 until about 2004, when she gave up her leadership role to concentrate on her own art. She admits it was hard to let it go, but is pleased to see others, like this year's co-coordinators Tara Sheldon and Kristin Bourcier, taking a turn at the helm.

Bourcier, 35, a mosaic artist, and her husband, Matt, were looking for a new home in 2002, when their real estate agent showed them a house in Colonial Place.

"She told us it had studio space upstairs because an artist used to live there," Bourcier said. "Then she mentioned the art walk and my husband and I just looked at each other. It was like a 'mojo moment.' We knew instantly that we wanted the house."

Bourcier said the home and neighborhood have lived up to her every expectation.

"It's a fantastic community," she said. "Not just in terms of the artists who live here, but to have an entire neighborhood that supports my creativity and professional goals - that's very unique."

Marjorie Cohen agrees. After moving into her Victorian Riverview home last year, she was inspired to pursue her own artistic yearning - porcelain painting.

"I met Sheila Robinson during a walk through the neighborhood," said Cohen, a native New Yorker who came to Hampton Roads via a military move with her husband, Bruce Cohen, a Navy physician. "She invited me to her studio and then I invited her to my house to see some of my work. She was very encouraging."

Cohen will be exhibiting and selling some of her porcelain "Madge Pie Designs" for the first time in this year's show.

"I am thrilled!" she said. "I'm not a professional artist, so it's exciting for me to have the opportunity to do something like this."

Tara Sheldon, 38, a Colonial Place artist who creates paper cut-outs, thinks the art walk is a great way for pros and hobbyists to show off their talents.

"Many of the artists here are self-taught and it's a neat way for them to get exposure for their work," she said.

More than 400 visitors patronized the art walk in 2007, and Sheldon anticipates an even greater turnout today.

"We have quite a few new artists participating this year, so hopefully that will draw even more people," said Sheldon, who also suggested that "instead of spending money at the mall, people can do their holiday shopping early while enjoying a walk through our historic communities."

Watercolors, jewelry, oils, mosaics, paper cut-outs, textiles, pottery, fiber art, photography and many other mediums will be part of this year's show.

Hospitality stops at the Lydia Roper House and One Eleven Art Gallery Studios, will offer complimentary refreshments along the way and provide opportunities to rest while meeting other artists and residents.

"Ten years out, I can honestly say I had no idea it would go this long and become so popular," Robinson said of her brainchild. "I feel proud and gratified that it's grown and that people just want to keep coming."

Lia Russell, 222-5829, lia.russell@pilotonline.com