Go back in time; follow me to the Gifford Lane Art Stroll

On Sunday, March 15, Gifford Lane goes back in time and transforms into the "old Grove," with the appearance of the annual Gifford Lane Art Stroll. This is the scene last year.

Color and music take over the streets, all the Gifford Lane neighbors are out and all of the Grove residents come out to mix, mingle, eat, drink, dance and enjoy (and buy) art.

My favorite thing of course is Dave Collins' famous cucumber punch. I ask him about it all year, begging him to make it before the event, but Dave holds off and brings out the juicy nectar only once a year.

This is not to be confused with the First Saturday Art Stroll in the Center Grove. This is a funky, old time, block party under the shady trees on Gifford Lane (between Oak and Day).

More than 60 artists will be displaying their works on fences, tables and all over the front yards. The informal tropical setting brings out the best in everyone. The art is first class and sells at very reasonable prices. Buy real art from real Grove artists. It doesn't get better than that.

Neighbors barbecue food (shrimp, burgers, hot dogs) and have drinks available, not for sale, but all for donations. Pay what you want. Or don't pay. Last year a guy was asking for money in front of the post office. I gave him five bucks and sent him a few blocks behind to the Art Stroll to eat. I told him he could have a feast for the five dollars.

The live music is nonstop all afternoon. Now starting the second decade of continuous appearances, regional blues band favorite “Out of Da’ Blues” has rocked the party and will once again be delighting the crowd this year.

Three of the participating artists, Dolores Colichon, Bill Pintzow, and Trina Collins continue the tradition started some ten years ago when artists could still afford Grove real estate and six artists all lived on this one single lane.

People who knew the Grove decades ago swear this is the closest thing you’re ever going to experience that looks and feels just exactly like the old Grove the way it was.

“We only have the Art Stroll one afternoon a year,” says founder Trina Collins, “but we now have residents who have purchased homes on the block because of the Art Stroll.”

Once again, all of the participating artists at the Art Stroll will be giving a percentage of their sales to two Grove charities—this percentage will be added to contributions made by the public and neighbors living on the block. The two benefiting Grove charities are the St. Stephen’s AIDS Ministry and the St. Alban’s Day Care Center in the Village West.

The Gifford Lane Art Stroll promises to be a good hearted afternoon of delights under the leafy canopy on Sunday, March 15 from noon to 5:00 pm.

The slide show from last year's stroll is here.