There is a new, incredible art vibe in Coconut Grove

Saturday night was the start of something big; the Art Stroll, rechristened the Gallery Walk, which is the first Saturday of each month, took off in a big way. The streets were full of art lovers, most from outside the Grove. We hate to use the expression, "Happening Scene," but it really was that last night.


There were more galleries involved this time and there was a lot of mutual cooperation, promotion and advertising, which got outside the Grove, into the masses. It was an actual event and we cannot say that one gallery presented better than another, because every single gallery stepped up and really shined.


The Windish-Hunt Gallery even managed to solve the parking problem. As you entered, you were privy to this classic VW. The gallery presented the "Anti-Show," which had a very New York-Soho feel to it.


Curator of the Anti-Show, Rafael Manresa, had his whole family out. The girls at the GroveHouse couldn't contain themselves when the music came on: Theresa Calluori, Celia Reigle and Terry Arroyo Mulrooney


People enjoyed following the yellow footsteps from one place to another. At left: Don Calhoun, Rosie and Phil Brown, Celia Reigle and Audrey Scott. At right: Harry Emilio Gottlieb with artist Aleloop and her husband Rjon Robins. The Honey Bee painting was one of Aleloop's pieces in the "Anti-Show" exhibition.


Above, the Dharma Studio transformed itself into an art studio for the night, from a yoga studio, which enhanced the Gallery Walk experience, by having another gallery involved. Each location in the Walk had an excellent array of food and beverages as well as art.


Many new and young faces were part of this month's Gallery Walk. Groups of friends enjoyed going from gallery to gallery and they got into the whole experience -- the art, food, music and neighborhood feel. We saw them walking all over the village, making it their business to get to all the openings. They climbed the steep stairs all the way up to Blu Moon Studio, so as not to miss the Jeweled Garden bead exhibit and they asked where the Peacock Gallery was, so as not to miss the painted peacocks and blue brew that Heather concocted.


At the end of the long evening, Karen Davis and Peepers showed up for one last look, but the great part is that all the art that premiered last night is on display at all the galleries thoughout the month.

One interesting story about the yellow footprints: A man was following them randomly from gallery to gallery and he entered the Peter Max Gallery, just because the footsteps led him there. He ended up seeing something he loved and he made a very large purchase, just on a whim, thanks to the big yellow footprints!