Fresno City has gathered a collection of venues for it’s ArtHop event. There is a secondary event hosted on the third Thursday of every month. This is in North Fresno.
The Downtown ArtHop is a collection of different venues that span from the newly reconstructed Fulton Street all the way to the Tower District. Many local artists display their works. There is also an enormous amount of lively local music. Works of art are displayed and sold to the highest bidder.
Many people just enjoy gathering around to socialize and soak up the culture and atmosphere that ArtHop has to offer.
Adrian Cabral, an energy specialist, says that ArtHop isn’t about “viewing, but experiencing.”
“Anyone can make anything and call it art. This is different from the north Fresno venues. Here there is a young and modern feel. It isn’t about just looking and viewing the art, but the experiences that come with it,” he states.
Many participating venues include the Jeffrey Scott Gallery, Gallery 25 and Fresno Ideaworks. Fresno City Hall even partakes in all the fun. The downtown’s old bank vault has been transformed to a modern lounge and cinema area.
A local favorite is the K Jewel Gallery, which is beyond posh and home to many of the valley’s radio stations. There, live music is played along with free wine and food. Fresno famous news anchor Kopi of KMPH FOX-26 also frequents the location.
Downtown ArtHop is the big city experience that Fresno has been sorely lacking. This event truly feels and looks like San Francisco.
In the Tower District, many shops and nightclubs display works of art. FAB, a community bar, even has a live painting session. The artist will come in for three hours and paint for the public to watch. What is created ends up being a masterpiece.
“It should be every Thursday,” Cabral states. “Through a long work week, it’s that Thursday night event that just gets you to Friday. It’s a kick off to the weekend.”
A great kick-off at that.
