All about Sacramento's 2nd (Second)
Saturday Art Walk
On the second
Saturday of each month, many local Sacramento galleries feature new shows of
individual and collective artists. Many galleries play host to the artists
so it's a wonderful way to meet them in person. Some galleries provide
beverages, Hors d oeuvres, live music and even dinner with the artist!
Since many
galleries are grouped into two main areas in Sacramento, midtown and along Del
Paso Blvd (The Uptown Arts District), many people like to take an ARTWALK and wonder from gallery to
gallery and make and evening of art and people viewing. More galleries
and venues can be found in Old Sacramento, Downtown Sacramento as well as in
outlying areas including Folsom & Fair Oaks.
WHEN IS IT?
WHAT TIME DOES IT START? WHERE TO BEGIN? SCROLL DOWN....
When does the
Sacramento 2nd Saturday Art Walk
start & end? Is there a fee
to come to 2nd Saturday? How
much time should I allow for my walk?
What kind of art will I see?
Are children allowed?
Are all the participating businesses galleries?
Where should I start my art
walk?
Is food or wine served?
Are photographs allowed?
Are there any galleries I
simply MUST visit?
Finding Parking
Restaurants
How long has 2nd Saturday been going on?
Other Regional Artwalks
What should I bring?
How should I dress?
Being Responsible & Appropriate
Behavior
Don't be disappointed
ADA & Accessibility
History of the Artwalk in Sacramento
Taking Public Transportation
Finding a restaurant
Want to skip all this and just get a map?
>>
Second
Saturday Art Map
Second Saturday can be summed up in two
words:
Accessibility
& Discovery
Accessibility: While galleries
participating in Second Saturday can be found all over Sacramento, most are
grouped into two areas: Midtown Sacramento and along Del Paso Boulevard.
You can EASILY walk between five to six galleries effortlessly. Also, as
many galleries will have resident artists in attendance, you'll be able to
actually meet the artists who produce the works of art. Some galleries also
feature artist lofts and workspaces open for your perusal
(please respect boundaries and inquire if
you're not sure a section or artist's work area is open to the public).
For information regarding ADA accessibility, scroll down.
Discovery:
Whether you are new to art or consider
yourself a well learned scholar, Sacramento has such diverse artists working
in so many media that you will no doubt discover new styles of art. As
Second Saturdays are often a social event, you might go out with friends or
even colleagues - and perhaps discover something about them you didn't know
by their taste in art!
When does the Art Walk
start & end?
The ARTWALK happens EVERY
MONTH on the SECOND SATURDAY of the month, yes, all 12 months a year, rain or shine.
Yes, it is ALWAYS on the 2nd Saturday of the month.
GENERALLY, THE ART WALK
STARTS AT 6PM and ENDS BY 9 or 10pm
There
is no official start time for the Art walk, as many galleries are open their
regular hours during the day. Some galleries close for a few hours and
reopen later. Historically, though, most people start
coming out about 6 -7 pm and most galleries/venues are open till at least 9 pm,
with some staying open until 10 pm or even later! Many galleries close
early (by 9 or 9:30) so we recommend getting an early start.
Many people choose to go to
dinner before, in the middle of or after visiting several galleries.
Midtown supports dozens of fine restaurants. Since MOST
galleries close by 9pm, we recommend having a LATE DINNER as many
restaurants stay open until midnight on Second Saturdays.
Some galleries have specific
programs which occur at pre-scheduled times. It is always a good idea
to call to verify that a gallery is participating and to check their hours..
or you can just wing it and have fun!
Why do Galleries close
so early, often by 9pm?
Remember, MOST galleries,
stores and venues have REGULAR hours during the day - thus they work long
days (both the owners and employees) often up to twelve or more hours.
There is clean up time and most people don't want to get home at midnight.
Many galleries find that staying open later than 9 or 10pm just results in
lots of last minute people, often who've had dinner and perhaps a few too
many drinks wandering in and honestly resulting in more breakage and less
respect of both the venue and the artworks. Not getting to see enough
art? Easy solution! Start early! Start at 6pm and you can
have a nice 2-3 hour artwalk then get some dinner, as many local restaurants
stay open late on 2nd Saturdays!
CONSIDER STARTING EARLY AS MOST GALLERIES
AND VENUES CLOSE BY 10pm AND MANY CLOSE AT 9pm!!
Is there a fee to come
to 2nd Saturday?
SECOND SATURDAYS ARE
GENERALLY FREE for
everyone. There is no charge (for 99.9% of venues) to come out, listen to music and stroll
from gallery to gallery, venue/store to venue/store. Please note that
while 99.9% of all venues are free, certain events and or locations (ie bars
or music venues) reserve the right to charge a cover and or admission fee.
Some openings or events are by invitation only.
How much time should I
allow for my walk?
Everyone's experience and
expectations are different. Some people pick ONE gallery to attend and
hang out there all night - while others treat the evening like a gallery
marathon with their goal to make it to as many galleries as they can!
Probably the single largest challenge that
FIRST TIME
art walk participants have is that
THEY START THE EVENING TOO LATE.
Many galleries close by 9pm
and MOST by 10pm (with a select few remaining open post this hour).
Many people have a casual dinner and start the walk close to 9pm - only to
find many of the galleries they want to visit are already closed. If
we have ONE SUGGESTION (or several) - start your walk early. Have an
early dinner - or start early and have a snack in the middle or a late
dinner. Many restaurants stay open late - till midnight on this busy
evening.
Many participants say that
about two hours is an optimum amount of time to do a reasonable amount of
galleries (such as those in the central midtown area - where in two hours
you can easily visit about a dozen or more galleries and venues within easy walking
distance of each other). You may want to increase this time if you
plan on driving to different galleries. Some galleries have specific
events at specific times.
What kind of art will I
see?
You
won't believe the variety and talent of Sacramento's artists! Everything
from pen & ink drawings, watercolors, oils, handmade jewelry, sculptures in clay, paper mache
and bronze all the way to kinetic sculptures in metal and glass! If
you can imagine it, you might find it in one of Sacramento's galleries.
Certain galleries also feature well known and newly discovered artists from
around the world as well as artist demonstrations. Please note, some
venues may display inappropriate art for young children.
Are children allowed?
Everyone is welcome,
including children. Please note that some galleries may display adult
oriented pieces of artwork (partial or full nudes in photographs, paintings
or sculptures) that may not be appropriate for all ages. While many
people make 2nd Saturdays a family outing, alcoholic beverages are served at
some venues and attendees under 21 may not always be allowed and will NEVER
be served alcohol (venues reserve the right to card you).
High school, college and art
student are welcome. Before taking photographs, please seek permission
of the gallery owner or artist.
Most galleries and venues are
NOT playgrounds and children are expected to behave. Many galleries
and venues have FRAGILE items that are NOT FOR TOUCHING. We find that
most children are well behaved. If bringing young children, please
talk to them about NOT TOUCHING items and please HOLD THEIR HANDS or be
responsible for them.
You MAY wish to consider a
baby sitter for the evening. Also, as 2nd Saturdays are often VERY
CROWDED and often galleries or venues are small, we kindly request no
strollers. While this is not a hard and fast rule and does not
pertain to every gallery or venue and we do not wish to exclude parents with
young children, common sense says that large SUV-type strollers are not
appropriate in crowded, cramped spaces.
Are all the
participating businesses galleries?
While
many of the businesses that participate in Sacramento's Second Saturday Art
Walk are what most people's idea of a gallery is, many other businesses also
participate. Retail stores, hair salons, photo studios, artists lofts
and studios, public buildings, restaurants, real estate offices, law offices and others participate by
allowing space for the display of artwork.
In addition to stationary
galleries, there is Izzy's VanGo Gallery which moves several times per night
and the Phantom Galleries of Del Paso that display artwork in empty
storefronts and buildings - often for only one night.
Many galleries and other
venues have specific events that occur at specific times. If you find
a gallery you like, make sure you sign up on their mailing list - but don't
be afraid to try new ones! Every month new galleries and venues host
2nd Saturday receptions and new artists!
Where should I start my
art walk?
There
are a lot of places you can start. We recommended parking in a central
location then walking. Consider carpooling with friends!
NEW $2.00 PARKING ON 17th Street between L &
Capitol!
If you start at the corner of 18th & L Streets
you can find easy parking and start with three of Sacramento's premier galleries
(including Phoenix
gallery rated within the top galleries in Sacramento/2nd Saturday destinations by
the Sacramento News & Review, Zanzibar Gallery and Galleria
Tempest/Blooming Art) and you can easily visit
over 30 other venues and some of the best
galleries in the surrounding few blocks. The regional map that
Zanzibar provides lists 3over 30 venues that you can visit in about 2 - 3
hours on a typical evening.
You can pick up a map at
Zanzibar Gallery at the corner of 18th & L and start your walk! Of
course there are dozens of other galleries, some of which will require you
to drive to another area.
Is food or wine served?
Many venues and galleries
choose to offer their patrons a glass of wine, and light Hors d oeuvres or
foodstuffs.
Please note: Galleries and venues that are serving alcoholic beverages
MUST secure a permit from the city of Sacramento (not free) and no one under
21 will be served (bring your I.D.)
The serving of wine and other
alcoholic beverages on Second Saturday by non liquor license holders is a
privilege allowed by the Sacramento Police Department and the California
Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Please be respectful.
Alcoholic beverages must be
consumed indoors and you CANNOT take open containers outside of the venue
where it is served (in other words, you can't walk gallery to gallery, venue
to venue with an open container of alcohol or glass of wine, sorry this
isn't New Orleans at Mardi Gras).
If you look under 25, bring
ID and be prepared to have your age verified before being served.
Not all venues provide food
and drink or do so on a rotating basis, as it can be a major expense.
The Sacramento Police have officers patrolling 2nd Saturday and do issue
tickets for those who break the law! Please be a responsible drinker.
If you plan on drinking, please consider taking public transportation or
designating a driver.
Please be considerate of your
hosts and don't "pig out" - the refreshments served are not meant to be a
free buffet or a bottomless wine glass but an enhancement to your gallery
experience. Nibble don't gobble. THANK the hosts for the free
goodies! (you'd be amazed how many people expect it and never say
thank you!)
How can I find a restaurant near the galleries?
Sacramento's midtown and
downtown areas offer a large selection of restaurants, many of which stay
open late for dinner after most galleries close. If you'd like to find
restaurants, consider visiting the
EAT THE GRID website
by SacramentoMidtown.com
Are
photographs allowed?
Before taking photographs,
please seek permission of the gallery owner or artist(s). Photography
may damage some works of art and most works of art are copywrite the artist.
Are there any galleries I
simply MUST visit?
Sacramento certainly boasts a diverse grouping of galleries and
participating venues for the art walk. Many galleries and venues are
worthy of a visit and we encourage you to visit as many galleries and venues as you can
to see the variety that Sacramento's artists have to offer. If you're a beginner, we highly
recommend starting at Zanzibar Gallery to pick up a map and get your
bearings (corner of 18th & L Streets). While it would seem unfair to promote specific galleries,
our webmaster recommends you NOT to miss the following galleries:
Zanzibar Tribal Art & Jewelry Gallery
(Corner of 18th & L Streets - GREAT PLACE TO
START!)
Phoenix Framing & Gallery (on
18th Street between K & L - new location!)
Galleria Tempest &
Blooming Art (in the 1801
Building - on L Street between 18th & 19th)
Solomon Dubnick Gallery
(on 20th Street between J & K in
the new MARRS building)
20th
Street Gallery (20th Street
between I & J Streets)
W Gallery
(on J Street between 20th and 21st)
B
Sakata Guru Gallery (20th
Street between I & J Streets)
Barton Gallery & Artist Studios behind Michelangelo's
(I Street at 18th)
The
Foundry (live bronze castings usually at 7:30pm)
(R Street between 10 & 11th)
FOR A MORE THOROUGH
LISTING OF GALLERIES, RETURN TO THE HOME PAGE
Finding Parking
Parking can be a challenge in Midtown Sacramento and along Del Paso Blvd., but with a little
knowledge, you can usually find a convenient and easy parking space.
Please consider car pooling with your friends and if you plan on imbibing,
to designate a non-drinking driver.
NEW $2.00 PARKING ON 17th
Street Between "L" Street & Capitol Ave
- park here then start your walk at the
corner of 18th & L Streets (just a block away! You can do a 2-3 hour
"loop" of galleries and venues and be back to your car!
Good News! There are no
meters to worry about in the evenings (currently - apt to change soon) - just other cars!
DO NOT PARK
in RED ZONES, block alleyways or otherwise park against posted signage and
or rules - as the city now has meter readers patrolling after 6pm and will
ticket illegally parked vehicles!
We recommend finding a central parking space and walking the area.
CONSIDER CAR POOLING! Many midtown and Del Paso galleries are grouped together with just a few
blocks separating them. There are paid parking garages on J Street at
14th and on H Street across from Music Circus.
There is also an
inexpensive paid parking lot on "L" Street between 18th & 17th
(on the south / left side of the street) - and there are two galleries
directly across the street so this is a a
GREAT SPOT TO START!
There is also the East End Parking lot (between L & Capitol, between 16th &
17th that JUST OPENED at night - enter on 17th Street between L & Capitol
Ave (THANK YOU CITY OF SACRAMENTO FOR NEGOTIATING
THIS!) and offers $2.00 evening parking. Another convenient paid parking lot is on "K" Street in the middle of the
block between 19th & 18th. Fees for these are $2.00 in the evenings*
(apt to change). There is also a paid lot on Capitol Ave between 19th &
20th, next to the tracks, just across from Jack's. Valet Parking
($5.00) is available at 18th & Capitol.
Typically the meters are free after 6pm (may change in the city's future
plans), however the Sacramento Police
Department often patrol and will give tickets to illegally or improperly parked cars.
There are several other parking lots, including one on the corner of 21st and
Capitol and between 21st & 20th on L Street - DO NOT PARK HERE!
Parking is by permit only and you may be towed!
PLEASE take a few moments to look at
all the posted signage and or limitations on the parking lot you choose.
All paid parking lots charge after 6pm.
Taking Public Transportation
Public transportation is an option for many people coming into the downtown
area. We encourage taking sustainable public transportation whenever
possible.
Buses and light rail schedules are available from Sacramento Regional
Transit at www.sacrt.com.
Light rail and buses do not run late to many areas, you should consult the
schedule prior to taking these into the midtown/downtown areas.
Additionally, Amtrak offers daily trains from the Bay area, San Francisco,
Reno and beyond. Midtown and downtown offers many fine hotels.
How long has 2nd
Saturday been going on?
Second Saturday Artwalks in
Sacramento have been happening since 1992. The event thrived for many
years before kind of falling out of fashion (but not completely
disappearing) by the late 90's, until it was revived with a passion in the
early years of the 21st century. In recent years (especially the last
year and half) it has had EXPLOSIVE growth, going from less than a dozen
participating venues to over 100 and climbing!
To read a more
comprehensive (and admittingly opinionated version - as everyone has a
different opinion of how it got started and about a dozen people take credit
for its creation), click here.
Are there other art
walks in the greater Sacramento area?
Yes! Other communities,
including Roseville, Loomis, Lincoln, Locke, Auburn, Davis, Chico and Winters have artwalks on various non-conflicting days of the month. For more
information visit our Regional Art Walk
Listings
What
should I bring?
Bring your sense of adventure
and openness to discover new art and artists!
You'll also want to bring a
state issued ID if you plan on drinking (over 21 only), as venues reserve
the right to card you before serving.
You should also bring your
wallet and support the arts and artists by buying a piece of art!
Download a
map HERE or pick up one at the
corner of 18th and L Streets at Zanzibar (a good place to start).
During the fall, winter and
spring, when it gets dark before 9pm, consider bringing a small flashlight
to light your way between galleries and venues!
Bring a COMFORTABLE PAIR OF
WALKING SHOES!
Consider CAR POOLING with
friends and designating a driver if your group plans on drinking.
How
should I dress?
Dress appropriately and
comfortably for the weather and bring comfortable walking shoes as many of
the venues are a few blocks walk between them! Second Saturdays are
NOT the time to break in that new pair of high heels, ladies! Some
people take the opportunity of 2nd Saturdays to dress up, while others go as
they are! All are welcome. Please note that some functions may
be classier than others and require appropriate attire.
Anything I should be prepared for?
Most galleries/venues are a
few blocks walk between them so be prepared to get a little exercise and
wear comfortable shoes. Sidewalks, streets and curbs can be uneven -
please watch your step. Please obey all traffic laws and regulations
both in parking and while walking.
Visiting some venues require
you to negotiate steps or stairs. While most venues attempt to make
themselves accessible to ADA requirements and those with special abilities
and or disabilities, not all venues will be 100% accessible.
Being responsible & respectable
As some galleries serve
alcoholic beverages (by special permit, to patrons 21 and over with valid ID) and many patrons also have a few
drinks with dinner before heading out, we strongly encourage you to drink
responsibly. Consider having a "designated non-drinking driver" and
carpool. Galleries STRICTLY
control alcohol and may card you if you look under 25 years of age!
Some
galleries and or receptions/areas are open by invitation only. Please
respect boundaries.
Please
treat the artwork and galleries with respect, placing all food and drink
containers in proper garbage cans. Please refrain from smoking near
entrances of galleries.
Please be respectful of where
you choose to plant yourself to chat with friends or acquaintances.
Remember, when entering a place or business, it is like visiting someone's
home. Don't plant yourself directly in front of the only door or in a
narrow passageway and have a 20 minute conversation, blocking other's access
- many galleries are small and cramped and literally hundreds of people move
thru in just a short period of time.
Don't expect the
galleries/venues to provide you with a bottomless glass of wine nor should
you expect them to feed you - often foods and refreshments are provided to
nibble, not replace a full meal.
While
it is fully expected and even encouraged that you can have direct access to
the gallery owners and artisans, please respect the fact that this is
typically a very busy evening for the gallery owners and artists and allow
other people access to them. If you have pressing interest in specific
works, consider chatting with the owner or artist for a short period then
making an appointment for another time. Most galleries are open
regular business hours OTHER than Second Saturday. Second Saturday is
a time for exploration and discovery and please keep this in mind when
visiting these establishments.
Don't be disappointed...
This is a busy evening -
often the busiest day/evening of the month for many galleries. Artwork
often sells on these evenings - so if you see something you like... buy
it... don't think about it... because it might not be there tomorrow or 15
minutes from now. INVEST in local artwork, artists and
galleries.
START EARLY!!! WE
RECOMMEND YOU START YOUR WALK ABOUT 6pm - as most galleries close by 9pm
with only a few remaining open till 10pm.
VERY FEW GALLERIES ARE OPEN PAST 10PM!!!
Is 2nd
Saturday ADA accessible?
Everyone is welcome at
Sacramento's monthly 2nd Saturday Artwalks! Many stores, galleries and
venues go to great lengths to make their spaces accessible.
While most venues attempt to
make themselves accessible to ADA requirements and those with special
abilities and or disabilities, not all venues will be 100% accessible. Some
venues are open only for 2nd Saturdays and it is simply not feasible to make
them 100% accessible. We trust you understand.
If you have questions about
accessibility for a particular venue, we recommend contacting them in
advance. Visiting some venues may require you to negotiate steps or
stairs. 2nd Saturdays are often busy, crowded events, so be prepared
and be patient.
Are Galleries open any
other times?
Do Galleries have other
shows/openings on other nights besides 2nd Saturdays?
Some Galleries and venues are
only open for 2nd Saturday, however the vast majority of stores and Art
Galleries have regular hours the rest of the month. Some Galleries
also have special events, artist receptions or openings on other nights
other than 2nd Saturdays. You should contact specific Galleries for
their hours and any special events. Many Galleries have mailing or
email lists and websites where you can find out this information, as well.
Visit our page listing
this month's Art Gallery exhibitions &
shows.
You can also visit the
Sacramento Bee's online Calendar of events at
http://www.sacticket.com/art_galleries/ or The Sacramento News &
Reviews online listings of Gallery Shows, Museums and other activities at
http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/local/Calendar
Want to know how the
artwalk got its start?
HOW IT ALL STARTED
I have a gallery, store, office, salon or
other venue and want to participate in 2nd Saturdays.
How do I find out more information?
All venues displaying art are
welcome to participate in Second Saturdays. For more information,
click on Resources and Information for Galleries and
Venues for Second Saturdays.
END
Back to our home page
For More Information Contact:
Sacramento Second Saturday Gallery Association c/o Scott
Farrell via email:
sacramentosecondsaturday@yahoo.com
please note: emails are usually only checked
once per week, if you require prompt information, contact: Scott
Farrell, Zanzibar Tribal Art 1731 L Street Sacramento CA 95814
Tel: 916.443-2057 (Zanzibar Gallery) - ask for Scott Farrell
FAX: 916.443.5601 (during
business hours of 11am-6pm Mon-Sat only)
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