By Kate Knight

CREATE Portage County (formerly Arts Alliance) will hold its 11th annual ArtsWalk event on Friday, May 20 from 5 – 8 PM in downtown Stevens Point.

The free event is open to the public and will include art displays in storefront windows, performing street artists, and the Mass Guitar Incident – among other highlights.

“This year we have approximately 40 artists participating including painters, chalk artists, musicians, illustrators and more,” said Julia Nummelin, events coordinator and admin support at CREATE Portage County. “ArtsWalk typically draws hundreds of people to downtown Stevens Point throughout the evening.”

New this year, ArtsWalk will include a Ford Drive 4UR Community fundraiser from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., in which participants can take a 10-minute test drive of a Ford vehicle. Ford Motor Company will then donate $20 to CREATE per test drive. This fundraising portion of the event will be held in the parking lot behind the Fox Theatre.

“A short test drive goes a long way to help support arts, culture and creativity in Portage County,” Nummelin said.

The popular Mass Guitar Incident, comprised of guitar players of various levels, will gather in the downtown square for a jam session at 7:30 PM. Bandleaders at the Incident will be Chaz ‘n Gerry, and songs will include “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” “Big Yellow Taxi,” and Rockin’ in the Free World.”

A performance by Transcribing Dance Company will also take place at ArtsWalk. Although the event is free, donations will be accepted to support the operations of CREATE Portage County.

“ArtsWalk is a relaxed, fun, family-friendly event that showcases many of our incredibly talented local artists and beautiful downtown,” Nummelin said. “ArtsWalk is a great opportunity for artists to display and sell their work, and also provides a unique opportunity for community members to see, hear and experience the work of many different artists in one evening.”

A variety of unique art forms and media will be on display at the event including chalk art, cake decorating, wood working, and spray-painting.

“Everyone is invited, so don’t hesitate to bring your friends and family along,” Nummelin added. “The more support we have, the bigger the impact we can make.”

To learn more and get involved in ArtsWalk or CREATE Portage County, visit www.createportagecounty.org or email [email protected]