This weekend, the Near Southside of Fort Worth will become one big art gallery for biannual event ArtsGoggle. Artists and local businesses will come together to provide patrons with free food and entertainment.
According to Fort Worth South's website this “nonprofit organization [is] working to sustain the momentum of the Near Southside’s revitalization.”
Mike Brennan, a planner for Fort Worth South Inc., said through ArtsGoggle , FWSI can bring more attention to the Near Southside and give support to the businesses in that area.
“It’s about putting together a fun event,” Brennan said.
Twice a year since 2004 , ArtsGoggle has displayed the local talent on Magnolia , Park Place and several other streets in the area, Brennan said.
“Over 70 business will transform themselves into art galleries,” he said
This event attracts thousands of visitors from inside and outside the region, Brennan said. The artists’ showcases span all areas of arts, he said.
Over 100 photographers, painters and jewelry makers, among others will be displayed this weekend, Brennan said.
“There’s really any type of art you can think of,” he said.
A section of Park Place will also be shut down and transformed into “a block party/outdoor festival,” he said.
The diversity of business involved with ArtsGoggle is almost as diverse as the art they will display, Brennan said. Nail salons, city banks, and burger joints have embraced the artists of the Fort Worth area within their establishments.
Jason Amon, owner of Jason Amon Attorney at Law, has participated in ArtsGoggle for about a year. The two artists who will be featured at his business are Pam Summers and Alejandra Britto.
Summers will display her photography and ceramics while Britto will display her modern mixed media paintings.
Since Amon said he and Summers are good friends, she asked to use his business, and he jumped at the opportunity.
“I just happen to have an unusually large office space…a good place to display art,” Amon said.
Along with Amon and his office, there are also several restaurants involved with ArtsGoggle.
Martin Thompson, owner of Cat City Grill on West Magnolia, will be displaying his friend Patti Randle’s oil paintings. He said patrons can find her work on his patio as well as in the restaurant’s dining room.
He said businesses on Magnolia have really embraced ArtsGoggle. The art displays have greatly affected his business in a positive way.
“It brings lots of people together to enjoy the art… it promotes the area in a great way. And it makes the restaurants [on Magnolia] a destination,” Thompson said.
