Alpine’s Artwalk
Now in its 29th year, Alpine’s Artwalk is a two-day art festival held the weekend before Thanksgiving. Originally called “Gallery Night,” it was obvious from the first event in 1994 that this collective open house for artists was something special that provided the people of West Texas a reason to get dressed up and come take in the culture.
As the event matured, it has become a combination of a community-wide art open house, street fair and music festival. Now, 20-plus business locations around downtown Alpine host exhibits of local and visiting artists in a wide array of media. Each year a local Honored Artist is selected, their work is highlighted in all event promotions and a central location features an exhibit of their work
Street vendors lining the downtown streets offer an array of foods, crafts lend a holiday atmosphere. And while enjoying the art throughout Downtown Alpine, guests are entertained by dozens of live performances at multiple stages, with headlining bands taking over on the main stage as the night settles in.
Alpine has long been a place for artists to live and share their work with the community. Sul Ross State University was home to an Art Colony dating back to 1932. Artwalk’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit honors and encourages this heritage with art scholarships at Sul Ross State University and Alpine High School and art supply funding for other area schools. The festival also hosts an art silent auction that benefits operations of the Alpine Public Library and is the single largest library fundraiser each year.
A significant series of large-scale murals have been commissioned and funded by the Artwalk nonprofit, starting a wave of artistic activity that has blossomed in recent years into a public art display receiving recognition in statewide media and the Texas Travel Awards!
