By By Lisa Tindell
Downtown Atmore will become an art gallery next week as businesses host an after-hours shopping and art walk event.
The city will celebrate its first Showcase Downtown Art Walk: Past and Present from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Thursday.
The art show, sponsored by the Atmore Chamber of Commerce, is designed to showcase the downtown area of the city, said Sheryl Vickery, director of the Atmore Chamber of Commerce.
Twenty-seven businesses will participate in the event, which takes place after most stores’ normal business hours. They will be scattered within a four-block area in downtown Atmore. Special shuttle buses will be available to be able to carry customers from eight parking places into the downtown area.
The Art Walk will feature work from artists who have painted in the past and those who are still working today. Not all of these will be paintings. Some are craft items, and other things will appeal to a wide range of shoppers. There will be special music, refreshments and entertainment throughout the downtown area and each participating merchant will have additional specials and entertainment.
Cathy Coley, owner of Coley’s Petals and Parties and a member of the chamber of commerce board, said the art walk kicks off a plan to reinvigorate downtown.
Frances Dunn, owner of Earle’s jewelers, said her store will showcase works by her father.
Dunn said she hopes the event will draw support from customers.
Those businesses participating will be Alfa Insurance, Annie’s Community Cup, Atmore Advance, Atmore News, Atmore Appliance, Barnett and Associates, The Bean Store, Canine Cleaners, Coley Petals and Parties, Country Charms, Cutie Pies Bakery, Earle’s, Edward Jones, Gulf Winds, Hainjes, Health Plus Chiropractic, Helton’s Service Center, Jus Because, Nancy’s, First National Bank, Pintoli’s, Roaster’s Gallery, Shirley Darby Law Office, The Tot Shop, Twice as Nice, United Bank and Maxwell, Haley and Castleberry.