Taking the Art World by Storm Galveston's Artwalk is dedicated to the 1900 hurricane by Janet Cohen

Although artwalks have been occurring on and off in Galveston for about 15 years, many Houstonians don't know about this pleasant way to find some leisurely culture. The artwalks are the biggest event in the Strand District next to the Mardi Gras and Dickens festivals, according to Clint Willhour, executive director and curator of the Galveston Arts Center, which organizes the event. Artwalks occur about every six weeks-fall dates are Sept. 9, Oct. 21, and Nov. 25-and draw an average of 1,200-1,500 people who stroll at their own pace amid the many galleries and shops in the Strand and Postoffice District.

For a gallery to participate in the Artwalk, they must apply to the Galveston Artwalk Committee, which maintains the caliber of the event, according to Kathi Buchanan of Buchanan Gallery, who has assisted coordinating artwalks for years. Buchanan likens the Artwalk on the Strand and Postoffice streets in Galveston to Bourbon St. and Royal St. in New Orleans.

The Sept. 9 Artwalk will have many shows commemorating the hundredth anniversary of the 1900 storm. Claude Pollard, a gay artist who lives in Houston, has written poetry to accompany each painting in his E Street Gallery exhibit "Fury," which explores the forces of nature, resilience, and ingenuity in the storm.

Kathy Modzelewski, director of Eiband's Gallery, hopes the September Artwalk "will remember and honor those who died in the 1900 storm, [as well as] celebrate Galveston's rebirth and [the] spirit that brought us here." Eiband's will continue showing the work of Julius Stockfleth, who lived in Galveston from 1885 to 1907 and survived the storm, though he lost 12 family members in the disaster. His work includes several storm scenes, including Spirit of Survival on the grade-raising after the storm. Also on sale at Eiband's is Tidelands 2, a literary anthology by Galveston authors.

The Artwalk has been growing in numbers and diversity, observes Cindy Hillman, whose Soho Gifts, Gallery and Framing is right in the middle of the action. With the addition of new restaurants, Cindy envisions Postoffice Street feeling a lot like 6th Street in Austin. (For the fun side of culture, check out Soho's Judy Garland piece and "man lamp.") Also be sure to stop by the Postoffice Street store of photographer Susan Henry, who took most of the portraits for OutSmart's July issue dedicated to Galveston. (The issue, by the way, has been the toast of the town on the island.) Susan is a key participant in the Artwalk and is also involved in coordinating the Artoberfest on Postoffice Street the weekend of Oct. 28-29.

For the artist, according to Pollard, the Galveston Artwalk is fun. "Pressure is off," Pollard says. "It's a strolling experience between galleries, a leisurely event that attracts even people who don't know there's an event. Unlike a show at a single gallery, for the artist, it's laid back and low key."

Janet Cohen is a writer living and working in Galveston.