2 additions to August Art Walk

Two special events will coincide with Old Colorado City's First Friday Art Walk Aug. 7. “Party Table” – ink by Jack Ekstrom. Courtesy of Old Colorado City Historical Society        One of these will be at the Old Colorado City History Center and the other at the Old Colorado City Community Garden.        Otherwise the free, monthly Art Walk from 5 to 8 p.m. will comprise, as usual, at least a dozen Old Town galleries, featuring openings, entertainment, refreshments and/or demonstrations.        The History Center's Open House & Art Sale is in conjunction with the Old Colorado City Historical Society (OCCHS)'s celebration of the Colorado City sesquicentennial this year. Westside artist Jack Ekstrom will display 12 of his oils, acrylics and renderings of Westside scenes from the 1970s to the '90s, with a portion of sale proceeds going to the all-volunteer OCCHS.        “The historical research and preservation that they're [OCCHS volunteers] are doing there is stupendous,” Ekstrom said. “We all benefit from their work.”        Various locals have leased plots to grow vegetables and other plants at the Community Garden, a first-year endeavor by Pikes Peak Urban Gardens (PPUB) in a former vacant lot at 2825 W. Pikes Peak Ave. The Art in the Garden Gala (from 6 to 9 p.m.) will offer the public an opportunity to see how the garden is growing.        Activities will include chances to tour the garden, sample produce, listen to live music by guitarist John Spengler, bid on art items on a table through a silent auction and learn how to start a garden, according to Elise Bowan of PPUB.        Also during the Art Walk: Hunter-Wolff Gallery, 2510 W. Colorado Ave., will have an opening reception for oil impressionist Laura Reilly's show of new paintings titled “Summer Nights, City Lights.” The exhibit will end Sept. 4. Reilly had a gallery of her own in Old Colorado City for a few years, but recently relocated to a studio in the Cottonwood facility downtown. Guitarist Joe Uveges will perform at the Old Town Guest House, 115 S. 26th St.,, from 7 to 9 p.m. Admission is $12 (including refreshments). Reservations are suggested at 632-9194. Westside Pioneer/press release