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Downtown TC Art Walk Series, May 29

Downtown TC Art Walk Series, May 29

DTCA Events

5/29/2026 05:00 pm - 07:00 pm
Days of the week: Fridays

Where the Sidewalk Ends and Art Begins

Get inspired on the go! Experience art, shopping, dining, and creativity during the Downtown TC Art Walk Series, a free community event celebrating local artists and downtown businesses in the heart of Downtown Traverse City.

Originally launched in 2005, Art Walk returns (for two days) in a format designed to bring visitors downtown during the spring season while supporting local creatives and small businesses. On May 29 & June 5, participating businesses will stay open late while hosting featured artists, pop-up exhibits, live music, and interactive arts and crafts activities throughout the district.

Visitors are invited to explore downtown at their own pace: meet artists, discover distinctive shops, delight in culinary arts at choice restaurants, and enjoy a walkable arts experience filled with creativity and community connection.

What to Expect at Art Walk

  • A free, self-guided downtown art experience
  • Local artists featured inside downtown businesses
  • Visual art displays and live creative demonstrations
  • Hands-on arts and crafts activities, including at the J Smith Walkway between Kilwins and Pangea’s
    • Hosted by Crooked Tree Arts Center: Be part of the picture! Personalize one of the portrait outlines and help build a vibrant community artwork together.  
    • Join Jill Lauer for donation-based caricatures.
  • Extended evening shopping hours
  • Outdoor live music at Horizon Books, 243 E Front St

Each event date will feature different participating locations, encouraging visitors to return and explore new artists and businesses each week.

Event Map


Friday, May 29: Business & Artist Pairings

  • Art on Union: 525 S Union St
    • Featured Artist: Adam VanHouten: Join us during Art Walk for a live oil painting demonstration and meet & greet with the featured artist. Working in oil as his primary medium, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at his creative process.
    • Enjoy light refreshments while you browse and connect. Open late from 5–7:30 PM for this special event only.
  • Espresso Bay: 202 E Front St
  • Fleet Feet: 300 E Front St

  • Fustini's Oils and Vinegars: 141 E Front St
    • Featured Artist: Jennifer Tobias
    • Indulge in crafted mocktails, appetizers, and a special promotion of BUY 4 GET 1 FREE for Art Walk participants. Late hours till 8pm.

  • Hello Friends Boutique: 330 E Front St.
  • Horizon Books: 243 Front St
    • Check out our curated list of music-related books on display to accompany the live music from the DTCA on our patio.

  • Kilwins Traverse City: 129 E Front St
    • Featured Artist: Michael Novak will feature works for sale (both originals and prints) and may even offer live painting and drawing demos if the time and space allows. He'd also love to chat, so come for a visit!

  • Lakes And Grapes: 326 E Front St
    • Featured Artist: Savvy Pots
    • Will be pouring wine and beer as you browse the art and shop the store. Plus: 15% off for Art Walk attendees

  • MiddleCoast: 329 E. State St
  • Serendipity: 204 E Front St
    • Featured Artist: Lisa Marie Yontz
    • Enter to win a gift card giveaway, plus enjoy tasty refreshments.

  • Surfaces: 309 W Front St
    • Featured Artist: Kathy Fairbanks, certified Bob Ross instructor.
      • Inspired by Bob Ross and his PBS series The Joy of Painting, Cathy Fairbanks picked up a brush as retirement approached to see if Bob was right: “You can do this.” With no formal training or oil painting experience, Cathy took a chance, bought a few Bob Ross supplies, and started painting. What began as curiosity grew into a joyful passion and eventually led her to become a Certified Bob Ross Instructor. Today, Cathy enjoys helping others discover that they can paint too and is proud to continue Bob’s mission of sharing the joy of painting with everyone.
    • From 5-7pm, wander over to the free family station where families can take a moment to create a small piece of art to take home.

  • The Little Fleet: 448 E Front St
    • Featured Artist: Johnny Camacho
    • Order up a special crafted cocktail that celebrates the art of mixology and complements the evening’s creative energy – a thoughtfully built drink experience designed to pair with the art and atmosphere of the Art Walk.

  • The Workshop Brewing Co: 221 Garland St
    • Featured Artist: Tim Pierce will be presenting a demo on woodworking with the possibility that people can try a few things themselves. There will be work for sale as well. 
    • Head out to the patio party for a special Art Walk celebration with featured artist!

  • Traverse City Tourism: 101 W Grandview Parkway

    • Opening Reception for Tasting Notes, curated by K/P Cultural

      • Featuring Lindsay Gardner, Lindsey Makuwatsine, Tyler Franz, Robert Brengman & Alyssa Natoci. 

      • Tasting Notes celebrates the sensory experience of savoring food and wine produced in northern Michigan, while acknowledging that the exhibition is only a ‘taste’ of the full picture: the commitment, dedication, and grit of the industry’s workers.

  • WHAT TO WEAR!:  126 E Front St 
    • Featured Artist: Dani Gourley, mixed media. Artwork will be for sale, "pay as you can," to pay respect to the artist's belief that art "should be loved, shared, and available to everyone." Take home something meaningful, no matter your budget.
      • Refreshments will be provided.

 

Special Thanks to Our SPONSOR & Partners

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Plan Your Spring Visit to Downtown Traverse City

Downtown Traverse City offers nationally lauded restaurants, locally owned shops, galleries, and waterfront access – all within a walkable downtown district. Make an evening of Art Walk by shopping local, dining downtown, and exploring the creative community.

Follow @downtown_tc on Facebook and Instagram for participating locations, event updates, and activity announcements.

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