VENTURA : City Helping to Sponsor Art Walk

The city of Ventura is sponsoring an art walk today in conjunction with area coffeehouses and art galleries to promote the downtown area, which city leaders are trying to revitalize.

Twenty-five galleries and seven coffeehouses in downtown are participating in the free, one-day event, scheduled from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Some coffeehouses plan to offer free samples during the “Java Jump,” as the event is called.

“It’s a self-led tour,” said Sonia Tower, the city’s cultural affairs coordinator. “You pick up a map at any of the galleries.”

For those who don’t feel like walking, two courtesy shuttle vans will operate among art galleries, Tower said.

At 9 p.m., drawings for prizes will be held at City Hall’s first-floor atrium, and some refreshments and entertainment will be provided.

Tower said only art galleries traditionally had participated in the walk that is held periodically, but this year city officials decided to add coffeehouses because several had recently opened downtown.

“There’s a natural link between the coffeehouses and the galleries, because many of the coffeehouses have art exhibits up on an ongoing basis,” Tower said.