A riot of creativity, color and craftsmanship is expected in downtown West Point April 25 when the city hosts its third annual Art Walk. Sponsored by the West Point/Clay County Arts Council, the event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. pairs more than 50 fine artists with local businesses.

“Businesses are the hosts for the artists, as they open their doors and artworks become displays inside their stores and spill onto the sidewalks for the day,” said Kathy Dyess of the arts council.

Painting, sculpture, drawing and printmaking will be showcased, as well as handmade craftwork such as pottery, jewelry, fused glass, carving, metalwork and fiber arts.

Chairperson Vickie Burris said, “We’ve expanded the art walk this year. We’ve increased the number of artists from around the state, we’re doing a two-block area instead of one, and we’re also putting artists in the new Louise Campbell Center for the Arts.”

Pianst Hannah Garbutt and acoustic guitarist Layna Shackelford will also perform in the arts center during the day.

Burris noted a lot of interest this year from artists who make original jewelry, metalcraft, wood carvings and even one who uses deer antler in everything from knives to jewelry.

“We really owe the success of the art walk to the community, to the businesses and artists and, very importantly, to the Mississippi Arts Commission because they gave us the funding to start the first art walk, to spread awareness of the arts.”

Several downtown restaurants are coming up with special lunch items for the occasion, including The Ritz Cafe, Sopranos, Twisted Burger Company, Dot’s BBQ and Main Street Market.

“This has really blossomed into a nice thing for the town,” said J.T. Hurst about the art walk. He’s the owner of Twisted Burger Company, which will offer a 2015 version of its “Art Walk Burger” Saturday. Hurst has seen an increase in patrons each year of the walk.

“It adds a festive appeal to the town, and it’s really taken off … people traveling into town, eating at our restaurants, buying gas,” he continued. “It’s really been beneficial.”

For more information about the art walk, contact Dyess at 662-494-5678. Learn more about the West Point/Clay Arts Council at wpccac.org.

Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.