The holiday lights have been hung early, the temperatures have dropped below 90 and the merchants along Marshall Way just North of Indian School in the Arts District of Old Town are gearing up for what could be their most prosperous Fall ArtWalk season in years.

From the popular eateries like Eddie’s House to the eclectic Art galleries of Touchstone, Art One and Calvin Charles to the high-end Salons of Steven Paul and Salon Tru, gallery owners and merchants have come together under a newly formed “We Are Marshall Way” coalition to help spread the word about Marshall Way and bring more attention to the Valley’s most popular art street.

Marshall Way, which houses the largest concentration of contemporary Art Galleries in Arizona, regularly hosts ArtWalks every Thursday night from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with several special themed walks beginning in early November:

Western ArtWalk – November 8, 2012
Holiday ArtWalk – December 6, 2012
Fiesta Bowl ArtWalk – December 27, 2012
Collector’s ArtWalk – January 17, 2013
Native Arts Art Walk – February 28, 2013
Best of Scottsdale Month – March 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2013
Culinary ArtWalk – April 18, 2013
Summer Spectacular ArtWalk – July 11, 2013

“The fall and winter ArtWalks are really the best time of the year to come out, enjoy a glass of wine at one of the galleries and enjoy one-of-a-kind artwork you will only find here in Scottsdale on Marshall Way,” said Touchstone Gallery Manager Teresa Lewis.  “For the November 8th Western ArtWalk we’ll be showcasing an incredible Centennial Celebration of Arizona’s Copper Minerals and Gemstones that will give you a glimpse back into the rich history that makes us The Copper State.”

Also part of the November 8th Western ArtWalk, Steven Paul Salon will showcase artist Ann Mulchay’s photography exhibit and the World Championship Miniature Carriage Horses that evening on their salon patio which sits adjacent to 3rd Avenue and Marshall Way.

“In keeping with the western theme, a number of our hair stylists plan to ‘embellish’ the Minnies with hair extensions and other accessories,” said Steven Scholz, owner of Steven Paul Salon. “Not only will it be an awesome site of miniature horses you will see some pretty fun and creative horse hair styles.”

As part of the November 29th ArtWalk Salon Tru is holding a Holiday Hair Bootcamp from 6-9pm.  Bring your tools & a friend as this how-to event will give Marshall Way visitors techniques to achieve great holiday-ready hair styles and more.

Marshall Way is also putting a call out to local Artists or creative individuals who would like to use Marshall Way for performance or projection art.

“We’re looking for that next artist who could perform or set-up projection art for us on Marshall Way,” said Kraig Foote, owner of Art One.  “Maybe someone who hasn’t quite broken into a gallery setting yet, but would be interested in showcasing their production art or projection art.  We really want to make Marshall Way the arts hub of Arizona.”

Members of the “We Are Marshall Way” coalition are also open to groups who would like to utilize the patios on ArtWalk Thursday nights.

“Our patios are really very under-utilized, “Choice” pieces of real estate, and if there are Charity groups or animal rescue groups like the Humane Society groups who would like to set up and use the spaces on those evenings, and benefit from the foot traffic on the street, we would love that,”  said Scholz.

For more information on the Thursday ArtWalks, call 480-874-8385