While planning October's Art Walk Mayra Brown, Art House owner and founding member of the event, began to worry.
"I think we're running out of letters to the alphabet," she said with a laugh, referring to the event's site map.
And it's true. In September, the Art Walk map had a few new additions, and this month is no different.
Here's a look at what the newbie and old favorites have in store this month.
Linda Blackwell photography
Newest Art Walk addition Linda Blackwell will hold the grand opening of her natural light photography studio, located next door to Art House.
Blackwell, a McAllen native, said her style utilizes no studio lighting or props. She prefers her subject, who are mostly children, to be as natural as possible. And her studio, which has two walls of glass, is the perfect fit for her. In fact, she said finding it was a twist of fate.
"I found the gallery at Art Walk last year" she said. "I was just thinking about going full time; I wasn't even actively looking for a studio. But it worked out perfectly."
Mayra Brown, Art House owner and founding member of Art Walk, said Blackwell has a unique style that will appeal to many. "She has traveled the world for her trade and it's wonderful," Brown said. "I've seen what she's done. She does a beautiful job."
Nuevo San Tander Gallery
Laura Casamitjana, a Tampico native, will have her paintings on display and gallery owner Becky Guerra said she anticipates her colorful, distinct style will go over well with visitors, especially Casamitjana's "watermelon fish."
"The artists from Mexico are a little different - not necessarily better - but very different than those from here. They tend to do more pieces that, I feel, I can tell what inspired them (just by looking at) the colors they choose," she said.
Bringing new artists and exhibits are an important part of the Art Walk experience, Guerra added.
"We're always changing; we want the community wanting to come because they never know what they're going to see."
But she admits that time can become an issue.
"This is a very difficult thing to do. The month goes by so fast and when that month is up you better have your next thing happening."
McAllen Memorial Library
In honor of the McAllen Art and Film Festival taking place the same weekend, the library has chosen a movie theme for October and are encouraging Art Walkers to come dressed as their favorite classic movie character.
There will also be a puppet show by Josiah Castellanos at 6:30 p.m. and poetry readings starting at 7:15 p.m.
Members of the Teen Advisory Council will also be on hand let people know about Teen Read Week.
Manichaus
Painter and ceramicist Chris Leonard, will be presenting his most recent work, called "Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety Jog." The exhibit features paintings of animals and "other creative combinations thereof," according to Leonard, an art lecturer at The University of Texas-Pan American.
Leonard will hold a short talk about his work at 8:30 p.m.
