El Cajon is holding its 13th Annual Alley Cat Art Walk in downtown El Cajon on Sept. 13 from 4-8 p.m. Presented by the galleries and small businesses in downtown El Cajon, this free family-friendly event provides guests with fine art exhibits, a paint and pallet juried community art show, crafts, vendors, giftware, garden ware, plants, art demonstration, beer on tap, refreshments, and live music. The Alley Cat Art Walk is located in the Arts Alley between Main Street and Rea Avenue. Stroll through the artisanal craft booths, boutique vendors, children’s interactive art booths, live music and entertainment. Visit the participating businesses for wine, beer, food and fine art from the alley doors or on Main Street.
Participating galleries and businesses include Maximon Botanical, Studio C, White Sage Gallery, St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center’s Sophie’s Gallery & Gift Shop, Silver Creek Fine Art & Custom Framing, El Cajon German American Club, Olaf Wieghorst Museum, Glamour Girlz Boutique, Sara’s Fashions, Main Street Donuts & Delir, The East County Art Association, Rich Artist Studio, and more. To find participating businesses, follow the hand-painted pallets outside participating businesses.
Olaf Wieghorst Museum is hosting local artist Andrea Rushing, with a reception for the artist from 5-8 p.m. Jack Doherty, museum operations and business manager, said Rushing has his studio at Liberty Station and has been painting for many years.
“He has done some pretty amazing work,” he said. “We were introduced to him about a year ago, and we asked him to come teach some students at a high school workshop. That introduced us to his work, his technique, and the fact that he can draw horses. So, we invited him to put together an exhibition. He has 12 new pieces that are western themed. This is a little out of his normal lane. He has focused a lot on African American art. What he is doing with the western theme is kind of an overlap.”
Doherty said Rushing is a portrait artist first, and has incorporated this into mural art.
“He has a surrealistic vibration that goes with his imaginative art, and he likes to bring to the forefront people he believes history or culture were ignored,” he said. “He identifies those people, does a portrait, then puts it in a slightly realistic atmosphere. It is those types of paintings that he has become relatively well-known for. He has been all over the U.S. displaying his work. I believe we are his first museum showing, where he is the feature artist. We are extremely pleased to have him, and to have him put together a specific group of art that is in our lane. The American West, the cowboy.”
Doherty said this is perfect coinciding with Alley Cat Art Walk, with all the other artists and business open.
“Someone who come to downtown to look at our show, it is very easy to just walk across the alley to see the other galleries, businesses, and restaurants along Main Street,” he said. “There will be live music at Prescott Promenade at the same time. It is a really nice evening for people to come out and enjoy everything. Unless you decide to purchase something, no business, or gallery charges admission.”
Doherty said Rushing’s work will remain on display through mid to late October.
