Fellow North Forkers may remember the self-guided exploration of local artwork known as the Greenport Gallery Walks.
For several years in the early aughts, gallery owners opened their doors the third Saturday of every month from June through November to allow people to peruse the artwork.
That event trailed off in recent years when the recession caused many Greenport galleries to close, according to Sirens’ Song Gallery owner and Greenport Business Improvement District promotion liaison Caroline Waloski.
Fortunately, the local art scene is on the up-and-up and the concept of the Greenport Gallery Walk is making a comeback.
The Greenport BID is hosting two gallery walks — one in May and the other in July. Both walks will coincide with other large-scale events happening in the village this year.
The first is the unveiling of Flanders artist Andrea Cotes’ new temporary interactive art sculpture Port of Views highlighting village history near the camera obscura in Mitchell Park on May 30. The unveiling ceremony will be held in Mitchell Park at 5 p.m.
Related: Andrea Cote readies for Greenport public art project
The second gallery walk is scheduled for Saturday, July 4, when Greenport celebrates Independence Day by welcoming the popular Tall Ships America festival back to the village.
“I think this is something really nice we can have going on during those weekends,” Waloski said. “I hope it will be something very successful to support [local galleries.]”
So far, a handful of galleries have signed on for the events, including newcomers such as artist Isabelle Haran-Leonardi, who will be displaying work in her gallery, Nova Constellatio Gallery, as part of the walks.
The gallery walks are from 2 to 6 p.m. both May 30 and July 4 and are free of charge.
Check out a list of the participating galleries:
516 Main Street
Hanff’s Boatyard, 190 Sterling Street
419 Main Street
18 South Street
538 Main Street
207 Main Street
Floyd Memorial Library Gallery
539 First Street
407 Main Street
Greenport Harbor Brewing Gallery
234 Carpenter Street