Art and community will come together this Saturday, May 16, during the sixth annual Pullman ArtWalk.

The event features many local artists who use various mediums to express their art, including paintings, photography, driftwood art, quilts, wood carving, and live music.

ArtWalk chairperson Jennifer Harbour is especially looking forward to the event this year, not only because it’s her first year as chair of the committee, but also because of the potential ArtWalk has to bring people together.

Harbour said she is most excited for the incorporation of children’s artwork this year.

This is a new and exciting addition to ArtWalk, she said, with contributions from more than 10 different classes from Pullman area schools. The community can join Harbour in admiring pieces from kindergarteners to eighth graders.

Live musicians will play throughout the event, guiding spectators and pulling them on to the next attraction, said Harbour. Event-goers can expect a fiddler among the performers, she said.

For interested youths, Sanctuary Yoga, Barre & Dance will be hosting an art studio from 4 – 5:30 p.m. for children to participate in. Free of charge, this studio is priceless in the art and memories that will be created.

Not a kid? No problem. Sketching workshops for all ages will be held in the Visitor’s Center at 6 and 7 p.m. The workshops are free, but those wanting to attend must pre-register with Lori Lewis at Neil Public Library.

Other opportunities to participate in ArtWalk include face painting at the Civic Theatre and a “Chalk it up to the Y” class at the YMCA.

Before the event, on Friday at 7 p.m., the RTOP Theatre will be hosting the presentation of the Mayor’s Artist Award, an honor which has been a tradition since the event’s start in 2009.

A drive-through art gallery in the parking garage of City Hall will be open for the duration of the show.

This will be the first year that the Pullman ArtWalk has incorporated the drive-through gallery.

This is a promising addition, said Harbour of the gallery, and is sure to attract those who don’t want, or are not able, to partake in the main portion of the art walk.

The Pullman ArtWalk will take place Saturday from  4 – 8 p.m.

Reporting by Ariel Hoffman