Rachel Seymour

Samantha Miller, Emporia State junior, looks at the photography section of the art display Friday evening at the Lawrence Arts Center. Miller traveled in the snowy weather along with other students and local residents to see her professor’s, and other artists’, work.

While snow flurried onto the streets of downtown Lawrence Friday evening, people drifted from venue to venue for the Downtown Gallery Walk.

Eleven venues scattered on Massachusetts and New Hampshire streets hosted the art show.

Sheila Wilkins, coordinator for the event, said she was worried that the weather would keep people away.

“Quite frankly, it’s beautiful outside,” Wake Mitchell, Baldwin City freshman, said. “It’s just a little slick.”

Mitchell was one of the hundreds of people who braved the weather for art.

Friday marked the first time the Gallery Walk had a theme since its inception in the late 1990s, Wilkins said.

The theme, “The Human Form,” came from a scheduling coincidence with Robert Brawley’s show opening at the Lawrence Art Center, said Rick Mitchell, director of the center.

Brawley, professor of art, displayed “Nude Study #25,” conte on paper and “Billie,” graphite on paper.

David Titterington, Prairie Village senior, said he enjoyed seeing all of his painting professors in one room discussing art at the art center.

“Whenever I see art I am always surprised,” Titterington said, “It’s magical. Art is language — language of the right brain.”

While Wilkins said there was a good turnout for the Gallery Walk, Mitchell said there was a lack of students at the event.

“I am definitely not as well informed about art events,” Mitchell said. “But I think a lot of people think ‘Well I don’t know much about this and I’m afraid I’m going to look dumb if I like this painting.’”

Jill Kleinhans, owner of the Olive Gallery & Art Supply, 15 E. Eight St., said the Gallery Walk catered more toward Lawrence residents than students, but it did offer a wide variety of art to experience for everyone.

The Gallery Walk gave art patrons the opportunity to meet the artists whose work was shown.

“It’s an institutional way to get people to look at art,” Diane Horning, owner of Diane’s Artisan Gallery, 801 Massachusetts St., said, “And it’s fun. It’s a party.”

The next Gallery Walk is scheduled for April 22. Lawrence hosts four walks yearly.