Are you inspired by downtown Toledo’s galleries, artists, murals, musicians and other creatives? Then get involved in one of The Arts Commission’s Art Loops, held on the third Thursday of the month, showcasing more than 30 creative spaces, special events, art demonstrations, drink and food specials and more.
With so many options, the Loop can be overwhelming. Not sure where to start? We’re here to help you prep for June’s ‘Summer Spectacular’ themed Loop, on Thursday, June 15 from 5:30-9pm.
How to start
Park at the Main Library, the official Loop Hub. TARTA offers two shuttle routes that connect at three stops (Toledo School for the Arts, Hensville and Gathered Glass), an easy way to go from Uptown to the Warehouse District and back again. Fare for the entire evening is $1.25. A plan to hit every stop is destined to fail— there are just too many. Instead, focus on the most important part: enjoying the art and having fun.
We asked Ryan Bunch, Communications & Outreach Coordinator at The Arts Commission, how he Loops: “I pretty much start every Loop the same. I park in Uptown because it’s free and easy and grab a beer first at The Attic or Wesley’s. Then, I pick a few stops to hit, catch the bus and follow my plan…. But I let the Loop take me! I run into a few friends at one spot, walk over to another, check out some action on the street, jump back on the bus to check out a new exhibit or band, grab a quick bite, and then catch the bus back to my car.”
Bunch is basically a professional Loop navigator, so his go-with-the-flow plan could be daunting for newbies. Totally unsure where to start? Plan a route in advance, and even make a custom map (also available on mobile), by visiting theartscommission.org/artloop. Check out featured stops, special events and details for next month’s Loop.
Our June favorites
The Loop offers a theme every month to keep things fresh. June’s Art Loop partners with the Toledo Mud Hens and the Toledo Warehouse
District Association for “Summer Spectacular” with these highlights:
1. Celebrate During a Mini-Parade
in UpTown
5-5:30pm. 18th and Adams St. to the Main Library.
Move, groove and celebrate the Art Loop’s favorite way to get around: TARTA buses. Check out the beautiful bus wraps, designed by Joe Pinciotti and arranged in collaboration with AIGA Toledo, Off Contact and TARTA, as you head down Adams Street.
Start at Handmade Toledo (18th St.) at 5pm, and make your way to the Main Library Loop Hub (325 N. Michigan St.) with the girl-powered drum corps, Bitch, Thunder. Also joining, the TSA Puppet Club, special guests, local artists, and the friendliest, cutest sharks you’ll ever meet— the Bubble Sharks— who will celebrate their first birthday on St. Clair St. during the rest of the Loop.
Side Note: Come back to UpTown at 7pm to hear musician MUDDY play outside the House of Dow (1501 Adams St.). The vintage boutique will run a 25% off sale from 5-9pm during the Loop.
Handmade Toledo will host a Beach Party during the Loop. Listen to surfer jams, blow bubbles, check out sales, games, the Humble egg food truck, plus artists Dani Herrera, Rust Belt Gems, Jenny Keeler, Creation & Chaos, Boonie Patch Co., Phybr, and more.
Then, head back to UpTown for The Attic’s after party, featuring a free concert with The Matt Truman Ego Trip and The Essentials.
2. Wander the Wonders of the
Warehouse District
5:30-9pm. Warehouse District.
As Hensville preps for the 7:05pm Mud Hens game against the Braves, soak up the fun-filled energy in the Kids Zone. Adults— don’t worry— you’ll have plenty to enjoy. Entertainers will roam throughout the area. The Bird’s Eye View Circus will perform a live tight-wire act on St. Clair St. from 6-8pm. Toledo Bikes will bring a ‘mutant bike’— constructed from two kids bikes— and other ‘wheely cool’ toys.
Side Note: Get a beautiful temporary tattoo— Henna! Artist Afreen will create beautiful Henna designs from 5:30-9pm at Shared Lives Studio (20 N. St. Clair St.). While you’re there, browse art and sip refreshing drinks by Bea’s Roasted Specialty Coffee.
3. Participate in Public Art Making
5:30-9pm. Warehouse District.
Flex your own creative muscle when artists Peter Koelsch, Cameron McLeod, and J.C. Christy present “The Community Sandbox,” a public art project made with previously-acquired funds from competitive grant funding. The work, a self-contained, pedal-powered, mobile metal casting facility might look like a hot dog car, but it offers the public the chance to create their own cast metal sculpture.
At Fleetwood’s, join Maura Amato (The Old West End and You Will Do Better in Toledo Coloring Books) and color in-between (or outside) the lines of life-sized image of Toledo’s Sandpiper Boat, or other, smaller drawings from the books at an activity station.
Side Note: While in the Warehouse District, stop by The Art Supply Depo (29 S. St. Clair St.) to check out Let’s Color This Town, an exhibition of prints by Maura Amato from her Old West End Coloring Book. Through July 28.
4. Welcome AIGA to the Loop
6-9pm. 705 Monroe St.
The graphic design resource organization, AIGA Toledo (the professional association for design), which has previously collaborated with the Loop on projects like the TARTA bus wraps, will debut as a Loop venue. Stop by for an evening of live music and creative activities. Join folk pop/singer-songwriter Tim Korenich from 6-7:30pm for a free concert.
Then, BYOB and participate in a unique Drink + Draw from 7:30-9pm.Their unique session will involve drawing prompts and quick sketches. Think Cards Against Humanity crossed with pictionary. AIGA Toledo will provide supplies.
5. Layers of creativity at
River House Arts
6-9pm. Secor Bulding. 425 Jefferson Ave.
New paintings by Toledo artist Brach Tiller will adorn Gallery 6, their space on the sixth floor. The 2016 BGSU graduate’s solo exhibit, Kaleidoscopic Feed, opens during the Loop from 6-9pm. Stop by for the opening reception and see optically shocking, depth-defying 2D paintings that the artist says function “like an Instagram feed: accelerated, digitized, and assorted.” On view through July 15.
Side Note: Catch the final days of Nature Morte, a self-reflective exhibit by glass and multi-media artist Joanna Manousis, in the first floor gallery through June 17.
