October's First Friday Art Walk full of quality and variety

The sun is setting earlier now and this past First Friday Art Walk seemed to be a little more subdued than usual. It may have been the drop in temperatures, but in the early evening, midway through the event, art lovers seemed to be heading indoors rather than lingering on sidewalks. Regardless, the quality of the work remains high, with plenty of variety for participants to view as they take part in the event.

The hub of the evening’s art shows was at Osmosis Art and Architecture, on 2nd Avenue. Linda Hufferd greeted patrons as they entered. “Businesses love to join the event,” she said. “Tonight has been warm and welcoming, people are enjoying the atmosphere and the food, the event overall.”

One of the featured artists at Osmosis was Ukrainian potter Viktoria Smirnova. After leaving Ukraine after the invasion, she currently lives with family in Boulder County. Smirnova creates her pottery using an old-world technique called milk sanding, which was developed prior to more modern glazing techniques. “Ideas come to me from a lot of different places, the concepts and ideas come as things take shape,” explained Smirnova.

A second pair of featured artists were Tim and Barb Husby. Formerly of Santa Fe, the pair create their multi-piece geometric art together, considering it their creative retirement project. “We love working with Osmosis,” said Tim Husby. “I design the pieces and she (Barb) paints them. People think it’s amazing, but we work well together.”

Now a year-round event sponsored by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association, the next First Friday Art Walk is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 3, again from 5 to 9 p.m. As always, select businesses throughout 2nd Avenue and Cottonwood Square will be participating.