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The latest iteration of the Victoria Art and Music Walk saw a change in venue as the event looks to support all parts of town. While the scenery might have been different, the mission of the event remained the same:

òòò½ÊÓƵœEveryone needs exposure in this economy,òòò½ÊÓƵ� Claire Santellana, director of the Victoria Art and Music Walk, said. òòò½ÊÓƵœIt can be rough for small businesses and we saw a need here in the middle of town for more foot traffic like downtown.òòò½ÊÓƵ�

Over 25 artists and musicians embraced midtown and set up booths through the Town and Country Plaza on Saturday afternoon. By joining forces, local artists and small business saw a mutual benefit as they were introduced or re-introduced to the community in a new light and were supported by the community.

òòò½ÊÓƵœWe want to support all sides of town. Weòòò½ÊÓƵ™re hoping to hold our June Art Walk on the North side of town,òòò½ÊÓƵ� Santellana said. òòò½ÊÓƵœWeòòò½ÊÓƵ™ve always been downtown and weòòò½ÊÓƵ™ll hold another Art Walk down there this September.òòò½ÊÓƵ�

Santellanaòòò½ÊÓƵ™s goal is to keep local artists local. This means supporting talent in the area and providing artists with opportunities right here in Victoria.

òòò½ÊÓƵœEverything in the world is art from the advertisements on billboards to the clothes you wear,òòò½ÊÓƵ� Santellana said.òòò½ÊÓƵ�We want to keep artists here and not have them move off to bigger cities for opportunities. We want them to make Victoria more beautiful.òòò½ÊÓƵ�

By being a quarterly event, the Art and Music Walk in Victoria challenges its artists to keep pushing and challenging themselves to create new art.

òòò½ÊÓƵœItòòò½ÊÓƵ™s a way to inspire artists to keep creating, to keep expressing themselves and to keep them from becoming stagnant,òòò½ÊÓƵ� Santellana said.

The Art and Music Walk has created a supportive community of artists, one that is embracing budding talent in kids as young as 12-years-old.

òòò½ÊÓƵœThese events are great opportunities for younger artists to express themselves and learn how to speak and be entrepreneurs by talking with community members,òòò½ÊÓƵ� Santellana said.

Beyond the quarterly event, the community created by the Art and Music Walk continues to inspire younger generations of artists to explore their passions and find outlets for their creativity.