By Dana Davis
Reporter, Carbon County Comet
On October 6th and 7th, Rawlins experienced a creative explosion as the Rawlins Downtown art walk, known as ArtBeat, transformed the city’s streets into a vibrant celebration of art and music. With a range of activities and businesses participating, the event offered something for everyone.
One of the highlights of ArtBeat was the live music performance by Still House Blues, which had attendees tapping their feet to the rhythm of bluesy melodies. Rawlins in Motion brought the heat with a mesmerizing dance performance that captivated the audience.
Jarrod James, a local woodcarver, was on hand to demonstrate his remarkable chainsaw wood carving skills with a decade of experience under his belt. “It all started with a competition with my dad to carve a mushroom,” James chuckled. Today, his specialty is toadstool stools. In a generous act, he carved a wooden cat for auction, with proceeds benefiting Pet Partners of Carbon County.
Local schools showcased their artistic talent through window paintings, turning the streets into a colorful gallery. The younger generation’s creativity was on full display, adding a touch of youthful exuberance to the event.
To fuel the creative spirits, a variety of food trucks lined the streets, offering delectable treats and refreshments to keep attendees energized throughout the event.
Felicity Hair and Lash Studio, run by Brooke Armstrong and Katie Chapman, added sparkle to ArtBeat with free feather and tinsel hair extensions. “The last few hours, we’ve had just a ton of people, and they all seemed to be enjoying the experience,” Brooke shared. Even boys took advantage of their free offer, making it an inclusive and enjoyable experience.
Heidi Larsen, formerly of Bottle Bar Art Studio in Saratoga, unveiled her new art studio in Rawlins. For ArtBeat, she provided free do-it-yourself wood and fabric pumpkin crafts, which delighted kids of all ages.
At Red Desert Arts, visitors had the opportunity to create terracotta wind chimes under the guidance of Marge McCray. McCray, who also creates jewelry with handmade beads, paintings, and pottery, spoke of her passion for art and her commitment to teaching art classes at the Boys and Girls Club. Art classes resumed the next morning in which McCray estimated she had close to 100 participants from the morning until Art Beat closed at 2 p.m. She felt both days were a success in letting people enjoy creating art.
Carbon Coffee, a new coffee shop soon to open in Rawlins, offered a sneak peek of their endeavors. According to Amanda Moore, the coffee shop plans to feature artwork from various artists and aims to rotate exhibits quarterly. Located within Windswept Goods, a store offering home decor, gifts, and clothing in historic downtown Rawlins, Carbon Coffee promises to be a hub for local creativity.
Holly Hopkins, owner of Serendipity Thrift Store, embraced ArtBeat for the first time by offering a free ‘take & make t-shirt tote’ craft activity. She estimated that around 50 people participated, emphasizing the craft’s mess-free and child-friendly nature. Holly also commended Mira Miller for orchestrating a successful ArtBeat experience.
ArtBeat 2023 in Rawlins was a canvas of creativity and community. As the event concluded, it left behind a lasting impression on all who attended, a reminder of the power of art to bring people together.
