What an exciting week we had last week! Last week we enjoyed two great events. We would like send a big thanks to the Crescenta Valley Water District for hosting a fantastic mixer last Wednesday. A very fun Cinco de Mayo was had by all. Wonderful food and drinks; festive atmosphere – what more could you want? Of course, we send a big thank you to the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce that worked together with the MVCC to organize this event. Can’t wait to work with them again next year.
We also had the first of this year’s four Artwalks last Saturday. It proved to be a great success with both artists and audience. Nature cooperated with us and provided a sunny stage for our artists to work on. Thank you very much to all our participating artists. And what a panoply of great art!
On display along Honolulu Avenue were all sorts of fine works of art. I wish I could mention them all, but the limited space for this article dictates that I must pick and choose. Some of the more memorable work I saw were the lovely paintings of Anthony Barbara. His vibrant paintings, with a hint of Modigliani’s influence, were breathtaking. There was also great pop-inspired art on display, courtesy of Santiago Heredia and Andy Haynes. Heredia’s paintings, grotesque portraits of imaginary creatures that wouldn’t be out of place in a Maurice Sendak book, were a marvel to behold. Andy Haynes’ paintings were just as arresting and whimsical. The normal and everyday jostled with hallucinatory and phantasmagorical images that gripped this viewer – very impressive. We had sweet music by way Bea and Jim Romano, too. The gentle strains of their hammered dulcimer and guitar filled the air with wistful, Celtic melodies. We also got to see the work of a man who has worked with some of the greatest musicians of the past century. Chris Walter had a booth displaying some incredible photographs of the musicians he has collaborated with including The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen and more. His portfolio reads like a Who’s Who of rock music’s finest. If you love great rock music, you owe it to yourself to visit his booth at the next Artwalk and acquire a piece of musical history for yourself.
We look forward to July’s Artwalk being an even bigger success. If you’re interested in participating in our Artwalk, but missed last Saturday’s, don’t fret! We still have three more lined up. The first one is coming up on July 3. If you’re interested in displaying your art and getting great word of mouth for it, contact the MVCC office at (818) 249-7171 to find out how you can join.
Be it great food, fun events, or unique shopping trips, make Montrose your destination. Follow the Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce via our Facebook or our website at www.montrosechamber.org. Or read about our community in detail at our new blog: www.destinationmontrose.blogspot.com. Our offices are open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Call us at (818) 249-7171 or email me at tayala@montrosechamber.org. For all your shopping needs and more make your destination Montrose!

Ted Ayala is the executive director
of the Montrose-Verdugo City
Chamber of Commerce.