EL CAJON – Artists will strut their stuff at this year's Alley Cat Art Walk on July 11 and 12 in downtown El Cajon.
In its third year, the event features artists, vendors and street performers in a festivallike setting, said Debra Turner-Emerson, event chairwoman. It takes place in “Arts Alley,” between East Main Street and Rea Avenue.
“It's a friendly alley with a lot of character,” Turner-Emerson said, adding that most businesses open their back doors during the event to allow access from the alley. “We're trying to generate an event that's eclectic and brings in diversity in art and culture.”
This year, artists from around the region will paint murals on alley walls. The artwork will be tied to local businesses to give the area a community feel, Turner-Emerson said. In past years, alley trash bins were painted.
The concept for the art walk grew out of several brainstorming sessions between East County businesses and organizations, said Caroline Cassino, promotion coordinator for the El Cajon Community Development Corporation. Like other events throughout San Diego County that tie art to business – including ArtWalk in Little Italy and Ray at Night in North Park – the idea is to generate income for the community while celebrating local talent.
“We want people from all of San Diego to come,” Cassino said. About 9,000 postcards promoting the event were sent throughout the county recently.
New this year will be rock balancing, where art is created out of rock sculptures, and chalk art done by local high school students. Also on display will be professionally painted cars and motorcycles. Attendees can listen to live music, visit the beer garden or pop into a nearby restaurant for a bite to eat.
Arts-oriented businesses in the area include Sophie's Gallery, Silver Creek Fine Art and Custom Framing, and the Olaf Wieghorst Museum.

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