LEWISTON — Twenty four artists, 17 spaces, one banjo player.

It’s time to art walk.

Art Walk Lewiston Auburn kicks off 2012 on Friday with more venues, more collaboration, and a short, silent film shown against a downtown building after dark.

Organizer Michael Dostie said he’s excited for the second season.

“It was surprising to a lot of people how well it was received by the community (last year),” he said.

Held once a month from May to September, in 2011 the art walks drew 2,000 people downtown and brought in $6,000 in sales for artists who set up one-night-only galleries in Lisbon Street’s restaurants, shops and offices and in Gritty McDuff’s in Auburn.

The event runs 5-8:30 p.m. In addition, at 9:15 p.m. this Friday, the 10-minute “Loyalty and Devotion” will be shown on the side of 157 Lisbon St.

Dostie said a few venues are new this year, like Forage Market and Kimball Street Studios. The art walk has also increased a collaboration with L/A Arts and Captive Elements Art House. L/A Arts has lined up banjo player Peter Mezoian to perform at Captive Elements that evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mezoian is described in a news release as “your typical Steve Martin-influenced, Maine native, doughnut eating, espresso drinking, half-Armenian, half-Greek four string banjoist.”

Dostie said the goal is to have music each month. He hoped to have a map with the artists and venues paired for May available Thursday at the Lewiston Public Library.

“We have everything from photography to iPhoneography — it’s an artform that involves digital manipulation — to sculpture and wood carving work,” he said. Before a walk, “we look at all the venues, what type of artwork looks best (where). We curate the show as if it were a single gallery.”

New this season: A featured artist during each walk. For May, it’s Irene Duplissis of Auburn. She’ll have watercolor paintings at the Norman, Hanson & DeTroy law office.

Art is available for sale that night, with pay stations at the library and J. Dostie Jewelers. It’s also available on the art walk’s website for a short run, provided it hasn’t been scooped up.

Dostie said his goal isn’t to best last year’s numbers; it’s about exposing people to the local arts scene and showcasing downtown business.

“The art walk became the catalyst for a more social evening out on the town,” he said.

Submissions will open for the June walk in the next two weeks. This season’s walks are planned for June 29, July 27, Aug. 31 and Sept. 28.

kskelton@sunjournal.com

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