Shell we?

Visitors have one last chance to drink in all the art that Toledo has to offer, all while taking a crack at enjoying some oysters and grooving to the sounds of local bands, now that a fourth date has been added for Art, Oysters and Brews. 

The Saturday, Sept. 4, event, held in conjunction with the Labor Day Art Walk, serves to showcase the amazing number of artists attracted to this small mill town.

“This is Toledo, and this is what we’re all about,” said Toledo Mayor Rod Cross. “Art, industry and it all coming together to form a beautiful place to live, grow and raise your family — enjoy Main Street!”

Main Street will be closed during the event to allow for more space between guests while they enjoy local bands Lucky Gap and Wild Hog in the Woods. Deluxe Brewery, Three Rivers Winery and Acrobat Winery will be serving tastings. The Timbers Restaurant and Lounge will be serving oysters. There is also a kids’ activity booth supported by the Toledo City Library. 

Galleries that will be open as part of the First Weekend art celebration include Michael Gibbons Gallery, Ivan Kelly Art Studio and Crow’s Nest Gallery.

And, all along Main Street, Art, Oysters and Brews guests can enjoy Toledo’s Phantom Art Galleries.

Phantom galleries are small, temporary art installations created in vacant storefronts to allow visitors to enjoy the works of local and regional artists in a safe environment. The galleries not only enliven Main Street but showcase available street-level storefronts that are ripe for new business development.

“The Phantom Galleries have truly transformed a number of vacant buildings on Main Street,” said Paul Schuytema, executive director of the Economic Development Alliance of Lincoln County. “Now comes the fun part of celebrating this wonderful downtown and these great artists — and also inspiring new businesses to join the Toledo business community. Come check it out and make an afternoon of it!”

Each gallery has information about the artist, their displayed work and how it can be purchased as well as the commercial space and its amenities. QR codes can be scanned to visit each artist’s webpage or learn more about the potential of the commercial spaces.

Visitors can also enjoy the Yaquina Pacific Railroad Historical Society and the Toledo History Center. Or, as part of the Oregon Film Trail, check out the local sign that celebrates locations in and around Toledo that were used for the filming of “Sometimes a Great Notion,” the 1971 movie adapted from Oregon author Ken Kesey’s novel. 

Art, Oysters and Brews is will take place from noon to 5 pm on Saturday, Sept. 4. For more information, go to ARTToledo.com.