ArtWalk Turns 25

ArtWalk celebrates its 25th anniversary this month as it returns to Little Italy April 25-26, from 12-6pm. For a quarter of a century, this free festival has attracted as many as 100,000 visitors, and in recent years has contributed more than $1 million to the local economy. Now titled Mission Federal ArtWalk, it offers attendees the rare opportunity to meet hundreds of artists and enjoy their original work by learning about their training, influences, and inspiration behind each piece. This year’s event will feature original fine art from more than 300 California-, Arizona- and Mexico-based artists including paintings, sculpture, glasswork, and photography. In honor of its 25th year, the festival will also offer a variety of new opportunities for guests to observe, interact with, create, and purchase art. For more details please visit Mission Federal ArtWalk’s Web site. (www.missionfederalartwalk.org)   JANE SHIOMI