THE WINE WALK and the Art Walk coincide Saturday, including receptions for new show by Mike Kendall, Susan Johnson and Joseph Mele.
Courtesy Benicia Main Street

Dozens of Benicia businesses to lure pedestrians Saturday

By Keri Luiz
Assistant Editor

Art. Wine. Walking. Benicia on a sunny day. What more can you ask?

First Street is gearing up for a pair of overlapping events Saturday that, organizers hope, will complement each other and enhance the downtown experience for Benicians and visitors alike.

The third and final Wine Walk of the year, organized by Benicia Main Street, is from 1-5 p.m., while the penultimate Art Walk, including three opening receptions for new art exhibits, runs from 3-7 p.m.

Twenty-two downtown locations, mostly on First Street, will offer pedestrians who have the requisite wristband, wine glass and punch card a taste of wine. The wines, a variety of regional and imported, will range from reds to white to sparkling.

“We go through two different wine brokers that operate in Benicia, selling to our restaurants and bars,” Benicia Main Street Executive Director Nancy Martinez said.

“We like that because we want to be able to refer people back to the restaurants and bars … if you like this wine you can find it at, like, Sailor Jack’s.”

Meanwhile, 21 businesses, including five galleries, will welcome visitors for the second-to-last Art Walk of the year. (A final Art Walk is in October.)

And some businesses will be participants in both events, including artist Mernie Buchanan, whose studio is at 117 East D St., and Jordan Real Estate, 1038 First St., which has been a part of the Art and Wine Walks since both began.

“It really benefits the Art Walk artists, galleries or stores to participate in the Wine Walk,” Martinez said. “Mernie is a first-time Wine Walk participant. She travels a lot, (has) a lot of shows, so we don’t always work into her schedule. This time it’s perfect.”

Jordan will hold an opening reception for artist Mike Kendall’s latest exhibit, “Contemplative Musings,” while Gallery 621, 621 First St., will have a reception for Joseph Mele’s “Altitudinous” and Benicia Plein Air Gallery, 307 First St., will have a reception for Susan Johnson’s “Portofino, Burano, Bellagio.”

Plein Air Gallery also will have a drawing for a $100 gift certificate that can be used toward a purchase of artwork.

Martinez noted that the weather may just cooperate Saturday.

“It is going to be gorgeous,” she said. “It’s not going to be overly hot, and sometimes it is for this (event).”

If You Go
Tickets to the Wine Walk are available at the Benicia Main Street office, 90 First St., and at brownpapertickets.com. The price is $25 each until Saturday, when prices increase to $30. Participation is limited to 300, and all must be at least 21 years old. Art Walk participants are listed in the brochure that can be found in participating galleries and locations.

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