Madisonville Gallery Hop Features Art, Music and More!

Visit Madisonville in October and enjoy an evening arts adventure as you stroll along the brick sidewalks of city’s historic downtown district.

Dozens of artists are expected to display and sell their works inside 11 galleries within a three-block area during the city’s inaugural Gallery Hop, set for 6-10 p.m. Saturday, October 1.

“This event gives our arts community a new showcase for their work,” said Jenny Gibson, head of the city’s Downtown Turnaround Partnership. “It also helps the public to become reacquainted with the architecture and memories that make up the heart of our downtown.”

Original works for sale will include oil and watercolor paintings, fiber pieces, and ceramics, as well as art photography, glass, and more. To help visitors find the art displays they’re looking for, maps of the downtown area will be available in each gallery, Gibson said.

Some downtown restaurants plan to be open for the evening, with special offerings guaranteed to keep Gallery Hop guests warm. From chili and donuts to wine and cheese, there will be something for everyone during this decidedly grown-up event, Gibson said.

Some locations have scheduled live music throughout the evening. Additionally, the Downtown Turnaround Partnership is sponsoring a special performance at 6:30 p.m. by Eddie Pennington, a 2001 National Heritage Fellowship recipient who is considered to be one of the greatest living thumbstyle guitarists. Pennington has performed in venues and festivals throughout the world, including the Kennedy Center, the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and, most recently, the National Folk Festival in Nashville.

The Gallery Hop is sponsored by the Downtown Turnaround Partnership, in association with the Hopkins County Tourism Commission and the Madisonville-Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce.