As businesses expand into now-closed lanes along Main Street, the Firehouse Art Center is adding its touch to the downtown outdoor experience.
Longmont City Council on June 30 unanimously approved closing a lane of Main Street in either direction between Third and Sixth avenues, saying it could help revive downtown businesses choked by COVID-19 closures and restrictions. The governing board of the Longmont Downtown Development Authority approved the lane-closure idea, dubbed Bigger Hearts and Stronger Streets, the week prior to allow shops and restaurants to expand into the street to meet social distancing requirements. Officials said other cities are trying the same method to breathe life back into failing businesses.
Firehouse in its July newsletter announced it is partnering with downtown businesses to offer creative activities, both as entertainment and as interactive opportunities, during scheduled times on weekends.
“Come watch an artist paint plein-air, participate in chalk murals, stroll down a row of (socially distanced) art booths and enjoy the summer outdoors,” the center stated in the newsletter.
Activities will include:
Saturday — View artists making a Longmontster papier-mache monster or be a part of its creation from 1 to 4 p.m.
July 18 — Shop at socially distanced artist booths from 5 to 8 p.m.
July 25 — Kids’ activities using kits and no shared materials from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. St. Stephens Plaza
Aug. 1 — Performers Weekend featuring live music around downtown from 5 to 8 p.m.
Social distancing, mask wearing and safety regulations will be followed at all events.
In addition to the downtown weekend activities, the Firehouse also announced the duration of its second Friday pop-up exhibitions has been extended.
“Since this is not a typical year, we have extended the one-night pop-ups to be one week,” the center stated in the newsletter. “You now have one week to see and support local artists in your community.”
The schedule for pop-ups is as follows:
This week through July 14 — Kyra Coates
July 14-21— Danielle Forte and Julie Tu
July 21-28 — Deb Nakano
Firehouse also is open for weekday appointments, and with a five-person capacity on Saturdays and Sundays. Learn more here.
