Organizers of the Autumn Art Crawl are seeing more people at their downtown galleries since the nine-week Thursday night event began.

From 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. each Thursday through Oct. 30, the art crawl provides residents and visitors the chance to view art, meet artists and enjoy entertainment and refreshments as they wander from gallery to studio to gallery.

Brenda Beal, retail manager at Prairie Edge Trading Co. & Galleries at the corner of Sixth and Main streets, said artists Patty and Allen Eckman have been demonstrating their cast paper art. They also donated a small piece of sculpture as part of the weekly drawing.

"Each week, we'll have different artists come in and demonstrate their work," Beal said.

While the beginning of the art crawl started quietly, it has brought in more and more people each week. "We've got people coming to them. For being new and the word not being out, they were well-attended in our galleries," she said.

At Photography by Mike Wolforth at 516 Sixth St., Wolforth had missed the opening week of the art crawl. But since then, art connoisseurs and visitors have packed the house.

"I opened up last Thursday, and we had 100 people come though," he said.

Not only did people participating in the art crawl walk through the shop, but those waiting for the movie to start at the Elks Theatre next door took advantage of the open gallery.

"This really makes a difference when people have to come down and visit each gallery," Wolforth said.

James Van Nuys sees the crawl as slowly gathering steam. He played music at the first two Thursday night openings at his gallery at 524 Seventh St. Last week, guest musician Emily Palmer was to play her cello and Van Nuys was breaking out his brushes to paint as people roamed through the shop.

"People can watch and talk to me while I'm painting," he said of his three-hour session.

Original art, provided by participating artists and galleries, will be given away at the end of each Thursday night event, and people also can win a complimentary cut and style package from The Factory Salon. A drawing for prize packages will take place at Firehouse Brewing Co., 610 Main St. Participants must be present at the Firehouse between 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. to win.

People may start at any gallery and visit as many as they like. Maps will be provided showing the locations of participating galleries, studios and businesses, including Alex Johnson Mercantile, Cellar Door, The Factory Salon, The Goods, James Van Nuys Gallery, Photography by Mike Wolforth, Prairie Edge Trading Co. & Galleries, Reflections of South Dakota, Toni Rangel Studio and West River Gallery.

"It's an unusual opportunity to get an original piece of art for free," Van Nuys said.

Contact Jomay Steen at 394-8418 or jomay.steen@rapidcityjournal.com.