Those pressed for something new and interesting to do on Friday evenings can explore the U-District Artwalk, a night dedicated to art, music and shopping on the third Friday of every month.

“We’re little cafés, little stores that are sponsoring this and displaying the art,” said Gayle Nowicki, one of the main organizers of the program and owner of Gargoyles Statuary on the Ave. “It’s good for artists, good for customers, and good for business owners.”

The Artwalk began as a grassroots initiative about three years ago and has grown with time. It is an independent event that has roughly 20 stores and businesses involved. Some see the event as a positive change to usual trends in the area.

“Having community-based things like this that bring a variety of people together is a great way to keep the area up,” said Michael Upston, a patron at this month’s Artwalk. “The Ave has this low appearance, this dirty image. Stuff like this makes it look better and feel safer.”

The Artwalk is scheduled to last from 5 to 9 p.m., but things don’t begin to pick up until 7 or 8 p.m., and many businesses extend their hours until 10 at night. Some storefronts simply showcase an artist’s work, while others also supply music and refreshments.

“We host an opening reception, gallery style,” said Jen Vertz, the manager of Upper Playground on the Ave.

With a DJ in-house and drinks served to customers, Upper Playground is one of the many Artwalk hosts to not only showcase their artist, but to also provide further entertainment.

This past Artwalk was artist Lynn DeBeal’s first. She met Nowicki through Artist Trust, an online organization for budding artists, and was at Twice Sold Tales displaying her work last Friday.

“I think the Artwalk is fantastic, not only for the businesses opening their doors to artists, but also for the people,” DeBeal said.

The event allows artists to get their work shown and sell pieces as customers explore new locales. With the downturn in the economy, however, sales have decreased this year.

“Artists don’t sell as much, at least that’s what I’m seeing with my artists,” Nowicki said.

Nowicki feels that people’s motives for attending Artwalk have shifted because of the economy.

“People are coming out more because it’s a free cultural event,” she said.

In addition to local work, the Artwalk features pieces from exotic places as well.

“We often fly in artists,” Vertz said. “They’ve come from places like Los Angeles and San Francisco, and even from San Palo, Brazil, and Chile and Japan. But we’re also always looking for local artists, too.”

The featured artist of this month’s Artwalk was Ethan Foster, a 23-year-old, self-taught artist who has been to the Artwalk four times now and will return next month.

“It gets my name out there,” Foster said.

DeBeal said that it is an excellent idea for young artists, especially those at the UW, to use the Artwalk as a way to promote themselves. She encouraged young artists to keep following their passion and, above all, network.

“Seattle is great at encouraging and supporting its young people to pursue the arts,” DeBeal said. “Young people are breathing fresh air into art.”

Reach reporter Robert Frankel at arts@dailyuw.com.