Katonah Art Walk returns with 40 artists

Sculpture by Robert Spinazolla. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

By JEFF MORRIS 

The Katonah Art Walk returns Saturday, April 18, from 3 to 7 p.m., with over 40 stops to enjoy along the way.

A highlight this year will be the unveiling of a mural created by teen artists from New York City, installed in the rear parking lot of the Katonah Reading Room. The dynamic new mural was created by teen artists from Artists For Humanity NYC. It is said to transform an everyday space into a bold expression of creativity, color, and community spirit. 

The mural was commissioned by Gretchen Menzies, owner of the Katonah Reading Room. She says her vision for the space embraces art, beauty, inclusivity, and community engagement, and by partnering with AFH NYC, she wanted to bring an innovative, youth-driven creative project to the heart of Katonah.

AFH NYC is a nonprofit based in Bushwick, N.Y., dedicated to employing and empowering city teens through paid work in art and design. The mural, conceptualized and executed by AFH NYC teen artists, embodies the organization’s core belief that young people are not just the future of art and culture — they are actively shaping it now, in the present. The organization says what sets it apart from traditional arts nonprofits is its unique employment-based model. Teens are not volunteers or participants — they are paid artists working on real commissions for real clients. This model not only validates their creative contributions but also provides economic opportunity, mentorship, and pathways to future careers in the arts and beyond.

“At the heart of this project is connection and community,” Menzies said. “The project was born out of a conversation during our weekly Paint Break between me and AFH NYC board member Christina Lunny, and an idea immediately took wings to bring the Reading Room and the AFH team together.”

She said with the help of some equally excited benefactors they were able to make this collaboration a reality. “We are SO excited to bring this project to Katonah and immerse the community in beauty, while supporting artists and students in getting their work into the world,” said Menzies.

The mural is intended to serve as both a visual art piece for the Art Walk and an impactful reminder of what’s possible when communities invest in young talent.

Also at the Reading Room, there will be music by Timberwarp, plus an artist on the porch and lots of amazing pieces that were donated to the Chamber by different artists for sale at great prices upstairs.

But the Reading Room is only one stop on the Art Walk — actually two, as it is numbers 3 and 4 on the map, with work by Amity Doyle among the highlights.

Across town, the Katonah Museum of Art will have free admission, with a docent tour at 3:30 pm.

On view at Chroma Fine Art Gallery will be “Doorways,” a series of vibrant oil paintings exploring houses, entrances, and the beauty of everyday architecture through color and light, by Taras Borovyk. There will be an opening reception from 4 to 8 p.m.

Near Chroma, the Mile Gilbert Trio will be performing jazz from 4 to 7 p.m. And there will be live music in the gazebo, with Jake Albi, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

In the parking lot behind Houlihan Lawrence there will be free face painting, along with petite art and Bona Bona Ice Cream.

The Oak & Oil Gallery will host an opening reception for “The Rhythm of Light” by Michael Patterson.

Sculpture by Robert Spinazzola will be on display, weather permitting, at the Coldwell Banker building, opposite Tazza Café.

Old New House is featuring new work by one of its employees, Lillian Shad.

These are just a few of the many artists and experiences to be found in the hamlet on Saturday.

“There is more happening than ever before,” Menzies said. “It should be a wonderful time filled with art, food, music and community. You have to come to town and walk through all the fun. This is peak community, people! See you there!”