ArtBike to be unveiled at Weir’s Cyclery

[2006 ArtBike artist and detail.]

Tomorrow (7/13) Portland Open Studios and Weir’s Cyclery are having a special party to roll out the 2006 ArtBike.

The ArtBike is part of a unique cycling and art event created four years ago by Portland Open Studios’ organizer and artist Bonnie Meltzer and Weir’s Cyclery.

Portland Open Studios is non-profit that puts on an annual tour of artists’ studios in the Portland Metro area each October.

[’05 ArtBike and artist
Dawn McConnell.]

Organizers have created the “Go by Bike” program as a way to encourage people to do the studio tour by bike. Here’s how it works:

• You ride to at least 5 studios and then fill out an entry form.
• A winner is selected from those entries and given a free bike, donated by Weir’s Cyclery.
• The winner then gets to choose which artist they want to paint the bike.
• The chosen artist gets special guidance from an expert bike painter. Last year it was Dean Cannard of Acme Paint (who paints for Vanilla Bicycles among others).
• The ArtBike is created and unveiled at the next year’s ride.

You can see all three ArtBikes from previous years at tomorrow’s kick-off party.

This sounds like a great event, so get over to Weir’s Cyclery at 8247 N. Lombard in St. Johns tomorrow beginning at 4PM. There will be great food, live music and of course bikes and art.

Visit the Portland Open Studios Go by Bike website for all the details.