On July 20, 2019, head to Santa Monica for the Montana Avenue Art Walk. The annual event takes place between 7th and 17th street from 10am-7pm.

Featuring art from local artists, shopping, and live music up and down Montana Avenue, the event brings out the community to celebrate summer and the arts! Many of the shops on Montana Ave will participate and offer special deals, along with sips and snacks. It’s a great time to update your wardrobe. The local come out to support the merchants as well as the artists.

Jane Walker, manager of Texture: A Sweater store and More has lived in Santa Monica for forty years and worked on Montana Avenue for twenty eight years. Walker first started her career in retail on Main Street in Santa Monica at the Clothing Gallery, then in 1990 she started working on Montana Avenue. She is now a huge part of the Montana Avenue community.

Texture offers all kinds of sweaters, cardigans, pullovers, in both bright and muted colors, tweedy solids to polka dot, featuring all sorts of charming designs. It also sells beautiful scarves (in addition to it’s fab sweaters). TEXTURE: the Sweater Store & More is located at 716 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, CA; (310) 393-0707; 

Keep on walking East…

Ten Women on Montana is an artist’s co-operative gallery showcasing more than twenty local women artists. It’s a great place to purchase gifts. Enjoy specials and light refreshments….

This gallery/shop has the mosst orginal gifts. While you are there be sure to say hi to Tanya Micaela, who will be featuring her collage art in the front window. Find out more about Micaela on her website. Ten Women Gallery, 1128 Montana Ave., Santa Monica; 310-393-6254;

You will find artist Anahid Boghosian on 12th and Montana Avenue exhibiting her artworks. Boghosian finds her inspiration from discarded objects…she sees the beauty in everything. She is drawn to imperfection, seeing the value in what once was, and recreating them often in the form of a woman.

If you haven’t been to Le Macaron...you will love these delicate sweets. Owner Sixteen Damon is originally from France and knows how to make delicious macarons.

Damon said she is looking forward to the annual event. “We are so happy to participate in the Montana art walk event as part of the local community.” Le Macaron is located at 1301 Montana Avenue at the corner of Euclid.

As you head up to 15th Street...don’t miss the Brentwood Art School who will be selling art on the corner.

My band...Kat & the Jazz Birds will be performing outside of Bardonna Restaurant at 16th Street from 12 – 4:00 pm. The restaurant is known for its tasty breakfast and lunch options….Be sure to stop in during the art walk for a delicious meal. Bardonna Restaurant,1601 Montana Ave.

Expect to hear jazz standards as well as some old time swing. You will recognize a few well known melodies such as All of Me, Stormy Monday, My funny Valentine, Fever, Fly me to the Moon, Almost like Being in Love and more. We will also be paying tribute to legendary artists such as Peggy Lee, Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, Wanda Jackson and more.

Kat and the Jazz Birds features Bob Crickmore on keys, Al Rappaport on sax, Gary Fitzgerald on bass, Mitch Montrose on drums, and me – Kathy Leonardo – vocals. For more information about Kat & the Jazz Birds, visit the Kat and the Jazz Birds FB Page. 

Artist Eva Montealegre will be exhibiting work at CURATED, which offers beautiful jewelry for all occasions. Montealegre’s vibrant works will brighten up your home. Be sure to say hi to Eva, who will be on site. CURATED, 1603 Montana Avenue.

Be sure to stop into Jane, located at 1607 Montana Avenue for some Frose (Frozen Rose). Store specials will be offered as well. Owner Peggy Sella said, “This will be our 6th year of participating in the Art Walk! We have hosted a diverse group of artists over the years. Each one has been successful in introducing their particular art.”

Left photo: Jane on Montana, (from left to right) Sales Associates Sheila Nilou, and Kiana Achoy

Sales Associates Sheila Nilou, and Kiana Achoy (in photo) will be there to assist any of your needs. Sella added that she is excited to exhibit the art of the talented Welsh artist Niki Pilkington.

Currently based in Los Angeles, the illustrator’s work features trend inspired fashion images…a perfect fit for Jane’s cutting edge designs. The front window of the boutique will be decorated with Niki’s prints (see photo on right). Stop in and meet the artist.

Of course you may have your own personal favorite store or restaurant on Montana Avenue….so come on out and visit. The event takes place this Saturday, July 20, and runs from 10:00am to 7:00pm. 

Enjoy the live music and stroll down the Avenue (from 6th to 17th). See ya out there. 

Find out more about the merchants of Montana. http://montanaave.com