Paseo Arts District

The Paseo Arts District was built in 1929 as the first commercial shopping district north of Downtown Oklahoma City by Oklahoman G.A. Nichols.[1]

Paseo has undergone transformations; currently, the Paseo is enjoying a renaissance since the 1980s. Today, a vibrant group of artists and other interested people are transforming this community through creative thinking and arts activities.

Located along Paseo Drive at roughly N. Walker Ave and NW 28th Street, the faux Spanish village with its stucco buildings and clay tile roofs is the home to many of Oklahoma City's Artists.

The Paseo Arts district is home to a number of chic bars, restaurants, boutiques, nightclubs, art galleries, and avant-garde businesses. Paseo hosts the annual Paseo Arts Festival each Memorial Day weekend, which showcases original works of visual and performing arts. Other events within the Paseo Arts district include its annual Fairy Ball, as well as the First Friday Gallery Walk. The First Friday Gallery Walk is an event in which Paseo art galleries and restaurants host Art Opening Receptions on the first Friday of every month in order to displaying new artist's work and invite people to visit the Paseo district.[2]

The district is also home to the oldest church in Oklahoma, Old Trinity of Paseo.[3] The former Anglican church was built in New Brunswick, Canada in 1842 and was closed in 1990. Oklahoma City photographer Tom Lee purchased the church in 2000 and had it dismantled and moved to Oklahoma City to serve as his studio. Lee sold the church in 2007 to be rented as a venue for weddings and other events.[4]

The Paseo district is listed as a neighborhood ‘worthy of preservation’[5] on the National Register of Historic Places and in 2010, was named as one of the ’10 Great Neighborhoods for 2010’ by the American Planning Association.[6]

References

  1. ↑ "About Paseo". http://www.thepaseo.com/aboutus.html''. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help);
  2. ↑ "First Friday". http://www.thepaseo.com/calendar/firstfriday.html''. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help);
  3. ↑ http://www.oldtrinityofpaseo.com/
  4. ↑ http://okc.net/2011/01/31/keeping-okc-weird-a-rough-guide-to-the-paseo/
  5. ↑ "National Register of Historic Places". http://www.nps.gov/nr/''.
  6. ↑ "NewsOK Article". http://newsok.com/okcs-paseo-named-as-one-of-americas-10-great-neighborhoods-for-2010/article/3504008''. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help);

External links

Coordinates: 35°29′58″N 97°31′21″W / 35.49944°N 97.52250°W