Treasure island

The narrow Balboa Island Bridge was as packed as a summer Sunday despite cloudy skies and cool temperatures.

Droves of people waited patiently to cross Newport Harbor for the 12th Balboa Island Artwalk. The annual event drew 80 artists whose work was displayed along the one-mile stretch of boardwalk from Marine to Garnet avenues.

On view were works of oil on canvas, digitally enhanced photography, jewelry, ceramics and blown glass.

Besides works of art for sale, there were also bands and musicians providing musical artistry. Residents of some bay front homes offered their patios so bands would have a place to set up their equipment and rock the day away. The Fabulous Nomads played a cover of the Tom Petty song “Free Falling,” as patrons ogled the art and jewelry. “It definitely helps businesses,” said Balboa Island fruit stand owner Andree Patti, who had two people helping her sell plain and chocolate-covered strawberries at her shorefront stand Sunday. “Usually I can handle this place by myself all day, but there’s no way today.”

The Artwalk is a boon to local businesses each year, said Patti, whose stand was the subject of a painted portrait this year.

The Artwalk has become a coveted venue for artists from the surrounding areas. Event coordinator Debra Huse started the Artwalk as a way of bringing together local artists to promote each other’s work. “We all lived on the island and we had our first showing downtown in a vacant store,” said Huse. From there, the show moved to Bayfront and the number of artists grew from about a dozen to more than twice thatThe event reached its zenith during the millennium, when it drew 130 artists, Huse said.

Artists are welcomed to apply to participate in the Artwalk via its website at www.balboa islandartwalk.com. Artists are chosen by a jury.

“There’s some really quality artwork here,” said Costa Mesa artist Barbara Goddard, whose digitally-enhanced photos were on display. On a girls-only trip down to the island while their husbands were on a fishing trip, Costa Mesa residents CarolAnn Carr and Melinda Olsen enjoyed brunch, then a walk down the mile stretch of boardwalk.

“We’re here to enjoy art and the sea and the outdoors,” Carr said.

Sunday marked the first year the two had visited the Artwalk. “We’re just looking,” said Olsen, “unless we see something we can’t live without.”dpt.22-artwalk-2-kt-CPhotoInfoP71R6BB820060522izn01yncKENT TREPTOW / DAILY PILOT(LA)Yellar the cat watches people stroll by as artist Anthony Hunt of Victorville works on a painting during the Artwalk. dpt.22-artwalk-1-kt-CPhotoInfoP71R6BAU20060522izn011ncPHOTOS BY KENT TREPTOW / DAILY PILOT(LA)Artist Carlos Covarrubias of Arroyo Grande relinquishes one of his glass pieces at the Balboa Island Artwalk on Sunday.