NASHUA – With two years of pandemic-driven uncertainty brought on by unexpected, last-minute adjustments behind them, the many folks who gather each year to put together City Arts Nashua’s annual ArtWalks have decided to host a somewhat smaller event this year in order to lay the groundwork for the return to a full-scale event in 2023.

“Yes, it is true! City Arts Nashua is bringing back its beloved annual event in person: its 18th annual ArtWalk!” a collaborative statement posted to the organizaton’s website announces.

The post goes on to say that “as we transition back to hosting a live and in-person event, our goal is to first create a smaller version (this year) as we look forward to bringing you a bigger event in 2023.”

For those who wish to participate, the deadline for filing a registration form is Monday, up until midnight. (To register and for more details, see the accompanying information box).

This year’s smaller event, which involves two venues called “anchor locations” in the downtown area, is designed as a foundation on which to build as organizers transition back to the annual ArtWalks that began 17 years ago and have grown each year since.

Registered participants will be assigned space at which to set up at one of the two anchor locations – the Picker Artist Building, 3 Pine St., or the Nashua Public Library, 2 Court St. – and are reminded that it’s a rain or shine event.

Detailed information that covers all aspects of the event and provides the guidelines by which participants are asked to abide can be found at www.cityartsnashua.org and following the links.

Because there is still some uncertainty regarding COVID-19, organizers ask all participants “to do what makes you feel safe” at the event.

If it is determined by City Arts Nashua organizers that it would be in the best interest of participants and the public to cancel this year’s event, they will hold onto all 2022 registration fees and apply them to ArtWalk 2023. Should that scenario occur, participants in the 2023 ArtWalk will not need to re-register.

The dates for 2023 aren’t yet set, but organizers say it will take place in either September or October.

Should a participant who already registered for this year be unable to take part in the 2023 ArtWalk, their registration fee will be considered a donation to City Arts Nashua.

Historically, ArtWalk came about as a collaboration of various groups and individuals across the arts community spectrum. Starting on the smallish size, it wasn’t long before participants, and participating venues, doubled in number, raising interest throughout the region that translated into a larger field of visitors.

But just as organizers began putting together plans for what would have been the 16th ArtWalk in 2020, they joined pretty much everyone in all walks of life in suddenly running into a brick wall labeled “COVID-19.”

“If we have learned anything in 2020, it is to think outside of the box,” organizers wrote on City Arts Nashua’s website. And they learned quickly: rather than undertake what would have been a monumental challenge to modify the existing ArtWalk format, they created “ArtWeek Nashua,” a virtual program designed to celebrate two of the organization’s signature annual events – The Meri Goyette Arts Awards and the 16th annual ArtWalk.

Buoyed by the success of the week-long event, organizers decided to build upon that format by adding a “KidsWeek” program to ArtWeek Nashua, and allowing folks to explore the Greater Nashua arts scene via a series of videos that Access Nashua filmed and made available for viewing on community TV and various online platforms.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.