With the holiday season here and the downtown streets decorated for Christmas, the Downtown Fort Myers Art Walk is a great way to find that perfect gift. The next Art Walk will take place on Friday, Dec. 4, in the Fort Myers River District. The December Art Walk will include a dozen art stops and will showcase new art exhibitions, live music and the traditional after party.

The monthly Art Walk was started by a group of art galleries and art enthusiasts and debuted in October of 2008. Held the first Friday of every month from 6 to 10 p.m. Art Walk features local and national artwork in the downtown art galleries and several art stops in the Fort Myers River District. The evening culminates with an after party at 10 p.m. The December after party will be held at Spirits of Bacchus on Hendry Street.

The nearly 30 participants in the monthly Art Walk now include the Alliance for the Arts, Art League of Fort Myers, Art of the Olympians, Arts for ACT Gallery and Boutique, ArtFest Fort Myers, Inspire!, Burroughs Home, Caf Matisse, Conch Sweet Corner Caf, daas Gallery, Delicious Things, Enjewel, First United Methodist Church, Florida Repertory Theatre, Fort Myers Redevelopment Agency, H2, Hampton Inn & Suites, Happenings A&E Magazine, Hideaway Sports Bar, Hotel Indigo, HOWL Gallery/Tattoo, Morgan House Restaurant, Oasis Luxury Condos, Potomac Bead Co., Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center, Space 39 Gallery, Spirits of Bacchus, Southwest Florida Museum of History, The Veranda Restaurant and the Young Artists Awards Program.

Here are some highlights of the Friday, Dec. 4 Art Walk:

– Art League of Fort Myers: December’s judged show on display.

– Arts for ACT Gallery: Opening reception for exhibit featuring artists Raymond Hernandez, Lydia Fogarras, and Katherine Boren. Vocal entertainment by the Young Artists Awards Program.

– Art of the Olympians: Exhibit temporarily on display at Hotel Indigo.

– daas Gallery: Opening of “The Pequeo Formato (Small Format) 2009 Collective”.

– Enjewel: Jewelry artist Joan Crabtree.

– First United Methodist Church: Group exhibit.

– HOWL Gallery/Tattoo: “Art Under 200” show featuring a huge selection of signed prints and original art all under $200 and ready to hang on your wall. Artwork by celebrated rock poster artists and local HOWL Gallery fine artists. Live music on the HOWL back patio starting at 8 p.m.

– Morgan House Restaurant: Exhibit featuring the fine art photography of John Swank.

– Southwest Florida Museum of History: “Art Expressions of Latin America III Exhibit: The People”, featuring 23 artists from six countries (reduced admission of $5 that night).

– Space 39: A group exhibit of modern and contemporary art featuring artists Krista and Leo Johnson, Pat Collins, Jonathon Kane, and Vyd.

Also downtown that night, the Burroughs Home and the Langford-Kingston Home will be decorated for the annual Holiday House and the Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center will be hosting the annual Tux & Trees Gala.

Another highlight of the evening will be the weekly Friday Night Live, which takes place in the Patio de Leon. Grits & Gravy will perform from 6 to 9 p.m.

Truly a collector’s item, Art Walk buttons will be available at galleries that night.

The first Art Walk of 2010 will be held Friday, Jan. 1 from 6 to 10 p.m. with a tentative second day of events on January 2 “Art Walk: Saturday Art Fair.”

A free shuttle service, with stops planned near the art venues, and parking at the Harborside Event Center will be available for Art Walk patrons. A map of Art Walk, transportation, and parking is available at participating galleries. For more information on Art Walk, participating galleries and links to gallery websites, visit www.fortmyersartwalk.com.