It was a fine funeral for the fine arts.
In early August, the denizens of Sunset Center, a 1960s-era shopping mall in northwest Amarillo that found a second life as an artist colony, bid the place adieu. The roof is shot. The 200-plus air conditioning units require constant maintenance. The red “ARTS” sign near the front doors is faded from exposure to the unforgiving Panhandle sun. But the 50 or so artists—some hobbyists, some professionals, and lots in between—who worked and exhibited at Arts in the Sunset for the better part of 14 years say they’ll miss it terribly. So on the evening of August 2, the bereaved threw a bash.
That night, the mall buzzed with a diverse collection of visitors: the well-heeled crowd dressed in business casual attire and gold jewelry; old-timers with walkers and cowboy hats; teenagers draped in leather jackets with spikes on the shoulders. This was the final First Friday ArtWalk, a monthly event when the Sunset Center sees most of its foot traffic. The galleries, which feature paintings, photography, sculpture, and more, were as eclectic as the visitors themselves. In an alcove that looks like it might’ve once been a food court, a band filled the space with the sound of drums and harmonica.
