(Oklahoma City) --- The Paseo Arts Association has been awarded a matching grant from the Oklahoma Arts Council to assist in funding Christmas on Paseo! An old-fashioned Christmas celebration reappears in Oklahoma City this year at the Paseo Arts District’s December First Friday Gallery Walk and Holiday Show, Friday, December 4 from 6-10pm.

For the first time, the December Walk, along with the many other features, will include the “Creative Oklahoma Art Tree.” The gift tree will be displayed at 3022 Paseo. On the tree, holiday shoppers will find original works of art by Oklahoma artists. Each 4x4 canvas will be available for only $20. The money raised will benefit the Paseo Arts Association. In addition, the tree will be a place to give food. Bring non-perishable items that will be donated to the Edgemere Elementary; many of the families in this area are below poverty level and need help during the holiday season.

First Friday visitors can stroll among Paseo’s holiday illuminated historical buildings, watch the lighting of the Community Christmas Tree at 6pm with City Councilman Sam Bowman and Christmas Carolers from First Presbyterian Church. The Paseo Neighborhood Association will be free serving hot chocolate and hot apple cider. Rainbow Fleet will have a special guest appearance from Santa and much more!

“Make Your Own Ornament” workshop will be held at Theatre Upon a StarDanceSwan, 3022A Paseo, and is free for all ages. Visitors will also have a chance to purchase unique Christmas Card Sets designed by children attending Paseo art workshops. There is still space available for “A Creative Christmas” workshop for ages 6-12 on Saturday, December 5 from 1-4pm. It is free, but registration is required due to limited seating. Call 525-2688 to reserve your spot today.

“Our goal,” according to the Executive Director of the Paseo Arts Association, “is to create a fun-filled, safe, family centered holiday evening where visitor’s can be a part of one of Oklahoma City’s most important historical communities as well as introduce their children to the arts, find unique gifts, and participate in a night-to-remember. You might even find a gift for yourself, and layaway is available at most galleries. It will prove to be an event that you won’t want to miss this year or next!”

Through state appropriations and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Oklahoma Arts Council funds arts events and arts education programs throughout the state. Projects funded by the Oklahoma Arts Council generate matching funds create public/private partnerships that in turn impact Oklahoma’s economy throughout the state’s rural and urban communities. For event information, contact us at 405-525-2688 or contact@thepaseo.com. For information regarding the Oklahoma Arts Council, contact Public Information Director Ann Dee Lee, at (405) 521-2931, or e-mail at anndee@arts.ok.gov.

Paseo Art Space is open Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 4pm or by appointment. For more information please call 405.525.2688 or visit our website at www.thepaseo.com.

Most galleries and businesses will have extended hours during the holidays for holiday shopping.

The Paseo: Where Arts and History Come Alive! The Paseo Arts Association is a non-profit organization with the mission to “preserve and maintain The Paseo, Oklahoma City’s vibrant living community of artists, as a historic arts district and to enrich, educate, entertain and inspire through the arts.”

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