GARDINER — Summer ArtWalk Gardiner is set for 5:30-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2. Dozens of Gardiner-area artists and several local small businesses will celebrate summer and the visual arts, with the second of three Gardiner ArtWalks.

Through regular exhibitions in downtown, the Artwalk’s mission is to increase community awareness and appreciation of the visual arts, and to encourage interaction between local artists and the public by providing artists with a supportive network that fosters the creative economy. In the eight years since its inception, ArtWalk Gardiner has drawn hundreds of people to downtown Gardiner for this event, which takes place in May, August and December.

Participating artists include: Joyce Acheson, Karen Adrienne, Jake Allen, John Carnes, Matt Demers, Barbara Eldred, Betty Heselton, Kala Ladenheim, Robert Lash, Peggy Cope Mascher, Allison McKeen, Scott Minzy, Donna Parkinson, Marsha Proud-Coelho, Ellen Roberts, Tanya Russell, Robert Saunders, Judith Schuppien, Jennifer Strode, Christine Sullivan, Barbra Whitten, Diana Willette and a small group of student artists from the University of Maine at Augusta.

Monkitree will feature an exhibition of work by Peggy Cope Mascher and Marsha Proud-Coelho, and the members of Circling the Square Fine Art Press will exhibit a selection of original fine art prints and printed objects in their gallery space. Free refreshments will be available at many of the venues, and there will be live music to enjoy as well. Local business sponsors for the 2013 ArtWalk season include Alex Parkers Steakhouse, Ameriprise, Healthy Smiles, Lisa’s Legit Burritos, Mainiac Brewing & Supply, Monkitree, SaraSara’s and Water St. Café. Several other downtown businesses will also be hosting artists for the evening.

For more information, call Donna Parkinson at 232-9383 or Karen Adrienne at 582-6600.