By Lookout Staff

March 14, 2012 -- If you've ever wanted to see how artists work or let your own creativity take flight, take a stroll through Santa Monica Airport Saturday for the annual ArtWalk.

Part of Buy Local Santa Monica Expo 2012, which showcases local businesses and encourages buying local, the free event allows visitors to explore open studios, watch demonstrations and try their hand at an art workshop.

There also will be a chance to celebrate the Irish in everyone on St. Patrick's Day with live Irish jigs, food trucks and lots of family-friendly activities.

"The airport has developed over time into an arts incubator, and is home to a number of creative venues housed in converted airplane hangars," City officials said.

During the walk, more than 60 local artists and performers will open their private studios and showcase their paintings, sculptures, ceramics and mixed media works, which will be for sale.

Santa Monica Art Studios, the largest of the venues, will host a Silent Auction of original 6”x8” artworks by studio artists with bids starting at $75, while the Studio’s ARENA 1 Gallery will present the Pacific Standard Time exhibit "Breaking in Two: A Provocative Vision of Motherhood."

The Lookout called the exhibit, curated by local artist Bruria Finkel, "a powerful statement of art that can be inspired by -- and sometimes despite -- an elemental identity of women. Motherhood in all its glory and pain." ("Santa Monica Women Artists Explore Motherhood," February 13, 2012)

The exhibit, which features a multi-cultural group of four generations of nationally and internationally recognized artist-mothers, includes painting, drawing, sculpture, collage and assemblage, installation, photography, film/video, poetry/writing and performance.

As part of the ArtWalk, Santa Monica College's Art Mentor Program will showcase works from a select group of SMC Art Department Students, while the college's Ceramic Arts will present throwing as well as Raku firing demonstrations throughout the day.

There also will be live theater, with the Ruskin Group Theatre performing highlights of its popular monthly offering L.A. Café Plays, as well as theater and art workshops for children.

Music will be provided courtesy of Cliff Wagner & The Old #7, who will perform a mix of bluegrass, blues and country music, as well as some Irish jigs.

Airport restaurants Typhoon and Spitfire Grill will provide food, along with the Border Grill and the Waffles de Liege trucks.

The recently reopened Museum of Flying -- which is celebrating the 88th Anniversary of the First Flight Around The World that took off from Santa Monica Airport on March 17, 1924 -- will offer tours every half hour between 1:30 and 4:30 p.m.