Main Street comes alive during 2014 Art Hop

Downtown came to life last Saturday with a dynamic assemblage of zombies, dancers and a wide variety of artwork to close the final Art Hop.

The event typically happens four times a year, in January, July, April and October.

This year’s event was also special because Los Angeles-based set designer, painter, draftsman and artist Gronk was on hand at the Merced Multicultural Arts Center to display his works at the center.

Art Hop also included Halloween-style activities in Bob Hart Square, such as a graveyard, an asylum and zombies. Many downtown businesses also opened their doors to host special exhibits, like the “I Am Relevant” gallery, displayed at Vanity Rose Hair Salon. The gallery featured photographs of plus-size women embracing their bodies in an attempt to encourage others to accept all body types.

For more information about Merced Art Hop, visit www.mercedarthop.org.

This story was originally published October 23, 2014 at 11:44 AM with the headline "Main Street comes alive during 2014 Art Hop."