Don’t zip up that bodybag; the art scene in Riverside is alive and well.

It wasn’t too long ago when one would conjure up images of cottage paintings and drawings of a White Wolf howling at the moon when someone would mention The Riverside Arts Walk (which occurs on the first Thursday night of each month). Not that there‘s anything wrong with cottages or wolves since the beauty of art is in the eye of the beholder, but you know. . .

With that said, the Arts walk has evolved into a haven for surreal, post-mod, eclectic artists. From abstract imagery painted on a mannequin’s torso to photographs of local indie bands, The Walk has new blood running through its veins. The locations where the artist displayed their work varied: from the sidewalk to the second floor of the Back to the Grind Coffee shop to the UCR Sweeney Art Gallery. This stuff was everywhere! I lit my first clove for the evening, took a drag, and began taking a walk.

While traveling down the street La Calavera came upon two up-and-coming I.E artists worthy of much notice: Zakary Rodgers and Travis Duran.

Artist: Zakary Rodgers

Form of art: mixed media, painting, drawing, writing

Home Town: CoronaAge: 17

Trademark characteristic: “I have a long list of mental problems”Link: www.myspace.com/ZakaryRodgers