On the first Saturday of every month, first-time visitors and Seaside regulars alike can get a feel for the city’s incredible art scene at the First Saturday Art Walk. During this special event — which has been running since 2004 — local galleries and artsy shops open their doors to visitors and locals alike who come to check out art and get a taste of Seaside’s community spirit.

A Walk to Remember

While Seaside is always a great place to see art, no matter when you visit, the First Saturday Art Walk is an especially great way to immerse yourself in the city’s creative scene. You’ll get to chat with artists about their works and inspiration, meet other art lovers and — depending on the month — enjoy free snacks and live music. The walk is free, and while First Saturday is a great time to pick up art or artsy gifts, there’s certainly no pressure to buy.

The walk takes place between Holladay Drive and Broadway in the Historic Gilbert District from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., March through December. The Art Walk offers a fun way to get out and explore no matter the season. Just make sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring layers (including your favorite Seaside hoodie). Rain gear is also a good idea, depending on when you visit. If you don’t have a good rain jacket, head to C and R Mercantile on Broadway Street to check out the collection.

Walking the Walk

While participating shops and galleries vary from walk to walk, there are plenty of regular spots worth checking out, all close to each other. TigerLily Gallery and Boutique is a beautifully curated gift shop with an excellent selection of artistic creations by local makers as well as a fine selection of apparel and housewares. 

Beach Bum Laser Designs is a great place to pick up precision-cut pieces inspired by life on the coast and in the sea, while Ruby Tides Jewelry offers rings, pendants and earrings that incorporate colorful, semiprecious stones. 

For a fun hodgepodge of antiques and vintage items, including traditional glass fishing floats of all sizes, head to Pacific Heirloom and Collectibles.

Art Beyond the Walk

If you haven’t had your fill of art during the Art Walk, there’s plenty more to see in Seaside — even local eateries such as Seaside Coffee House and CHALKBOARD Cafe feature local art on their walls. You’ll also find public art all over town, much of which draws inspiration from the history and culture of Seaside and the surrounding North Coast region. 

One of the best-known murals in town is the 60-foot mural on the side of the Ace Hardware Building at Broadway Street and South Holladay Drive. This recently restored work by artist Roger Cooke pays homage to the Clatsop-Nehalem Confederated Tribes. From here it’s about a five-minute walk to Beach N’ Brew on Avenue A, where you can see a mural dedicated to Hood to Coast, an annual relay that takes teams of walkers and runners from Mt. Hood all the way to Seaside.

If you’re in the mood for a longer stroll, head to Elvin C. Goodman Park next to the 12th Avenue Bridge to see a massive salmon mosaic occupying an entire wall of one of the park structures. For more marine life, Starry Night Inn has a mural depicting a trio of swimming orcas that spans an entire wall to the right of the main entrance. Step inside the hotel to see even more art, both in the common areas and in the rooms. The inn even offers a special artist residency program between October and March, as well as private acrylic-painting classes led by Oregon Coast artist Dawning McGinnis.

Need additional art projects or inspiration? Check out more art and maker activities in Seaside.