Welcome to the Paseo Arts District! The district itself is in the middle of the Paseo neighborhood. The Paseo Art District is along Paseo Drive and is home to over 20 galleries and more than 80 vibrant artists all within walking distance of each other on a curved, two-block street that has maintained its Spanish revival architecture with its original stucco buildings and clay roof tiles. Intermixed with the galleries are several restaurants, art schools, boutiques, and other businesses.
Each First Friday of the month from 6pm to 10pm, enjoy First Friday’s at Paseo, a monthly block party featuring artists, music, and special gallery hours. The Arts have always been an important part of the Paseo District. Every Memorial Day weekend they hold the Paseo Arts Festival. Galleries host special exhibits and there is treats and music from all over. The festivals attracts about 60,000 people annually.
Some history of the neighborhood: It was developed by G.A. Nichols as the first retail area outside of downtown in 1929, but The Elms was built in 1920 as Oklahoma’s first art gallery. As the years progressed it became a hot bed of artists, musicians, and writers, all sharing ideas with each other. Everyone is welcome here.
Local take: Parking can be a nightmare especially for First Friday Art Walk. There is limited parking lining the street in Paseo proper, but the neighborhoods surrounding the Paseo have ample parking.
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