Longview, TX — Though ArtWalk has always been a public event, organizers say this summer it truly will unite itself with the community.

Longview’s ArtWalk is joining with other events in an effort to attract more people to it and the other activities. Those plans will be put in action July 28 when ArtWalk occurs as hot-air balloon pilots arrive in Longview for the Great Texas Balloon Race, according to Tammy Cromer-Campbell.

She owns TCC Photo Gallery and has been instrumental in organizing ArtWalk. On Thursday — the day ArtWalk was originally planned for its summer quarterly installment — she explained why its organizers are changing gears.

“We feel like it might bring in more people, and it will give the balloon pilots something extra to do,” she said. ArtWalk information will be included in the packets the pilots receive when they check in, she added.

Local artists are encouraged to photograph the balloon race because next year’s ArtWalk — which will be planned about the same time as the balloon race — will include a call for photographs of hot-air balloons, Cromer-Campbell said.

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