With several local shops and galleries right in Owego...

It seems like the perfect place to showcase local talent.

"The whole area lends itself to something like this," said Patricia Smith of the Town of Union.

That's why the owner of the Front and Center Gallery decided to bring an Art Walk to the downtown area.

"We have so many different artists, so many different mediums, it's been exciting to see so much talent in such a small area," said organizer Simon Caudullo.

Organizers borrowed the idea of an art walk from Binghamton.

And it even has some of the same artists.

"I have been in the Binghamton Art Walk...and that's been very successful..so I'm excited and I've always loved Owego," said artist Carrie Tornatore.

The Owego Art Walk is a way to showcase new exhibits.

But shop owners also hope it brings them business.

"If it brings an extra 100 people in to the village who walk the galleries and stuff that's 100 people that might not have seen the restaurant before, I mean its a great exposure," said Bob Layman, owner of The Cellar Restaurant.

Layman renovated the upstairs of his restaurant to make it a gallery.

The Awakenings Coffee-house, and the River-Row Bookstore will also have exhibits.

They'll have everything from photography, to oil paintings, and even musicians.

"I think anything that can attract other people will help the business because people will go inside and shop," said Janice Huiman of Tioga Center.

Organizers say they hope Owego's Art Walk complements the one that already exists in Binghamton; not compete with it.

Their goal is to make people more aware of the artistic talent in the area.

The Art Walk is hosted by the Tioga County Council of the Arts, and the Historic Owego Marketplace.

Organizers plan to host the Owego Art Walk every third Friday from 5 to 9 throughout the summer.

In Owego, Megan Eaton, WBNG-TV Action News.