If you like to hit art museums on your vacation but haven't seen your way clear to take a leisure trip this year, here's a close-to-home alternative: the gallery walk.

Cultural events are scarce in South Florida in late summer, and many art galleries close for a few weeks or are open by appointment only. But when it comes to the monthly art walk, enough stay open on their designated night to entertain art lovers for the evening.

In August, for example, even though some galleries were closed, at least five were open on a three-block stretch of Northeast 40th Street in the Design District for its monthly art walk. Even more were more during the gallery walk in the adjoining Wynwood Arts District.

A few galleries scheduled exhibition openings -- and some offered wine and cheese -- to coincide with the monthly event. There was live music at Northeast 40th Street and Miami Avenue, and sidewalks were crowded at some spots.

The art is a mix of paintings, drawings, sculpture, art glass, ceramics and photography, most of it contemporary. It's a nice bit of culture -- especially considering admission to the galleries is free.

Wynwood Arts District and Design District hold art walks on the second Saturday of the month, Coral Gables on the first Friday, Little Havana on the last Friday, and Brickell on the third Thursday (www.artcircuits.com). In Broward County, Hollywood has an art walk on the third Saturday (www.downtownhollywood.com).

-- MARJIE LAMBERT

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