Oscar Torres has been an artist his whole life. Scribbling on notepads, drawing in the privacy of his own home but never revealing his talent.
The co-owner of J&R Tacos and art student at Merced College never even considered displaying his work.
That was until he met Kevin Hammon and his girlfriend Kimberly Zamora, who started the downtown Art Hop one year ago.
“I never imagined I would do this,” says Torres, who has participated in the Art Hop as both a business owner and artist. “I always did the art for myself.
“But being exposed to different people has been really cool and having others appreciate your work is motivating.”
Hammon started the Art Hop as a vehicle to bring culture, life and warm bodies to downtown. It’s a win-win for artists, business owners and visitors who all benefit from the event.
The Art Hop is a free show in which downtown businesses offer their store fronts to artists to display their work. Artists submit pieces and the business owners get to select which ones they want on display at their location. There is also a host of activities along the streets for children and adults to participate.
During the first Art Hop event last October, 24 businesses displayed art from 35 different artists.
“That first Art Hop was really rewarding,” says Hammon. “I was standing there with my mom and I was looking around at people dancing in the streets. And I said this is all because of our efforts.”
The numbers are expected to be around 50 businesses and
70 artists for Oct. 17th’s one-year anniversary Art Hop.
Hammon, who owns Binary Systems Computer Repair in downtown, has had his heart in it since the beginning.
The idea was born when he was helping his girlfriend open up her boutique, Tallulah Brigitta in 2006. He looked around and thought to himself, ‘It’s dead down here.”
Hammon started talking to business owners, city officials and just about anybody who would listen. Soon a small coalition was formed consisting of Hammon, Zamora, Tammy Davidson, owner of Diva’s Accessories, and Staci Santa, executive director at the Merced County Arts Council.
The event, which was initially a small scale art show with parts of Main Street blocked off and outdoor vendors, has expanded into a downtown-wide open house that extends from N Street past MLK.
The group meets regularly to fine tune the Art Hop, which runs every three months.
“I talk to people and they say they wish it was every month,” says Hammon.
Torres hopes the community, business owners and artists will all take advantage of this downtown gift.
“You should give it a try, especially for the artists,” says Torres. “There’s not many opportunities like this for artists and it’s a great thing.”
The Art Hop will be Oct. 17. More information is available at mercedarthop.com or by calling Hammon at 722-6972.

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