When people told us the town of Berlin loves art, we nodded "yes" and thought, "Well, who doesn't?" Clearly we were unprepared for the First Friday Art Walk sweeping through town. Sectioning off streets, visiting artists, wine tastings, refreshments, and live music all worked to prove that yes, Berlin does love their art.

We stepped out of the Atlantic Hotel to find a band of young guitarists playing on the doorstep. A few blocks down Main Street and we were hit with the classic rock sound of "Blue Light Special," a band comprised solely of professors from Salisbury University. Electric guitar and bass resounded among the brick walls of shops. Folks of all ages - old couples, youth, families - all dressed in laid-back summer-wear, moseyed from merchant to merchant, trying the wine, catching conversation, getting a glimpse into the various galleries, or just hung about taking in the music and atmosphere.

Among the resident artists present for this fanciful event was Beverly Rae Lynch. Working primarily in acrylics, her paintings focused on farm scenes around Berlin, as well as depictions of ships along the coast. One of these showed her husband on a lobster boat he had worked on. Lynch mentioned - with an air of melancholy - about how the area around Berlin has changed since these scenes were painted, such as the cutting of trees and building of structures. She was emphatic about praising conventional art (rather than abstract), and the realism present in her work shows to this passion.

We also had the privilege to meet Patrick Henry, another resident artist and local favorite. A self-taught painter from age 13, he built his career around Berlin, and the town always finds its way into his work. While for years his focus has been on rural and African American themes, all painted in rich earth-tones, the front of his gallery boldly sported a series of bright and colorful classic cars. "I like to stay fresh," he said, in regard to this shift in style. He also said he looks for a sense of timelessness when he paints. People have been said to enjoy the spiritual side of his paintings, as opposed to the technical side, and that satisfies Henry. Two of his paintings have just been given permanent residence at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, and they can be easily spotted amidst the predominantly metropolitan style filling the gallery.

The Berlin Art Walk left us with an aftertaste of friendliness, inspiration, and merlot, and we departed wanting to see every small town in America celebrating their local artists, whatever the style. See more great paintings here.

Written by Erik Yount. Photography by Errol Webber.