CLEARWATER – A slightly windy but otherwise pleasant evening greeted art lovers as they came to Clearwater for the annual Art Walk last Friday.

Visual artists, crafters and musicians populated several locations along Ross Avenue in downtown Clearwater.

Steve Koontz was one of the musicians. He was playing acoustic guitar and singing on Main Street near City Hall. He is a Dodge City native who grew up in San Francisco. He has lived in Wichita more than once, and calls it home now.

“Kansas has a vacuum effect. It pulls you back,” he said.

He played on stage for the first time in 1978. He played in cover bands and called himself a “weekend warrior.” He became a full-time musician in the 1980s, and has found he is best as a solo musician.

“I found I do way better myself,” Koontz said.

He said his goal is to make enough money to sleep indoors. During an interview for this story, a child came up to Koontz. He encouraged the youngster to strum his guitar.

“I get some mojo from that. I take a little of their mojos,” he said with a smile.

Shaleh Ake is a Clearwater native who has come back home to teach. She is in her second year as the Spanish teacher at Clearwater High School.

Her paintings reflected the travels she undertook after graduation. A large canvas showed an oceanside scene from Puerto Rico. She lived in Spain for a year teaching English, and has visited 11 different countries.

“I’ve been doing art my entire life,” Ake said.

She used to do portraits, but has become more focused on a landscape style. She draws things she finds beautiful.

This was her first art show since 2014.