The Association for Visual Arts is holding its sixth annual Gallery Hop on Saturday. From 2 through 9 p.m., visitors can meet local artists, watch demonstrations and learn about the artists' creative process at 18 galleries and five artist studios. Most venues will provide refreshments.

"The Gallery Hop allows people to take in the best of what Chattanooga has to offer in visual art in one evening," said Jerry Dale McFadden, who coordinates the Gallery Hop. "And you will see very quickly that Chattanooga has much to offer in this area."

McFadden added that the event celebrates creativity with a festive mood and everyone has a great time.

A brochure, which features a map and a description of each gallery and studio, will be available at all participating galleries. This specially designed guide will enable "hoppers" to create their own route during the event and can also be used throughout the year for visitors interested in touring the local arts scene.

An after-party for the hop will be held at 9 p.m. at Good Dog, 34 Frazier Ave. Tickets are $20 per person and include hot dogs and drinks. Isaac Duncan will serve as DJ. For information, visit www.avarts.org or call 265-4282.

Most of the galleries have scheduled special exhibitions for the hop. For example, AVA's gallery will showcase "Fresh" -- an annual exhibition designed for young and emerging artists who display artistic promise, commitment to their work and fresh ideas.

"The exhibit is a highly desirable opportunity for young artists within the region," said Mark Bradley-Shoup, AVA's director of programs. "AVA's history of giving emerging artists a chance to start establishing their careers, along with Chattanooga's great demonstration of arts support, is what attracts some of the most talented up-and-coming artists in the Southeast to apply for this show."

The 13 exhibiting artists were selected by a three-member jury: Ron Buffington, UC Foundation Professor of Art at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; Roger Halligan, sculptor and co-owner of Front Gallery and Halligan/Chenoweth Studios; and Nandini Makrandi, curator of contemporary art at the Hunter Museum of American Art and clinical assistant professor of art history at UTC.

"Fresh," which will remain on display through Oct. 14, will include a wide range of mediums such as painting, photography, sculpture, mixed media, video installation and jewelry.

AVA, 30 Frazier Ave., is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

PARTICIPATING VENUES

Galleries

1800 Main: 1800 Main St.

Area 61: 61 East Main St.

AVA: 30 Frazier Ave.

Gallery 1401: 1401 Williams St.

Hanover Gallery: 111 Frazier Ave.

H*Art Gallery: 1800 Rossville Ave.

Ignis Glass Studio and Gallery: 1800 Rossville. Ave.

In-Town Gallery: 26 Frazier Ave.

My Color Image Gallery: 330 Frazier Ave.

Plum Nelly: 330 Frazier Ave.

River Gallery: 400 East Second St.

Shuptrine's Gold Leaf Designs: 2646 Broad St.

Smart Furniture Gallery: 313 Manufacturers Road

Tanner Hill Gallery: 3069 South Broad St., Suite 3

Townsend Atelier: 201 West Main St., Suite 102

UTC Cress Gallery: Corner Vine & Palmetto streets

Winder Binder Gallery: 40 Frazier Ave.

Yada Yada: 112 Woodland

Artists Studios

Anderson Bailey: 1800 Rossville Ave.

Alan Shuptrine: 2646 Broad St.

Chenoweith/Halligan: 1800 Rossville Ave.

Ellyn Bivin: 102 Island Ave.

Miki Boni: 1611 Mitchell Ave.