BERLIN — While there was no official theme or event tied to last week’s 2nd Friday Art Stroll, there were no lack of diversions, as many of the downtown shops held art opening receptions, featured artists or held charity events that contributed to a busy and relatively successful evening.

William Street is fast become in the children’s section each 2nd Friday as, for the second time in as many months, there was an event conceived for and directed at keeping kids busy. Nearly a dozen kids, some from the neighborhood and others who had come to the event with their parents, worked together on a mural using sidewalk chalk provided by Bungalow Love for that very purpose. There were vendors along the rest of the street as well selling different arts and crafts.

On South Main Street, the Visitors Center held an opening to welcome two of the newest tenants and show off the newest work by Jim Adcock, who was the first artist to take advantage of the space. When the Berlin Chamber of Commerce purchased the former Dennison’s Trackside Hobby, shop they elected to divide the back area into six separate artist studios and Adcock was among the first to sign up.

This month he was joined by graphic artist Amy Wood and photographer Kat Sadler. Although Wood was completely up and running and ecstatic about the new space, Sadler has only just begun to establish herself in the space.

A film photographer making the transition to digital, Sadler came across the opportunity when she was looking to set up shop after her recent move into the area from Pennsylvania. When she heard about the tax incentives available to artists, the decision to take up professional residence at the Visitors Center studio was obvious.

“We came down here and we immediately we liked it,” she said. 

Although much of the work she had on display was nature oriented, there were also a number of photos showing off different architectural and cultural aspects of the region and what was on display on Friday represented only a fraction of her work. 

Rather than set up particular shoots or going after specific scenes, Sadler takes what might be called a more photojournalistic approach. She keeps her camera on hand and pays attention to her surroundings waiting for composition ideas to present themselves.

A particularly well-composed photo of a line of seagulls on a small bulkhead, she said, presented itself to her as she waited for her husband Larry, who was in the doctor’s office. Being ready for shots to become available is her overriding work ethic.

As the month goes on Sadler expects to continue to make the studio her own, eventually bringing in more photos and equipment so she can work and still have her gallery open.

Further north along Main Street, Timothy Trout was on hand at the Treasure Chest displaying his sea brass work. Trout takes WWII era shells — about two feet long and easier to get out of the sea than you would think — and cuts them into everything from jewelry to conversation pieces. His work remains on display there so if you missed it, you still have the chance to see some truly extraordinary work.

And speaking of extraordinary work, in preparation for the October’s breast cancer awareness month, a certainly not-to-be-missed display was unveiled at Bruder Hill. Bras decorated in ways both appealing and outrageous are competing for recognition in several categories. 

People are encouraged to vote for their favorite at $1 per vote with all proceeds benefitting Women Supporting Women and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.