First Friday Art Walk

This is awesome! I wish more people knew about it. When I tell people who don’t live downtown about it they have no idea what it is. Someone needs to better advertise this and I think there should be more to the First Friday’s. Maybe outside dancing?

This is always an enjoyable change for us each month, when the first Friday comes around.
Lots of shops and street vendors. Parking can be tough so keep your hopes low (lol). But for us, it’s a nice way to enjoy our community, maybe spend a little coin on neat things or grab a bite, and take a walk.
Good for most ages, I’d say.

I’ve been several times as a spectator and many times as a participant. It’s a pretty good atmosphere. Lots of fun people and cool arts n crafts. You should totally come check it out.
Maybe come check out my art :-p

The out door walk is fun as well as most of the galleries, I say MOST because everyone that goes to first friday is really laid back and have very artistic personalities making it very hard to be harshly judged… EXCEPT FOR ONE ART GALLERY. It’s a white building that just says «ART GALLERY» in navy blue… I walked in there and was really into the art work and out of no where an old woman grabbed me by the shoulder in a very aggravated manor and told me that the older woman at the desk needed to tell me something so I walked over and the woman in a very snotty tone ended up telling me «it’s very whore-​ish» of me to have one of my buttons unbuttoned on my top. I ALWAYS wear very conservative clothing and to be told that is very… vindictive of her almost as if she were looking for something to get mad at.
All in all… BESIDES the snotty old women in one of the art galleries, I totally love everything about the art walk. It is a very good place to meet new people and learn new things.
BEWARE OF THE OLD WOMEN.

Overall details: First Fridays happen the first Friday (well, duh) of every month from 5pm-​9pm and the epicenter is at 19^th and Eye Streets in downtown. There are art galleries to go in to, art being sold on the street corners, live music, and the other surrounding shops are open a bit later for browsing.
My experience: Went to my first First Friday this past weekend and was pleasantly surprised. It was something fun to go do to support the local arts’ scene. I read in the Californian that Metro Galleries was the brain behind First Friday that got everything moving and I give props to them. I saw all types of people out this past Friday enjoying the weather and the art. In one gallery we were even asked to judge our favorite piece in a category which was fun and made us feel included and important. The galleries serve food and drink and only ask for donations in return. There is live music throughout and art vendors on the streets as well. Yes, it’s a bit small and has room to grow but I was informed other galleries are open a bit outside of the immediate area that I’ll have to look in to. Overall, it was enjoyable to be downtown and experiencing what it has to offer.
Get off the couch and go support local events like these!