The first Friday of every month, Downtown Raleigh showcases its art, music and food during its First Friday Gallery Walk. The event runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., but venues’ hours may vary. It’s a free self-guided tour and a chance to visit art galleries, studios, alternative art venues and more.
Museums stay open late on the first Friday of the month. Live music is plentiful and many restaurants and retailers offer specials. Look for the First Friday flags to identify participating venues.
Here’s a First Friday map.
Here’s some of what’s happening Friday, February 7th, 2020. Most, but not all, of these events are free.
The following descriptions were provided by the venues. Learn more, including addresses, here.
ACTION/REACTION – MAR HESTER @ ARTSPACE
First Friday Event Time: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Exhibition Dates: February 7 -29
After having completed a six-month residency at Artspace, Mar Hester will demonstrate the direction her work has taken since her time at Artspace. Using photography and origami folding patterns, Hester investigates the role of the landscape on modern life. The basis of her work lies in challenging the traditional means of viewing photography while commenting on our ever shifting environment.
ARTSPACE SUMMER ARTS CAMP PREVIEW @ ARTSPACE
First Friday Event Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
As a part of their First Friday festivities Artspace will be offering five FREE make + take activities to give families and students a preview of some of the amazing Summer Art Camp classes they will be offering this year.
Early registration for Artspace members will be available at this time. An Artspace staff member will be available to take class registrations at this event.
CAM RALEIGH FREE FIRST FRIDAY @ CAM RALEIGH (CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM)
First Friday Event Time: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Get Revved! Speed into the final weekend of Viva Viclas: The Art of the LowRider Motorcycle. Make and Take art projects inspired by the exhibition. Meet the artists. DJ. Dancing. Surprises. Fun.
FAVORITE THINGS @ V L REES GALLERY
First Friday Event Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Exhibition Dates: Feb 7-Feb 29
Paintings to stave off the winter blahs. No snowflakes on your eyelashes – just pies and flowers and other things to make you smile. Meet the artist during First Friday, February 7, from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm.
FEBRUARY FIRST FRIDAY: “TO THE EAST” FEATURING BEN KNIGHT @ THE CENTERPIECE
First Friday Event Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Exhibition Dates: Feb 7-Feb 29
“To the East” includes a selection of contemporary established and emerging artists with ties to Eastern NC. By combining mediums, textures, and artistic styles, “To the East” aims to bring a little bit of the East here to Raleigh.
This selection, organized by Ben Knight, include Ben’s own vibrant abstracts, the bold metal sculptures of Jordan Parah, and the textured acrylic works of Kinston’s Joseph Hood, among others. Opening Friday, February 7, and running throughout the remainder of the month, this show is one you won’t want to miss.
FIRST FRIDAY @ TROPHY TAP & TABLE
First Friday Event Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Kicking off February with artwork from Micah Johnson, live jazz from The Hot Club of Raleigh, and You Can Vote. Come hang and enjoy $6 mini beer flights all night long.
FIRST FRIDAY AT BISHOPS @ BISHOPS
First Friday Event Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Join Bishops in welcoming the art of Trey Ansley III. The artist will have pieces available for viewing and purchase. Drinks will also be available for those over 21.
FIRST FRIDAY EMPANADA FIESTA! @ THE RALEIGH WINE SHOP
First Friday Event Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Raleigh Wine Shop will be open late so stop by during First Friday, enjoy a glass, or five, along with tasty empanadas from Spread!
They’re doing by the glass specials from the draft system all day long – 25% off all pours and growlers to go!
They’ll have pairing suggestions to go with all of the delicious varieties of homemade, warm and gooey empanadas that Spread will be serving up right here inside the shop. They’ve also got wine, beer, and local cider on tap right now!
GUEST ARTIST AND DEMONSTRATIONS @ CITY MARKET ARTIST COLLECTIVE
First Friday Event Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Guest artist Natacha Sochat exhibits large scale paintings from her “Making Roots” series. Resident artist, Paul Gala, Eric McRay and Keith Norval demonstration painting techniques and discuss their work, with an eye towards Valentines creations.
HAIRSTORY @ ARTSPACE
First Friday Event Time: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Artists – Megan Bostic, Andy Mauery + Rosemary Meza-Desplas
This group exhibition brings together three female artists who use hair as either subject or medium. For women in particular, hair encompasses ideas of beauty, status, memory, and disgust.
MEZA-DESPLAS uses hair as a medium to embroider figurative works that investigate links between the body and identity.
BOSTIC explores her process of grief through the collection of hair.
MAUERY uses hair to create large scale site-specific sculptures that connect human biology to plants.
NO LACK OF COLOR @ PERSONIFY
First Friday Event Time: 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Exhibition Dates: Feb 7-Feb 29
On Friday, February 7 from 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm, Personify is pleased to present “No Lack Of Color” by artist Linda Starr as part of First Friday. The artist will be on hand to speak with visitors about her work which will remain on display through March 1. DJ Triple B will provide a soundtrack based on the artist and her work. Light refreshments will be provided.
Artist Statement: I create my paintings with an intuitive process. Nothing is planned or pre-engineered. I apply the paint on the canvas without conscious thought to subject, often rotating the canvas in different directions and looking to determine how the images will emerge. My paintings are often very sculptural, laden with texture and vibrant color, and always full of story. I use shape, patterns, and repetition to create whimsical scenes with rich tones and meaning. Much like the way a story provides setting, plot, characters, and action to elicit an emotion from the reader, I intend to do the same for the viewer through my work. Whether I’m creating icon-like imagery of strong female leaders like Ruth Bader Ginsburg or a surrealistic cityscape full of detail, I hope to energize the viewer and to provide them with that same sense of joy that I feel during the spontaneous and free process of painting.
SEEING RED @ LOCAL COLOR GALLERY
First Friday Event Time: 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Seeing Red exhibit is a collaboration of local women artists. Showcasing works in acrylic, oils, glass, sculptures and ceramics. Come meet and interact directly with the artists this First Friday at Local Color. On view through February 29.
URBAN SAGA @ LITMUS GALLERY & STUDIOS
First Friday Event Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Litmus Gallery is excited to feature an outstanding trio of local artists offering their unique reflections on emotion using figurative and abstract work with an urban flair. This exhibit of exceptional art by Lyudmila Tomova, Kevin Peddicord, and Daryl Council will be on display from February 7 – March 18.
WINNERS CIRCLE @ 311 GALLERY
First Friday Event Time: 5:00 pm – 9:30 pm
The WINNERS CIRCLE show makes February 2020 one of the most exciting months. The show features artworks by the 1st Place Winners from 311 Gallery’s five 2019 national juried art shows.
For the first time, two of the winners in the same year were sculptors, so you will enjoy some incredible 3-D works, as well as some exquisite 2-D photographs and paintings. These five artists exhibit an incredible range of style.
Tricia Ocock of Malden, Massachusetts won the annual ABSTRACTS MATTER show with Haven, a 3-D sculpture of translucent alabaster and black walnut.
Terry Abell of Roseville, California won the new THERE’S STILL LIFE IN STILL LIFES show with A Cascade of Pearls–a photograph.
Carol Allenman of Tucson, Arizona won the annual FLOWERS & GARDENS show with LOVE BLOOMS, a bronze vase.
Maria Pazos of Mountain View, California won the annual LANDSCAPES & SEASCAPES show with Boat and Gulls, an alcohol inks painting.
Jo Bolton of Raleigh, North Carolina won the annual BLACK & WHITE show with Checkered Past, a photograph.
See all of the events and get the addresses and more information here.
You might also be interested in:
