First Friday Art Walk

First Friday Art Walk is excited to provide an Art Walk Shuttle free of charge next week for October's Art Walk on October 4th! The shuttle will run on a continuous loop from 5-9 pm from The Creamery Arts Center to The Downtown Church, The Robert and Margaret Carolla Arts Exhibition Center, ending at Brick City Gallery before restarting the loop.

Mark your calendar for next Friday, October 4th to join us in Downtown Springfield to check out some of the 21 FFAW Venues that are going to be open for October's FFAW! From live music to visual art and more, we have it all and hope to see you there!

For more information, check out the First Friday Art Walk page at springfieldarts.org

Join Forming Art Studios every Monday from 10-4 pm for open studio time for any artist! Stop by on First Friday for mini astrology readings by Misty Lane, live music by Tony Menown, and to chat with their artists from 6:30-8:30 pm.

Hold Fast Brewing is thrilled to welcome Allie and Grace for FFAW! Brewery opens at 12 pm with your favorite local brews on tap, Fire Family BBQ starts serving up their delicious eats at 12 pm, and music starts at 7 pm. Your favorite downtown patio is waiting for you!

Fresh Gallery is pleased to announce the "2024 Photography Show!" They will host the opening reception of the exhibition during September’s FFAW from 5:30 - 9 pm, be sure to check it out.

In addition, Fresh Gallery will host two painting classes! The first is on Friday, September 20th, from 11 am - 2:30 pm with Peggy D**e teaching an acrylic painting class on "Rustic Beauty.” The second is acrylic Pumpkin Painting with Crystal Cook on Saturday, September 21st, from noon - 2:00pm. Check out their website at freshgallery.org for more information and to sign up!

Join Blue Room Comedy Club to see work by local artist Jeremiah Gill with his 'Blue Comics' series in the side lounge at Blue Room Comedy Club for September’s Art Walk from 6-9 pm. The exhibition is a series of portraits of famous comedians. Most of the originals will be available for sale, and prints are available as well. Enjoy snacks, appetizers and drinks, meet the artist, and get a chance to check out the amazing art!

TONIGHT is FFAW!! Don't forget to catch the Art Walk Shuttle tonight free of charge for September's Art Walk on September 6th! The shuttle will run on a continuous loop from 5-9 pm from The Creamery Arts Center to The Downtown Church, The Robert and Margaret Carolla Arts Exhibition Center, ending at Brick City Gallery before restarting the loop.

Sculpture Walk Springfield is proud to present the next "ALLEYSCAPES" immersive arts experience! For September, SWS is excited to feature Nancy Wyllie’s piece, "Moth Vitals." Each month from October 2023 through September 2024, a new video art piece will be projected from sunset to midnight in the ‘backstage alley’ behind the Hotel Vandivort and the Landers Theater (accessible via Robberson Alley). Be sure to check this immersive arts experience out during FFAW!

FEATURED ARTIST – Nancy Wyllie
"RI Department of Environmental Management Veterinarian Dr. Peter Belinsky saw two extraordinary cases. His reflections on the requests made by long-time clients who share an extraordinary reverence for life ask all of us to make no distinction between higher and lower organisms, to extend our circle of compassion to all living things, and to embrace the mystery that is life fully. My decision to make Moth Vitals grew out of my longtime association with Dr. Peter Belinsky. During which he has shared many stories of heartbreak and abuse involving companion animals and those held in captivity. Together we have witnessed the plight of diverse species and have treated a variety of animals in homes, zoos and on the sea yet it is the memory of two very special clients that has lingered longest."

Be sure to swing by Heer's Luxury Living during FFAW between 6-9 pm to catch artist Jessica Lowe with prints, stickers, and original works of art! In addition, there will be 12 pieces of art for free from artist Megan Valdez, so be sure to stop by early. To enter the building, go to the doors located in the Downtown Square. We hope to see you there!

The Holland Building on the square in Downtown Springfield is excited to feature local artist Sabrina Perry for September’s FFAW from 6-8 pm!

FEATURED ARTIST – Sabrina Perry
"I am a stay-at-home mother who has always dreamed of being an artist. I'm trying very hard to show my children that it's never too late to make your dreams a reality. My paintings are acrylic on canvas, and with a lot of my pieces, I incorporate clay into my canvas and sculpt it to give a 3d effect."

Join The Downtown Church for a fantastic evening of music, snacks, and kids activities for September’s Art Walk. They will be featuring live jazz from Caduceus – The Doctor's Band, along with popcorn, lemonade, and popsicles. There will also be some fun arts and crafts for kids, best of all it's all FREE! Swing by The Downtown Church from 6-8 pm for FFAW.

Featuring work from Stacey Holloway and Steve Snell, "This Land" visual mines the relationship and interplay between the natural world and the lifeforms that inhabit it, exploring what stories they tell about our history, who we are, and who we could become. Check out the show at the Robert and Margaret Carolla Arts Exhibition Center from 6-9 pm for the Art Walk!

Join Obelisk Home from 6-10 pm for the opening reception of "Metachrosis" by Annie Donohue. Metachrosis is the ability of some animals to change their color, texture or patterns. Annie often uses paint in the same way these animals do to create or reflect different states of being. Be sure to catch the show during September’s Art Walk!

Join Hotel Vandivort for September’s FFAW to see work by featured artist Jennifer Nelson. Her work will be displayed in Hotel Vandivort's Historic Lobby from 4 - 9 pm, be sure to check it out!

Featured Artist – Jennifer Nelson
"Jennifer Nelson is a fiber artist and painter. Her fiber pieces consist of natural yarns, typically wool and cotton, on a ground cloth of cotton or linen. Her fiber work is primarily rug punch or rug hooking. Jennifer feels connected to a long line of American fiber artists who have worked in these mediums and techniques for centuries. However, her compositions are mostly abstract, geometric and linear forms. She is influenced by the Art Deco, Bauhaus and Brutalist movements. Jennifer finds the balance between positive and negative space in these forms to be a compelling place to explore. Her paintings of acrylic on canvas explore similar forms and compositions. These paintings are often the original inspiration for her fiber pieces."

Join MSU's international students from 6-8 pm at the Jim D. Morris Center for International Programs as they highlight the entertainment aspects and popular culture of nine fascinating countries: Malaysia, Serbia, Pakistan, Timor-Leste, Uzbekistan, Laos, Japan, Georgia, and Brazil.
Visitors will receive an interactive passport with a map guiding them to each country's booth, featuring unique landmarks like Brazil's iconic Christ the Redeemer statue.

People can collect signatures or stamps at each booth and participate in Kahoot quizzes to win prizes, capture fun memories at the themed photo booth, and enjoy pop culture-themed music and food at Passport To World Pop!

Join Gailey's Breakfast Cafe for September’s Art Walk for beautiful art and delicious food! Gailey’s will be featuring art from 5 local artists: Jenny Green, Eric Vaughn, Linda Lee Layton, Sarah Butler, and Mariah Partain. Additionally, they will have their Happy Hour from 2-6pm, with drink and food specials.

The Park Central Branch Library, Springfield-Greene County Library District, will be open from 6:30-9 pm for FFAW. They will be featuring the paintings of Alicia Mau with her new exhibit, "Let's Feast." Alicia Mau will also be doing a live painting during the walk. A new season of Art Talks kicks off at 7 pm with Malena Hemenway presenting "Mark Maggiori: Visual Culture of the America West."

Join the Gillioz Theatre from 6-9 pm for September’s FFAW and immerse yourself in a vibrant evening of art and community on TheTHIRDFloor of the Gillioz. Experience a stunning display, brought to you by Ozark Lyric Opera, of large-scale prints from Julie Blackmon’s work, originally featured in their 2016 production of “The Marriage of Figaro.” These striking 10’x10’ canvases serve as captivating centerpieces that bring Blackmon’s unique vision to life.

The evening will also showcase "Journeys Through Light and Landscape: An Exploration in Oil" by multi-award-winning artist and Air Force veteran Michael Kornblum. After a distinguished 20-year military career, Mike transitioned into the arts, where his painting, alongside his earlier work in wood art, has earned him regional acclaim. Explore his diverse portfolio and connect with Mike at the event. His work is being showcased by the Two Black Ravens Foundation.

In addition to the art displays, enjoy interactive activities with MOJO, trivia games hosted by the Ozarks Film Foundry, and a chance to engage with the Mosaic Arts Collective, who will be crafting community connections and offering djembe drumming. The Gillioz Bar will be open to keep your spirits high.

Don’t miss this opportunity to explore, connect, and celebrate the arts in our vibrant community.

Formed: An Artist Collective is proud to present artist Mindy Tillery for FFAW! Mindy Tillery is a contemporary mixed media artist. She explores the harmony of beauty and mystery, blending layers of diverse materials to create multi-dimensional works inspired by nature, metaphysics, and sacred geometry. Be sure to stop by Formed from 6-9 pm and visit with their artists, learn about their processes and how they let their creative voice speak, enjoy light refreshments and live music by The Bold Deniers.

Sponsored by The McQueary Family, "Ozarks Icons" invited artists to capture the heart and soul of the Ozarks through their art! Celebrate the people, places, and ideas that make our region special, from Route 66 to Cashew Chicken. Opening in tandem with Ozarks Icons is the Springfield Regional Arts Council's inaugural event: "Bad Art by Good People." This event partnered local artists with community leaders to create works of art that aim to show that anyone can create art, regardless of skill level, and to strengthen community bonds through the joy of making art together. Catch both shows’ opening reception during September’s FFAW from 5-7 pm at The Creamery Arts Center.

Join Carl's Bad Designs for September’s FFAW to see them showcasing clothing from Carl’s Bad Designs, 201 Trinkets, Bae Savage Vintage, and artwork from local artist Saphira Gale. Additionally, you can shop vintage clothes, and handmade jewelry from One World Library. The shop will be open from 5-10 pm for the Art Walk, we hope to see you there!

Catch "Artifact" by Matt Moyer open 6-9 pm for FFAW at the Brick City Gallery at Missouri State University! "Artifact" mines the artists interest in exploring the creativity, ingenuity and complicated history found in mechanical things. Moyer believes well-used mechanical artifacts contain inherent beauty, creativity and humility that connect them to the people who have worked with them over the years. In this exhibition, that interest has taken the shape of fictitious abstracted pipe systems, abstracted pumps, tanks, and both real and fictitious catastrophic industrial artifacts.

BookMarx will be open 6-9 pm for the Art Walk, be sure to check out artist Copper Posten’s work along with BookMarx’s wonderful selection of books!

Join J.L. Long Traders for September’s Art Walk from 10 am – 9 pm. Check out their wide selection of unique items along with their seasonal Halloween merchandise!

The Drury Pool Arts Gallery will be open for September’s Art Walk from 5-8 pm with "Carry On" by Sharon Harper. You won’t want to miss this show!