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First Friday Art Crawl Returns to Downtown Boone this Friday

The first Friday of every month means one thing — the First Friday Art Crawl in downtown Boone! 

The First Friday Art Crawl incorporates local art and live performances with being involved in the community. With refreshments and demonstrations everywhere you turn, whether you’re an art lover or just a lover of the fun and unified atmosphere of downtown Boone on these special Fridays, this art crawl is just for you!

“First Friday is more than just a chance to view art in the traditional form  – it’s really a chance to interact with the businesses and business owners working Downtown,” Brittney Clark, Downtown Development Coordinator, said. “It’s important for our community as a whole to rally around and support those who own local businesses; they are our neighbors and community members as well, and this is how they make their living – we all need each other!

Most art shows, demonstrations and other festivities begin at 6 p.m. and conclude around 8:30 p.m. 

“First Friday is a great opportunity for everyone to visit the businesses and venues in Downtown Boone, who have extended their operating hours so that even those who work until 5 or 6 pm,” Clark said, “which is when most shops typically close, can explore all that Downtown has to offer the Boone community.”

  • Watauga County Library – Visit the Library and check out their Employee Art Show!  The staff (and/or members of their families) will be displaying arts and crafts for the event.  Expected exhibits are photography, paintings, woodworking, and perhaps a quilt or two!  For more information about the Watauga County Library, please click here.

  • Lucky Penny – Carly Witt, an Appalachian State apparel design senior, has a knack for clothing embroidery art, as well as textile weaving and marbling.  She created an embroidered smock collection for STATE the Label this past summer, and will be displaying her work at Lucky Penny for this September’s Art Crawl.  For more information about Lucky Penny, please click here.

  • Rock Dimensions – Rock Dimensions will have the climbing tower in the courtyard between Footsloggers and Rock Dimensions open during the September 1 First Friday event. Cost to climb will be discounted to $17/person (usually $19.95). Climbing shoes, harness, helmet, and Rock Dimensions instructor are included in the cost.  For more information about Rock Dimensions, please click here.

  • Lost Province Brewing Company – Lost Province will host Handlebar Betty at 7:30 pm for September’s First Friday.  Laced with elements of southern rock, folk, blues, soul and rockability, Handlebar Betty creates a unique sound that is dark, driving, and earthy, bringing forth a genuine, soulful and eclectic approval to acoustic/electic music.  For more information about Lost Province Brewing Company, please click here.

  • Shear Shakti – Shear Shakti will be featuring the art of Mandy Jones from 7 pm until 9 pm on First Friday.  They will have complimentary food and drink.  For more information about Shear Shakti, please click here.

  • Hands Gallery – Eric Reichard is the featured artist at the First Friday Celebration, September 1st at Hands Gallery. Eric continues to enjoy retirement from ASU, but loves to pursue the art of his pottery, spending hours each day in his home studio. Eric has a special way of integrating new clays and glazes producing the most amazing colors and hues. His newest collection includes large earth stone vessels with piping/roping detail. Please stop by Hands Gallery this Friday to experience his new art along with his funny personality. Hands is one of the longest established Cooperatives in Western North Carolina. Located on Main Street in downtown Boone.  For more information about Hands Gallery, please click here.

  • Art of Oil – Join Art of Oil from 6 pm – 8 pm on Friday for a special benefit art show of Jay Winston’s unique paintings.  They will have door prizes, live music with Cody Mitchell, complimentary refreshments, as well as specials and sales throughout the store. Artist Jay Winston brings nature to abstract art with his bold, original acryllic paintings.  Jay is a resident of both Blowing Rock and the Florida Keys.  Proceeds of Jay’s art show will go directly to Mountain Alliance, a nonprofit organization that provides high school age students with a safe and supportive environment in which they can develop an increased sense of self and their place in the community.  It also installs a passion for lifelong learning, and an committment to environment stewardship.  For more information about Art of Oil, please click here.

  • Doe Ridge Pottery – Doe Ridge Pottery Gallery will be open on Friday evening for visitors until 8:30 pm.  Bob Meier will be working on last minute pieces he plans to take to the Potters Market Invitational on September 9th at the Mint Museum Randolph.  Watching Bob at his craft is always an experience! Stop by and wish him well on this exciting upcoming event!  For more information about Doe Ridge Pottery, please click here.
  • Lost Province Brewing Co. –  Lost Province Brewing Company will host Handlebar Betty at 7:30 pm for September’s First Friday. Laced with elements of southern rock, folk, blues, soul and rockabilly, Handlebar Betty creates a unique sound that is dark, driving, and earthy, bringing forth a genuine, soulful and eclectic approach to acoustic/electric music.
  • Rock Dimensions – Rock Dimensions will have the climbing tower in the courtyard between Footsloggers and Rock Dimensions open for September’s First Friday! Cost to climb will be discounted to $17 per person (usually $19.95). Climbing shoes, harness, helmet, and Rock Dimensions instructor are included in the cost.

For more information, call the Downtown Boone Development Association at (828) 268-6283 or visit the First Friday Art Crawl website