The First Friday Art Walk is a community event celebrating art and creativity. Come downtown from 4 – 7 pm for a variety of free, family-friendly events.
1. BENDERS SHOES
Benders will be hosting author Anthony Anselmo. Anthony, a Minnesota author, will be signing and selling his debut novel: a ghost story centered in northern Minnesota.
2. MACROSTIE ART CENTER
Presenting the opening “50 Years and Beyond” in the MacRostie Gallery, which features the artists of the Duluth Fiber Guild. The Little Big Show miniatures exhibit is also on display in the Minnesota Gallery. The reception will include food, wine, and other beverages from 4 – 7 pm and an artist talk at 6 pm.
3. GIINAWIND CREATIVE SPACE
Showing “Waiting for Beds,” an experimental two-person exhibit by Moira Villiard and Carla Hamilton that explores what happens when someone has to wait for a bed during a crisis. The exhibit also includes community submissions from across Minnesota related to the topic.
4. STAINED GLASS WITH CLASS
Hosting Tricia Wahlstrom with Rustic Willow Designs.
5. OLD CENTRAL SCHOOL
- True North Salon and Spa
Welcoming Kyleigh Gullickson who will be displaying her Indigenous beaded earrings .
- Artists in the Attic
Stop in to visit the Artists in Residence on the 3rd floor including Chelsey Jo Johnson, Eleanor Tillmans and Joanna Knase. Join Chelsey Jo from 11 am – 7 pm as she presents Plaguechess: a chess expansion set which will be available to play. She’ll also have various artworks including plague doctor linocut prints available for purchase.
6. CENTRAL SCHOOL GROUNDS
Celebrate First Friday with a free concert on the lawn by LaPlant Road from 5 – 7 pm, and visit the Borealis Creamery food truck for hand-crafted small batch ice cream.
7. NORTHERN CRUISERS & ITASCA VINTAGE CAR CLUBS
The Car Clubs are hosting a show-n-shine event in the Kremers parking lot (1st Ave NW and Hwy 2). This event is open to all collector cars of any model year. Bobcats Lunchbox will be on site selling burgers, fries, and more.
8. GRAND RAPIDS AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Hosting First Friday exhibit of paintings by students from Diane Levar’s 2022-2023 watercolor workshops. Stop in to see dozens of local artists’ work, enjoy appetizers by the Timberlake, and music by Ditty Wish.
9. ITASCA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Samsoche Sampson is the featured artist AND musician at IEDC, which is showing a selection of his acrylic paintings and prints. Celebrate First Friday with live music, art,catering by Pinched Catering Company, and sweet treats by Dragonfly Coffee.
10. RAPIDS BREWING
First Friday live music with Sam Miltich and Friends from 4 – 6:30 featuring Leah Lemm, Tony Balluff, Nathan Norman, and Matthew Miltich, then Landscapes Band from 7 – 10 pm. Katy with Up North Sewing will be in the taproom with embroidered items from 4 – 6 pm.
Grand Rapids Arts 