There are only a few Richmond events that the majority of residents get excited about.
Outdoor concerts are an obvious example, as are food festivals, parades and any celebration of a holiday that involves a beer truck and standing outside. But eating, drinking and standing outdoors aside, Richmonders are pretty fickle about their entertainment.
So when Curated Culture launched its First Fridays Artwalk seven years ago, its popularity was kind of a surprise. Those same beer truck-loving concert goers flocked en masse to an evening devoted to Richmond artists, galleries and culture.
Maybe it was the quality of the art, or perhaps it was the community-oriented vibe that accompanies every First Fridays event, that secured the events. Or maybe it was, quite simply, the roughly five square blocks of outdoor walking that attracted Richmonders.
Whatever it was, one thing is sure, First Fridays is a hit. And, since today is the first Friday of the month, and you're probably planning to head down there, we've got a quick run down of the exhibitions that are opening tonight at the participating galleries.
Participating Galleries
1708 Gallery
"3D Multiples: The Object of Production" opens. Part of "CommandPrint: The 2008 Southern Graphics Council Conference" hosted by Virginia Commonwealth University's Department of Painting and Printmaking. 319 W. Broad St., 804-643-1708
art6 Gallery
Gallery 1: Serial Witness: Sequential Prints of Mitzi Humphrey opens. Gallery 2: Books, Broadsides, et alia opens. Skylight Gallery: International Prints from Virginia Collections opens. Part of "CommandPrint: The 2008 Southern Graphics Council Conference" hosted by Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Painting and Printmaking. 6 E. Broad St., 804-343-1406
Curated Culture's Cornerstone Gallery
"Young Printmakers," which showcases emerging artists in printmaking: Heather Bryant (Virginia), Andrew Hershey (Nebraska), Rachael Hetzel (New York) and Anne Ruehrmund (Nebraska) opens. Part of "CommandPrint: The 2008 Southern Graphics Council Conference" hosted by Virginia Commonwealth University's Department of Painting and Printmaking. Like music by Keith Bowniece accompanies the opening. 23 W. Broad St., 804-344-1508
Forinstance Gallery
"Allowing Overtures to Understudy For Magic," works by Marty Johnson opens. Live Jazz by The Kevin Johnson Group accompanies the opening. 107 E. Cary St., 757-574-4111
Gallery 5
"Repressed III: An exhibition dedicated to socially conscious works" opens. The exhibition is hosted in collaboration with T.O.W.A.R. Live music by Pacific Before Tiger, Amrita K. Dang, Cars Will Burn, Caustic Castle and Jason Talbot with video by Richmonder Eric Eaton accompanies the opening. Part of "CommandPrint: The 2008 Southern Graphics Council Conference" hosted by Virginia Commonwealth University's Department of Painting and Printmaking. 200 W. Marshall St., 804-644-0005
Ghostprint Gallery
"Finger Print," a show dedicated to national stencil and print based street artists, opens. Part of "CommandPrint: The 2008 Southern Graphics Council Conference" hosted by Virginia Commonwealth University's Department of Painting and Printmaking. 220 W. Broad St., 804-344-1557