October 01, 2021

First Friday Art Walk welcomes fall with some new venues on the tour in Downtown Springfield. Joining the rookies are 18 other galleries ready to show off the works of some of the area’s most talented artists.

Artistic Photography (600 West College Street, Suite 112) is one of those new venues, next door to Lost Signal Brewing Company. FFAW marks the grand opening of Artistic Photography and Petrichor Salon. They’ll be featuring several local women in a photo art gallery in partnership with the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks. Inspirational note cards and pink hair extensions will be for sale, with proceeds donated to BCFO.

Harbell’s Grill & Sports Bar is another new addition to Art Walk. They joined in September. It’s a great place to enjoy food, drink and sports, and is a prime spot to enjoy a great night of Art Walk.

Make sure you stop by The Coffee Ethic as they host the First Friday Art Walk Anniversary Art Contest. While you’re there, vote for “People’s Choice” and help your favorite artist win a $100 cash prize! A team of judges will pick 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners, with a total of $400 in cash prizes on the line.

Missouri State University’s Student Exhibition center has moved and is being re-named. The Robert and Margaret Carolla Arts Exhibition Center is now at 326 North Boonville and is currently undergoing renovations as a premier exhibition center in the Southwest Missouri region. The Boonville Gallery will be open 6-9 p.m. for First Friday.

BookMarx has a spooky feature in store for October. Re Baker-Dietz presents “Scroobious.pips Pop-Up Shop and Art Show.” It features encaustic paintings, handmade candles, unique and mysterious gifts, and more.

Looking for some family fun? The Vineyard Church (634 West Wall St.) is featuring the artworks of Springfield Public Schools middle school and high school visual arts teachers. The collection will include ceramics, sculptures, paintings and drawings created by the art educators of SPS. They’re also hosting “Chill Between the Thrills” with free hot cider and roast-your-own-s’mores in the lot outside their building, conveniently located between Dungeons of Doom and Hotel of Terror.

Hold Fast Brewing will be pouring its delicious craft beer, including its HoldFest, while Andi’s Snack Shack will serve up creative burgers, sandwiches and fries. The Ozark Songbirds will provide live music, starting at 7 p.m.

And don’t forget about Sculpture Walk, featuring the work of 34 local and national artists. Larger-than-life sculptures dot downtown, including this month’s featured work, Nathan Pierce’s “Intergalactic.” It’s located on the southeast corner of Campbell Ave. and Walnut Street.

Other Downtown venues include The Bonsai Guy, The Creamery Arts Center, Fresh Gallery, Formed: An Artist Collective, Hotel Vandivort, Kokoro Training Academy, Missouri State University’s Brick City Gallery, Obelisk Home at the Inspired Commerce Building, Park Central Branch Library, Springfield Police Calaboose Museum and Transformation Gallery & Tattoo.

The Art Walk team reminds you to please follow mask requests inside the venues, utilize sanitizing stations and practice social distancing when possible. Stay safe and keep loving the arts!