First Friday to celebrate element of chance
The First Friday arts festival is set from 5 to 11 p.m. March 6 at venues throughout the 18b Arts District in downtown Las Vegas, near the intersection of Charleston Boulevard and Main Street. Admission is free. Live entertainment, artists’ booths, food vendors and more are planned. Street parking fills up quickly, and there are several temporary paid lots nearby. Parking is available at Symphony Park for $3, and a shuttle goes to the festival.
The event features several special areas, including a KidZone; Green Street, which focuses on environmentally friendly products and practices; The Hub Stage; and Shuffle Zone, which showcases a variety of artists.
For March, First Friday’s theme is Chance. Risk. Fortune, an art event embracing luck and randomness. At the welcome tent, attendees have the option of leaving their First Friday experience up to chance by rolling the dice for advice on how to navigate the event. Plans include a Chance Shack, where visitors can seek advice through a magic eight-ball, by flipping coins or by using a Ouija board, among other means.
Many vendors will have mini-wheels of fortune to win prizes such as a free drink with the purchase of food, $5 art and more.
Artist Ruzo Logic plans a new panel installation that encourages professional and amateur artists to come together and contribute to the piece that should look like a mosaic of various art forms when completed.
For information on shuttle services, artists, music and more, visit firstfridaylasvegas.com.
Preview Thursday is slated from 6 to 9 p.m. March 5 and offers an opportunity to see many of the galleries and shows before the crowds on Friday.
Galleries planning to participate in March’s First Friday include:
THE ARTS FACTORY, 107 E. CHARLESTON BLVD.
— The Jerry Misko Gallery is set to feature works by Misko. Visit jerrymisko.com.
— Jana’s Red Room, which has moved to the space vacated by Trifecta Gallery, is set to include a small works gallery and a larger open gallery featuring works by established and emerging local artists. Visit janasredroom.com or call 702-454-3709.
— R Space Studio is set to show works by gallery collective members, including several new artists. Visit facebook.com/rspacestudio or call 858-733-2135.
— Sin City Gallery plans to display “Incognito,” art by Cass Fuller. Visit sincitygallery.com or call 702-608-2461.
— Peace N Art Studio is slated to show new works by Alexander Huerta.
— Eden Art Studio and Gallery is scheduled to offer “Tormented Guardians,” a group show of 100 pieces featuring nudes, including work by Stewart Freshwater, Justin Lepper and Amy Stewart Hale.
— 17 Moons Art Studio is set to display new assemblages by Michael Delacruz. Visit 17moons.com or call 702-245-7725.
DOWNTOWN SPACES, 1800 INDUSTRIAL ROAD
Downtown Spaces is set to celebrate First Friday from 6 to 10 p.m. March 6. Visit dtspaces.com for details. Confirmed activities include:
— Skin City Body Painting is set to feature an art show and live painting body painting demo.
— SolSis Gallery/EQLD Creations Art Studio plans a closing reception for “No Pop No Style” by Joseph “Scream” Guadamuz, with live music and refreshments.
— Wasteland Gallery is set to offer “Composition,” featuring alla prima portraits of more than 30 Las Vegas musicians by Jska Priebe. The portraits are set to be presented in an interactive display with links to music and information about the subjects. Sal Giordano, Bob Oh and Brian Gibson, all of whom are featured in the exhibition, are set to perform live.
— Spectral Gallery plans to display new art by Mike and Dasha Biggs and Jska Priebe, with live digital painting demonstrations.
— Urizen Gallery is slated to offer new work by Kortnie and Benito Colon-Contreras.
OTHER LOCATIONS
— Reclaimed Art Suppliez, 1114 S. Casino Center Blvd., plans to host art demonstrations and work by local artists. Visit reclaimedart.org or call 702-241-8926.
— City of the World, 1229 S. Casino Center Blvd., is set to show “Socratys,” works by Kamora Jones. Visit cityoftheworld.org or call 702-409-7549.
— Clay Arts Vegas, 1511 S. Main St., is set to display “Fabulous Figures,” a juried show featuring sculptural and functional work focused on figure. Visit clayartsvegas.com or call 702-375-4147.
Contact East Valley View reporter F. Andrew Taylor at ataylor@viewnews.com or 702-380-4532.
