First Friday Artwalk

On the first Friday of every month Downtown Elizabeth City art studios and businesses open up their doors to share the wonderful world of art with the community.  An artful expression of giving is displayed as various artists set up their artwork in various stores, exposing their talents to locals strolling through.  A couple of stores also offered refreshments to art intrigued passerbys, as we gazed at the beautiful talent of their featured artist.  What better way to start off the weekend than taking a walk downtown, meeting new people, and being inspired by art.

I started my downtown art journey at my favorite coffee spot, Muddy Waters Coffee House, affectionately known as Muddy’s, to grab an apricot pear fruit smoothie (my favorite).  There is something about the warm smell of roasting coffee that is so comforting, and the atmosphere at Muddy’s invites you in to take a seat and unwind.  But not today, I am on an art mission.  Right across the street, Floor 2 Ceiling Designs, has a line of people waiting to enter their establishment, as they are showcasing the artwork and photography of various local youth. I decided to pass on the crowd and instead headed over to Serenity Studio Arts, which is only a couple of doors down.  During this First Friday Artwalk, Serenity Studio Arts offered passerbys a chance to embrace their own artistic abilities with Family Art Night.  Here, studio art owner, Courtney Birdsall, encourages that we all are artistic providing us a chance to paint on canvas or pottery, with no studio fee.  Courtney offers various classes at her art studio to motivate the community to embrace their inner artist such as:  art journaling, wine and paint (an awesome experience), jewelry making, basket weaving, sculpturing, and the list goes on.  Art classes are also available to children; this studio is very family friendly as well as a relaxing getaway for adults.

Strolling a little further down Main Street the Arts of the Albemarle was hosting The 27^th Annual Landmark Show and Competition.  If you’re feeling a little hungry after viewing paintings and photographs of local landmarks, you can head across the street to Sidney’s Café & Bistro where they are serving “fresh food with a twist”.  Once your belly is full, Kelly’s Color Studio is right next door.  Kelly is an artist in her own right, and her walls are covered with her beautiful artsy abilities.  Just in case you bring your kids along for the artwork and they get a little tired of walking and hearing you say, “don’t touch that”, Port Discover offers a First Friday Kids Art In.  You can drop your kids off to enjoy pizza and science activities ($10 for the first child and $5 for additional children with a membership) while you’re exploring the rest of the art walk.

A couple of doors down from Port Discovery is Shay Leslie Boutique, where “Wobbly Wolfe Pottery” was being hosted.  Down on Water Street at the local bookstore, Page After Page, author of “The Most Educated Idiot I know”, Dean Roughton had a book signing.  With various other local shops hosting artists and art exhibits, First Friday Artwalks offers the community a chance to have family fun and an artistic alternative to a Friday date night.  First Friday Artwalk is an ongoing affair, so if you’re every in Elizabeth City on the first Friday of the month, come and take a walk on the art side!