Artwalk Friday: It's the First First Fridays of Autumn, so Leave Your Excuses at Home!

Since the last Artwalk, Autumn has officially arrived and the weather has transitioned from generally hot, humid, and unpleasant to charmingly cool and comfortable. Who wouldn't welcome a change like that? With good weather, new art, live music, and refreshments, there's no excuse to stay home and miss out on Richmond's favorite monthly art event. Just take your favorite light sweater and go! After all, this month's Artwalk will also feature the Opening Night of the Annual 2 Street Festival! presented by Venture Richmond.

The street festival, which typically attracts approximately 45, 000 people every year throughout the weekend-long festivities, celebrates Richmond's African-American community. Come out for live music on four stages, children's activities, soulful food, a unique shopping experience in the marketplace, and street dancing in the streets and renew old friendships.

Savor the Friday Night Kickoff Dance Partyat Waverly R. Crawley Main Stage (2nd & Marshall Sts.) withJ ohnny Houston & The Legends from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Also make time for the 2008 Second Street Poster Unveilingfeaturing art of
Larry "Poncho" Brown 
at the Metropolitan Business League, 115 E. Marshall St., from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The festival continues on Saturday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

But in case you don't feel quite so spontaneous and more inclined to revel in a traditional Artwalk, take some time to plan before you head out. After all, Richmond.com has made it easy for you. We've created a preview for October 2008's First Friday's Artwalk in case wandering around aimlessly isn't your style. Keep in mind that all galleries are open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. with opening receptions beginning at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted:

312 Gallery
If you enjoy traditional African-American art with bucolic and religious references, you'll love artist William H. Clarke's collection, "My Journey in Time." Clarke, a native Virginian who works with mixed media, prides himself in being self-taught. Befittingly for an art exhibit dedicated to black folk art, blues band Drug Study will fill the air with heart and soul. 312 Brook Road, (804) 339 -2535.

1708 Gallery

Murtaugh and Matthew Gehring "Seductions"
Open for reception with bar in the back; same show from last month. 319 W. Broad St., (804) 643-1708.

art6 Gallery
This First Friday opening features an eclectic range of exhibitions. A full tour of the gallery will expose you to everything from the work of Korean ceramics artist Hyun Kyung Yoon to the etchings and monoprints of Laura Pharis to the pen & ink drawings of Laura Heyward and Daniel Heyward. Tunes by Soulfire Music with special guests Jamela Bullock and The Blacktastics will accompany the evening. Reception party starts at 6 p.m. 6 E. Broad St., (804) 343-1406.

Church of Crystal Light

Come see "Wall Time," a collection of pieces by Andrew Jeffrey Wright. The collection includes spray paint work, paintings on canvas, wall drawings , T-shirts, buttons, and a whole slew of other DIY style pieces. 309 North Adams St., (757) 508-6370.

Gallery 5

The Carnival of 5 Fires. 200 W. Marshall St., (804) 644-0005.

Ghostprint Gallery

Chris Milk's "Nickle" and Reception at 7 p.m. 220 W. Broad St., (804) 344-1557.

Jennifer Young Studio and Gallery

This will be Jennifer Young's last Artwalk, as she plans to soon move the gallery. All of her signature classical-style painted landscapes will be up for sale. Open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 16 E. Main Street, (804) 254-1008.

Lift Coffee Shop
Kristen Joseph will exhibit paintings and mixed media from her collection "Impermanence of Motion." 218 W. Broad St., (804) 344-5438.

Metro Space Gallery

Chris Krull presents his range of sculpture, most notably his lamps forged from metal. May have live music. Finger food. 119 West Broad Street Richmond, VA 23220, (804) 643-7125.

Oneness Gallery

Chiquita(kuita) Burroughs presents acrylic on canvas and paper with photos by Tammy Hargrove. 202 E Cary St. 2nd floor, (804) 344-4333.

Quirk Gallery

Mixed media artist Kristen Caskeypresents "Jumpsuit: An Installation."For the shop show, see Jeff Doge's acrylic. For the Vault Project 2008, Sandra Zilker will present jewelry and fiber pieces. Although there won't be any refreshments within the gallery, you can visit the farmer's market in the gallery parking lot. Opening reception at 6 p.m.-10 p.m. 311 W. Broad St., (804) 644-5450.

Studio/Gallery 6

Admire neon sculpture by Leonard Pearlman and mixed media (primarily surreal collages) by Todd S. Hale with live music by The Thirds. Open from 6 p.m. to 12 p.m.

Transmission

View an installation by Maya Hayuk, who has created wall paintings based off of digital video glitches. Jonathan Coward will exhibit his sound and Alexis Semtner will exhibit her paintings. 321 Brook Road, (804) 200-9985.

Visual Art Studio
See the works of two artists whose pieces have been up since last month's Artwalk, Jack Reilly and Dough Sutherland, but also take in a new work by mixed media artists Dan Bellanger, Ian Macleod, Anthony Wyatt, and Mary Stuart Hallman. You may also enjoy new jewelry by Cari Tabor. Yiddish, gypsy, and Klezmer music by My Son, The Doctor will round out the evening. 208 W. Broad St., (804) 644-1368.

Please remember that it is illegal to carry alcohol from one gallery to another. Finish your alcoholic beverages at the local from which you obtained them. Keep First Fridays family-friendly!

Curated Culture's First Fridays Artwalk takes place on the first Friday of each month from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., unless otherwise noted. For more information, including other participating cultural venues, shops and restaurants, call (804) 344-1508 or visit them online at firstfridaysrichmond.com.