ART. MUSIC. FOOD. COMMUNITY.

the first Friday of every month, starting at 5pm!

First Fridays is a monthly cultural event highlighting local artists, performers, exhibits, and more! Stop by one of the many art galleries offering new exhibits and special performances, then make a night of it in downtown!

First Fridays’ primary purpose is to highlight the organizations and spaces that are bringing local, regional, and even national art to the Lynchburg community. Downtown Lynchburg has an ever-expanding tradition of art, culture, dining, and shopping.

HERE’S WHERE TO VISIT IN April:

ACADEMY CENTER OF THE ARTS
📍600 Main Street

The Ann White Academy Gallery: April 5-27, The Academy Center of the Arts Annual National Juried Art Exhibition. 25 Artists from 10 States

Juror: Andrew Norris, Assistant Professor at Virginia State University. Cash Awards over $3500.

The Up Front Gallery: April 5-27, The Academy Center of the Arts Annual National Juried Art Exhibition. 25 Artists from 10 States

Juror: Andrew Norris, Assistant Professor at Virginia State University. Cash Awards over $3500.

The BWXT Youth Gallery: April 5-27, Arts & Education Building, James River Day School - Student exhibition

Music: Daniel Kepel-Young

Click here to learn more! 5-8pm

RIVERVIEWS ARTSPACE
📍901 Jefferson Street

MAIN GALLERY: SIGNALING TEHORY EXHIBITION BY SIOBHAN BYRNS

Musical Guest: Midnight Radio
Cash Bar: Accepting Cash and Credit

GALLERY 108: BEATBURG POETRY OPEN MIC NIGHT & RECEPTION 6:00 - 7:30PM

Experience the magic of spoken word and the power of community at our open poetry mic night hosted by Steve Willis.

EMERGING ARTIST GALLERY: VES VARISTY ART SHOW: COLLECTIVE EXPERIENCES

VES Opening Night Reception: 5:30 - 7:00 PM

First Friday Musical Guest: Midnight Radio

First Fridays is free to attend. Come enjoy a relaxing evening filled with music, art and poetry.

Click here to learn more! 5-8pm

VECTOR SPACE
📍2004 memorial avenue

This First Friday, April 5th, Vector Space is hosting a special spring time skill share, building your own hydroponic planter. This First Friday requires you to get pumped about plants, learning about their intricate systems and building a system that suits those specialized needs. During the event participants will be repurposing old bakers buckets, Folders coffee cans and more as they gain exposure to new tools and have step by step guidance from knowledgeable Vector Space volunteers.

Vector Space will provide plant starts and planter materials to each participant on a first come first serve basis. Bringing your own recycled materials and plants is encouraged and welcome to ensure supplies last. Supplies include recycled materials such as plastic Folgers coffee cans (lids included) or quart sized mason jars (with lids), quart and individual sized yogurt cups and plant starts of your choosing. Activities begin at 5pm & end at 8pm. Member guided tours of our unique and inspiring space are available at each of our First Friday events.

Click here to learn more! 5-8pm

LYNCHBURG MUSEUM
📍901 Court Street

Baseball has been in Lynchburg from the middle of the 19th century. It was announced in the news, photographed in the parks, written home about, participated in by the young and watched by the old. Lynchburg dedicated a great deal of property to playing fields including two stadiums.

In 1886, Lynchburg fielded its first professional team, the Lynchburg’s. Lynchburg hosted Major League exhibition games as the teams left spring training to head north. Today the Lynchburg Hillcats are a Minor League Baseball team that plays in the Carolina League and is the Single-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. The season begins every April, PLAY BALL!

Please join us for an event on First Friday, April 5, from 5 to 7 pm, at the Lynchburg Museum at the Old Court House.

Click here to learn more! 5-7pm

LYNCHBURG ART CLUB
📍1011 Rivermont Avenue

This show features the art of three painters and two photographers, all of whom have spent time abroad and have captured their impressions and their love of France.

Steven Francis Coates will be exhibiting gelatin silver darkroom prints from his travels in Paris. He has had solo shows of his photography at the Academy, the Chrysler Museum, the Virginia Museum of Fine Art, and has consistently won awards for his work.

Alison Cox, a painter, considers traveling to France a passion and has participated in plein air workshops in Aix-en-Provence, as well as studying with local instructors. Ali paints in a loose, expressive style, on canvas with oils or acrylics.

Kathy Cudlin has made numerous trips to France over the years, and will be exhibiting her color photographs. Her work has been accepted in many regional and national juried shows. She served as Art Director for Lovern Advertising for over 20 years.

Holly Frazier, a watercolorist, has traveled to both Paris and Provence. She has studied extensively with local instructors and many beyond this area—and has had work juried into shows, including the Virgnia Watercolor Society Exhibitions.

Betsy Saunders Jones, spent time in Paris while a college student and has always enjoyed traveling. She taught French at Seven Hills School and E.C. Glass High School. Betsy is a painter and watercolorist who has studied with local art instructors and attended watercolor workshops.

Click here to learn more! 5-7:30pm

SUNDOG ART STUDIOS
📍815 Main Street

Enjoy light refreshments and a fantastic selection of original local artwork!

Click here to learn more! 5-8pm

FLUTES WINE SHOP
📍1225 Commerce Street

Join the staff of Flutes Wine Shop and Lounge as we once again participate in Downtown Lynchburg's First Fridays Art Events.

We have a beautiful new collection of 18th-century portraits you are not going to want to miss, they are beautiful pieces. We'd be happy to talk to you about this new collection temporarily in our possession in addition to some of the other pieces that we currently have on display.

We hope that you will come in and enjoy a glass of wine and the ambiance of this historic building in addition to these one-of-a-kind portraits you are not going to want to miss.

Click here to learn more! 4-8pm