Looking to get out of the house this weekend? The Paseo Arts District has you covered with its First Friday Gallery Walk in July! This event brings together more than 25 businesses and 10 restaurants along with live music for a fulfilling evening of arts and entertainment.
On July 1, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the Paseo Arts District will feature two new gallery exhibits in an opening reception. The first gallery features artist Verdean Evergarden and his conceptual paintings as a part of his exhibit “Un-Finished”, while the second gallery showcases Paseo Art Association’s “Print on Paseo”, an exhibition that promotes diverse printmaking processes as a form of artistic creation. Marwin Begaye, an internationally renowned printmaker and professor at the University of Oklahoma, will be presenting print awards at 7 p.m. Both galleries will be on display throughout the month of July.
When it comes to the Paseo’s First Fridays, executive director Amanda Bleakley has the best advice for making the most of your evening. “There is usually a decrease in attendees during the summer because people are on vacation, so it’s a great time to visit if you want to beat the crowd,” Bleakley said. “Because the weather is warmer, crowds show up later, and it usually doesn’t rain, so that’s a plus.”
On top of the added benefits of First Fridays during the summer months, Bleakley recommends making reservations at the vast array of local restaurants in the Paseo District prior to attending, as they tend to fill up quickly. There are also two exciting additions to July’s First Friday, with Country Girl Kitchen home-baked bread located in front of the galleries and a new art installation located in JRB Art at the Elms. These festivities are perfect for all ages, so bring the whole family along for a night full of creativity and connection.
“The Paseo District is very approachable for all types of people and all ages,” Bleakley said. “The merchants stay open later while providing snacks and highlighting different artists each month. Also, the area is very walkable because it’s just two blocks, so it’s easy to meander down the street.”
You can find more information about First Fridays at the Paseo Arts District on its website.
