First Friday with the Arts
First Friday with the Arts, most commonly referred to as First Friday, is a community-centered event that takes place on the First Friday of every month. Established in 2003, First Friday is an event initiated by local galleries, businesses, and organizations to encourage residents of the Southeast Missouri region to further engage in the arts and support local Downtown Cape establishments.
The Arts Council is a strong believer in supporting local. First Friday with the Arts inspires visitors to enjoy a Friday night with family and friends, visiting local businesses and organizations. Supporting local food establishments, retail shops, and art galleries is important for the economic health of our city.
First Friday celebrations will sometimes include stamp cards or other incentives to visit our Friends of First Friday. A business or organization who is a Friend of First Friday is a member of the Arts Council who is dedicated to growing a strong community in Downtown Cape. Our Friends of First Friday often stay open for the full First Friday hours, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, so everyone gets the chance to celebrate after work or school. As mentioned above, many businesses offer a fun activity, refreshments, or even live music!
Some examples of celebrations on First Friday include,
The Arts Council hosts an opening reception for the newest gallery exhibition
Solo exhibitions in local organizations and businesses
Yoga East Healing Arts offers a FREE yoga class
Board & Brush hosts make and take experiences
Plus so much more!
Thank You to Our First Friday with the Arts Sponsors
Helen & Bob Towner
UPCOMING FIRST FRIDAY ACTIVITIES
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UPCOMING FIRST FRIDAY ACTIVITIES -
December 5th, 2025
The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri
Join us for the official opening reception of the December & January exhibition! Our Visual Arts Cooperative artists will have all new artwork on the east wall, as well as tons of art in miniature in the window! There will be plenty of artwork for every budget, so get your Christmas shopping done at the Arts Council. Supporting an artist is supporting a local business. PLUS you will be giving the coolest gifts around!
Our Annual Members Exhibition will be on the west wall of the gallery. Our membership has grown over the past year so we are so excited for you to see the talent of all of our new friends! We are honored to have Dr. Joni Hand as our juror this year.
Plus, our friend Mandy Talley is back this year playing guitar and singing Christmas carols on the sidewalk so be sure to join in for a song or two! You can also drop off a toy for Toys for Tots in our gallery!
Our very own Visual Arts Cooperative member, Patricia Holloway, is the December and January artist! The Reynolds House will be open from 5:00 - 8:00 PM for First Friday, so be sure to make your way down Main Street! The Reynolds House is open on Sundays, 1:00 - 4:00 PM.
Not only are they open until 10:00 PM on Fridays for all your craft brew and late night munchie needs, but Mike Tenholder is bringing all new artwork in! Rumor has it, a special musician will be playing as well!
Zyra Neal is the Friends of First Friday artist at Spectrum! All of her super colorful art is for sale! They are open until 11:00 PM so be sure to buy some art, vinyl, and a winter cocktail or two! You can also grab some coupons from our friends at Broadway Biscuit Co!
If you missed Thomas Shaner’s work last month, have no fear! He is the featured artist at the Cape Public Library in December. Check out their website to find their weekly hours.
DEAD/BOLT, an exhibition of works by students in AR399: Professional Practices, will be on display in the main gallery. Art in Existence, an exhibition of works by Jaszmine Walton will be in the Slingshot Gallery. Both exhibitions have opening receptions from 5:00 - 7:00 PM during First Friday!
Visit this veteran owned gallery from 1:00 - 6:00 PM on First Friday! They sell paintings, photos, prints, goat milk soap, note cards, children's books, and more!
Pass the Love will be at Annie Laurie’s during the month of December! Stop by to add a note of love or encouragement to the installation. Snap a picture with it and tag PFLAG Cape, Annie Laurie’s, and the Arts Council! Annie Laurie’s is open from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM on First Friday.
FREE First Friday yoga with Cherish Petry! Register ahead of time by visiting their website.
Join them for a Make & Take workshop! They provide all the materials and instruct you step-by-step to create a beautiful piece for your home or for a gift. Choose from a variety of paint colors in the workshop. Drop in from 5:00 - 9:00 PM!
Are you an artist or collector looking to custom frame some artwork? Support local and head to StevMark! They close at 5:00 PM on First Friday, so be sure to stop by and say hello to one of our newest Friends of First Friday before heading downtown!
R.A.D. Studios & First Presbyterian Church
Support two Friends of First Friday at once! R.A.D. Studios will be joining First Presbyterian Church for a Holiday Open House. Go on a stained glass tour, watch skits by students of R.A.D. Studios, join in for a youth vocal workshop, enjoy coloring sheets and refreshments, and MORE!
Join the Glenn House and friends for a Victorian Dreamscape celebration! Pastimes Antiques will bring Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol to life while the Glenn House is bringing Through the Looking Glass: Alice in Winter Wonderland vibes to the party. Enjoy live music and s’mores in the carriage house from 5:30 - 8:30 PM!
Music Academy of Southeast Missouri
Two winter recitals will be taking place in Shuck Recital Hall at 5:30 and 6:30 PM! Come support young musicians and see what magic happens at the Music Academy! Spring semester sign ups are underway, so you’re encouraged to give the gift of music education this holiday season!
If you haven't heard, our friends at Broadway Bistro & Vintage Trade have started a new business venture! In the same space, Broadway Biscuit Co is NOW OPEN! After you finish your First Friday rounds, order online from 9:00 PM - 2:00 AM (yep, you read that right!) to satisfy your nighttime breakfast craving. Let's show this new local business some love!
Head to our Friends of First Friday page to learn more about our friends CODES, The Collective at Scout North, Forté Tea Lounge, George’s, Havco, Natural Health Organics, Scout Hall, SendAFriend, Terry McDowell Design LLC, and University Autism Center!