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
-
UPCOMING FIRST FRIDAY ACTIVITIES -
August 1st, 2025
The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri
The Visual Arts Cooperative has all new work in our new gallery!
VAC artist, Hunter Hale, will be featured in the window.
Havco is sponsoring August First Friday with the Arts! Help us thank them for their generous donation to provide elevated refreshments and live music!
The artwork of Helen Towner will be on display for the months of August and September. The Reynolds House will be open from 5:00 - 8:00 PM on Friday the 1st, and from 1:00 - 4:00 PM every Sunday in August.
Dylan Statler is the first Friends of First Friday artist for Minglewood! His art will be on display and available for purchase during the months of August and September.
Tiffany Johnkoski is the first Friends of First Friday artist at Spectrum! Doors open at 10:00 AM so you have all day to check out (and purchase!) her work. Closing time isn’t until 11:00 PM, so be sure to grab a post First Friday featured margarita.
Broadway Bistro & Vintage Trade
Joshua Newth is the guest artist at Broadway Bistro & Vintage Trade! Stop by to see his artwork and caffeinate before making your First Friday rounds. They will be open late until 8:00 PM for the opening reception! All artwork is available for purchase.
The Pass the Love project will be displayed at a new safe space business for the month of August. Check back soon to find out where you can find it…
Visit this veteran-owned art gallery from 1:00 - 6:00 PM. There is so much to see and do in the gallery! Three of their artists are juried Best of Missouri Hands artists and you can find all sorts of art to buy, including paintings, photos, prints, goat milk soap, note cards, and children's books.
Join them for a Make & Take workshop from 5:45 - 8:30 PM! 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. Please note, due to the size of these projects, no personalization is accepted. View your project options here.
FREE First Friday yoga with Cherish Petry! Register ahead of time by visiting their website.
Southeast Missouri Music Academy
Do you have a love for music? Enroll in the Music Academy at Southeast and be a part of a group of fellow music lovers! Its professional faculty offers musical instruction to students of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds, and guides the development of basic musical and performing skills while encouraging the creative use of those skills. From birth through the retirement years, the Academy welcomes any student wishing to increase his or her musical knowledge and proficiency. Registration for the fall semester ends August 7th!
Head to our Friends of First Friday page to learn more about our friends CODES, The Collective at Scout North, First Presbyterian Church, Mississippi Mutts, Natural Health Organics, Scout Hall, SendAFriend, The Glenn House, and The Well by Girly Nature!