First Friday with the Arts

Are you a local business or organization who wants to get involved with First Friday with the Arts?
Join us on May 6th, 2025 for a First Friday Mixer!

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

  • Artistically Ever After provides a FREE kids craft

  • Yoga East Healing Arts offers a FREE yoga class

  • Board & Brush hosts make and take experiences

  • Plus so much more!

UPCOMING FIRST FRIDAY ACTIVITIES

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UPCOMING FIRST FRIDAY ACTIVITIES -

May 2nd, 2025

The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri

  • The Visual Arts Cooperative has all new works in our new gallery!
    Anne Foust is featured in the window.
    426 Broadway St

Southeast Missouri State University River Campus

Catapult Creative Gallery

Painted Wren Art Gallery

  • 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.

Scout Hall

  • The fun doesn’t stop on the First Friday of May…
    Saturday, May 3rd: Mike’s Mint Julep Jubilee- drinks, prizes, derby trivia, snacks, derby BINGO and the Kentucky Derby on the big screen!

Spectrum Record Lounge

  • Have you tried their new seasonal cocktails yet? If not, head down for a post First Friday tasty beverage! They have great non-alcoholic options as well, if that’s more your speed.

Yoga East Healing Arts

  • FREE First Friday Yoga takes place from 5:00 - 6:00 PM. For the month of Mother’s Day, join Brittany Elizabeth Snell as they Honor the Divine Mother and the essence of Shakti feminine that exists within us all. A play of union through sound, Nada yoga, Mantra, and vocal toning. This movement class will include a Moon Flow, which is a mindful, grounding sequence formulated to embody feminine energy through hip-openers & fostering flexibility.

Board & Brush Creative Studio

  • Join them from 4:30 - 8:30 PM for an open studio 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. View your project options!

Head to our Friends of First Friday page to see what R.A.D Studios, CODES, First Presbyterian Church, The Collective at Scout North, Natural Health Organics,
PFLAG, Century Casino, and The Well by Girly Nature have going on in the upcoming months!