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There are reasons people love Fridays. It’s the end of the workweek for most of us and a chance to kick back and relax with friends and family. And there is no shortage of things to do on a Friday evening in Fayetteville. Once a month, the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County and the Cool Spring Downtown District team up with multiple venues downtown for a celebration. It’s known as 4th Friday. This month, Aug. 24, from 6-9 p.m. there will be new art exhibits, shopping, entertainment and more.The Arts Council’s newest exhibition opens during 4th Friday festivities. It’s called “Contemporary Art Forms By America’s First People.” The show celebrates the works of contemporary American Indian artists. Works include paintings, drawings, pottery, textiles and baskets. The exhibition runs through Oct. 20.
“This is the second time that the Arts Council will present an exhibition that features the contemporary works of America’s first people,” said Deborah Martin Mintz, executive director. “The first one – in 2016 – was so well-received, we decided to bring it back. Some of the same artists are included in the upcoming exhibition, as well as new artists.”
The Cool Spring Downtown District makes 4th Fridays an interactive adventure, showcasing downtown with themes and activities. This month, the theme is “Back to Cool.” According to Sam DuBose, CSDD general manager, “The contest this month will be a hybrid ‘orientation’ and will include various sites in downtown. The sites are broken into departments. For example, the Arts Council is the ‘Art Department’ and so on. People will take selfies and use our designated hashtag and upload their pictures to social media. And there will be a random drawing for a winner – a gift basket will be the prize.”
There will be copies of the “orientation” guide/“yearbook” available at various downtown businesses or on the 4th Friday Facebook page for download. It will include instructions about how to upload selfies as well as the social media hashtag.
Have you ever wanted to get a bird’s eye view of downtown? The Market House is open to the public from 6-10 p.m. during 4th Friday. Venture upstairs and see the permanent exhibit “A View from the Square: A History of Downtown Fayetteville” and check out
the August exhibit “Market House History.” What really went on under the rafters of Fayetteville’s only National Historic Landmark?
Say goodbye to summer with fun and happy songs at Headquarters Library. Rhonda and Meliheh will sing and play lighthearted sounds on their ukuleles. There will be light refreshments. It’s free to attend. Call 910-482-7727 ext. 1344 to learn more.
Say goodbye to summer with fun and happy songs at Headquarters Library. Rhonda and Meliheh will sing and play lighthearted sounds on their ukuleles. There will be light refreshments. It’s free to attend. Call 910-482-7727 ext. 1344 to learn more.
Fascinate-U Children’s Museum invites children to make a pencil topper craft on 4th Friday. The museum is open for free play from 7-9 p.m.
With so much going on, Janet Gibson, Arts Council director of marketing and communications, summed up the fun saying, “The joy. It can beseen – and felt – all around downtown during the 4th Friday celebrations. Myheart always melts when I watch kids
discover art, perhaps for the very first time, in the Arts Center at 301 Hay St. I love to watch families and friends come together to explore all the downtown galleries, restaurants, shops and other cool businesses. There truly is something for everyone.”
Visit www.visitdowntownfayetteville.com or www.theartscouncil.com for more information.
Photo:This oil painting, titled “James Locklear, Lumbee,” depicts the great-grandfather of artist Jessica Clark.