06-13-12-4thfriday.jpgJune 22 is the 4th Friday of the month. You know what that means, at least for downtown Fayetteville. That’s right, a celebration of the arts in the heart of the city. The galleries open new exhibits, which often include receptions and performances, artists share their newest creations and inspirations and the shops stay open late. Restaurants are hustling, the sidewalks are bustling, and a good time is had by all.

The Arts Council Fayetteville/Cumberland County presents the exhibit Reflections empowering artists with disabilities.

RHA Health Services of North Carolina is a leading non-profit provider of services and supports for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities, and is the sponsor of this exhibit.

RHA firmly believes that “Art therapy for people with disabilities has the potential to impact lives in profound ways. Art can serve as a powerful voice providing endless possibilities for self expression. As Georgia O’Keefe said, “I found that I could say things with color and shapes that I had no words for”. We hope that this partnership with the Arts Council will bring awareness of individual creativity and lifelong learning through the arts for all.”

Cape Fear Studios announces the opening of the 2012 Fourth Annual National 2D Exhibit. Entries for the show poured in from all over the United States; 33 entries have been selected for the show. The works are rich in content, style and approach.

The Downtown Alliance invites the public to the Second Annual Downtown Scavenger Hunt as part of the 4th Friday festivities. Teams of 1-2 people will scour downtown in search of information and photographs to complete their list of tasks. Teams may pick up their Scavenger Hunt List beginning at 6 p.m. at The Downtown Alliance Office at 222 Hay Street. All teams correctly completing their list by 9pm will be entered into a drawing for an adventure-oriented prize, sponsored by The Climbing Place and other participating downtown merchants.

Registration for the Second Annual Downtown Scavenger Hunt in advance via the Fourth Friday Fayetteville Facebook page or on-site at Fourth Friday.

Local authors are featured at Headquarters Library. Meet the authors, peruse their works and learn the ins and outs of self-publishing. Twenty or so Fayetteville writers will be on hand to meet the public.

Joe Haymore a member of the Cape Fear Gem and Mineral Society visits Fascinate-U Museum this month. He’s bringing leather and beads so museum visitors can make their own bracelets. Admission is free.

At the Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, witness a bugle ceremony by an Army Ground Forces Band trumpet player at the flag staff in front of the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau at 5:15 p.m., as a simultaneous show of solidarity with Fort Bragg.

The Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum features artifact-filled exhibits, including a model train room, that tell the story of transportation from pre-history through the early 20th century.

Visit the Market House and check out an educational exhibit upstairs highlighting Fayetteville’s Role in World War II. The exhibit is open from 6 to 10 p.m.

The Fayetteville Art Guild opens Fayetteville Art Guild: Celebrating 45 Years, highlighting original 2-D and 3-D works of art in all mediums including: oils, pastels, photography, graphics jewelry, fiber art, pottery, mixed media. The exhibit runs through July 21.

Find out more about 4th Friday at www.theartscouncil.com