“SPRING INTO ART” THIS APRIL 4 FIRST FRIDAY
FEATURED ARTIST IS DENVER MILLER III, DEMONSTRATING VINYL RECORD ART:
MILLER WON BLACK ROCK CITY HONORIA GRANT FOR BURNING MAN
First Friday Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, announces that the theme for the April 4, 2025, First Friday is “Spring into Art.”
The First Friday footprint has moved to Main Street with the Art Walk remaining on Boulder Avenue (adjacent to the Arts Factory) and then flowing onto Main Street. This change allows First Friday to stay in the Arts District during the planned construction projects. The art walk area on Boulder Avenue and First Street will feature an estimated one hundred First Friday artists and craftspeople.
Key elements for this month include:
- Hours of Operation – 5:00 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- First Friday Footprint – The Art Walk is on Boulder Ave. in front of the Arts Factory and on 1st Street. The food garden and bar are on Main Street closest to Charleston Ave. The new footprint: Main Street from Charleston to Coolidge with art walk area on Boulder to First Street (see map).
- First Friday’s Featured Artist – Denver Miller III is an artist and designer based in Reno/Las Vegas, NV, whose work bridges the worlds of music and visual art. Driven by a lifelong passion for music, Denver transforms vinyl records into intricate works that invite people to visually experience the music they love in profound new ways. He attributes much of his artistic growth to the role that First Friday played in his life this last year. Miller’s art has earned him a Black Rock City Honoraria Grant for Burning Man where he will be building his first large-scale sculpture, Wings of Resonance, a 15-foot butterfly sculpture made from vinyl records symbolizing transformation. In the April First Friday, he will share the concept behind Wings of Resonance with renderings, 3D-printed scale models with several pieces of other “World of Grooves” vinyl record artwork on display. He is also inviting attendees to donate their vinyl records so that he can use them in the piece and will be accepting donated vinyl records at the event and at other locations after.
- First Friday Artist Residency – Nancy Good, well-known local artist, is one of the current artists, bringing a depth of experience to the program. Andrea Knox joins Nancy Good in the residency program for the next few months.
- Cindy Funkhouser Residency Space – Cindy was the primary founder of First Friday, and we honor her with a monthly space given for free – this month features Black Tokyo.
- Entertainment – Enjoy the First Friday entertainment from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. We are introducing a new Indie Music Stage featuring young local musicians that write their own lyrics.
- Food Trucks & First Friday Bars – Over twenty favorite gourmet food trucks featured. Check out our new bars and special featured First Friday cocktails with Horse Trailer Hide Out.
- Other arts district art galleries, restaurants, bars and other retail businesses are open for First Friday.
- Roadwork
- Expect street improvements that will delay traffic throughout the coming months. However, we look forward to the beautiful improvements in the area.
- Parking Info:
- Parking Options: Online Information
- 1000 Commerce and 500 South Casino Center with a FREE shuttle directly to the event.
- IMPORTANT INFORMATION RE PARKING: *** First Friday is only operating parking in the streets immediately surrounding the festival on 1st Street and Coolidge. These spaces are available for $25 cash at the check-in tents. We are NOT operating in any of the vacant lots in the area for parking. There have been reports of people directing people to these lots and collecting money to park there. Do NOT Park in any of these lots – you risk being towed. Please notify us if someone approaches you about parking in one of the nearby vacant lots or if you see this happening. Thank you! *** The First Friday Foundation and its partners are not responsible for any damage or theft to your vehicle or belongings while at the event.
The First Friday Foundation will post updates and special offers on scheduled First Friday events and other programming through its social media channels – on Facebook at www.facebook.com/firstfridaylasvegas and Twitter @FirstFridayLV. The website, www.ffflv.org, accepts applications for artists and vendors.
APRIL 4TH FIRST FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS:
- Alternative to driving to the event:
- Downtown Loop provides transportation throughout downtown and to First Friday during the event.
- Art Style: Emerging and established artists, craftspeople. Interactive painting for those who want to explore their own creativity. Artists in tents at the event and in the many galleries surrounding the event.
- Art Walk 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. highlights work by primarily local artists. Check out the artists’ booths at the event and be sure to stop in the many galleries in the arts district – Arts Factory, Art Square, along Main Street.
- Family fun – there is always something fun for the whole family on First Friday. In August, there are several interactive community art projects throughout the footprint.
- Music – From 5:00 p.m. local talent will be featured throughout the night. Check www.ffflv.org for details.
- Food & Drink – 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Explore the many options for your taste buds as the First Friday culinary experience is back in full force with delicious options from the many food trucks, artisan food vendors, bars and restaurants throughout the new First Friday footprint and the entire arts district.
Thanks to all our generous March sponsors:
- city of Las Vegas
- Park West Gallery
- Verizon
- Casamigos Ultra-Premium Tequila and Mezcal
- Jardin
- Las Vegas Raiders
- KTNV Channel 13 Action News Las Vegas
Regular Hours of Operation
5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
NOTE: First Friday announces a new residency with Park West Gallery (in the Forum Shops of Caesars Palace), beginning March 27-30 and then April 3-6. Amanda Kettler, former First Friday artist-in-residence, is featured.
ABOUT FIRST FRIDAY FOUNDATION
First Friday Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and advancing local arts and culture in Las Vegas. We also believe in collaborating with other organizations to help raise awareness in the arts and linking these partnerships to benefit local artists and community members. First Friday Foundation produces the monthly event known as First Friday Las Vegas, which has been a mainstay of arts and culture in Las Vegas since 2002 and has become the leader for family-friendly activities, art, cultural enrichment, educational efforts, imagination, community and more; activities are mostly low cost or free of cost, for every age. While the First Friday Foundation is best known for its monthly event, it is also beginning to be known for its additional community programs that support local artists, small business, and nonprofits throughout the year. For more information on the First Friday Foundation, please visit Facebook page, Instagram or follow on Twitter or visit ffflv.org