JUNE IS THE MONTH FOR ‘PLEIN AIR’ PAINTING AT FIRST FRIDAY
FEATURED ARTIST IS JAVIER GONZALEZ, ILLUSTRATOR, MURALIST AND PAINTER
FIRST FRIDAY SUMMER RESIDENCY WITH DRAY AND LARON EMCEE BEGINS JUNE 2
First Friday Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, announces that June 2 First Friday features plenty of ‘Plein Air’ painting – many artists painting live outdoors this month.
The art walk area on Boulder Avenue and First Street will feature an estimated sixty 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 in the Art Square parking lot.
- COVID-19 Requests – Guests are asked to be mindful of others. There are no mask requirements or social distancing requirements currently. First Friday will continue with its program of sanitation and asks guests to continue washing/sanitizing their hands.
- First Friday’s Featured Artist – Javier Gonzalez is June’s Featured Artist. He is a first generation Chicano comic illustrator and doodler currently living in Las Vegas. Gonzales aims to spread joy, kindness and compassion through his artwork, including various media – paintings on canvas, mural paintings, hand-drawn comics and Polaroids of clouds with inspirational text. He states that his illustrations are “a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day.”
- Cindy Funkhouser Residency Space – Cindy was the primary founder of First Friday and we honor her with a monthly space given for free to a local artist – Mila May, local artist and illustrator for June.
- First Friday Summer Residency – Two featured artists, Dray and LaRON Emcee, will have showings at the First Friday studio, 1025 S First St., Suite 170 (new showings for every First Friday).
- ‘Plein Air’/Live Painting – Trippy Pidgy; Latin Artist; LaRON Emcee
- “Puzzle Mural” – Malachi @watchsparrow will start creating the first community interactive piece of the “puzzle mural” to be placed at the NBA Summer League – a collaboration of five local artists will paint during the eleven days of the summer league and create a community piece with fans. This piece will be placed in auction with a portion of the proceeds going to the First Friday Foundation.
- Honda Activation – painting a car during the June First Friday with our friends at Findlay Honda and Channel 13
- Entertainment – Main Stage features Line Up Music with student performers and local musicians starting at 5:00 p.m. See www.ffflv.org for more information.
- Food Trucks – Over twenty favorite gourmet food trucks will be featured in the food garden.
- 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
- City paid Parking Lot (only $6) located at 500 S. Main Street will be open with free shuttle drop off at Hoover and 1st.
- Ride share drop off also located on Hoover and 1st
- Event onsite parking for $25 at 902 Casino Center corner of Hoover and Casino Center
- 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 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, is active and applications for artists and vendors are currently being accepted.
JUNE 2ND 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 June, 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 and restaurants throughout the First Friday footprint and the entire arts district.
Thanks to all our generous June sponsors:
- city of Las Vegas
- ABC Channel 13
- The English Hotel
- NBA Summer League
- Smirnoff Blue Raspberry Lemonade
- Smirnoff Pink & Peach Lemonade
- Jardin
- Hemperco
Hours of Operation
5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
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