First Friday Art Walk always features a wide variety of art across downtown Springfield. The April 5 walk will include America’s most soulful art form: jazz.
More than 15 venues are participating in this month’s Art Walk, a monthly effort in which galleries and businesses line up arts-related events across downtown Springfield. Everyone is encouraged to walk around the neighborhood and pop into galleries in what organizers call a “self-guided tour.” Venues will be open for variable hours between 4:30 and 10 p.m.
Gillioz Theatre lobby transforms into the Jazz Café for Art Walk
This weekend is the Gillioz Jazz Festival and you can get a sneak peek during First Friday Art Walk.
The lobby of the historic Gillioz Theatre (325 Park Central East) will be transformed into the Jazz Café from 6-9 p.m., with Smithsonian art featuring jazz legends, premium cocktails and treats from the likes of Don Tono Mexican Food and Smore-ish Killer Desserts.
Head on up to the third floor to learn more about the Gillioz’s resident companies, like the Missouri Jazz Orchestra and Ozarks Lyric Opera. Guests will also enjoy art from Two Black Ravens and SATO48 short film screenings. Guided tours of the theatre are offered at 6 and 7:30 p.m.
Juried art shows at the Carolla Arts Exhibition Center, Fresh Gallery
Boonville Avenue is home to a pair of juried art shows during April’s First Friday Art Walk, one at Fresh Gallery (401 N. Boonville) and the other at the Carolla Arts Exhibition Center (326 N. Boonville).
Fresh Gallery hosts the opening reception for its Annual Juried Art Show with wine and cheese from 6-9 p.m. There will also be live music by Mark Ellman. An awards ceremony starts at 7 p.m.
The public is invited to view the featured art and meet some of the artists. Many of the Fresh Gallery member artists will be on hand to visit with the public and answer questions about their art and processes. The Juried Art Show will be on display through April 27.
The 2024 Juried Student Exhibition will be on display from 6-9 p.m. at the Carolla Arts Exhibition Center. It features a wide variety of work from Missouri State University undergraduate and graduate students, and was juried by Kansas City-based artist Steve Snell. The exhibition includes monetary awards including the Mark. J. Hall Best in Show Award.
Obelisk Home opens two exhibitions, offers chance to support Habitat for Humanity
Explore Obelisk Home (214 W. Phelps St., Suite 101) from 6-10 p.m. to see two new exhibitions and take part in the 18th Annual Birdhouse Auction.
T.D. Scott will be featured in the Main Gallery with a show called “Ozark.” Scott’s encaustic wax creations feature sweeping vistas, cascading waterfalls, verdant valleys and majestic rock formations inspired by the region. Head to the Lower Level Gallery for the opening reception of the Glendale High School Alumni Exhibition. It showcases more than 20 artists.
Silent bidding for the Birdhouse Auction starts at 6 p.m. and will continue through May’s First Friday Art Walk. Southwest Missouri artists have donated their time and talents to create the birdhouses and Obelisk Home says 100% of the proceeds from the auction will directly benefit Habitat for Humanity Springfield’s mission — helping homeowners achieve strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter.
Get a lesson in nature photography at the Park Central Library Branch
Members of the Southwest Missouri Camera Club present their show “Flowers” at the Park Central Branch Library (128 Park Central Square) from 6:30-9 p.m. Interested in learning more about nature photography? Valerie Rippey will host the Art Talk at 7 p.m. The topic is macro nature photography.
For more information on the Southwest Missouri Camera Club, visit their website. You can also connect with the group on Facebook and Instagram.
Paintings, prints, poems and more at BookMarx
BookMarx (325 E. Walnut St.) offers an opportunity to explore visions of whimsy and joy with featured artist Petyr “Peewee” Cruikshank. His show is titled “Dream With Eyes Wide Open.”
Inside you’ll find a collection of paintings, prints, sculptures and poems inspired by Cruikshank’s nostalgia-tinted dreams. There will also be stickers, prints and short fiction available for purchase.
Cruikshank’s work is also for sale through local shop Own Your Pride.
Award-winning artist takes over Alleyscapes
A new Art Walk means a new Alleyscapes projection in the “backstage alley” behind the Hotel Vandivort and Landers Theater, running from sunset to midnight. The immersive art experience features “Sushi 2.0” by Mauricio Sanhueza in April.
Sanhueza’s videos have been screened at international video art and experimental short-film festivals, and have also won many awards. He graduated from the Lima visual arts school Corriente Alterna in 2006 with top honors. In 2011, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from San Marcos University. Since 2004, Sanhueza has participated in several collective art exhibits and festivals in Peru and abroad.
Board games (and pizza) with Missouri State’s International Programs
Board game lovers won’t want to miss International Game Night, put on by Missouri State University’s International Programs at the Jim D. Morris Center (301 S. Jefferson Ave.). Pizza will also be provided.
Students from International Programs will bring games representative of their countries. They could be board games, puzzle games or any other intriguing game they’d like to share. The event runs from 5-7:30 p.m.
10 other venues will be open for Art Walk
Other venues for April’s First Friday Art Walk are:
- Brick City Gallery, 215 W. Mill St.
- Formed: An Artist Collective, 210 E. Walnut St., Suite #100
- Forming Art Studios, 330 South Ave.
- Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe, 220 E. Walnut St.
- Hold Fast Brewing, 235 N. Kimbrough Ave.
- Hotel Vandivort, 305 E. Walnut St.
- J.L. Long Traders, 318 W. Walnut St.
- Pool Art Center Gallery, 940 N. Clay Ave.
- Springfield Regional Arts Council, at the Creamery Arts Center, 411 N. Sherman Parkway
- Transformation Gallery & Tattoo, 330 E. Walnut St.
For more information, visit the official First Friday Art Walk website, or find them on Facebook.
