Submitted by event organizers.

In 2023, a group of local artists who were part of a small Mastermind Group at the Friday Harbor Atelier were engaged in their monthly meeting. The newest member, Kristen Reitz-Green, introduced bringing the First Friday Artwalk concept to Friday Harbor.

Reitz-Green, an established painter from Vashon Island, shared how successful this event was in Vashon and small towns all over the country at joining the community to support artists and local businesses. “After moving here, I was surprised that various art openings were not lined up on the same days to benefit the community. An art walk seemed like the ideal situation to support many different art venues and artists on a regular basis, providing something for all to look forward to,” Reitz-Green stated. Research repeatedly shows that very small towns, which rely on a thriving small business community, that ongoing year-round art events fuel the local economy, inviting the community to connect with local artists, appreciate the connecting value of art and support “buy local” efforts.

Amidst initial skepticism about whether Friday Harbor artist venues and businesses would actually commit to staying open until 7 p.m., even if just once per month, Reitz-Green persevered with her idea. Local artists, in their natural collaborative and entrepreneurial spirit, got to work. The story of this event demonstrates what true collaboration and community building looks like. First Friday Artwalk grew fast, in its organic, loose formation, showing how artists model an amazing capacity to easily flow creativity into action as a community. Everyone pitched in after the first official meeting, attended by artists including Teresa Smith, Alison Engle and Lisa Lamoreaux. Lamoreaux and others jumped in to create the Facebook page, Alisha Merrick of Fern San Juan Island designed a logo and Dana Alkebu-Lan of Luminous Gallery and Studio created lovely store decals to help businesses indicate they are part of First Fridays. April Randall of Windy Gallery and Studios stepped in to design an adorable map graphic with the participating venues listed, with a link to the map for all to access where to go. Nate Finn of Waterworks Gallery hopped in with the addition of live music, and artist Kathryn Kerr of Island Wine Company helped along in the possibility that the event could grow to a full dine-out, sip and shop art date night, including even more local businesses. Artists Terry Ogle, Lizzy Meyer and photographer David Correy were first to commit to being involved and staying open. Artists and businesses have enthusiastically jumped in to participate and continue to contribute to the collective cause, beaming the strong entrepreneurial spirit of Friday Harbor.

The community has embraced this event, with restaurants and local shops joining in and hosting pop-ups for artists who are not exhibiting in town. Some of the venues have live music, culinary goodies and more, opening the event up to all art forms.

First Friday Artwalk is now regularly attracting roughly 100 folks out for an evening town stroll to socialize, connect with local artists and support local businesses. For a town that mostly closes down at 6 p.m., it created a liveliness the community needed and now greatly enjoys. As more of the community continues to attend and support this event, it can grow even further.

One community member who is now a devoted regular attendee at each First Friday commented, “It gets me out of the house, especially when it is so easy in the winter season to huddle in. I look forward to the evening stroll in our town each First Friday, with the businesses’ lights on welcoming us in. This new form of liveliness is something the community needs and greatly enjoys. It is a big deal for our small town galleries and shops to be open a little later, even if it’s just once a month. It feels good to be out and about, connecting with artists and local entrepreneurs. They all work so hard to keep our small town spirit going.”

The next First Friday Artwalk is Friday, March 6, 4-7 p.m. More information can be found on the event’s Facebook Page, https://www.facebook.com/groups/702378975337096/. Printed maps are available at currently participating venues, which are indicated by the sticker in their window, or online at https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1e-4Lq_MNqOOWZ-5pX98gjeH-38stmOU&ll =48.53338782915729 %2C-123.017872900000 01&z=16.