What is First Friday?
Art is becoming a larger part of today’s culture in society and helps bring life to struggling communities. First Friday Art Walk is an art show that takes place in many different cities across the U.S. on the first Friday of each month. It allows artists in the area to display their work, discuss what it is and how they made it, and potentially sell it to interested patrons. I chose to observe First Friday in North Topeka, otherwise known as NOTO. While most of the attendees were over forty, people of all ages were involved at the event. The subcultures varied from people absorbed in the social aspects, people interested in the art, or people fascinated by the growth and development of North Topeka. The performers, or people that ran the show, include artists, musicians, and storeowners, as well as several entrepreneurs that set up stands to try and promote their business or organization. Although I have attended this event several times, displayed my own artwork in past events, have a great knowledge for art, and am from North Topeka, I put these potential biases aside and viewed the event from an outsiders perspective. After attending the First Friday Art Walk, I can see that art is becoming a more social event in today’s society, and it is helping to revitalize struggling communities around the U.S.