First Fridays in Florence
An Arts Event in Historic Downtown Florence, Alabama


2008 Schedule of Events

Indoor & Outdoor Events

Sep 5 • Oct 3 • Nov 7 • Dec 5

Map and Directions
Accommodations

Participant Guidelines

2007 Retrospect

The Year of Alabama Arts




 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


First Fridays Overview
An enjoyable evening for locals and visitors to experience the artistic talent home to the Shoals and surrounding areas. Musicians will be performing, artists will have exhibits on sidewalks, and several downtown merchants will be open for visitors. Items will also be available for sale by artists. Come enjoy a family-friendly environment like no other in the area, enjoy dinner downtown then have a leisurely stroll through the arts. Join co-workers or bring your family to experience the wonderful excitement downtown Florence has to offer. First Fridays is currently free to participating individual artists, musicians and visitors.

The next First Fridays in Florence event is
September 5, 2008
What: First Fridays
When: Friday, September 5 from 5pm to 8pm
Where: Historic Downtown Florence
Weather Updates:

Florence, Alabama, weather forecast

Click here for detailed local weather maps from WAFF 48 News...

First Fridays Participation Guidelines

Step One

Everyone wishing to participate must first apply by downloading and reading the participant guidelines.
All participants are required to adhere to the guidelines.

Step Two

NEW artists and musicians may submit photos/samples of their work up to two weeks prior to the event for jury review and approval. To register, email us at info@firstfridaysflorence.com or mail photos/samples to us at P.O. Box 431, Florence, AL 35631.

All Participants
(Artists, Performers, Musicians,
and Groups)
ALL First Fridays participants are required to register two weeks prior to each event in order to reserve a location.
Original artist must be present at each event, no representatives or resellers are allowed.
Returning artists may confirm booth locations via email
or through our toll free number at 877-290-8880.

Special notice to Group
(non-individual artist) participants:

A total of 3 non-profit groups are scheduled per event
Click here to download a non-profit group reservation form
A total 2 for-profit groups are scheduled per event
Click here to download a for-profit group reservation form

Rain Alternates
Plans are underway for an alternative rain location for First Fridays in Florence. Stay tuned for updates and instructions.

First Fridays Introduction
First Fridays takes place outdoors on the first Friday of every month (except January, February and March). It is coordinated by volunteers from several organizations and the business community including
Downtown Florence Unlimited (DFU), City of Florence, Florence Main Street, Florence/Lauderdale Tourism Department and the University of North Alabama.

"It is an opportunity for artists to sell and demonstrate their art and musicians to play their music, and for people to experience the beautiful historic downtown we have."
- Founding committee member and DFU past President Lori Davis

The nine months of art and music nights stemmed from the Florence Main Street Program's Art Nights, which happened every Thursday in October of 2004. It has now progressed into First Fridays, which started in August 2005. See photos from past events.


Photo by Dave Messer

Currently there is no fee charged to artists or performers for booth space. This is a wonderful opportunity for area artists and musicians to gain exposure. We regularly draw interest from artists and attendees from Huntsville, Nashville, Memphis, Birmingham, Tupelo, and other surrounding areas. We've even had artists from Los Angeles, Atlanta and New Orleans.

Join us between 5pm and 8pm in historic downtown Florence for art, music, shopping and fellowship. Come enjoy a family-friendly environment like no other in the area, enjoy dinner downtown then have a leisurely stroll through a festive Court street. Parking is available on the streets and in the City of Florence public parking garage (behind Ricatoni's). Join co-workers or bring your family to experience the wonderful excitement downtown Florence has to offer!

Be sure to stop in the galleries and stores open on Court Street to find that perfect gift or one-of-a-kind arts item you've been looking for...
all while listening to live music.

What Artists are Saying...
"I want to personally thank you for your undivided attention at First Fridays. People were so friendly and welcoming. I am working on several commissions that I received in your town, my event sales were good as well. Your town is definitely one to be proud of and I am looking forward to returning to First Fridays in Florence in the near future. I will definitely spread the word about your First Fridays."
- Darlene Collins, Louisiana Artist

Planning to attend our First Fridays?
Shoals Map and Directions
Accommodations in the Shoals

In the News...
Florence, Alabama and its downtown development (including First Fridays events) are featured as a "wise" community in the EPA Smart Growth publication This is Smart Growth. Read what they are saying about Downtown Florence and its "smarth growth" development. Visit the EPA Smart Growth Website to download and print the full publication or to order free copies.

First Fridays in the Times Daily - by Shelbia Brown
First Fridays on About.com - by Susann Elsass
First Fridays in the Flor-Ala - by Christine Fink
First Fridays in the Courier Journal - by Jill Oliver
First Fridays in Florence in the One Paper - One Paper Staff


Tools for Schools at First Friday in Florence. Click here for a photo slide show from News Channel 19 coverage of the First Fridays August event in downtown Florence.


2007 Retrospect
The Year of Alabama Arts


 

 

 

 






 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


my Photo Pop Art

 

 




 

 

Expressions LLC





July 2007 Featured Book Signing

Meet author Karyn Zweifel and purchase her book Alabama Arts. She will attend the First Friday arts event July 6th from 5-8pm in historic downtown Florence. Saturday, July 7th, she will present a brief Book Talk at the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library at 11am with a book signing to follow, 350 North Wood Avenue. The book, published in March by The Birmingham News, is 129 full-color pages filled with lively arts in every corner of our state. It is for sale at $14.95.


"Our state has a perfect climate for growing all kinds of crops, including artists who lead us to see the world differently," Zweifel says. "Alabama's art reflects its people and its culture, painting a picture of changing times and attitudes. It is found everywhere, from two-lane country roads to the state's industrial heart. Murals and monuments, galleries, theatres and bookstores all reveal the dreams of the individual artists, even better, they help each of us bring into sharper focus our own beliefs and hopes for the future."

January 2007 Photography Exhibit
David Messer presents New Orleans: A Post-Katrina Photo Essay. This photo essay is a capture of time and space, 15 months after Hurricane Katrina and the breaking of two New Orleans (NOLA) levees in August of 2005. The photographer traveled with his New Orleans family the week of Thanksgiving through these areas and documented the conditions as of November 2006. Although the scarcity of residents and devastation of places of worship were overwhelmingly disheartening, encouraging spiritual beacons rose from the ruin. More information is available at:
Helping rebuild New Orleans.


Cypress Creek Art

Promotional Events
Listen for First Fridays updates
and announcements on the air at
WQLT

Jim Marlboro of The Rock-A-Billys
(They play regularly at First Fridays)
aired on Kix 96 (96.1) recently
Kix 96

In Conjunction with the
Goerge Lindsey UNA Film Festival

George Lindsey UNA Film Festival

Order your specialty automobile license plate today
from the Motor Vehicle Division and show others
you support the arts...


Support the Arts

2007 Events and Photos
January Event Pictures


Photo by Dave Messer

2006 Events and Photos
January Event Pictures
February Event Pictures
March Event Pictures
April Event Pictures
May Event Pictures
June Event Pictures
July Event Pictures
August Event Pictures
September Event Pictures
October Event Pictures
November Event Pictures
December Event Pictures


Photo by Lance Thomason

2005 Events and Photos
(Click on a link to view)
August Event Pictures
September Event Pictures
October Event Pictures
November Event Pictures
December Event Pictures



Photo by Lance Thomason


Related Sites of Interest
City of Florence
Downtown Florence Unlimited
Florence Kiwanis Club
Florence/Lauderdale Tourism
Florence Main Street Program
George Lindsey UNA Film Festival
Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts
Shoals Art
Shoals Chamber of Commerce
Tennessee Valley Art Association
Tim Stevenson's Fine Art Gallery
W. C. Handy Music Festival

Alabama State Council on the Arts

Florence Lauderdale Tourism

Sponsor Contact Information

David Messer, President - Downtown Florence Unlimited (DFU)
Toll free at (877) 290-8880
On the Web at www.DowntownFlorenceUnlimited.org
Email: info@firstfridaysflorence.com
Read the First Fridays Press Release

Featured Downtown Art Galleries
For art gallery event information and schedules,
Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts - Call (256) 760-6379
Stevenson's Fine Art Gallery - Call (256) 764-9922

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DFU

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

George Lindsey UNA Film Festival

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Orleans: A Post-Katrina Photo Essay

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Sponsored by Downtown Florence Unlimited (DFU)

in cooperation with the City of Florence, Florence Main Street, and Florence/Lauderdale Tourism Department



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