Artists ready to paint the town for First Friday in Marietta | News, Sports, Jobs

Artist Bijou Burgardt will be among the featured artists at the Art Walk on First Friday from 5-9 p.m. Friday in Marietta. (Photo Provided)

MARIETTA — July’s First Friday event in Marietta is an Art Walk from 5-9 p.m. Friday.

The second of three summer Art Walks, Friday’s First Friday also is a fundraiser for Marietta Main Street’s Public Art Committee.

Main Street Marietta is the organizer of First Fridays.

It’s Create for a Cause: Live Art at the Armory! features live painting on the armory lawn by eight local artists. Each artist will paint a one-of-a-kind piece on a 2-by-2 foot canvas that will be auctioned at a silent auction.

Participating artists are Emma Romanowski, Nicole Harris, Hannah Celeste Davis, Jolene Powell, Hailey Bennett, Bijou Burgardt, Kyla Smith and Tracy Love.

Following First Friday, the paintings will be on display at retail locations on Front Street through July 12. Bidding will move online through the Marietta Main Street Facebook page from July 6-12 with bidding closing at 4:30 p.m. on July 12.

The public can stop at the Armory Friday evening to watch the artists while their art comes to life.

Also at the armory, the Public Art Committee is coordinating a live T-shirt printing event. People can choose an image, each designed and carved into a print block by members of the committee.

The design will be hand printed on the buyer’s choice of a T-shirt while they watch. The T-shirt promotion is another fundraiser for the committee.

Artsbridge, the United Way Alliance of the Mid-Ohio Valley, GoPacks and others are sponsoring Kid Central at the armory with activities for kids to enjoy. SIPS coffee truck will be on hand with beverages.

In keeping with the Art Walk theme, Butler Street will feature Artists’ Village where local makers and artists will sell their work. Included are Emcatlang with stickers, prints and pins, Cornerstone Homestead with goat milk soaps and lotions, Bee Younique Jewelry with earrings made from decorative tins, Patsy Dearing with acrylic paintings, Joseph Smith with art and decor, Dodge Gaskill with paintings and photography, Sunni & June Creations with resin jewelry, Rock N Metal with items made from recycled scavenged wares and Naturalist Photography with nature photos.

Most businesses will be open late, including Schafer Leather Store and First City Records. At First City Records, Moon King will perform a tribute to the Rolling Stones and all Rolling Stones music and merchandise will be on sale.

At Sugar Maple Boutique, regularly priced merchandise will be 15% off with clearance up to 80% off while Emleigh’s and Mama B’s will have a consignment rack and a sale rack. Little Rosie Boutique is offering 10% off purchases over $75 and Marietta Adventure Company will offer 20% off all Goodr sunglasses.

At American Flags and Poles, all metal yard art will be buy-one-get-one 50% off and Just a Jar Design Press will have prints and T-shirts on sale. Penny Pinchers will have special sales and will host WASCO for its annual gift basket fundraiser.

All model cars and ships will be 20% off at Tabletop Puzzles and Games.

At Clutch Collective, Ohio artist Pot Head Pottery will be on hand with a large selection of handcrafted items. Next door at Wit & Whimzy, Adam Weaver of Appalachian Weird will be available with his nature- and Appalachian-themed stickers.

Marietta Makery will hold a free art supply swap and offer live caricatures with Maryland artist Paul Tepper of Silly Goose Caricatures. Threadz Boutique will host Posie & Pals along with Alicia Fogle and her crocheted items.

Art Walks are among the best-attended First Fridays, Laura Pytlik, owner of Wit & Whimzy, said.

“Although all the First Fridays are successful, the summer Art Walks are particularly outstanding,” she said. “The warm weather is perfect for strolling the sidewalks, enjoying a DORA beverage, meeting friends and taking in all the artful activities. Marietta Main Street has coordinated a wonderful event that will have something for everyone.”

The Humane Society of the Ohio Valley will be represented at two Front Street businesses.

Woodworking artist Esther Salem will showcase her products at Teri Ann’s to raise funds for the shelter. At Green Acres of Marietta, people can meet some of the dogs that need to find their forever home.

Downtown restaurants joining the fun include Wilkys Sports Bar and Over the Moon Pub & Pizza. At Over the Moon, any craft beer will be $4 and Samual Smith Apple Cider bottles will be $3. Some of the staff’s art will be on display and available for sale.

Jeremiah’s Coffee House will serve samples of its new line of ice cream from the Ice Cream Factory and the Lafayette Hotel will have dinner and cocktail specials along with live music in the lobby.

First Friday events are held 5-9 p.m. on the first Fridays of the month.

For more information about Marietta Main Street, upcoming events and programs, go to the Marietta Main Street website a www.mariettamainstreet.org.