During First Fridays Ypsilanti, local shops host local artists in order to connect with the community and to bring about more foot traffic.
Root Beer pong, poetry readings and live music weren’t the only attractions this past Friday, Nov. 6. The local shop and gallery owners had just as much to offer.
Walking into Artifact and Whimsy, owner Elizabeth Wilkinson and art quilter June Guthrie chatted up customers. Guthrie talked up the shop and owner, while Wilkinson stayed modest.
“For future First Fridays, it would be fun to host two or three EMU students who didn’t need a lot of space, who could just chit-chat and work on art, and people could come and visit,” Wilkinson said.
Handmade vintage American art is sold at Artifact and Whimsy and the painters would likely reflect this style.
“If you know artists, it would be nice to have them come in and introduce themselves to Beth, because you never know where it might go,” Guthrie said.
22 North Art Gallery is also looking for artists to work with. They had their first juried show, Nov. 6, with the art gathered by a call for submissions.
The gallery is currently only opened on First Fridays and the attendance at the gallery seems to get better with each passing First Fridays, according to the owners.
