THE MOUNTAIN TIMES SUMMER GUIDE
PAGE 88
2012
First Friday Art Crawl Monthly event showcases Boone’s talent, character BY MICHAEL BRAGG
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hen it comes to art, downtown Boone is nothing less than thorough. The once-a-month First Friday Art Crawl tradition showcases all arts, including visual, performance and even culinary. “It’s actually expanded this year into a ‘First Friday’ concept to include not only the art, but to get people thinking about eating and dining options downtown on a Friday night, shopping and all kinds of activities we have going on downtown other than just the art galleries,” Downtown Boone Development Association director Pilar Fotta said. “We want to encourage them to bring their families downtown and stay longer.” Sponsored by DBDA, the group brings Art Crawl to the public and everyone
passing through the business district of the town of Boone. Art Crawl displays artwork of local artists in different galleries and restaurants, a great way for artists to get exposure, and most of the work is for sale. “It’s wonderful to have the space where you can just sort of display your art, which usually you just see in studio so close around you, but now you have space and the light on it, so it’s wonderful having space,” Boone resident and artist Julia Rechenbach-Moomaw said. Rechnbach-Moomaw’s pottery work was on display and for sale in the Jones House Cultural and Community Center in May’s Art Crawl and she comes out every first Friday of the month, even when her work isn’t on display. “I think it’s the best community event we have,” she said. CONTINUED TO PAGE 89
Every First Friday, downtown Boone galleries, businesses and restaurants stay open late for the Downtown Boone Art Crawl, featuring a variety of artwork, live music, beverages, snacks and more. PHOTOS BY FRANK RUGGIERO