March First Friday Encourages Healing, Self-awareness Through Art

Artist Nancy Good

Nancy Good, Well Known Multidisciplinary Fine Artist, Is Featured Artist

First Friday Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, asks “ARTUOK?” at the Mar. 3 event. The theme aligns with city of Las Vegas’ March 25 ARTUOK Art and Resource Fair supporting mental health and self-care through the arts. #ARTUOK is inspired by the #RUOK? movement, which encourages others to ask, ‘are you ok?’ to support someone struggling with an array of emotions including depression and anxiety which lead to suicidal thoughts and actions.

The art walk area on Boulder Avenue and First Street will feature an estimated sixty First Friday artists and craftspeople. The food garden and bar area remain in the Art Square parking lot, along with entertainment.

Key elements for this month include:

Hours of Operation – 5:00 p.m. to 11 p.m.
First Friday Footprint – The Art Walk is on Boulder Ave. in front of the Arts Factory and on 1^st Street. The food garden and bar are in the Art Square parking lot.
COVID-19 Requests – Guests are asked to be mindful of others. There are no mask requirements or social distancing requirements currently. First Friday will continue with its program of sanitation and asks guests to continue washing/sanitizing their hands.
ARTUOK? – First Friday provides opportunities for attendees to express themselves through various forms of art. Kick-off to March 25^th Art and Resource Fair at the Historic Fifth Street School from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- At March First Friday:
- Live painting contest from 5:00-10:00 p.m. on First and Coolidge (near The English Hotel)
  - Sol State will perform in the live art painting area on a pop-up stage
- F.E.A.T. (autism) joins First Friday with artist Juan Muniz
- The Salvation Seeds of Hope program (human trafficking survivors) also joins First Friday with artist Karma Rayes
- CORE Academy with artist Michelle Graves
- Roseman University with Malachi Williams, a local muralist
First Friday’s Featured Artist – Las Vegas artist Nancy Good is known for conceptual abstracts, colorful murals, photographic composites, and analog-to-digital visual works. Good’s work weaves the materials and tools of modern times while also honoring the mark-making of ancient ancestries as a way to interpret humanity’s journey into greater understanding of our world and ourselves. Good has also facilitated a nonprofit artist-run space since 2018, supporting the arts community of Las Vegas, Core Contemporary, and has recently been appointed an adjunct faculty member for Roseman University Medical School. Good’s multi-disciplinary work has been seen in exhibits across the country and abroad in high-profile locations such as San Diego Art Museum Artist’s Guild’s Summer Exhibition, Meow Wolf/Omega Mart, MGM, Reno-Tahoe International Airport and Las Vegas City Hall.
“Down for Anything” – A new multi-media campaign recently launched by the city of Las Vegas that promotes Downtown Las Vegas as a place of diversity and inclusivity. To bring the “Down for Anything” theme to life, a stationary mobile billboard will play campaign videos, and “Down for Anything” merchandise will be featured in two adjacent booths.
Cindy Funkhouser Residency Space – Cindy was the primary founder of First Friday and we honor her with a monthly space given for free to a local artist – Mary Felker in March.
Entertainment – City of Las Vegas stage will showcase student performances starting at 5:00 p.m. Elevated Underground, 90 Proof, the Joi Band, Richie Granger and Elijah Stone are featured. Sol State will perform in the live art painting area on a pop-up stage. See www.ffflv.org for more information.
Food Trucks – Over twenty favorite gourmet food trucks will be featured in the food garden.
Other arts district art galleries, restaurants, bars and other retail businesses are open for First Friday.
Roadwork
- Expect street improvements that will delay traffic throughout the coming months. However, we look forward to the beautiful improvements in the area.
Parking Info:
- Parking Options: Online Information
- City-paid Parking Lot (only $6) located at 500 S. Main Street will be open with free shuttle drop off at Hoover and 1^st.
- Ride share drop off also located on Hoover and 1^st
- Additional Parking at 1000 Commerce for $10 with a short walk to the event
- IMPORTANT INFORMATION RE PARKING: *** First Friday is only operating parking in the streets immediately surrounding the festival on 1st Street and Coolidge. These spaces are available for $25 cash at the check-in tents. We are NOT operating in any of the vacant lots in the area for parking. There have been reports of people directing people to these lots and collecting money to park there. Do NOT Park in any of these lots – you risk being towed. Please notify us if someone approaches you about parking in one of the nearby vacant lots or you see this happening. Thank you! *** The First Friday Foundation and its partners are not responsible for any damage or theft to your vehicle or belongings while at the event.

The First Friday Foundation will post updates and special offers on scheduled First Friday events and other programming through its social media channels – on Facebook at www.facebook.com/firstfridaylasvegas and Twitter @FirstFridayLV. The website, www.ffflv.org, is active and applications for artists and vendors are currently being accepted.

MARCH 3RD FIRST FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS:

Alternative to driving to the event:

Downtown Loop provides transportation throughout downtown and to First Friday during the event.

Art Style: Emerging and established artists, craftspeople. Interactive painting for those who want to explore their own creativity. Artists in tents at the event and in the many galleries surrounding the event.

Art Walk 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. highlights work by primarily local artists. Check out the artists’ booths in the event and be sure to stop in the many galleries in the arts district – Arts Factory, Art Square, along Main Street.

Family fun – there is always something fun for the whole family at First Friday.

Music – From 5:00 p.m. local talent will be featured throughout the night. Check www.ffflv.org for details.

Food & Drink – 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Explore the many options for your taste buds as the First Friday culinary experience is back in full force with delicious options from the many food trucks, artisan food vendors and restaurants throughout the First Friday footprint and the entire arts district.

Thanks to all our generous March sponsors:

city of Las Vegas
Health for Life
Crown Royal
Smirnoff
Jardin
Hemperco

Hours of Operation

5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

ABOUT FIRST FRIDAY FOUNDATION
First Friday Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and advancing local arts and culture in Las Vegas. We also believe in collaborating with other organizations to help raise awareness in the arts and linking these partnerships to benefit local artists and community members.

First Friday Foundation produces the monthly event known as First Friday Las Vegas, which has been a mainstay of arts and culture in Las Vegas since 2002 and has become the leader for family-friendly activities, art, cultural enrichment, educational efforts, imagination, community and more; activities are mostly low cost or free of cost, for every age.

While the First Friday Foundation is most known for its monthly event, it is also beginning to be known for its additional community programs that support local artists, small businesses, and nonprofits throughout the year.

For more information on the First Friday Foundation, please visit Facebook page, Instagram or follow on Twitter or visit ffflv.org