ART. MUSIC. FOOD. COMMUNITY.
THE FIRST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH STARTING AT 5pm!
First Fridays is a monthly cultural event highlighting local artists, performers, exhibits, and more! Stop by one of the many art galleries offering new exhibits and special performances, then make a night of it in downtown or elsewhere in the city!
First Fridays’ primary purpose is to highlight the organizations and spaces that are bringing local, regional, and even national art to the Lynchburg community.
October 3, 2025 PARTICIPANTS
PARTICIPANT DETAILS
Academy Center
of the Arts
600 MAIN STREET
Join us for a First Fridays (Oct. 3) Exhibition!
In The Art Galleries
*The Ann White Academy Gallery: October 3-31
50th Year Retrospective By Rudy & Lynell Hilt: Mixed Media Works and Sculptures
Rudy & Lynell Artist Talk- October 4 at 11:00 AM
*The Up Front Gallery: October 3-31
Codex of Primordial Memory By Joseph Rowell: Mixed Media
*Arts & Education Building: October 6- November 7
Lyn-CAG Head Start Show
Gallery Hours: M-F, 9:30 am - 5 pm and Saturdays, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 pm.
Vector Space
2004 MEMORIAL AVENUE
Power Tool Pumpkin Carving! Giant SPOOKY ART!
Join us on First Fridays (Oct. 3). Get ready for a gory, gut-wrenching good time!
About the Pumpkins:
*Vector Space supplies one free pumpkin per family (while supplies last).
*Additional pumpkins available for purchase.
*Feel free to bring your own seasonal squash to carve!
*Entry donations of $3 or more are smiled upon!
This unforgettable Halloween experience is made possible by The Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation, the James River Arts Council, our amazing volunteers, and generous community donors like you.
Lynchburg Art Club
1101 RIVERMONT AVENUE
Lynchburg Art Club and Gallery proudly announces Autumn Abundance opening with a First Friday (Oct. 3) reception; ; light refreshments will be served. Autumn Abundance will feature artwork from Karen Bowden, Beverly Flynn, Doni C. Guggenheimer, and ceramic artist - Ben Burris.
The show will be on exhibit from First Friday - October 3 through October 26, 2025.
Following the opening, gallery hours are Thursday and Friday, 1-5pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 1:30-4pm; and by appointment.
Click here to learn more! 5-7:30pm
Riverviews Artspace
52 9TH STREET
Join us for First Fridays (Oct. 3) for children’s concert by award-winning musician Sara Ernst from 6-7 pm in the main gallery.
*Last month’s main gallery exhibit continues through October 16th. Pattern highlights works of art by Sophie Blackall, an award-winning illustrator of over 50 children's books.
*Free & open to all ages.
*Community Art Project in our Create Studio.
*A selection of Sophie Blackall children’s books for sale, including Farmhouse.
*Concessions, snacks, and drinks available for purchase.
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
Pattern highlights works of art by Sophie Blackall, an award-winning illustrator of over 50 children's books. Inspired by the recent revitalization of her farm, Milkwood, a creative retreat for the children's book community, the pieces on view explore the layers and collages that shape our lives. Focusing on collective, generational, and individual memories, the exhibition celebrates our emotional connections to place and to the objects we hold dear. The exhibition is curated by Alex Grabiec, an artist, curator, and educator based in rural Virginia.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Sophie Blackall is an award-winning illustrator of over 50 books for children, including the New York Times best-selling Ivy and Bean series, the 2016 Caldecott Medal winner, Finding Winnie and the 2019 Caldecott Medal winner, Hello Lighthouse, which she also wrote. She is the five-time recipient of The New York Times Best Illustrated Picture Book Award and has worked with UNICEF and Save the Children, UK on global health and literacy initiatives. Originally from Australia, she now splits her time between Brooklyn, New York, and the Catskill Mountains, where she and her husband run a retreat for the children's book community called Milkwood Farm.
Steven Francis Fine Art
1200 MAIN STREET
Please join us on First Fridays (Oct. 3) for reception to celebrate of The Gathering—our largest group exhibition to date, bringing together the work of 100 artists with 100 works in contemporary representational painting coinciding with the Philip Geiger: Retrospective exhibition at the Daura Museum of Art