ART. MUSIC. FOOD. COMMUNITY.
THE FIRST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH STARTING AT 5pm!
First Fridays is a monthly cultural event in Lynchburg, VA 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.
August 7, 2026 PARTICIPANTS
PARTICIPANT DETAILS
Lynchburg Art Club
1101 RIVERMONT AVE
Join LAC for a First Fridays (August 7) reception for Petal & Place, a new group exhibition featuring paintings by Meg Bruce, Julia Dean, Margaret Morris, and Kim VandeBogart.
Petal & Place brings together four artists whose work finds inspiration in the natural world — exploring landscape, flora, light, and atmosphere through paint. The exhibition showcases a range of painterly approaches united by a shared sensitivity to color and place.
Refreshments will be served.
Petal & Place will be on display through August 30, 2026.
Regular gallery hours are Thursday - Friday from 1-5pm and Saturday - Sunday from 1:30-4pm (or by appointment).
Click here to learn more! 5-7:30pm
Steven Francis Fine Art
1200 MAIN STREET
Stop by on First Fridays (August 7) for an opening reception for Photographs, a solo exhibition of photography by Robert Sulkin.
The exhibition will be on view July 30- September 12.
~SFFA Tradewynd Gallery event announcement: Opening reception of Being There, a landscape exhibition featuring the work of Marjorie Portnow and special guest artists. August 8 from 2-5pm.
Riverviews Artspace
52 9TH STREET
Join us on First Fridays (August 7) for How Will Our Ancestors Find Us? Don't Forget the Chiclets.
How Will Our Ancestors Find Us? Don't Forget the Chiclets is Duwenavue Santé Johnson's exploration of shared human experience. An imagined collection of "random memories from the past, displayed in the present," this narrative delves into the profound connection of living memories that we, as individuals, keep.
"The Great James River Banner", created by the community in our “A Space Between the Stars” workshop series, accompanies Johnson’s own installation landscapes, textured paintings, and hand embroidery.
~ On First Fridays, enjoy concessions, snacks, & drinks at the gallery bar.
~ Free and open to all ages.
~ Open artist studios.
The Scrappy Elephant
400 12TH STREET
Celebrate the new round of Artful Elephant artists for First Fridays (August 7) at the Scrappy Elephant! This cycle, features artwork from Monte Horst, Pinerose Co., Little Black Coffin Co., Purrfectly Scented, and Stuart Alexander.
Come meet the new artists, enjoy free refreshments, and free crafting in the studio.
Click here to learn more! 4-6pm.
Vector Space
2004 MEMORIAL AVENUE
Vector Space brings you a Foam Glider Building, and a Makerspace Open House for First Fridays (August 7)!
Come build your own foam glider and see how far it can fly! Whether you're aiming for distance, speed, or just a really cool design, this hands-on activity is a fun way to spend the evening creating and experimenting.
Everyone is invited to join the fun! We will be building, touring, and launching from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM.
We’ll also be opening our doors to visitors—drop in to explore our 23,000-square-foot makerspace and discover what we're all about.
Click here to learn more! 5-7:30pm
Academy Center of the Arts
600 MAIN STREET
All on-site galleries will be open for a First Fridays (August 7) opening.
~ Ann White Academy Gallery (August 7-28) featuring The Light You Return To by Sally Goodrich: Mixed Media Paintings.
~The Up Front Gallery (August 7-28) featuring This and That by Purnell Pettyjohn: Watercolor Paintings.
Artist Talk on August 15 from 1-2pm.
Image to the right is by Sally Goodrich.
Old City Cemetery
401 TAYLOR STREET
Old City Cemetery will be participating in First Fridays (June 5) with tours of our private collections.
Featuring artwork by notable area artists, as well as 220 years of Lynchburg history.
Tours of the Heirloom Roses will also be available, weather permitting.
Refreshments will be served with donations appreciated.
Click here to learn more. 5-7:30pm.
Lynchburg Museum and Visitor’s Center
901 COURT STREET
Pop in for museum extended hours on First Fridays (June 5) for a free public reception and pop-up exhibit.
Explore the fascinating history of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in Lynchburg, focusing on the Hill City innovations and inventions that shaped the nation–and even the world. From the town’s first water works that pumped water almost 250 feet above the James River, to the city’s leadership in powering the next human mission to Mars, STEM has a long and surprising history in Lynchburg.
The exhibit and reception are co-sponsored by the Lynchburg Museum System and the Future Focus Foundation.
SH Franklin Building
921 MAIN STREET- SECOND FLOOR
Stop by for a wine tasting and art exhibition as part of First Fridays (June 5).
Artists include Andrew Riscart, Joanne Becker, Kim Clarke, Jim Tracey, and FryGuy
~Cash bar featuring Rebec Vineyards.
5-8pm