Downtown Springfield Association
Art hangs on a wall inside Fresh Gallery
Downtown Business Spotlight, News Stories

A stunning forecast in store for December’s First Friday Art Walk

December 02, 2021


The weather hasn’t been too frightful this December. That’s good news for art lovers.

Dec. 3 is First Friday Art Walk and the forecast is phenomenal. Sunny skies are expected, with a high temperature of 74 and an unseasonably warm low of 48. Don’t let this great weather go to waste! Check out the 19 participating venues celebrating the 20th anniversary year of Art Walk.

Here are some highlights to help you plan your Art Walk experience.

Pick up your pin at Obelisk Home

The December pin pick-up location is Obelisk Home. Visit any four participating venues on the evening of Art Walk and get a free 20th Anniversary First Friday Art Walk pin. These limited-edition souvenirs are a great way to show you support the arts in Springfield.

The $100 and Under Market is back

This month the Springfield Regional Arts Council is proud to announce the return of their $100 & Under Market. In collaboration with Ozarks Technical Community College, the return of this annual event offers our community the opportunity to shop local artisans for all their holiday gift needs. More than 25 participating artists are participating in the market, 5-8 p.m. in the Information Commons at OTC (1001 East Chestnut Expressway).

A new venue joins the walk

The Bird Cage Theatre is the newest venue in Downtown. Located at 425 West McDaniel #160, next door to Moxie Cinema, it seeks to feature inspiring new voices in local playwriting, music and the visual arts by celebrating the richness of our local cultural tapestry. The Bird Cage Theatre is a place for ideas to come to grow and develop, and once the idea is a reality and thriving, it will be set free into the world. The Bird Cage Theatre hopes to be open for December’s walk. They are hoping to officially receive their occupancy.

Support young artists

Head over to The Creamery (411 North Sherman Parkway) to see works from the Academy of Fine and Performing Arts, a Springfield Public Schools integrated choice program for fifth graders. Students have explored their understanding of themselves and prominent historical figures through poetry and portraiture. AFPA students chose a poem to accompany their watercolor, charcoal, or photography portrait. AFPA teachers, Jayme Carabello and Elizabeth Gray, are thrilled to be able to share their work with the community.

Do good this holiday season

Artistic Photography (600 West College St., Suite 112) is featuring photographic art along with other mixed media this month. They will also have a giving tree for local families in need this holiday season. Stop by, browse some local artists and help a local family from the tree. Each family on the tree will also receive a complimentary family portrait from Artistic Photography.

Get some Christmas shopping done

Do a little shopping as you stroll through our neighborhood. Stop by Formed: An Artist Collective (210 East Walnut St.), Fresh Gallery (401 N. Boonville) and The Bonsai Guy (600 West Walnut) and check out the great local art on display as well as for sale.

Formed is a multi-artist gallery and retail space designed to be a one-stop-shop for local art. Some 40 artists currently sell their work at Formed. Fresh Gallery is a cooperative gallery sponsored by the Springfield Regional Arts Council to promote and market fine art and craft of area artists. They currently feature more than 20 local artists. Chris Cox is The Bonsai Guy. His garden and store has hundreds of items to discover and purchase. He also offers classes, a great gift for anyone who loves to create art.

And that’s not all

Sculpture Walk Springfield is always open. You can see 34 local and national artists’ works as you travel from venue to venue. To see all the sculptures in the downtown area, visit sculpturewalkspringfield.org or pick up an Art Walk News newsletter with a map at any participating Art Walk location.