This past Friday I participated in First Friday, an event where on the first Friday of every month, galleries in Dupont open their doors for free and provide refreshments.
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| Hillyer Art Space |
The Hillyer was by far the most impressive gallery of the night as it really felt like they were putting on an event. People were there to greet you at the front door and explain First Friday and the gallery. Snacks and beer were sponsored by the Bier Baron, and the gallery was abustle with artists and different themed exhibits in each room. There was clear attention to detail. The exhibits that night were particularly interesting as they were submissions by upwards of 15 artists and widely varied. The idea of having a local restaurant sponsor food and drink is great! It brings down cost, guarantees good refreshments, promotes partnership, and drums up business for both parties!
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| Hillyer Art Space |
Next came the Rapport Arts. While this gallery was interesting with varied modern artwork, it was also the least involved and welcoming. The building smelled of smoke (something I would imagine is not good for the art), and had a haphazard feel. There was no clear flow and guests seemed to be milling about. They also lacked refreshments, which was the main reason we chose to leave after only a few minutes. The owner was readily available to talk to, but the I think this gallery could have used more organization and preplanning.
The last destination we ventured to was farther away from the main cluster of galleries, but definitely worth the trip! The Heurich Museum opened its entire first floor for night, allowing us to walk through that level of the house complete with all its ornate furniture and decor. Their director greeted us at the door and walked us through the space. I had never been and was very impressed with the preservation of the home! Outback at the Brewmaster Studio one could find refreshments and three boutique shops selling small trinkets, bags, and hand painted cards. It felt like a small party.
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| Heurich Mansion |
It was very interesting to see how each gallery interpreted and participated in the event, and the level of participation (granted it was a rainy evening to be traipsing around DC). All 4 galleries took a different approach to First Friday, some clearly more successful than others. The best spots clearly put time, energy, and resources into planning an event that would draw in the public. When you think about it, this is a wise investment because although this was a free event, when done like the Hillyer and Heurich Mansion, it most likely brought additional business and awareness.
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