By Rebecca Dow

Have you ever been to Congress Street on a Friday evening? Most businesses take advantage of the free time people tend to acquire at the end of the week, hosting dinner specials, open mics, public events, dances and more. For those of you not acquainted with Portland’s bustling nightlife, one cannot walk five feet downtown without noticing some intriguing activity or piece of artwork that simply begs to be thoroughly noticed.
As for the creators of such delights, many eagerly await the first Friday of each month, as this is when Creative Portland hosts its dazzling First Friday Art Walk. From 5 to 8 p.m. the streets are filled with vendors lined up along the sidewalk to sell their artful wares, including photography, paintings, crochet and knit clothing, jewelry, sculptures and many more unique items.

Not only are there vendors, but musicians, and venues that hold exhibitions free to the public! To learn more about First Fridays, go to the following link: http://www.creativeportland.com. By clicking the “Join” tab, those interested in signing up as a vendor, venue or performer can find everything they need to know to get out there and contribute!

The Portland Museum of Art’s entryway. Photo courtesy of Kyle Lappin.

If waiting a month to attend First Friday’s swell of public events seems too far away, don’t fret! The Portland Museum of Art hosts Free Fridays every week from 4 to 8 p.m., no admission fee required. A calendar of PMA’s scheduled events may be found at http://www.portlandmuseum.org/events.

This week’s Free Friday event on Feb. 2 will feature a screening of the film “Beuys,” by Andres Veiel. The Museum usually displays an ever-changing selection of featured artists’ works, including pieces from their private collection that remain indefinitely within the building — some of which are very old, and delicate in nature.

It can be enriching to peruse the different rooms; inspiration comes in many shapes and forms. Studying the techniques, styles, color choices and materials used in another artist’s work can surely serve as a muse for our own expressions of self.

Regardless of what you do on Friday evenings, consider exploring the town; visit the art museum and whet the grindstone of your mind so that it keeps sharp, like a double-edged razor.