600+ Neighbors Explore May’s First Friday Festival | RiNo Art District

An art market, artist exhibition, interactive workshop, and live music brought RiNo’s creative community together at ArtPark for May First Friday.

As part of RiNo Art District’s mission to support the artists, makers, and creative businesses that shape its community, the nonprofit organization recently announced a series of First Friday Festivals to amplify the grassroots artwalk event already active in the region and around the world.

“With our First Friday Festival series, we’re inviting people to gather at RiNo’s ArtPark, a truly special space, and experience the depth of creativity that lives here, side by side with the artists who make it,” said RAD Executive Director Daisy Fodness-McGowan.

The first of these festivals took place on Friday, May 1, and boasted an attendance of over 600 RiNo neighbors.

Outside on the ArtPark lawn, festival attendees explored an art market rife with local vendors, including Taconation, ghosttownglazed pottery, Mactzil Mexican Artisan Boutique, stayfoolish vintage clothing, Pardon My French & Co. natural cosmetics & fragrances, and visual artists including Marcus Macabre, Shadae Hunt, Oak Bloak Creations, and JUHB.

Inside the ArtPark’s Truss House gallery and event space, attendees discovered a hands-on, memory-based storytelling workshop by Courtney Ozak-Durgin, as well as the RAD-curated art exhibition titled In the Studio, featuring work by artists whose practice is currently based in RiNo Art District’s subsidized studio space programs. This invitational exhibition offered a peek into the processes and ideas unfolding within these working spaces today, including reflections on their studio practice and the creative lives behind the work on view, ultimately highlighting the vital role that artist studios have played in shaping the district over the past 20 years.

“The sunshine came out for us to be able to celebrate our First Friday Festival,” announced Heidi Larson, Co-Chairperson of the Board, between live sets by local jazz band Chouette.

“What a beautiful night,” agreed Fodness-McGowan, who proceeded to thank RiNo Art District Board members, staff and their families, artists and exhibitors, local vendors, and sponsors including the RiNo Business Improvement District and Ratio Beerworks for making the event possible.

“Everything we do here is for our community,” she said. “We're so thrilled to be here with you.”