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Third Friday Art Walks Begin June 19

June 1, 2015

Beginning in June, First Friday Art Walk will become Third Friday Art Walk to coincide with Martinsville Uptown's TGIF concert series. The inaugural Third Friday Art Walk will take place on Friday, June 19 from 5 pm to 7 pm in Uptown Martinsville.

"We are excited to partner with Martinsville Uptown to help make TGIF and Third Friday Art Walk a major event," said Piedmont Arts Director of Marketing, Communication and Design Bernadette Moore, who works with area businesses and organizations to coordinate the monthly Art Walks. "Both events are designed to encourage residents and visitors to enjoy art, culture, shopping, and dining in historic Uptown, so it seemed like a natural choice to combine the two and create a full evening of fun events."

TGIF takes place from 6 pm to 10 pm on Third Fridays in June through September in the Broad Street parking lot. June's TGIF will feature the band, Heartbeat of Soul,  a Top 40, beach music, and oldies band from Greensboro, NC. Tickets to TGIF are $5 for adults and can be purchased at the gate on the night of the event.

"Martinsville Uptown is looking forward to the collaboration of TGIF and Third Friday Art Walk," said Martinsville Uptown Executive Director Liz Secrest. "Holding both events on the same night will encourage merchants to hold later hours, and will help both individual events grow."

Since 2007, Art Walks have taken place monthly in Uptown Martinsville, offering participants a chance to experience after-hours shopping, dining, and special events like live music and community theatre during select Art Walks.

"Since Studio 107 and Piedmont Arts began Art Walk we have hoped it would grow into a large event, with lots of things to do," said Studio 107 Coordinator Carolyn Beale. "By joining forces with TGIF, I hope we will encourage more people to visit Uptown during these events and encourage more of our wonderful Uptown businesses to take part."

Twenty businesses currently participate in Art Walk, which is designed to bring new life and energy to Martinsville's historic Uptown through the arts and culture. All uptown businesses are invited to participate in Art Walk by opening their doors from 5 pm to 7 pm or later on the third Friday of every month. Each Art Walk has a theme relating to the month in which it takes place (June's theme is "Father's Day"). Participation in Art Walk is always free, though special events may charge an admission fee.

Participating Venues:

* Not all venues are open for every Third Friday. Please check with individual venues for hours.

Arts and Culture

Dining and Nightlife

Shopping

For monthly event information, a walking map, and a list of participating venues, visit www.ThirdFridaysMartinsville.com. Business owners who wish to participate in Third Friday Art Walk should contact Bernadette Moore at bmoore@piedmontarts.org.