(Above: Art by Lesley Raeside is on display in the One Wall Gallery At Epic Seconds)

Edited by Randi Bjornstad

Downtown Eugene’s First Friday ArtWalk on Dec. 6  begins with a World AIDS Day commemoration at 5 p.m. at the Farmers Market Pavilion at 85 E. 8th Ave., before the official ArtWalk opens from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The event includes a reception, a show of art by people living with HIV, distribution of at-home HIV test kits, and displays documenting local efforts to end HIV/AIDS in the community. At 5:30 p.m., Gail Hacker, medical director of HIV Alliance, will be honored for her volunteer work, followed by a candlelight walk to honor those who have died of HIV/AIDS.

As usual, the Artist Marketplace will be open in the Pavilion during the ArtWalk, and that’s also the place to  pick up the ArtWalk Guide, listing arts venues and businesses open for the evening.

At 7:30 p.m., local artists and other creators will gather at the Pavilion for a “Makers’ Mixer” in order to share information and develop collaborations for the holiday shopping season. Those interested in participating are asked to respond in advance to eugmade.com/rsvp.

Following is a list of places that will be open during the December First Friday ArtWalk from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., unless otherwise noted:

Allies, LLC (200 E. 11th Ave, Suite 130)  — Featured art for December is Group Art, created by member artists, with proceeds from sales benefitting the Allies Art Fund.

Arose Ateliér (313 E. 8th Ave.) — Features limited-edition, in-house designs blending blend timeless elegance and bold creativity; new stop on the First Friday ArtWalk tour.

Art with Alejandro (5th St. Market Alley, Suite 104) — Guest art as well as  Alejandro’s newest works, including Paisley’s portraits, Goblin and Butterfleyes and Alejandro’s Furious Tiger and Dragon paintings, plus plein air paintings by Jerry Ross.

Broadway Commerce Center (44 W. Broadway) — WheelHaus Arts’ Annual Winter Showcase of youth artworks; reception with live music and refreshments at 6 p.m. Live music by John Badger’s Apocalyptic Revival, Cassie Candles and the Sandal Vandals, and Travel Faster. Refreshments by Havana Café.

CFAR – UO Center for Art Research (510 Oak St.) — Metrica Vol. 3 by Marissa Lee Benedict and David Rueter examines the psychological breakdown of a building management system, using lights, videos, sculptures, installations, and drawings, and historical artifacts.

Leaf Dance, by Jenny Ellsworth

City Exhibitions — EMERGE continues its artistic activation of window spaces downtown, offering professional exhibition experiences for new and emerging artists:

  • 99 W. 10th Ave. (south windows) — Acrylic paintings with gold leaf and other mixed media, by Vanessa Woods, centering around family, music, dance, nature, and history.
  • Farmers Market Pavilion (85 E. 8th Ave.) — Woman Working in the Field, a collage by Hampton Rodriguez and Sofia Carpenter-Rodriguez, highlighting the vital role of migrant workers.
  • Hult Center Plaza, Sixth Avenue — A’ppealing and Leaf Dance,  steel and/or reclaimed materials sculptures, by artist Jenny Ellsworth.

Urban Canvas Murals — Presented by the city of Eugene’s local mural program:

  • 941 Willamette Street Alley – Wayde Love’s newly completed mural, Radically Radiant.
  • 957 Willamette Street Alley – Nature’s Child by Mural Mice Universal.
  • Window Activation (806 Charnelton St.) — Julie Anderson Bailey’s Origins, including installations.

ColdFire Brewing (263 Mill St.) — Art by Lisa McElroy, featuring works in alcohol ink reflecting the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

Flux Crystals (280 W. Broadway) — Ceramics and sculptures by Sarah Root, inspired by nature, feminine strength, and the human need for sacred spaces, plus a Meet the Makers Market featuring locally crafted creations.

Good Creative Design (942 Olive St.) — Featuring branding, design, packaging, and fine-art projects over the last year, with live DJ, lasers and light show, and a special video art display by local craftsman Josiah Martens.

Karin Clarke Gallery (760 Willamette St.) — New Work: Faces, Landscapes, and Nudes by Adam Grosowsky, runs Dec. 4 through Jan. 25.

Materials Exchange Center for Community Arts or MECCA (555 High St.) — Winter Whimsy, a fundraising group art show and silent auction, with creations by local upcycle artists working in a variety of mediums. Open 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; refreshments .

One Wall Gallery at Epic Seconds (30 E. 11th Ave.) — Surface of Mantra, work of Lesley Raeside (often centered on a single foreground geometric shape) and Frederic Dumoulin (repeating patterns and pottery-like surfaces), on display through Jan. 31, 2025.

OSLP Arts & Culture Center (110 E. 11th Ave., Suite C) — In Loving Memory: Celebrating the Art and Life of Larry Hurst (1957-2024), talented and prolific painter, ranging from realistic to surrealistic, as well as jewelry maker, wig maker, photographer, and model house builder and OSLP participant since 2013.

Our 21st Century Renaissance (132 E. Broadway, Suite 212) — Works for sale by Glenn Smith, Anna Golden, Thi Nuygen, Barbora Bakalarova, and Priscilla Montoya.

The late Larry Hurst III, a prolific artist and longtime participant in OSLP, is honored during the First Friday ArtWalk.

PLAY (232 W. 5th Ave.) — Featuring Sound Waves, a collection of photographs taken throughout Eugene, Oregon, and the West Coast by photographer, art director, graphic designer, photo editor, and production manager Todd Cooper, whose photos have appeared in Rolling Stone, The New York Times, LA Times, Interview, The Wall Street Journal, SPIN, NPR, Bloomberg Businessweek, Artforum, People, and more. The show will include works from 2012 to the present and feature artists André 3000, Jack White, Ms. Lauryn Hill, mk.gee, WILLOW, Khruangbin, and more.

Sparrow Nest Coffee (Lobby at 132 E. Broadway) — Art by Erich Schwarzwald, co-founder of the Whiteaker Tattoo Collective as well as artist working in oil, colored pencil and graphic design. Information at @onearmedwanda or @whiteakertattoo.

Sprout Children’s 8th annual Business Expo (Eugene Mindworks & 5th Street Market Alley) — Featuring handmade crafts, creative products, and services curated by youthful artists and entrepreneur from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, at Eugene Mindworks during the ArtWalk and noon to 3 p.m. at at 5th Street Market Alley.

The New Zone Gallery (110 E. 11th Ave.) — Eclectic mix of art by New Zone members and three special shows during December:

  • Lily Grey’s Exploring the Sublime in Nature;
  • Asante Riverwind’s Living in Interesting Times — Nature & Spirit — Dreams & Visions; and
  • Good Things Come in Small Packages, a special New Zone member show and sale (all items less than $100) featuring work limited to 48 inches total circumference.

UO Product Design (942 Olive St.) — A trio of product exhibitions — public transportation, small-space living and lighting, and responsible chairs — focusing on environmental considerations for groups and for individuals and expressed through sketches, models, 3D prints, and final products.

Additional venues: Bumble Boutique (233 W 5th Ave), and Starlight Lounge (830 Olive St).

About Lane Arts Council

Lane Arts Council is a nonprofit organization that works to cultivate strong and creative arts communities throughout Lane County, by providing high-quality arts experiences, engaging people of all ages in arts education, and encouraging artistic endeavors.