Coconino Center for the Arts — First Friday is Here! October ArtWalk Highlights

Donate

Flagstaff’s First Friday ArtWalk is a monthly celebration of creativity that brings downtown to life. Local galleries stay open late with special artist receptions and entertainment, so check out the gallery map to visit them all!

Join us for First Friday today, October 2, starting at 5pm! The 2026 ArtWalk season is generously underwritten by Dapper Dre, supporting Car-Free First Fridays with traffic closures on Aspen St. for art and performance activations.

Learn More

Heritage Square and
Aspen st. Performances

5 pm – 7 pm in Heritage Square: The Northern Arizona Theatre Alliance (NATA) will perform songs from their upcoming shows and offer a preview of “Flagstaff Takes the Stage.”

7 pm – 9 pm in Heritage Square: Sea & Rain will perform live Flower Punk Rock ‘n’ Roll

5 pm – 9 pm on Aspen St: The NAU Improv Group and sketch comedy teams, NAUghty Bits & NAUghty Skits, will host a street takeover!

Center 2 Center: Community Bike Ride

Every First Friday, join us at the Coconino Center for the Arts at 4pm for a Community Bike Ride! Enjoy some FREE Timberline Ice Cream, then ride to Heritage Square at 5pm for Car-Free First Friday ArtWalk.

Be prepared with layers, lights, and helmets, and bring a friend for some two-wheeled fun. This is a party-pace, family-friendly, ride-at-your-own-risk community ride, and we hope to see you there!

Must See Stops

Open Doors: Art in Action | Opening Reception: “Mental Health: Colors of Well Being”
Explore the inner landscapes of mental illness through artwork expressing struggle, resilience, isolation, and hope. Enjoy refreshments and live music by David Seaton from 6 to 7 pm followed by a presentation from featured speaker and Art Therapist Emily Wilson at 7 pm.

Bee Balm Studio | Live Painting Showcase
Located in Downtown Flagstaff’s Historic Ice House, Bee Balm Studio is a vibrant creative space for making, learning, and connecting. Drop in between 5:30 and 8 pm to watch award-winning fine artist Holly Highfield paint live.

Meadowlark Art Studio | Exhibition Opening: “Finding Peace in Times of Conflict”
Join us for the opening of Erika Tsouras’s new collection of colorful abstract paintings on wood. Grappling with the weight of a challenging world, these raw, expressive pieces offer a cathartic journey toward balance, connection, and calm.

Incahoots Vintage Clothing & Costumes | 35th Anniversary & Birthday Bash
Incahoots is turning 35! Put on your favorite funky, fab outfit and strut over at 5 pm for happy hour, followed by an official ribbon-cutting ceremony and birthday celebration at 6 pm

Ari’s Art Exchange | Community Craft Workshop: T-Shirt Trick-or-Treat Bags
Stop by for this month’s free/donation-base DIY workshop! Learn how to turn an old T-shirt into a no-sew reusable tote using provided felt and glue for decoration. Bring your own shirt, or grab one on-site (pay-what-you-can, courtesy of the Little Free Art Box Project).

Shane Knight Gallery | Showcasing his photography
Enjoy 38 years of photography with artist Shane Knight. Discover a collection spanning western horse ranches, western state landscapes, and global travels, offering an immersive look into his ongoing photographic journey.

Phoenix Avenue Gallery | October Featured Artists & Works
Discover a diverse lineup of local talent:
Patricia Kearney – Glass panels, pendants, and suncatchers
Michael Barbaric – Found-object sculptures
Bryan Cooperrider – Playful “Bottle People”
Frederica Hall, Bill Anderson, and Lisa Pearce – Brand-new paintings