First Friday Art Walk

This First Friday, Bas Bleu is thrilled to host Ryan Walker, a local artist and designer. Ryan is the featured artist paired with the current production, Mr. Burns.

Ryan's effective use in color, line, and texture combined with his expressiveness in character creation extends elements of the show into Gallery Bleu.

Join us on First Friday from 6-9 PM to chat with Ryan, explore his work, and enjoy refreshments provided by Bas Bleu.

Artwork is available for purchase through the box office.

Instagram: @slithery.dee

Gallery Bleu

Big Al’s is proud to be part of the Fort Collins First Friday Art Walk! We feature five dedicated art spots inside the restaurant, showcasing the work of local artists. The displays rotate every few months, so there’s always something fresh and inspiring to enjoy along with your burger and fries.

Come by during the Art Walk to check out what’s new on the walls — and support the incredible creativity that makes our community unique.

This month we're featuring:

Andy Garcia
Morgan McCullough
Patrick Caldwell
Imani Samuel
Reana Grace Aste

Join us for an evening of art, music, community and a little sippin’.

Micah Baird- @mdbaird.art - Solo Show

Artist Series Statement:
"This series of portraits is a visual exploration of The Divine Feminine and the profound spiritual and emotional imbalance that seems to pervade humanity. Through intricate hand-drawn ink illustrations, I seek to resurrect the narratives of courageous women whose stories have been overshadowed or invalidated. Uplifting beauty through a child-like awe and a curiosity of the soul, I voraciously research each origin gaining new insights, culminating in a more intimate cultural understanding. Each clean and detailed line, dot of ink, coat of black or chewable space of vibrant color becomes a gesture of reclaiming skewed narratives and restoring balance to a delicate spiritual fabric. A spiritual fabric that includes my own existence, your existence, and the existence of us all together. We are truly all one. My lofty ideal is to forge a path towards healing and harmony by uplifting the beauty found in what makes us uniquely and wonderfully different." - MDB

Live Music starting at 7pm with Amy Harron and Jason Hicks

Front range musicians Amy Harron (The Jet Set) and Jason Hicks (Blue Canyon Boys) come together to deliver their own blend of Americana stylings. You'll find that little else gets to the heart and soul like their two voices intertwined as they bring together elements of old-time, country, bluegrass, and blues.

Flower Bar Happy Hour all evening!

Exhibits: Colorado Sketchbook & Paintings for the End of Everything
Artists: Michael S. Ryan & Michael J. Ryan
Opening Reception: Wednesday, October 1, from 3pm - 5pm
Creative Community Event: Thursday, October 9, from 6pm - 8pm

10 Landscapes by Michael S. Ryan
25 New Oils by Michael J. Ryan

Lisa Nevot is a seasoned member of the creative arts industry, and Certified Therapeutic Arts Practitioner. With a career spanning just shy of 4 decades Lisa has run a business fashioned to suit her lifestyle, craving for adventure, freedom in expression, and passion for art. Lisa’s work varies in style and medium making her accessible to multiple clientele tastes and needs. Her mediums include watercolor, acrylic, pen and ink, graphite, canvas, and wood. Even painting on glass and brick. Her style is recognizable yet vastly different based on current inspiration and influences. Her artwork has won her awards, been published, licensed, auctioned, in galleries, in stores, and sold online.

All through her own marketing and distribution channels. Her love for the arts has brought her to speak on panels, speak to large audiences, judge art events, and paint live on stage with best-selling authors. It has taken her work to Italy to tour for a year, to hang alongside the likes of Diego Rivera and even Michelangelo. She has been published in multiple magazines, and it has led her to teach art history through the artists of the past as well as teaching beginners to bring out their love of creation. Lisa believes in conscious creation. The connectivity of all living things and the entanglement theory of the quantum universe. Her art represents the thinning of the veil and our ability to move through life not being identified by it but rather a passenger on a journey in this dimension. She has intuitive gifts that present themselves in her vision and dreams feeling the connection to the collective consciousness. She asks that we see ourselves not as our bodies or suffering, but as creators. Architects of our lives through our passion and desire for the health of ourselves, our community and the planet. Through personal power we can then join each other and light up the world, exposing the underbelly and driving it out with the light. Everything that is alive now walking and living on the earth should be treated with reverence. 

Lisa is still creating and teaching to this day, continuing to live her way and loving the life she leads. "Success is in the ability to live the lifestyle you choose, not just the power of acquisition. ”She creates from the soul for the soul. When she is not locked up in her studio or spending time in the galleries, Lisa can be found wandering Old Town Fort Collins enjoying the local flavors or taking road trips and doing photography. She lives in Colorado with her old but sweet kitty Candy. 

Botanic Attack focuses on the balance of life and death in the natural world by preserving real, but no longer living, insects in glass domes, frames, and even jewelry. All insects are sustainably sourced and each piece is carefully handmade with colorful dried flowers. Some butterfly or moth wings that are damaged become preserved in resin for earrings or necklaces so that nothing goes to waste. Botanic Attack is always expanding into new art forms to continue exploring the beauty of insects and botanical life.

Artist: Sosha Krosley (@botanicattack and @soshamariaart) 

Mark your calendars for Thursday, October 3rd from 6–9pm — Edge Optics is thrilled to be part of Old Town’s First Friday Art Walk once again! This month’s lineup is full of creativity, delicious treats, and even live tattooing you won’t want to miss! Here’s what you can look forward to:

🍖 Smoke Post BBQ – Come hungry! Smoke Post will be serving up their signature slow-smoked BBQ with bold, mouthwatering flavors that perfectly fuel a night of art, shopping, and fun.
🍬 Anna Martinez, (@voulezvousbonbons) Voulez Vous Bonbons – Indulge your sweet tooth with artisan chocolates that are as beautiful as they are delicious.
🎨 Lydia Cruz – Explore bold, fun artwork from a local creative talent who brings an inspiring energy to every piece.
🖌️ JES Creations (@_jes_creations_) – Discover one-of-a-kind woven works that highlight the imagination and artistry of another incredible Fort Collins maker.
🖤 Tanner Hentges (@black_onyx_tattoo) from Black Onyx Tattoo – Get inked during Art Walk! Tanner will be tattooing live at our shop, bringing an edgy, unforgettable element to the evening.

First Friday is one of our favorite times to celebrate community, creativity, and connection here in Fort Collins — and we can’t wait to share it with you. Whether you’re here to shop, snack, admire local art, or just soak in the atmosphere, this night will be packed with good vibes.

📍 Edge Optics – 121 Laporte Ave, Fort Collins, CO
🕕 Thursday, October 3rd | 6–9pm

Stop by, bring friends, and let’s make this October First Friday one to remember!

Come get witchy with us for an Autumnal Candle Pouring by Beth of Beldamia (@beldamia). Follow your nose down the marble steps into our 142bis gallerie where Beth will have bubbling cauldrons of wax ready to pour in vessels of your own choosing. Bring in up to 4 cleaned out * vessels from Beldamia or any vessel from any brands offered at EsScentuals. Pours are $2.50 per ounce in your own vessel or $3.50 per ounce if you choose an empty vessel we provide.

Autumnal scents on pour will be: Lune d’Octobre (October Moon), Petite Histoire (Short Story), Les Livres Interdit (Banned Books), Lune de Sorcières (Witches Moon), Figues Vertes (Green Fig).

* Hop on your broomstick and park it in our front entryway and visit us before the event. Once inside you can pre-sniff Autumnal scents and get our vessel cleaning instruction handout.

Follow us on Instagram @esscentualsfortcollins now & forever.

Discover the magic of clay on First Friday! Enjoy free admission to our new exhibit -  Clay Metamorphosis: From Mud to Modern from 5–9 PM! This dynamic new exhibit reveals clay’s incredible journey from humble mud to timeless art and everyday objects. Explore ingenious creations from around the world and right here in Northern Colorado — far beyond pots and mugs!

Martha Denney, one of the head curators of this exhibit, developed her passion for global connections early on and went onto build a 30+ year career at Colorado State University, where she expanded international education, study abroad, faculty engagement, and cultural programming while also consulting on gender and development in Africa. A leader in NAFSA and co-founder of the Global Village Museum, she worked to celebrate world cultures and foster cross-cultural understanding. Widely traveled, she enjoys pottery, metalsmithing, collecting international textiles, and spending part of each year in Hawaii exploring Pacific cultures.

Lydia Tarleton (@lydiatarleton) is an imaginative, playful artist and graphic designer. With a knack for blending classic with a dash of whimsy, Lydia's work feels like a burst of confetti.

Whether she's painting murals or drafting contemporary logos, her aesthetic leaks through, making her a favorite in both the design and artistic spheres. Her work reflects a dedication to creativity, innovation, and the power of visual communication to inspire and connect.

When she’s not immersed in her latest project, you can find Lydia drinking coffee, baking bread, or trying to corral her dog, Pippin.

Originally from Minnesota, Patrick Griffins (@griffins3d) has lived in Fort Collins for the past 10 years while working as a mechanical engineer at OtterBox. When not designing phone cases and accessories at work, he designs and crafts 3D-printed pop art sculptures at home. Bold colors, playful themes, and precise geometric patterns are on display in Patrick’s hand-assembled works. Each piece blends engineering and imagination in a colorful showcase of technology and craftsmanship.

Sheri Lauren (@sherilauren_art) has completed the base layer on her Phoenix painting! Come see the progress and discuss the process with her.

She will be working in her studio 211 at the Museum of Art. Stop in to visit and watch her work.

Sheri will also be featured in the Museum of Art Suite 215 Inktober Art Show featuring ink, tattoo, and spooky art in honor of The Toy, Game, and Puzzle Library.

Sheri is currently busy preparing pieces for the Fort Collins Studio Tour and an invitational show at the Center for Creativity in October... Plus getting holiday gifts ready for purchase. There should be a lot in progress in the studio!

This month the MEC is excited to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of our historic building by hosting a huge First Friday Art Walk Extravaganza!

We're doing it up big with 5 local artists, live music provided by Jack Elliot, complementary food, as well as special guests like The Fort Collins Historic Society and Photobooth Events who will be there to both contextualize the special occasion and help our guests make this FFAW one for the history books!

As always, Freemasons from Fidelity Lodge 19 will also be preset to give tours of the entire building on the hour!

Bonnell Lindstrom (@bonnellspastels)

Liz Ortiz (@madharepress)

Chelsey Greenwood (@chelseybutt)

Mykel Brawley (@breesegirlart)

Joseph Miranda 

Featured for October we have a fresh collection of pottery by Fort Collins artist, Connie King (@thekingsfancyfabrics).

Connie’s signature bear mugs, originally designed for children, have become cherished by collectors of all ages. Over time, the bear has been joined by a few companions, creating a joyful series that continues to delight and inspire. Come discover the charm of her new work that continues to inspire us all and start your own collection today.

This month, we're excited to host two amazing local artists:

Gordon Todd (@404_legs) is showcasing one-of-a-kind acrylic skateboard art as well as canvas paintings that fuse bold design with skate culture.

Jay Beard (@necrotalvus) is bringing vibrant, eye-catching illustrations and prints that are as cool as they are unique.

The Moose is Loose at the FCWC! Join us as Blue Moose Art Gallery artists Lisa Winta, Diana Dellos, and Sherri Wadley bring their creativity to the Fort Collins Welcome Center. Discover unique works of art, meet the makers, and experience the vibrant spirit of Fort Collins through their eyes.

Lisa Winta

Diana Dellos

Sherri Wadley (alcohol inks and watercolor)

Samantha Fowler

This month we have 3 featured artists at Wayward! We will be showcasing Summer Allen Studios, Cameron Allen Artwork, and Good Egg Craft Co. (Kate Carlson).

• Summer Allen is a mixed media artist based in Northern Colorado, specializing in intuitive art that she transforms into stunning cards, oracle cards, and prints. With a lifelong passion for creativity, she channels her experiences into unique, meaningful pieces that inspire connection and foster self-discovery.

• Cameron Allen is a talented high school artist skilled in mask-making, 3D art, and 2D creations, which she transforms into captivating prints and cards. Through her authentic work, she seeks to inspire others to embrace their unique qualities and connect with their true selves.

• Kate Carlson is a collage artist based in Fort Collins, Colorado. Kate creates playful, imaginative worlds out of cut paper. Her work emphasizes thoughtful composition, layering, and use of color. Blending nature, nostalgia, and human connection, each piece balances humor and heart while transforming ordinary moments into something unexpected and delightful.

Coco is a 2008 Graduate from Boston University with her Bachelors of Fine Art in Painting and minor in Printmaking and Art History. In 2009 she moved to Fort Collins, Co and opened Coco Artist Studio in the heart of Old Town.

​You may recognize her incredible, large-scale portrait work which has earned notable "Best Of" awards. Join us as we feature a sampling of Coco's captivating use of detail, light, and bold colors.

In case you missed month's landscape photographer, Randy Van Winkle, a sampling of his work is extended into this month along side Coco.

Stop in for remarkable artists, good vibes, and light refreshments.

Join us for our October First Friday to celebrate new works from Adam Federer (@federeradam) and live music from DJ Shirty (@shirtymusic), DJ, electronic musician, and inventor performing with a homemade laser drum kit.

"The title of this exhibit is: Spirit and Nature Dancing Together. The inspiration is rooted in my walk with my faith as a hospice nurse for over ten years and my love for the outdoors and trail running. I believe we are all put on this earth to make beautiful things, whether it is physical art, relationships with others or the places we can go to internally to find respite from the noise of the world around us".