First Fridays Provide Great Shopping, Art and Fun for the Community

In the heart of Michigan City lies the Uptown Arts District. Throughout this stretch of town, old buildings have been renovated and now house little shops and restaurants.

On the first Friday of every month, the district hosts an event they like to call First Friday. On these days, the shops stay open a little later and open their doors to local aspiring artists. Along the sidewalk, local vendors set up and sell their pieces as well. Most of these stores, as well as artists, like to have hors d’oeuvres and drinks for their customers. It gives off a welcoming vibe.

The art that is shown is one-of-a-kind. All the different forms include: photography, painting, sculptures, pottery, jewelry, and even cake. Also along the sidewalk, aspiring musicians play for entertainment.

Urban Soles participates each Friday. The unique store offers a variety of shoes that are nowhere to be found around anywhere else in Michigan City. There are brands such as Toms, Uggs, and Sanuks, as well as many others.

3-D Cakes sets up in Urban Soles. Many people know him for his cake pops. He sets out a display of around 100 cake pops and they usually are all gone within the first hour. He then has a drawing for an actual cake. The theme this week was very patriotic.

Artists that were showing their work through jewelry is the mother-daughter duo consisting of Linda Mickevicius and Jamie Kessler. They opened Beach Bums, which displays jewelry made from things found on the beach. Most of their pieces house beach glass. They opened their store just over a year ago. When they got into their space, they decided that they had so much room they could sell more than just jewelry. Each month, they select a local artist and allow them to display their work in the Beach Bum location. Having First Friday lets the community see not only the hand-crafted jewelry but also the artist of the month.

Linda Mickevicius said, “We have been making jewelry for seven years. We decided to choose the Uptown Arts Districts because we attended First Fridays since they began and we really wanted to be a part of that.”

Ashley Wisnieski had her photography on display. Photography is solely for her pleasure. Her actual job is taking pictures of cars. Showcased were pictures she found interesting. She loves being able to have her pictures on display and hearing the feedback of the crowd.

Wisnieski said, “I have never been one to create art for others’ enjoyment. I have a connection with dirty, grimy and not yet thrown away things. I don’t mind exposing the dirtier side of things but still finding potential in them to be worthy of visual delight.”

Darlings’, which opened last year, is owned by Corbin Wagner and Meg Caplice. They offer unique apparel and handcrafted jewelry by Julie Biehl. They opened specifically in this location because of it being in the Uptown Art District. They felt strongly that they wanted to be a part of the community.

Cathy Knouse, a frequent flyer at the First Friday events said, “It’s really cool. You get to see a lot of people from around the community that you wouldn’t get to see otherwise. All the artwork is so great as well.”

The next First Friday event will be held August 2, 2013. It begins at 5 pm and runs until 8 pm. Grab a group of friends and head out to experience the local artists, food, and fun. There is something for everyone.

Click here to see more photos from the event!