abouTculture

FIRST FRIDAYS
By NIKA HANCOCK

“Come one, come all . . . explore historic downtown and discover its charm through art and music on First Fridays.”
- John Hendry

"Downtown Bryan may seem like a long ways away,” says Greta Watkins, owner of the Frame Gallery , but “it’s only 3.8 miles from the university.” Watkins is trying to break the myth that there is a great distance between Bryan and College Station. She firmly believes that the area serves as a historic downtown for both cities. Watkins began bringing people to her gallery and other downtown venues with the origination of First Fridays, modeled after gallery district events that take place in larger cities.

When the Frame Gallery moved to its current location two and a half years ago, the first First Friday took place. “In the beginning, it was an excuse to open the doors and get people to come in and see what kind of art we had,” said Watkins, but it has “turned into a fun way to be a part of the community.” Each event includes live jazz music, an art activity for all ages, wine and socializing, and an opportunity to meet the artists whose works appear in the shop. This idea has garnered the gallery owner three awards for its enhancement to the community, including a 2006 Mayor’s Downtown Impact Award.

Now, other businesses have joined the festivities in hopes of increased exposure and new clientele. This past spring, the Downtown Bryan Economic Development Association (“DBEDA”), through its Events & Tourism Committee, encouraged business owners to stay open late for First Fridays, since “activity tends to bring more activity, and attract ‘cross interest’ of people maybe coming down here for one particular thing—and they discover another,” said John Hendry, Executive Director of the association.

The Corner of Time serves classic malts, shakes, and floats as they were made starting in the late 1800s. Horse drawn carriage rides are offered outside the LaSalle Hotel & Café, while stores like Earth Art and Old Bryan Marketplace are open late to allow shoppers extra time to look over their collections of one-of-a-kind treasures. Free films are shown at the Palace Theater, while unique performances or events may be incorporated at any First Friday so that each month is different. Even restaurants stay open late to allow post-shopping dining choices.

Susan Taylor, a visitor from Washington who has relatives in the area, is impressed with the revitalization happening in such a short time and adds that First Fridays are a “very nice touch.”

Hendry conveys that DBEDA would like to see First Fridays develop into an “increased regional attraction that becomes a destination,” where people will come from surrounding counties and larger cities as a “nice little getaway.” Hendry states that he sees a positive response from the community in the “excitement expressed by many people from throughout Bryan/College Station about something new and different to come to in the evening.”

Held the first Friday evening of each month from 5:30 to 9:30 pm, Hendry extends this invitation to everyone in the Brazos Valley and beyond, “Come one, come all . . . explore historic downtown and discover its charm through art and music on First Fridays.”
The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum is a part of the George Bush Presidential Library Center which includes the George Bush School of Government and the George Bush Presidential Library Foundation, which provided funding for the renovations.