The Market Merges with First Fridays for Summer

For 2014, The Market returns as a First Friday event. On June 6th and August 1st, South Division will once again become a lively center for art, music, and culture. In addition to a gallery and shop hop that exhibits artwork at a variety of indoor sites, the sidewalks will be flooded with artist vendors, performances, and entertainment all along South Division between Fulton and Cherry. 

Since fall 2013, First Fridays has offered a unique opportunity to check out the shops, galleries, and eateries along the rapidly evolving South Division Corridor. First Friday events include drink specials, exhibition receptions, sales, and featured artwork. Both downtown residents and art supporters from surrounding neighborhoods come together to view local art and experience culture on the first friday of every month. This event strengthens the commerce and community in Grand Rapids by attracting artists and art enthusiasts from all over the city.

The Market has a long history of being a spirited, street market style event that features the work of local artists, musicians, and artisans, showcasing a wide selection of tasteful and fun handmade goods by some of Grand Rapids’ most talented creative doers. 

First Friday event coordinator, Amanda Carmer says, “Merging The Market and First Fridays creates a night that combines the best of both events.”

While First Fridays utilizes the gallery spaces and businesses on South Division, the market features outdoor music performances and street vendors. The result of combining them will be an energetic night thats fun for all ages and completely free.

Carmer goes on to say, “The Market on First Fridays is free to attend but this is a great shopping opportunity to buy directly from both artists and small business owners. It’s the perfect way to pick up summer birthday presents and gifts for weddings and showers.”

Avenue for the Arts is incredibly grateful to have received grants from Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. Sponsors make an incredible difference in the outcome of Avenue for the Arts events and their support helps to make each event bigger and better than before.

Registration for musicians, performers, and vendors began April 30th and continues through the event. Stay updated on news about The Market on First Fridays by checking out the website, avenueforthearts.com/themarket. Follow Avenue for the Arts on Twitter or Instagram @avefortheartsGR and join the conversation by using #avenueforthearts. Also, connect with Avenue for the Arts on Facebook for updates and special event postings. Take a look at images from last years event on the Avenue for the Arts Flickr page 

The Avenue for the Arts is a neighborhood title for the South Division commercial corridor. We are residential, commercial and nonprofit groups working together in a creative community. We are residents in Heartside, and active participants in shaping change in our neighborhood. In 2005, we choose the Avenue for the Arts as a title to represent our commercial corridor and the projects and events that we create. Because the Avenue is powered by volunteers guest writers create our Rapidian content. Special thanks to Leah Burke, Avenue member and writer for her coverage of "The Market on First Fridays"