Emphasis on ART and WALK. Ukiah is a very walkable town.

Join artists and their hosts for an evening of art, music and refreshments as you stroll from one venue to the next; each showcasing local art and artistry. Held in Historic Downtown Ukiah on the first Friday of each month, the First Friday Art Walk is the perfect way to relax your body, mind and soul.

This enjoyable evening begins at 5pm.

Participating Galleries:

Corner Gallery / Art Center Ukiah

Grace Hudson Museum

Medium Art Gallery – Deep Valley Arts Collective

…and more.

Bona Marketplace, 116 W Standley Street, Ukiah
Bona Marketplace will be showing works by a local artist Isabel Lopez Gonzales. Isabel has been painting for approximately 6 years and studies at the Academy Of Arts  in San Francisco focusing on graphic design and fine arts.  Isabels paintings are vibrant, colorful and whimsical. She gains her inspiration from our local beauty of mountain ranges, sunsets and hikes to the U. In addition to the art show we are offering a jewelry makers class with Simone Ndoye . Simone will walk you through the process  of making a beautiful ring you can leave with . The class is $45 and you can register through Bona Marketplace.

Corner Gallery Ukiah and Art Center Ukiah, 201 S State Street, Ukiah
“AI’nt” 15th Annual Ukiah High School Student Photography Show
Corner Gallery Ukiah and Art Center Ukiah join forces to host the 15th Annual High School Photography Show. The work on display will be from Ukiah High School students taking either the Introduction to Photography class or the dual enrollment College Art 140 class. The title of this show, “AIn’t,” refers to the fact that all the work on display will be actual photography as opposed to Artificial Intelligence. The students do class exercises with their cameras on different subjects, the best examples for the show are exhibited. There is definitely some AI embedded in the Photoshop tools that the students are learning to use… Photoshop is AI assisted to make the work easier… but in these classes they do not create images with AI. They are trying to stick to the art of image making for this show. The title of the show brings forth the question what is art. Lech Slocinski the photography instructor responds with “I think it’s the skill used to put things together, to reassemble reality that is the art. You have to have a vision to do it, which comes from a creative place deep inside the individual artist.”  We have all seen a photo image that captures the “art, emotion or symbolism of something we see in life. This is the skill of the photographer. While the photographs on exhibit are not AI this is an opportunity to explore what this new technology means to the creative world. AI is a problem because we don’t know who the creators are. Is the blending of someone else’s images to create a new narrative original art… or is it stealing? It’s the skill used to put things together, to reassemble reality, that is the art? Enjoy all original art work demonstrated through photography by these talented students through May 31, 2024. Visit both the front Corner Gallery Ukiah  and the back Art Center Ukiah Gallery The MCOEC is the supporter of the Ukiah High School Photography Show. The First Friday opening reception for AIn’t will be on May 3 from 5-8pm.
Young Artist Wall:  Stephanie Holland, an early graduate of Sequoia Career Academy she focuses on landscapes and animal painting in oil and acrylic. Polly Palecek is the featured artist using oil and acrylic paintings on the Mendocino County Arts Association’s pony wall. Live music will be provided throughout the evening by Sy Frey.

MEDIUM Art Gallery, 518 E Perkins Street, Ukiah
The Deep Valley Arts Collective is pleased to announce a special exhibition titled “Pieced Together: Recovery Through Art,” opening at MEDIUM Art Gallery in Ukiah and on display from May 3rd through June 1, 2024. “Pieced Together: Recovery Through Art” showcases artwork created by individuals recovering from alcohol and substance abuse. This carefully curated collection of art represents nine months of weekly private collage workshops with recovery clients and monthly collage workshops with the public. The artwork on display explores individual stories and provides artistic tools to communicate effectively. It demonstrates how art can be a vital element in the recovery process, helping individuals move forward in their journey toward a healthier life. This project focused on how art can help all people in recovery and those affected by substance abuse by using artistic tools to envision a different future and directly explore the ramifications of substance abuse. “Pieced Together” was made possible with funding from the Upstate California Creative Corps, providing an extended opportunity for people in the community to create art, form community bonds, and build resilience. Beverages and light refreshments available.

Ukiah Branch, Mendocino County Library, 105 N Main Street, Ukiah
The Ukiah Branch Library staff invites the community to join us for Art Walk Ukiah on Friday, May 3 from 5 – 7 p.m. This month, we will feature Buffie Campbell-Schmidt and her art of traditional Pomo basket weaving. Schmidt is a basket weaver, wild food and medicine gatherer, and Northern Pomo Language Teacher from the Sherwood Valley Rancheria and Noyo Reservation. Schmidt is a descendant of the Yokayo Rancheria, where she learned Pomo basket weaving from her mother – a legacy passed down through many generations. She honors the memory of her ancestors by speaking their old language and continuing to gather willow, dogwood, redbud, white root, acorns, and wild medicines. She feels her ancestors with her wherever she goes. The branch will host live music and an all-ages basket twining craft program. Enjoy a book sale by the Ukiah Valley Friends of the Library as you browse the art walk. This exhibit is free to the public, open to all ages, and sponsored by the Ukiah Valley Friends of the Library and Mendocino County Library.

The Lot, Corner of Standley and Main Street, Ukiah
Immerse yourself in a unique fusion of creativity and convenience at The Lot, a vibrant addition to Ukiah’s First Friday Art Walk. Nestled within a bustling parking lot, The Lot showcases local crafters and artists, transforming mundane spaces into bustling hubs of inspiration. Discover handcrafted treasures, engage with artisans, and witness creativity in action as you explore this dynamic enclave. Don’t miss the chance to experience the magic of The Lot, where art and community converge under the open sky.

Paradigm, 312 N School Street, Ukiah
Mays artist at Paradigm will be Nathan Louis Valensky Contemporary Artist utilizing fine art media to express his perspective in this shared human experience. He is influenced by nostalgia, culture, Americana and history. He was born in 1980 to a Jewish family and a twin brother. He received a B.A in printmaking from the University of Santa Cruz in 2004 and is a self taught painter.

Grace Hudson Museum, 431 S Main Street, Ukiah
Make the Museum one of your stops on your Ukiah First Friday Art Walk. Check out our newest special exhibition, Deep Roots, Spreading Branches: Fine Woodworking of the Krenov School. The show focuses on the over 40-year history of this world-renowned school in Ft. Bragg, and features craft furniture and woodwork by James Krenov (who founded the program), current and former instructors, and a considerable number of students who trained there.
Visitors will also be treated to musical entertainment by the Jazz Dudes (Pierre Archain and Barney McClure) accompanied by singer Roseanne Wetzel. All the galleries will be open too, so you can spend some time getting to know or getting reacquainted with Grace Hudson’s artwork, fine Pomo basketry, and Hudson-Carpenter family history. Plus, Ziggy will be leading tours of our Wild Gardens, which are in bloom with spring colors. Modest refreshments will be available.

As the community converges to celebrate art, culture, and connection, the First Friday Art Walk serves as a testament to Ukiah’s vibrant creative spirit. Join us in supporting local artists and fostering a thriving arts community.

Event Details:

• Date: Friday, May 3, 2024
• Time: 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Locations: Various venues throughout Historic Downtown Ukiah
• Contact: Mo Mulheren, Ukiah Valley Networking
• Email: ukiahvalleynetworking@gmail.com
• Phone: 707-391-3664

For more information on participating venues and artists, please visit artwalkukiah.org or contact Mo Mulheren.