First Friday Family Fun: Young artist exhibition, Picasso, a dog expert named Cat, more

Friday is the first Friday of November and that means it's time for our monthly post about family fun during downtown Raleigh's First Friday.

Here are some of the family-friendly happenings. Check WRAL.com's Out & About section for more. 

The Visual Art Exchange will celebrate the 25th annual Young Artists Exhibition on Friday. The exhibit will feature artwork from some of the most talented artists from Wake County elementary, middle, and high school students! More than 250 young artists from across Wake County will exhibit. The art exchange also will host an awards presentation for each level. Two scholarships will be presented to promising high school seniors. Work by high school and middle school students will be on display at the art exchange. A First Friday reception is set for 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The work of elementary school artists will be on view at Marbles Kids Museum, which stays open until 7 p.m. for First Fridays.

Nuvonivo, the fashion boutique for babies and kids on Hargett Street one block from Marbles, will be open until 9 p.m. If you make a purchase of $50 or more, get two ticket vouchers to Marbles. It's time to stock up for fall and winter.

Oak City Coffee Roasters on West Hargett Street will showcase local musical artists. There's coffee and light eats (though note that this is not a coffee shop, but a place where coffee is actually roasted, which is pretty cool). It's open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday. 

CAM Raleigh will offer free admission on Friday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Enjoy hands-on crafts, talk to middle school docents and take in some pop-up performances with gospel recording artist Mary D. Williams. Food trucks will be there too.

Gallery C will present 13 original etchings and lithographs from reknowned artist Pablo Picasso (you read that right). The work will be for public view and sale. What a great opportunity to see some works by a master.

Artspace in Raleigh's City Market is open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday. See dozens of artists at work in their galleries and vote on your favorite artwork that's part of Artspace's Collectors Gala Live Auction, which is later this month. First Friday guests are invited to vote on their favorite artwork in the auction.

The first High Cotton Collegiate Design Competition is 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., during First Friday. The winner of the competition, open to students in the College of Design and College of Textiles at N.C. State, will have their design printed on  fabric that will become a bow tie for the shop's 2014 spring line. Visit High Cotton's showroom to see the eight finalists and vote for your favorite (through Jan. 3).

The N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences will be bustling with activity. That includes a free screening of "Dracula" (the 1931, Bela Lugosi version) at 7 p.m. Dog expert Cat Warren (love it!) will talk about "The Science Behind the Sniff: What Does the Dog's Nose Know?" at 6 p.m. in the Daily Planet Cafe. And the museum will be offering a buy one, get one free adult admission to "Birds of Paradise: Amazing Avian Evolution" every First Friday. It's a new special exhibit that explores the plumes and courtship displays of these birds. The museum is open until 9 p.m. on First Fridays.

The Cupcake Shoppe, 104 Glenwood Ave., offer its buy one, get one half off cupcakes deal on First Fridays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. While you nosh on your cupcakes, you also can enjoy local artwork.

Dickey's Barbecue Pit, 170 E. Davie St.,offers free dessert with purchase of a barbecue meat plate and drink or one free kid's meal for ages 12 and under per paid adult meal of equal or greater value.

Videri Chocolate Factory, 327 W. Davie St., is open from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday. You can take a free self-guided tour of the chocolate factory and learn how chocolate is made from the bean to the bar. Then, you can try a free sample.