First Friday for Families: 'Landfill Dogs,' hands-on activities, more

Friday is the first Friday of July, which means that many downtown Raleigh galleries, museums and restaurants are open for special deals during First Friday. 

You also can check WRAL.com's Out & About section for more First Friday fun. But here's Go Ask Mom's monthly post on family fun in downtown Raleigh on Friday night. One big change from the usual First Friday: The N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences will not be open late, as it usually is, on Friday. (It also won't be open late on Thursday, as it also usually is every week). 

Designbox, 307 W. Martin St., will host an exhibit by Mary Shannon Johnstone featuring images of unwanted dogs. According to the gallery, "Landfill Dogs is a photographic project to showcase the beautiful souls of the most unwanted dogs. They are given a reprieve from their cages at the county shelter for a moment of freedom at the top of the old landfill where many shelter dogs are buried. A portion of proceeds from the show and shop will be donated to a local shelter." Hours are 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. , Friday. The exhibit will run through July 26. Younger kids will enjoy seeing all the  dogs. Older kids and their adults will definitely find more meaning in the photos and project.

Next door, the Visual Art Exchange, 309 W. Martin St., will feature a non-juried show themed around primary colors. It's called .... Primary. And "A Process of Engagement" aims to "inspire contemplation of the transient nature of all things as it emerges, changes and disappears," according to the gallery. Here, several hundred paintings will present flowing waves of color, moving across the walls and floor, encircling the space. Each piece is unique. The exhibit encourages viewers to become collectors by donating $1 to the Visual Art Exchange, choosing any painting from the installation and taking the art with them. It's open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday. The exhibits run through July 25.

Blake Street Shops and Studios will offer up art, snacks for kids and wine for the adults from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The gallery at 300 Blake St. will be hosting more than a dozen artists, opening a new Haitian gallery and reopening a music-themed gallery called Amplified Art. Lisa Stewart Designs, 300 Blake St., Suite 7, also will be open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. You can check out the shop and learn more about her build-a-bag options where you bring in a bag you already own and have her customize it to your specifications. Might make a fun back-to-school gift. (Now would be the time to get started on that as the work can take some time). 

Artspace, 201 E. Davie St., will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday, with its First Friday reception from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. More than 30 artists will be on hand, along with exhibitions in three galleries featuring new member artists and its 2013 Summer Artist-in-Residence. According to Artspace: The Upfront Gallery and Lobby will feature artwork by new Artspace artist members Luke Miller Buchanan, Julie Greenberg, Shannon Newby, and Sarah West. The works will represent a wide range of media, including oil, collage, print, metal sculpture, and an installation by Erik and Shannon Newby that was first hung at Artspace’s Pop-Up space in North Hills from April to June 2013. The Summer Artist-in-Residence is Maureen Cummins, a book artist. This month, visitors are welcome to meet the artist while she installs her exhibition in Gallery 1, Accounts, which will open with the August First Friday. Accounts will present half a dozen select artist books made over the past 20 years, including new works created within the past year and during her residency and will be on display through Sept. 7.

Marbles Kids Museum is open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with special activities for First Friday goers (all free with admission, which is $5 per person). They also have a First Friday kids camp if you're looking for an adult evening. Pre-registration is required for the camp.

CAM Raleigh is open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday, with after-hours access to the galleries, new hands-on activities at the creation station, music, food trucks and a suggested donation bar. Check my earlier post about CAM Raleigh for all the family fun this downtown Raleigh museum offers. Admission is free 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. There's also free coffee. 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.