First Friday

First Friday is one of the best events Binghamton ever puts on properly. It is when all of the artist galleries and studios of downtown open their doors for free shows (think Syracuse's Third Thursday). Binghamton honestly doesn't have much going for it the rest of the days of the month, but First Friday makes me feel good about being an artist here. Downtown renamed State Street "Artist's Row" because there are 6 galleries, work spaces, and one antique and arts shop side by side. It is also where the major gay bar of Bing (Merlins) is, so the whole road just feels quirky and open minded.

My favorite gallery is Orazio Salati's - he always has incredible paintings and mixed media shown in his two-part gallery, as well as his own work, which is usually full of color and motion.

Another amazing gallery, more for the preservation of history, is Anthony Brunelli. He does some of the most fantastic perspective paintings of Binghamton, both from photos of the past, and from current events. He makes this little city look like somewhere someone would actually like to live and experience. His paintings are featured both in his gallery and in Park Diner, located in Conklin (across the river looking into Binghamton) and they are rather proud of them.

If I have to stay in Bing more than 3 years post graduation, I'm getting studio space on Artist's Row to call my own. And I'll have wine and a popcorn machine at my First Friday openings.