With the exception of a few crowds outside local bars, Hammond is relatively quiet three Fridays out of the month. That is because the city is resting, saving its energy for the first Friday of every month, when the area’s culture and style come out to play. 

On these special monthly nights, the Hammond Regional Arts Center hosts 1st Friday Art Walks. These events display the work and creations of artists from all different backgrounds, cultures and experience levels. The art walk encompasses the entire downtown area, engulfing the community into the melting pot of the local art culture. 

The1st Friday Art Walk is a product of the relationship between the Hammond Regional Arts Center and Hammond’s Downtown Development District. 

Not only do the colorful events highlight artists, but the events also shed some light onto the downtown area, making for a nice outing. To get participants around Hammond’s downtown area, the artwork is spread out across downtown within different businesses, all within walking distance of the art center. To keep partakers on track, maps will be distributed showing each business and a short description of the artwork it has to offer. 

This unique twist on displaying art keeps the exhibit fresh and gives businesses a booming night. Rachel Williams, a local who worked at a participating downtown restaurant, remembers a little more than her aching feet from that night. 

“It was a while ago now, but I had a blast even though I was working. I remember the music, the load of people and the way my feet looked at the end of the night,” said Williams.

Other businesses like the African American Heritage Museum, Tope La and Nortech have participated in the past. From paintings and photography, to sculptures and pottery, there has been no limit on the variety of artwork put on display for the public. 

The future of 1st Friday Art Walks holds even more exciting and unique artwork. On this upcoming first Friday of the month, September 4, the Hammond Regional Arts Center will kick off the night with their debut of a ceramic installation by Sarah House. House is a ceramic artist centrally located in New Orleans. The Hammond Regional Arts Center will be open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. showing House’s hand built geographic pieces on Friday; however, the artwork will stay on display the entire month of September. 

Visit www.hammondarts.com or call (985) 542-7113 for more information. 

Two young women browse one of the many galleries featured during
one of the 1st Friday Art Walks in November, 2014.
The art walk was also part of the P.3+ exhibit that was an
extension of a large exhibit around New Orleans.
Photo Credit/Megan Ferrando