The Fairfield First Fridays “Gallery Hop” event on November 1, 6–9 p.m., puts fine art, creativity, and culture front and center as galleries and various venues host not-to-be-missed events across town, from fine art openings and art raffles to grand openings and great music, all indoors.
Pick up a Gallery Hop passport from a participating venue, get it stamped as you visit galleries and museums across downtown—including Carnegie Museum, ICON Gallery, the FAA galleries in the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center, Cindy’s ArtBeat at Henderson’s, Crest Jewel, and Fairfield CoLab—and turn it in by 9 p.m. to Cindy’s ArtBeat for a chance to win an original work of art in the evening’s raffle drawing.
Art Openings
First stop on the art tour, visit ICON, Fairfield’s flagship gallery at 56 N. Main, where Director Bill Teeple will be kicking off ICON’s Biennial Art Auction. See over 200 generously donated works that are being auctioned to raise funds for the gallery. Mediums range from oils, acrylics, watercolors, and pastels to photographs, prints, and reproductions. Realism, impressionism, expressionism, abstraction, and more styles are represented. Dozens of local artists have donated work for the auction, and prints and reproductions by famous artists are also part of the offering. View the pieces in person at the gallery, then bid online at Icon-Art.org through December 18. Minimum bids range from $15 to $500, with many items starting at $25 to $30.
The Fairfield Art Association announces the opening of Vault, an exhibit of abstract oil paintings by John Carlson, in the Main Gallery at the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center on Friday, November 1. A reception will be held from 6–8 p.m. for the artist, who will give a gallery talk at 7 p.m. Fairfield artist John Preston will be displaying recent watercolors in the FAA Hallway Gallery. His collection of European Images was created during recent travels to France and beyond.
Freeform Gallery, located at 508 N. 2nd Street in the Tetra Building, invites you to a reception for Animal Intelligence, an art installation by Paul J. Morehead. Through the lens of indigenous cultural teachings and drawing from the Gene Keys Dream Arc Animal Codex, this show aims to connect viewers to the intelligence of the natural world.
Also on November 1 during First Fridays, view the premier showing of hand-painted silks by Oksana Shaddock at Big Blue, 410 W. Lowe Ave. The combination of art and technology holds a special fascination for the artist, fueling her passion to create vibrant designs with different media. Her hand-painted natural silks are one of a kind.
While you’re out and about, also check out the art shows at Cindy’s ArtBeat at Henderson’s, Fairfield CoLab, Americus Gallery, Golden Ears Inc., a gem and mineral show at Crest Jewel, and the ongoing Heritage Farms rotating exhibit at Carnegie Historical Museum.
Music & Therapeutic Sound
If you’re up for some auditory exploration, stop by Café Paradiso at 101 N. Main Street for a funkified ride as Fairfield Muse welcomes back Apocalypso Tantric Noise Choir, a.k.a. David and Eric Hurlin and Jimmy Moore on drums, keys, and bass, with special guest guitar-god Jonnie Cohen! The show is by donation, so stop in for a drink or get down for the duration.
For more good vibrations, head to the other side of the block to 122 N. Court Street (across the street from The Ride bike shop) for the Grand Opening celebration at Source Vibrations Sound Clinic. Tour their innovative vibro-acoustic lounge showcasing the healing power of sound and vibration therapy, enjoy kava and specialty teas served by Noble House, and from 5–9 p.m. soak in a blissful stew of sound bath performances and live music by Katherine Wild & Muna Askar, GooD Cal-El, and Amine & Karen Kouider.
Whether you’re curious about sound healing or seeking a unique evening of relaxation, this event will offer a refreshing blend of wellness, creativity, and community.
