September 18th, 2015 from 5-8pm is the next 3rd Friday in Downtown Salisbury. This month’s theme, Urban Artscapes, is our chance to celebrate and explore the history and architecture of Downtown, as well as explore, why public art, even temporary
works, have become such common forms of beauty and expression in modern cityscapes. From tours, highlights 
and scavenger hunts, there will be plenty of ways to explore what our city really looks like!
On the Plaza, you can listen to The Larks funky brand of jazz while you enjoy the wide range of local artists, crafters and community groups that participate each month. Test your eyes with the 3rd Annual Architectural Scavenger Hunt and search for architectural details in an attempt to identify the building to which they belong! Join SU President Janet Dudley-Eshbach for the ribbon cutting ceremony for the recently donated Gallery Building at 5pm, with reception to follow. Down St. Peters Alley, you can enjoy free guided tours of one of Downtown’s oldest and most beautiful buildings, St. Peter’s Church, built in 1887. Tours will be held from 5:30 – 7:30, and children can enjoy free ‘create your own stained glass’ crafts!
Off the Plaza, in Parker Place Garden Center, two special displays will take place. First, the Memories of Downtown tapestry will again be on display. Originally created in 2009 as part of a temporary, interactive multimedia installation, Memories of Downtown captured the oral histories and memories of Salisbury’s locals and elders on film. Artist Susan Holt, then took phrases from their favorite memories, and weaved them together on strips of fabric; literally weaving a tapestry out of memories of our Downtown’s fabled past. The tapestry will be on display, and volunteers will be on hand conducting interviews, so stop by, share your memories, and become a part of the collective memory of Downtown Salisbury! Also on display, The Salisbury Arts & Entertainment District will present an exhibit detailing the districts purpose, benefits, signature programs, newly expanded boundaries, and vision for the future!
The Salisbury Arts and Entertainment District Committee, in celebration of its expansion, will also host will also host Upstairs Downtown and All That Jazz, a self-guided walking tour will highlight renovations and new assets within the District. Among the tour stops are the penthouse ballroom at One Plaza East, featuring music from Dark Gold Jazz, The Brick Room, SU Galleries- Downtown Campus, Headquarters Live, the lux apartments above Chesapeake East and the all new Rivers Edge Apartments and Studio for the Arts. Tours maps and times will be available at the Salisbury Arts & Entertainment District table, on center Plaza.
On North Division Street, large displays will share the histories of some of Downtown’s most notable buildings, and how changes in our society have molded their use over the years. On Government Office Building Lawn, Soul Yoga Studio will be giving a free yoga class from 6 – 7pm and on Government Office Building Steps, the Fenix Youth Project will hold The Rize to Power Youth Talent Showcase from 5:30 – 7pm. The Fenix Youth Project is an organization designed to encourage youth to use their creative talents to impact social change, and the talent showcase gives voice to creative expressions and performances by both youth and young adults, against our urban backdrop.
Down on Poplar Hill Avenue, The Salisbury Wicomico Arts Council will host an Arts Block Party, with artists, vendors and live music from Ted Nichols & Drums Around the World. This 3rd Friday SWAC presents Back To School Art, with kids school supplies, arts and crafts. Stop by for great sounds and entertainment, refreshments and fun times on SWAC Street! Stop on Season’s Best Antiques too for great Back to School bargains!
For the art enthusiasts, The Art Institute & Gallery will display the Clay Guild of the Eastern Shore Members Exhibition. The showcase and sale includes a wide range of clay works and paintings of these local artists, including lovely pots, platters, vases, animal pieces, sconces, and more! The show will be open through October 9th. During 3rd Friday, pottery demos will take place on the Plaza to promote the sale inside. The AI&G is located on the lower level of the Gallery Building on the Plaza.
Salisbury University Art Galleries | Downtown Campus will host opening receptions for its two exhibitions. The Great American Landscape: Photographs by Ansel Adams, George Alexander Grant, Eliot Porter and the National Park Service combines works from SU’s permanent collection of early 20th century nature photography, with a digital exhibition of the work of George Alexander Grant, famous photographer buried in Snow Hill, MD. The opening reception will also feature a book signing by guidebook authors Ren and Helen Davis who have co-authored the newly released ‘Landscapes for the People: George Alexander Grant, First Chief Photographer of the National Park Service’ from 5-7pm.
Also open at Salisbury University Art Galleries | Downtown Campus, It’s Fine is a collaborative project of graduates of the SU Graphic Design program. In an experiment of pushing boundaries, asking questions, and getting hands dirty, It’s Fine blurs the dividing line between “graphic” and “fine” art, arguing that the heart of each discipline pumps the same blood of process and passion, and driving the audience to challenge and redefine their understanding of graphic design.
The downtown shops and boutiques have special events and sales planned. Maya Bella’s Pizzeria will be celebrating their 2 year anniversary with a birthday party and, of course, 2 slice deals! Cake Art is will have their ever popular create your own cupcake night, only $3.50 with drink. Corsets and Cogs will be open, downtown’s very own handmade design boutique filled with skirts, vests, kilts, jewelry, and most importantly, corsets! Barefoot Baby Boutique will be open with info their recent collaboration with a fitness trainer, to bring MommyWalk- a fun way to workout with your baby, to Downtown Salisbury! All you need is a stroller!
The downtown bars and restaurants are also ready for a night filled with special events and entertainment. Headquarters Live will have The Chris Duarte Group live in concert featuring Blessed Gypsy for only $10. A portion of the night’s ticket sales will go to benefit Main Street Gym as they approach the final night of their fundraiser drive, and the winner of their charter fishing raffle will be announced during the show!
Roadie Joes, now an all-ages venue, will have great dinner specials for the whole family and live music by Breakfast from 10 to close! Brew River will be having a Friday Night Dock Bar Party, all ages before 10pm, with live music from Haleytown at 6PM and DJ C-Dub til close. The Brick Room, now serving food, will have live music from Emily Moses from 5-8 and the Double Nickels from 9 to midnight. For the after dinner crowd, Mojo’s has local favorite Flint Eastwood, and Market Street has DJ B-Side playing all of the favorites!
3F is an all-volunteer effort, a downtown economic development initiative and a project of the Salisbury Arts & Entertainment District Committee. For More Information: 3rdFridaySby.com
