Triangle.com

Submitted by Melissa Howsam — Correspondent

It's not your first Friday, but it's First Friday. Here's a sneak peek at what's happening:

BUSY BUSY BEE CAFE: Photographs by D.J. Griffin, 6 p.m. Exhibit runs through February.

"D.J. Griffin's stunning portraits and other black and white photographs stop time in haunting ways. His diverse collection shows a craftsman's eye for texture and grit. A truly fine exhibit."

— Christopher Salerno, author of "Minimum Heroic"

VISUAL ART EXCHANGE: Open Source, 6 to 9 p.m. Exhibit runs through Feb. 23.

"This show will be our first open hang show at VAE! Artists will come to the gallery and hang their own work so VAE can showcase the exciting and broad range of art being made in the area!"

— Meredith Burgess, exhibitions director, Visual Art Exchange

LOCAL COLOR GALLERY: "Nothing but Figurative" & "Student Show," Original Raku sculptures by Margaret Griffin and oil paintings by Olga Wagner. Guest feature artist: Wake County High School Student Show. 6 to 9 p.m. Exhibit runs through Feb. 25.

"If you like figurative work with enough personality to have names, then come to the raku sculpture and oil painting exhibit at Local Color Gallery."

— Adrien Montoya, manager, Local Color Gallery

RALEIGH CITY MUSEUM: Let Us March On: Raleigh's Journey Toward Civil Rights! 6 to 9 p.m.

"Kick-off African-American History Month with the Raleigh City Museum this Friday, Feb. 3rd as we celebrate the opening of our newly redesigned exhibit, Let Us March On: Raleigh's Journey Toward Civil Rights! Featuring colorful graphics, striking photographs and updated information, Let Us March On explores our city's struggle against racial inequality from 1930-1970, focusing on how local individuals made a difference--fighting to desegregate public schools, participating in sit-ins and protest marches, or joining with their neighbors against racism. One of the museum's permanent displays, the much-needed design update reminds us of the struggles faced by local activists and the courage they possessed."

— Jennifer Carpenter, Raleigh City Museum

LITMUS GALLERY & STUDIOS: KARMA, 6 to 9 p.m. Exhibit runs through February.

"KARMA features the art work of abstract artist Clara K Johnson. It celebrates life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

— James Fatata, owner, Litmus Gallery & Studios

GALLERY C: Bert Beirne — Traditional Still Life, 6 to 9 p.m. On display through Feb. 10.

"Bert Beirne has been painting the still life for nearly three decades and is considered one of the important painters of the genre living today. Since receiving her BFA from the University of Cincinnati, Beirne's work is often compared to the Dutch and Flemish masters of the early 17th Century painters such as Kalf and Heda."

— Charlene Newsom, via Gallery C

MORNING TIMES: Brass, Strings & Keys, 6 to 11 p.m. On display through Feb. 29.

"My series, Brass, Strings and Keys is a body of work based upon music. With this series, I intend to evoke emotion using lines, color and simplicity. I want viewers to feel the music and the musicians emotions."

— Cammeron Alekzandra Batanides, artist, The Morning Times

NICOLE'S STUDIO AND ART GALLERY: Final First Friday at this location, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Exhibit runs until Feb. 17.

"This is the final celebration before our all new gallery emerges early March, and a thank you to all of our clients, artists and supporters in the art community that have helped us make this new step in a great direction. This last group exhibit features current and new artists to the gallery depicting high quality art and what's upcoming in our new location at 719 North Person St. Featuring nationally acclaimed artists, Dawn Whitelaw, Lori Putnam, Nicole Kennedy, Kim Maselli, Dan Nelson and 15 others."

— Nicole Kennedy, owner, Nicole's Studio and Art Gallery

MARBLES: Colossal Cardboard Creations and First Friday Savings Spree, 5 to 8 p.m.

"Kids can work alongside the Marbles exhibit design team to create big cardboard sculptures and spaces. We were inspired by the NCSU College of Design's first-year Experience Studio, where students create beautiful large-scale cardboard environments informed by their surroundings. Our key design staff are NCSU College of Design grads, and we love the idea of combining young kids' creativity and imagination with the College of Design studio experience. Kids always come up with amazing creative ideas and it's lots of fun helping them bring their ideas to life. Our First Friday programming has been focused on one of Marbles' core initiatives, Create | Innovate. Since grownups get to explore the creative side of Raleigh on First Fridays, this gives kids and families a way to join in on the creative action too."

— Pam Hartley, vice president of learning initiatives, Marbles Kids Museum and IMAX Theatre

Note: Only $10 for your entire family after 5pm (As always, members play free). Or, just $6 for a grown-up and a child. Only $2 per additional guest (friend, neighbor, etc.). Museum is open until 8 p.m.

ARTSPACE: First Friday Gallery Walk, 6 to 10 p.m. Four main events.

"Join us Friday night for an exciting First Friday. In addition to our 30 artist studios that are always open to the public, Artspace will have four new exhibitions opening in our gallery spaces. In addition, in partnership with NC State's Center Stage, Artspace will be presenting three short performances by David Dorfman Dance in Gallery 2 [during] the First Friday Gallery reception. Performance times are 7:15, 8:15, and 9:15."

1. Microcosms/Macrocosms, by artists Amy Gross & Barry Sparkman. Feb. 3 to March 31 in Gallery 2.

"Microcosms/Macrocosms presents the work of two artists exploring similar concepts, though utilizing vastly different media and techniques. Amy Gross' two- and three-dimensional works are stitched, sculptural fiber works, while Barry Sparkman's mixed-media works incorporate printmaking and painting techniques."

2. What Land Will Take, by artist Jarod Charzewski. Jan. 21 to March 3 in Gallery 1.

"Jarod Charzewski's site-specific installations examine landscapes and people, man-made structures among nature and the sometimes static, often fluid, designs that rise from dual environments. The art installation is constructed from several tons of borrowed garments (from local thrift stores) and reflects nature's response to man and mankind's impact on the land. The artist views his installations as a lens through which to see our world."

3. Awakened from the Deep, by artist Tanya Casteel, Artspace regional emerging artist-in-residence. Feb. 3-25 in the Lobby.

"Tanya Casteel's exhibition, Awakened From The Deep, presents a collection of wall-hung ceramic 'pillows' depicting how youthful imagination mixes with scientific discoveries to awaken narratives from the deep. The works were made while Casteel was Artspace's Regional Emerging Artist Residency Program from July 2011-January 2012."

4. The Viral Spiral, by artist Warren Hicks. Feb. 3-25 in Upfront Gallery.

"Warren Hicks notes that with his recent exhibition, he 'has escaped the bonds of detailed precision.' Hicks' new series of paintings on canvas are snapshots of the racing thoughts and emotions churning in his brain. Utilizing loose brushstrokes, these works are a radical departure from his previous work, though his trademark palette of brilliant colors remains fully intact."

— Mary Poole, executive director, Artspace