January First Friday in Downtown Waterville

First Fridays celebrate the vibrant creativity of Waterville by inviting people downtown to engage in multidisciplinary arts experiences! On the first Friday of every month, visit Main Street in downtown Waterville to meet artists, participate in various workshops, listen to live music, eat delicious local food, and come together as a community.

This Friday stop by Greene Block + Studios between 4 pm – 6 pm to engage with Where We Are Now: Maps and Doorways, an interactive paper-based installation. To read more about this project created by artist Maggie Libby, check out this interview by Emily Riley ‘23.

Just up Main St., drop in to the Paul J. Schupf Art Center to try, make, and create at Waterville Creates! They will have a guided activity, but you can also choose your own adventure using materials in the studio.

Also at Schupf Arts, the Colby College Museum of Art will have activities in the Joan Dignam Schmaltz Gallery:

• 4–7 pm: Sketching at the Schmaltz

• 4:30 pm: Tour of Light on Main Street with Siera Hyte, Assistant Curator of Modern and Contemporary

• 6:30 pm: Tour of Light on Main Street with Kris Bergquist, Curator of Education and Engagement

Waterville First Friday Participating Businesses

First Friday extends all the way up Main St! On your way to Greene Block + Studios and the Paul J. Schupf Art Center, stop by downtown businesses to shop or for a bite to eat.

• The Framemakers is open for extended hours, until 7 pm, with three exhibitions on display.

• Incense and Peppermints is staying open later than normal and will be offering 10% off purchases between 6 pm – 8 pm.

• Front & Main will have a First Friday Featured Cocktail – something new and off menu!

• The Robin’s Nest is offering 25% off loose cut flowers every first Friday during regular business hours, in store only.

• Portland Pie Waterville will have a special pizza and cocktail, both in house and for this First Friday and weekend only.

• The Costume Shop at 179 Main Street, Suite 214, a pop-up art and clothing shop by CE Nilles will be open 4-6pm. OPEN Haiku reading 5:30 pm – all are welcome to read!

Contact Colby Arts Office Program Manager Tyler French at [email protected] if you have any questions.

Photo of Paul J. Schupf Art Center: Colby College.