News File Photo by Darby Hinkley Artist Susan Stacey will be demonstrating needle felting at Thunder Bay Arts Gallery on Friday during the Alpena Art Walk from 5 to 8 p.m. Stacey’s piece above is called “Catch Me.”

The Final Friday of the month means artistic fun and festivities downtown.

Alpena Art Walks will be taking place in downtown Alpena on Final Fridays through September. These community events are hosted by the five downtown art galleries — Art in the Loft, Forty-Five North Art Gallery, My Glass Wings, Studio Rubedo and Thunder Bay Arts Council Gallery.

The Art Walks highlight Alpena as an arts and cultural destination.

This Friday, the galleries will extend their hours to 8 p.m. Each gallery will have special activities planned for the monthly Final Friday Art Walk. These include an opportunity to meet artists, artist’s demonstrations, drawings for prizes, light refreshments, other downtown promotions and specials, and live outdoor music by street performers.

Special events planned between 5 and 8 p.m. this Friday include:

Art in the Loft, 109 N. Second Avenue:

ı An artist in action.

Forty-Five North Art Gallery, 121 N. Second Avenue:

ı Teri Ritter will create and discuss jewelry.

ı Ted Fines — New Alpena industrial images photography on metal.

My Glass Wings, 106 N. Second Avenue:

ı Stained glass cutting demonstration by TMarie and Alexis.

Studio Rubedo, 213 W. Chisholm:

ı Meet artist and gallerist Brian Schorn while previewing the Moon Gallery at Studio Rubedo’s new location.

Thunder Bay Arts Gallery, 127 W. Chisholm:

ı Susan Stacey will demonstrate needle felting.

Many other downtown businesses will also extend their hours to 8 p.m. The list of those businesses can be found on the Downtown Development Authority website at www.alpenadda.com.

Future Art Walks are scheduled for Sept. 27 and a pre-Christmas Art Walk on Nov. 29. Galleries will be open for extended hours until 8 p.m on these dates, and many special demonstrations and activities are planned for them.

For more information, visit Facebook at www.facebook.com/alpenaartwalks, on Instagram @alpenaartwalks, or contact Justin Christensen-Cooper at director@artintheloft.org, or 989-356-4877.