From the open galleries filled with paintings and photographs of everything imaginable to impromptu drumline and other off beat musicals acts, First Fridays, a once monthly event in the Crossroads District of Kansas City, is truly a unique experience.

First Friday takes place on the first Friday of every month and is an opportunity for artists, photographers and craftsmen to open up their own galleries or show their pieces at other galleries. Shops and galleries throughout the district are open from 7-9 p.m. generally, but some galleries open as early as 6 p.m. and stay open as late as 11 p.m.

The art featured in each gallery varies, and there are pieces and exhibits available from every creative walk of life. Some of the most stand out works were done by Tiffany Sappenfield, a young artist from Kansas City, who just started her art career eight months ago and now primarily does pop art portraits.

“I love First Friday, because I live here and I can just open up once a month and turn my apartment into a gallery,” Sappenfield said. “The community here is incredible nothing but artists live here.”

A new addition to the First Friday experience was the add-on of craft type tables. The products these vendors sell range from handbags made from cat litter bags to handmade earrings to ceramic cat masks. The crowds surrounding their stands indicated the craft vendors were successful.

First Friday is also a time to enjoy music and food. Street performers are located at almost every corner, mostly guitar players but some more exotic instruments too, such as the bongo line. Many patrons visit Grinders, the coffee and sandwich shop located in between two galleries, to get their dinner and drinks.

The next First Friday is Oct. 1. Students should consider visiting as it’s a very youth oriented event allowing for participants to explore their inner creativity.