First Friday festivities abound
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Festivities will be plentiful in the city come Friday, with several businesses and organizations taking part in the First Friday Art Walk on Feb. 1.
“The Wintergreen Arts Center and Aroostook Partners in the Arts are excited to invite everyone to our first Edible Art Nite. Individual bakers, artists and businesses have donated yummy items for your eating pleasure,” said Wendy Gilman-Zubrick, Wintergreen’s executive director.
Edibles on the list include: cheesecakes, cake pops, fruit bouquets, sushi, flower pot cookie bouquets, mosaic Jello, chocolate dipped strawberries, truffles and much, much more.
“Participants can purchase a punch card at the door — 10 for $10 — and then choose what you would like to sample,” she said.
In addition to the many treats to sample, coffee, punch, water and wine will also be available.
“Specialty cakes and other items will be available for silent auction, which will begin at 6 p.m. and end at 8 p.m. All proceeds will benefit Aroostook Partners in the Arts, in their efforts to bring artists and performers to Aroostook area schools, and to support after-school programming at Wintergreen,” said Gilman-Zubrick.
“The night’s festivities will also include live music and tinfoil sculpting — the icing on the cake for this special family-friendly First Friday Art Walk,” said Gilman-Zubrick. “You don’t want to miss this.”
Bou’s Brew Pub will host Precision Tattoo artists Jesse Pinette and Nichole Smith. Join them between 5 and 9 p.m. and let them introduce you to the world of tattoo artistry.
“We pretty much just want to show people that we are blurring the line between fine art and tattooing,” said Pinette.
Bou’s is honored to present the incredibly talented work of these two local tattoo artists.
Café Sorpreso will host a Wine Pairing Dinner from 6-9 p.m. This will be a five-course meal for $40 a person.
For Gwen’s Gourmet in Limestone, baking started as a hobby and has turned into a passion. From cheesecake to fudge and chocolate-covered strawberry bouquets, homemade, unique and delicious desserts are the pride of Gwen’s Gourmet. She will be featured at Catholic Charities, so stop in to learn more about this culinary artist, and maybe even enjoy a sample or two.
Joining February’s First Friday event will be Copper’s Lounge, featuring the musical talents of Travis Cyr. Described by Arts Aroostook as “Cosmic-Acoustic-Americana-Folk-Rock-Spaz-Grass-Psychobilly-String-Breaking-Song-Writing Enthusiast,” Cyr is a genuine reflection of the land he loves and has created a musical genre that is his own. He’ll be playing from 6-8 p.m.
Morning Star Art & Framing will present the artistic talents of Elizabeth Ann Kretschner. Kretschner taught junior and senior high school students for over 12 years in western New York. Her work consists of wood burning, sketching and painting with watercolors on wood. Stop in to see her work and enjoy music by Peter Parker and the gang. Extended hours at Morningstar will be from 6-9 p.m.
The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Reed Fine Art Gallery will present the exhibit “Excavation” by Catherine Higgins. Her mixed media paintings will be exhibited through Feb. 21 in the gallery. There will be a First Friday reception during the Feb. 1 walk, from 5-7 p.m., including a Curator’s Talk at 5:30 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
Star City Coffee, one of the newest participants for First Friday, will feature a local artist to be announced later. While you’re there, check out their amazing menu, relax on their comfy couch and enjoy a heavenly mocha.
“The Whole Potato Cafe is keeping their February First Friday artist a surprise, but like previous artists they’ve featured, you definitely don’t want to miss it! Stop in for some amazing food and some good fun,” said Gilman-Zubrick.
Not participating this month: Merchants on the Corner and the Mark & Emily Turner Memorial Library.