Every first Friday, hundreds of visitors converge onto downtown San Luis Obispo to see new art exhibits and add to their growing collections. With dozens of galleries and non-traditional exhibit spaces, it’s SLO's favorite night of the month to celebrate art.

Though many shops are open earlier, Art After Dark officially starts at 6 p.m. and runs to 9 p.m.

On a typical Art After Dark, over 20 galleries and non-traditional art venues (think restaurants, boutiques, and salons) spotlight the best of established and emerging local artists. They sometimes also feature the works of nationally and internationally acclaimed artists.

Expect sore feet, full bellies, and creative juices to be flowing from 6 to 9 p.m. this Friday.

6 – 9 p.m. • April 1

Listings in bold are Chamber members.

• Anam-Cre’ Pottery Studio: 570 Higuera #140 (SLO Creamery) 544-1850 – Student & instructor pottery sale. Share some wine with your own purchased handmade cup and listen to Bluegrass music. anamcre.com Art Central: 1329 Monterey 788-0887 – ‘Artistic Impressions’ an intriguing mixed media & digital photography show by in-house artist Deborah Hobbs. ARTS Space Obispo: 570 Higuera #165 (SLO Creamery) 544-9251 – M’Lou Mayo’s ‘A Material World’ on display showcasing sculptures & mixed media from 1970 to present. Wine pouring by Eberle Winery. artsobispo.org Bali Isle: 672 Higuera 544-7662: Recycled Art; Fibers and Fashion. Celebrate Earth Day with color analyst & stylist, Linda Waldon. Bambu Batu: 1023 Broad 788-0806 – Handmade craft marketplace featuring local artisans and photography, wine from Lone Madrone, and Gypsy Jazz performed live. bambubatu.com Baxter Moerman: 1118 Morro 305-8118 – Exploring Mokume Gane: Enjoy our newest jewelry utilizing this centuries-old Japanese technique of fused fine metals in organic patterns. baxtermoerman.com   compact: 1166 Higuera 235-3256 – Mai Braun ‘Double Flat’ folded acrylic screenprint on tissue paper. Deyo Dances performing ‘Gnarley Buttons’ at 6:30, 7:30 & 8:30 dancers: L. Deyo, R. Jensen & T. Tolmasoff. compactgallery.net Frame Works: 339 Marsh 542-9000 – Demonstration by Central Coast Printmakers for 'From Field to Plate' Explore our relationship with food as it travels from garden to gallery. sloart.com GALA Center: 1060 Palm 541-4252 – Showing works of Rosanne Anglade and Robert Eugene Click. ccgala.org The Gallery @ Energy In Motion/Body Centered Therapy: 1023 Nipomo, Suite 50 (Soda Works Building) 305-5197 – Nikoletta Bersentes, "Healing Dimensions." Multidimensional Art inspired by nature, cohabiting with nature in the company of healing "Omomi Stones." nikolettabersentes.com The Gallery at the Network: 778 Higuera, in the Network 788-0886 – "All Things Poppy II" will welcome Spring at the Gallery at the Network with poppy images from multiple gallery artists. galleryatthenetwork.com Granada Bistro and Lounge: 1130 Morro 556-4211 – Exhibit: Urban Art. Growing Grounds Downtown Store: 956 Chorro 544-4967 – We will not be featuring an artist this month but hope to see you in May for the start of our 2011 Art After Dark Season. Hands Gallery: 777 Higuera 543-1921 – High dynamic range (HDR) photography by local artist David Johnson. If you are interested in photography this is a must see show. handsgallery.com Heaven and Earth: 964 Chorro (Upstairs) 801-0163 – Come hang on or off our New Orleans style balcony and see the wild and wonderful fabric art banners.

  History Center of San Luis Obispo County: 696 Monterey 543-0638 – Exhibits include: Wedding dress display, photos & stories of Morro Bay's fishermen during the 1970s, an early 1900s librarian's office. historycenterslo.org Hospice of SLO @ the Dorthy Rupe Center: 1304 Pacific 544-2266 – Tour our historic home and view works by local favorites Marcy Adams and Anne Kellogg. Chamisal Vineyards to pour. humanKind Fair Trade: 982 Monterey 594-1220 – Paintings by local artist Sheryl Daane Chesnut. Sheryl's paintings are contemporary abstract, landscape & figurative. humankindslo.org Ian Saude: 1003 Osos 784-0967 – Images from Arthur Tress's visionary photo suite, Requiem for a Paperweight (1992) — a psycho-spiritual chronicle of the American salary man. iansaude.com iDrew Fine Art: 331 Pacific 234-2302 – Showing at the Beacon Art Show for April, please come back for here for May’s Art After Dark. drewdavis.com Josephine Crawford Studio: 873 Church (Railroad district) 543-2237– 5-6pm Pre-Party Salon. Maps & previews of Art After Dark. (close at 6). Kevin Main Jewelry: 720 Higuera 547-0662 – Featuring Scott Hemphill from Eureka and his strikingly original copper sculptures of marine life, boats, and more. kevinmain.com Linnaea’s Café: 1110 Garden 541-5888 – New works by Liz Maruska lizmaruska.com Reception during Art After Dark. linnaeas.com The Photo Shop: 1027 B Marsh 543-4025 – BODY OF WORK a tremendous collection of photographic images from Alaska to Yosemite by BOB CANEPA is on display. Artist in attendance 6-8pm. photoshopslo.com San Luis Obispo Museum of Art: 1010 Broad, in Mission Plaza 543-8562 – "Inside Out: Self-Portraiture," Gray Wing; "Nixson Borah: Movements," First Gallery; "Shirley Pittman: Aqueous Visions," upstairs gallery; "Russ Pope," Nybak Wing. sloma.org Stephen Patrick Design: 888 Monterey 544-3326 – Talented local artists: J.Salazar, P.Forrest, D.England, M.James, J.Thies, R.Wayne, S.Pierce, D.Wolfe, K. Patrick, M. Manning – Canvas, Furniture, Jewelry, Botanicals, Photography. Steynberg Gallery: 1531 Monterey 547-0278 – New paintings by Mark Bryan "Down the Rabbit Hole". Join us and enter into the fascinating world of Mark's painting. steynberggallery.com West End Espresso & Tea: 670-A Higuera 543-4902 – Exhibits talented local artists – acrylics, oils, photography – various styles & types. Come see what’s new! westendespressoandtea.com