Murphy – The threat of stormy weather may have kept a few folks away from the First Friday Art Walk of the 2025 season, but the show still went on. Downtown streets were still alive with folks enjoying crafts, food, laughter and music.
Just before 6 p.m. at the Murphy Art Center, an unveiling of two pole lights had folks waiting in anticipation to see the stained glass design of Jim Allsopp. Each post-top light design took Allsopp about 15 hours to create using different colors and size pieces of stained glass. The resulting array of colors atop the poles garnered "oohs" and "aahs" from the crowd below as the lamps were lit up.
Allsopp, a local photographer and stained glass artist of 40 years, took on the project when asked by the beautification committee if he could come up with a stained glass design for the two lampposts.
Several streets over, Michael Lalone was spinning a lump of wet clay as an attentive group looked on. With muddied hands, his clay object began taking on the shape of a small round vase.
He answered questions with a big smile fit for such a friendly man. He got into his craft 30 years ago after taking a clay class.
“I fell in love with it. I could not stop, it was so fascinating. I got hooked so easily," he said.
Lalone’s art pieces are in locations around the country as well as in Japan, China and Europe. He is an art substitute teacher at Hiwassee Dam and Murphy schools.
Folks appeared happy as they walked the streets of downtown engaging in conversations with family and friends as music filled the air around them.
As the evening progressed, so did the looming dark storm clouds; however, the rains held off for the event.
Georgia Francis, a local artist, sold her first painting at the event and appeared incredibly happy about
her work being liked by others. She takes art classes at Tri-County Community College in Peachtree under the direction of Jennifer Adams. Francis plans on earning a degree in art.
"I have mixed emotions,” she said. “I’m happy, excited and proud.”
The First Friday Art Walk is put on by the Valley River Arts Guild and runs from 5-8 p.m. May through December.
Details: Call 828-360-3038 or visit valleyriverarts.com.