4th Fridays & Arts Alley
Where we began…..
4th Fridays - Beginnings
Over 15 years ago the Arts Council approached the Visitors and Convention Bureau and offered to add music performances to the event, in order to help raise 4th Fridays to the next level – that of street festival and true community event. Kudos to us from VCB, merchants, musicians and attendees attest that our efforts have been greatly successful and appreciated.
The Arts Council presents our major music performance acts at the Arts Council City Hall Stage (on the steps of City Hall). These include accomplished central Ohio groups in a variety of genres including Big Band, Classic Rock, Bluegrass, Jazz, Reggae and Blues.
The success of our main stage inspired us to add performance areas. Over the years, these have included the Gazebo on E. College Ave., a band stand at Arts Alley near Hanby School, and street performance areas throughout Uptown. In 2016, our secondary stage was located next to the WVCB on W. Main St.
With our continued success year after year, we have expanded! Today we currently “take over” West Main Street during 4th Fridays in what is known as “Arts Alley”.
To where we are now……
4th Fridays - Arts Alley
In 2021, in partnership with Community Artists of Westerville (CAW) we moved the Arts Alley location to West Main Street and eventually landed at the Fusian-Westerville parking lot. This new space offers a “garden vibes” environment for all to enjoy. We now host 14+ professional artists that sell their works in Arts Alley. Our Arts Alley event has become an iconic part of 4th Friday events with the Westerville community for all to enjoy!
Arts Alley offers an outdoor space at 79 S State Street at Fusian- Westerville’s parking lot. The space is designated for local area artists to exhibit and sell their original works of fine art. It is also a place for children to enjoy a hands-on art experience sponsored by ACW and a spot to pick up flyers about arts-related events, people and organizations in our community and enjoy live music entertainment, sponsored by the council.
Since 2014, during September 4th Fridays, Arts Alley has presented a Passport to the Arts for youth. Youngsters receive a passport for keeping track of their visits to the various art stations offering performing and visual arts activities in partnership with Uptown Westerville merchants.
