Today's First Friday openings 3/3/06

Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, 32 N. Main St.

The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri will hold a First Friday opening reception from 5 to 8 p.m. for the fourth anniversary show of the Visual Arts Cooperative.For more information, call 334-9233.

Jars of Clay Pottery Studio, 823 Broadway

The newest addition to First Fridays, the Jars of Clay Pottery Studio, opens tonight with demonstrations by River's Edge Pottery Guild member Pam Duncan, from 6 to 9 p.m. Michael Guard with Fusion Glassworks Studio will also demonstrate glass bead making. For more information, call 332-8408. Both Guard and Duncan will also be taking sign-ups for classes.

Garden Gallery, 833 Broadway

Garden Gallery will feature a new exhibit of batik hanging fabric by Brenda Seyer throughout March, starting with today's opening from noon to 9 p.m. For more information, call 332-7123.

Edward Bernard Gallery, 107 West Drive

The Edward Bernard Gallery goes Irish for St. Pat's this month. The gallery will serve Irish food and drink, including the famous soda bread, and will play Irish music from 6 to 9 p.m. The first 25 visitors get a free CD of authentic Irish music. The gallery will also feature new two-dimensional glass wall art by Southern Illinois artist Jerry Piper. For more information, call 332-7733.

Fountain Street Gallery, 34 N. Fountain St.

The Fountain Street Gallery will hold an opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. featuring the work of gallery members, including work from new member James Thurman. The gallery will also feature the digital-photograph-based mixed media work of Southern Illinois artist Aaron Hugenberg.

For more information, call 275-3194.

Gallery 1.2.5, 125 N. Main St.

Gallery 1.2.5 will hold a First Friday reception from 4 to 8 p.m. featuring its collection of prints, oils and accessories, with hors d'oeuvres as an added treat. For more information, call 335-2699.

The Artist Studio, 38A N. Main St.

The Artist Studio will hold an opening reception from 6 to 8:30 p.m. tonight and a one-year anniversary celebration on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The studio will take sign-ups for watercolor and weaving workshops starting next week. For more information, call 651-4464.

--From staff reports