Norman’s 2nd Friday Circuit of Art brings an explosion of art to those both residing in and returning to Norman this month. Offering the best variety, September has something for everyone to enjoy.

The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art participates from 6-9 pm each month, providing hands-on art activities, live entertainment, independent film and refreshments. This art “à la cart” is provided by local musicians and collaborations with the OU School of Music, the SongWriters Association of Norman (SWAN), and other local performers, and films displayed in this year’s deadCenter Film Festival. CART rides are available for all to the museum at 50 cents per stop or $2 for the entire evening.

The Norman Public Library continues its tradition of bringing Hispanic culture from around the world inside its own walls during its Hispanic Heritage Gala Friday, September 10 at the library on 225 N. Webster Ave. with Venezuelan-food and entertainment scheduled to last from 6 to 8 p.m. The Gala will feature the many musical stylings of Colombian pianist Jose Luis Tono and next door in the Campbell Gallery Room, artwork from local artists Michael Lombardo, artist Amelia ‘Melyta’ Rodriguez Tadefa and Katherine Gallaher.

Be sure not to miss the Form+Function lab’s different medium of art including “Normania”, an interactive community campaign sign recycling art project and painting a giant 16’x8’ mural backdrop.

The Firehouse Art Center Gallery is very excited to feature the work of students who participated in its Children’s Summer Art Program.  In the support of these young artists, artworks of all mediums will be on display in the exhibit including painting, drawing, collage, sculpture and more. The exhibit will run until October 15.

Also, The Jacobson House will celebrate the Art, Life, and Films of Mexican-born artist Emilio Amero from 6pm-8pm with a display of Amero’s works and a lecture and book signing with former University of Oklahoma professor Dr. Phelan.

Proudly included in this month’s art walk is the grand opening of Stash located at 412 E. Main St. In official celebration of the store’s inception, Stash will host an open house on Friday, September 10, 2010 from 6-9pm. The big top-themed “Stash Circus Bash” will offer complementary food and drink, along with hourly door prizes and entertainment by the Prairie Folk Circus.

Stash is a lifestyle retail store with an eclectic mix of stylish vintage finds melded together with new product lines curated by owners Della Patterson and Rebecca Bean. Stash boasts “Good Things for All” by offering home goods, accessories, unique gifts, and vintage finds that are affordable and either made in the USA, or are Fair Trade imported.

2nd Friday Circuit of Art, collaboration between the Norman Arts Council, Norman Gallery Association, CART and many participating galleries and businesses, brings the art out every month in Norman. Whether you like dance, painting, photography, or music, there will be something for you to see and hear during the 2nd Friday of this month in Norman.

As always, all events are free and open to the public from 6:00 p.m. until at least 9:00 p.m.

For more information on 2nd Friday Circuit of Art or other Norman Arts Council events, please visit www.NormanArts.org, or call the NAC office at 405-360-1162.

Other free activities and openings are scheduled by members of the Norman Gallery Association and its supporting organizations throughout the night.

A complete list of each participating gallery, the night’s events and members of the Norman Gallery Association, as well as a CART map for the evening and instructions for riding, is available online at www.normangalleryassociation.com.

And there will be live tweeting of the event! So, please follow the event and organization on twitter @2ndfridaynorman.

If you would like to become a member of the Norman Arts Council and support 2nd Friday Circuit of Art, go online to www.normanarts.org/membership.

______________________________________________________________

EVENTS FOR 2ND FRIDAY CIRCUIT OF ART:

MAINSITE CONTEMPORARY ART (122 E. Main, 405-292-8095) Opening Reception for O. Gail Poole and John Seward.

FRED JONES JR MUSEUM OF ART (555 Elm Ave, 405-325-3272) celebrates 2nd Friday Circuit of Art with Art “a la CART”!

SAM NOBLE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY (2401 Chautauqua Ave, 405-325-4712) continues to show the amazing and delectable Chocolate exhibit through September 12th.

FIREHOUSE ART CENTER (444 S Flood, 405-329-4523) is very excited to feature the work of students who participated in its Children’s Summer Art Program.  In the support of these young artists, artworks of all mediums will be on display in the exhibit including painting, drawing, collage, sculpture and more. The exhibit will run until October 15. More information on the Firehouse Art Center can be found online at www.normanfirehouse.moonfruit.com.

STANDING BUFFALO ART GALLERY (106 E Main St, 405-701-4060) features Norman’s finest selection of American Indian fine art in every media: paintings, prints, jewelry, pottery, baskets, rugs, sculpture and an excellent selection of made in Oklahoma gifts.

Here are other participating venues and 2nd Friday supporting organizations that you will want to visit on the 2nd Friday Circuit of Art:

STASH (412 E Main St, 405-701-1016) (NGA’s Newest Member)

TRIBES 131 (131 24th Ave, 405-329-4442)
PERFORMING ARTS STUDIO - 200 S Jones Ave, 405-307-9320
HALL OF TATTOOS - 328 E Main St, 405-364-7335
DREAMER CONCEPTS STUDIO & FOUNDATION  - 324 E Main St, 405-701-0048
NATIVE ROOTS MARKET - 132 W Main St
PINK ELEPHANT CAFÉ - 301 E Main St, 405-307-8449
FORM+FUNCTION LAB - 123 E Main St, Suite 200, formfunctionlab@gmail.com
BISHOP CREEK STUDIOS - 123 E Main St
DOJO STUDIOS - 527 E Main, 405-301-0031
COACH’S BREWHOUSE- 110 W. Main St, 405-321-2739
SOONER THEATRE – 101 E Main St, 405-321-9600
JACOBSON HOUSE – 609 Chautauqua Ave, 405-366-1667

STUDIO ZEN – 737 Asp Ave, 405-329-2859
FREEBIRDS WORLD BURRITO– 746 Asp Ave, 405-364-7736

SONDER MUSIC – 225 E Gray St, 405-474-9734

GALLERY 123 – 123 E Main St
GRAY OWL COFFEE – 223 E Gray St, 405-701-2929
BILL & DEE’S – 311 E Main St, 405-321-9239
OPOLIS – 113 North Crawford Ave, 405-447-3417

BISON WITCHES – 211 E. Main St, 405-364-7555
OTHELLO’S – 434 Buchanan Ave, 405-360-2353

GUESTROOM RECORDS – 125 E Main St, 405-701-5974

MCNELLIE’S PUBLIC HOUSE – 121 E Main St, 405-928-5801

MICHELANGELO’S COFFEE & WINE BAR – 207 E Main St, 405-579-3387

‘ROUND THE HOUSE CONSIGNMENT FURNITURE - 325 E Main St, 405-364-0170