VALDOSTA — More details for Downtown Valdosta’s Art After Dark are being finalized as the first of what is hoped to become a monthly event is planned for Friday evening.

The idea is that Art After Dark will be similar to downtown’s monthly First Fridays with two key differences. Organizers hope Art After Dark will become a regular event each third Friday of the month; First Fridays are held on the first Friday of each month. Also, Art After Dark will put an emphasis on the area’s visual arts.

A couple of months ago, City Market hosted an art exhibit as part of First Friday events. “Figures” featured several area artists and was a noticeable success. It gave downtown entrepreneur Albert Slone the idea for Art After Dark. Meanwhile, last month, The Valdosta Daily Times conducted a poll asking if readers would like to see additional Downtown Valdosta events similar to First Fridays. A wide majority of the responses indicated they would enjoy more downtown events.

With The Valdosta Daily Times signing on as a sponsor and the Southern Artists League taking an active role in the development along with downtown businesses, Art After Dark was born.

Zachary Hatcher, Hildegard’s manager, has been coordinating many of the Art After Dark events scheduled for this Friday. An ad seeking artists to set up work along downtown streets prompted several inquiries, Hatcher said.

Southern Artists League is hosting selected Dewar Elementary School students’ artwork at the west end of Bennie’s Alley, with Jim Dixon expected to be taking photographs. On the eastside of Bennie’s Alley will be a mural project called “Celebrity Exploitation/Community Puzzle.”

Valdosta State University Music’s Presidential Brass Quintet is scheduled to perform near Bennie’s Alley between 6:30-7:30 p.m.

City Market will host works by artist Karin Murray, a VSU Art faculty member and a renowned regional artist. Her works are abstract canvases of sublime grace and vivid purity. Local artist Walter Hobbs, who teaches art at Hahira Middle School, will be spinning pottery. And City Market hosts local band The Original Soul Trio from 7-9:30 p.m.

Art work and music is expected at Hildegard’s, The Galleria, Glo, Sublime, The Bistro, 306 North, Luna’s, The Bleu Cafe, etc.

Hildegard’s hosts a Southern Artists League fall show with the theme The Great American Love Affair. Tristan provides the music.

Artist Marilyn Miller will be weaving and exhibiting her baskets near City Market.

ART AFTER DARK

When: 6:30-9 p.m. Friday.

Where: Downtown Valdosta.