By Crystal Harrell
The First Friday on El Paseo, April 7, consists of multiple events happening all along the famed shopping and dining avenue. The nine blocks are filled with over 200 delightful businesses just waiting to be explored. Parking is free, and there is a Courtesy Cart available for rides all along the avenue.
Art Walk El Paseo enables visitors to take a self-guided tour of over 15-plus fine art galleries and enjoy in-gallery artist receptions. Guests can also stroll the El Paseo Median Art Exhibition and take selfies with the many wall murals found along the avenue.
El Paseo Cruise Night lets guests enjoy a Classic Car Show atop the Gardens on El Paseo starting at 3 p.m., and then participate or watch the famed cruise with hundreds of cars from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Biennial Sculpture Exhibition includes El Paseo’s 18 newest median sculptures, now with scannable QR codes to learn more about the artists, medium and how they were selected as part of the 2023/24 El Paseo Sculpture Exhibition.
El Paseo Design District features everything from interior designers, and home decor to consignment shops. El Paseo offers a newly expanded range of over 20 shops to help create living spaces.
Visitors can also catch a free ride on the reimagined El Paseo Courtesy Carts operate daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., providing transportation all along the nine blocks of El Paseo. Park anywhere and catch a free ride to see all the galleries, the Median Art Exhibition, the wall murals, and more. Simply flag the cart down, or download the convenient app, “Circuit” to have the cart come to you.
There will be several special in-store events on April , where visitors can stop by these and other participating businesses for special First Friday and ArtWalkEvents.
Art 276 will feature Prosecco & Pop— with a large collection of vinyl record cover artworks by the masters of Pop and Street Art, such as Andy Warhol, Ray Lichtenstein, Keith Haring, Banksy and many more.
Chuck Jones Gallery will let guests enjoy wine and appetizers at a special First Friday print release party for Emmy Award® winning pop artist Alan Bodner. Meet Alan and celebrate the release of his latest work, “Rat Pack at the Copa.” Bulatova Fine Art will be showing off Lollipops, Punk Me Tender, and many other eye-catching exhibits.
Visit Between the Sheets between 3-7 p.m. for a specially created Stephen Wilson art installation fusing the designer’s sustainable style, traditional embroidery, and Hermès. CODA Gallery will have an artist reception with Michael Steirnagle, featuring an exhibition of new paintings.
Grayse & Kitchen 86 will let guests enjoy a live performance from the kids at the Academy of Musical Performance from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Desert Wolff will be open for special viewings during sunset hours. Jones & Terwilliger will be offering refreshments and art, featuring a new collection by renowned desert artist Jackie Bowker and color field artist Bette Ridgeway, enjoyed with white wine and Prosecco.
Melissa Morgan Fine Art is letting visitors experience After Glow + ArtWalk with an opening reception for Lisa Bartleson, Pamela Beck, Shannon Belkin, Casper Brindle, Alex Couwenberg, Jimi Gleason, Shana Mabari, Carlos Ramirez and Steven Salzman, plus a special exhibition by TwinArt and a live music concert from Los Angeles band The Long Shadows in the sculpture garden at 6 p.m. Ramey Fine Art will be featuring Mark Yale Harris and Bob Joyce, along with live guitar and Prosecco.
Guests at von Wening Art can learn how to have a custom painting for your home and view it before it is made. Yellow Korner has extended hours until 8 p.m. to browse and sip Prosecco.
For a complete listing of businesses and more information, please visit ShopElPaseo.com.
