Fridays in Tempe are now a little more artistic thanks to the growing popularity of the Final Fridays art walk.
The event, created by the Wet Paint Art Supply and Gallery in Tempe at Seventh Street and Forest Avenue, started more than two years ago at the store as a gathering of local artists, musicians and supporters.
But in the past months, the event has grown to include 20 area businesses including Mills End Cafe and Creperie and the ReZurrection Gallery.
"We are a people's gallery," said Wet Paint's owner Jesika Jordan. "It helps out small business and lets us give back to the community."
Anywhere from 100 to 400 people come out for the free event, which will be held again a week from today on Nov. 26.
Jordan said its greatest impact is bringing culture back to the area.
The walk starts on the last Friday of every month and begins at 7 p.m. with an art reception at Wet Paint. From there, patrons can walk to other businesses such as ReZurrection Gallery, a home furnishings store on University Drive, and Kontrive, a vintage clothing and home furnishings store on Fifth Street.
Each of the businesses converts its store into an art gallery, displaying the work of roughly 15 or more local artists.
"[Their art] is all local, all student," Jordan said. "Bring in what you have, let us check it out and we'll put it on the wall."
Although other cities such as Phoenix and Scottsdale have similar events, Adam Wheeler, who has displayed his art on Final Fridays at Wet Paint, said the atmosphere is different.
"It's not necessarily the same as Phoenix and Scottsdale," Wheeler said. "The art is more urban than some in Scottsdale, and there is the university dynamic."
The event is independently funded, and Kontrive owner Stan Coles said it helps to bring people and business to the downtown Tempe area.
"It creates a sense of community that Tempe has lost because smaller businesses have moved out and corporations have moved in," Coles said.
Journalism sophomore Chris Ly said the Tempe art walk was a good idea.
"It brings a certain culture to the Tempe area and is a good way to feature artists that may not be seen otherwise," Ly said.
Reach the reporter at jenna.eckenrode@asu.edu.