PARTICIPATING VENUES
Host rotating Artist Receptions, Live Music, Pop-Up Markets, Family-Friendly Activities, and countless opportunities to connect with community, history, and the arts every Last Friday of the year, from 6-9 PM.
Read on to learn about this month's happenings at:
TRADITIONAL GALLERIES
Hillsborough Arts Council Gallery & Gift Shop
MONTHLY HAPPENING:
Opening Reception: Dwelling With Felt Lemons, Mer Haggerty, 6-9 PM
Learn more about the HAC Gallery here!
ABOUT THE VENUE: Shop high-quality work by 60+ local artists in nearly every medium. Check out rotating gallery exhibitions, showcasing the talent of our community; and glean helpful tourism tips and information about HAC events and programs (like Last Fridays & the Art Walk, Solstice Lantern Walk, and Handmade Parade, hosted by HAC)!
Hillsborough Artists Coop & The Skylight Gallery
MONTHLY HAPPENING:
On Display: Intimate North Carolina by Robert Mihaly, 6-9 PM. Impressionist paintings that explore the quiet poetry of place. Rooted in towns, roads, rivers, and landscapes across the state, these works focus on moments often overlooked—the way light lingers on weathered wood, glows at dusk, or hums through familiar spaces
Dinosaur MicroCINEMA: To be announced!
ABOUT THE VENUE: Est. 1992, the co-op began as a group of individual artists creating art at 102 W King Street. We are currently eight artists who use a wide range of media and share a quest to expand the presence of art on the planet. We open our studios monthly sharing our latest work. Recently, we began creating Coop Special Events where we, in collaboration with guest artists, create interactive art experiences for the public.
Hillsborough Gallery of Arts
MONTHLY HAPPENING:
Opening Reception: Group show This Is Us: Hillsborough Gallery of Arts 20th Anniversary Show, 6-9 PM
ABOUT THE VENUE: Owned and operated by 21 local artists, HGA represents these established artists exhibiting contemporary fine art and fine craft. The Gallery's offerings include oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings, metal and figurative sculpture, mixed media, encaustics, enamels, pottery, fiber art, jewelry, mouth-blown and fused glass, painted gourd art and hand-crafted furniture as well as artist prints and cards.
Margaret Lane Gallery
MONTHLY HAPPENING:
Opening Reception: Group show World Traveler, 6-9 PM. Paintings, mixed media, and photographs of local artists' world travels, both real and imagined.
+ Light refreshments
ABOUT THE VENUE: A family-owned Gallery with work from over 35 local artists working in a wide variety of mediums and styles. Monthly themed shows, special exhibits, and events that support the local community, along with art workshops for adults and youth. Family-friendly!
(919) 296-8938
Wed-Thu 11 AM-6 PM,
Fri 11 AM-8 PM
Sat 10 AM-7 PM
Sun 1-6 PM
+ OPEN to 9 PM on Last Fridays!
Thomas Stevens Gallery/Suite 42
MONTHLY HAPPENING:
Art Reception: Ategenos: Sacred Remains, Jim Adams, 6-9 PM. Ategenos (ah-the-gen-awss) is a Celtic word meaning rebirth.
Ategenos can reference a powerful return of something lost or manifestation of new ideas and in modern contexts it has been used to describe beginnings, renewal, or bringing ancient wisdom into the present.
Upstairs in Suite 42:
Live Music The Shoaldiggers, 6:30–8:30 PM
Always on view: Rotating selection of distinctly local landscapes, evocative figures, and other artworks by Thomas Stevens.
ABOUT THE VENUE: The gallery features distinctly local landscapes, evocative figures, drawings, sculpture, and artworks by Thomas Stevens, plus inspiring exhibits showcasing remarkable guest artists throughout the year. Upstairs is Suite 42, the working art studio of Thomas Stevens and a unique Last Fridays venue for music and spoken word performances.
The Eno House
ABOUT THE VENUE: Eno House is a gathering place for West Hillsborough. Our vision is to provide an open and inviting space for everyone in the community to fill with their talent, dreams, and gifts.
903 Eno Street enohousebooking@gmail.com
Open for Last Fridays:
5:30-9:30 PM
LAST FRIDAYS WEST
Eno River Brewing
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MONTHLY HAPPENING:
Girl Scout Cookies from Troop 1182 in the Taproom (closing at 6 PM for private event)
ABOUT THE VENUE: Nestled along the banks of our namesake, Eno River Brewing offers our guests the option to enjoy a fresh and flavorful beverage either in our welcoming taproom or on our expansive patio. We are dedicated to making sustainable beer that uplifts our community, choosing local first whenever possible. We look forward to sharing our craft and partnering with local artists at each Last Friday Art Walk.
Whit's Frozen Custard
MONTHLY HAPPENING:
Whittie of the Month (Feb.):
Chocolate Covered Strawberry
Whitser of the Month (Feb.):
Red, White, and Berry Swirls
Flavor of the Week (Feb. 23-28):
Buckeye
Flavor of the Day (Feb. 27):
Peach
ABOUT THE VENUE: Whit’s Frozen Custard of Hillsborough offers our community a taste of happiness! We proudly make our frozen custard fresh all day, every day. Whether you create your own flavor with a sundae, milkshake, float, or our famous Whitser, or enjoy a scoop of vanilla, chocolate, or our weekly or daily flavor, we promise you the freshest, supreme frozen treat experience that we simply call a "smile in a cup.
DOWNTOWN VENUES
C3 Hillsborough
ABOUT THE VENUE: A co-working space for local small businesses, entrepreneurs, freelancers, and artists. C3 Hillsborough hosts a satellite gallery in partnership with Hillsborough Arts Council.
Mon-Fri 9 AM-6 PM
Open 24/7 for members
Studio: By Appointment
+ OPEN 6-9 PM on Last Fridays!
Cedar Grove Law
ABOUT THE VENUE: Come hang out on the front lawn of our historic Hillsborough homesite-turned law firm in the heart of downtown! We expect to have gallery art inside the space and a pop-up vendor (or two) on the lawn.
Coldwell Banker
ABOUT THE VENUE: We are the local Coldwell Banker real estate office right on Churton Street. Each month, April through October, we feature a local artist's work in our office, as well as a reception held by the artist on the Last Friday. Art lovers are welcome to stop by anytime we're open!
(919) 732-6101
Mon-Fri 9 AM-5 PM
Sat 9 AM-3 PM
Sun 1-4 PM
+ OPEN to 9 PM on Last Fridays!
Eagle Lodge No. 19
ABOUT THE VENUE: Chartered in 1791, Eagle Lodge No. 19 is one of the first Masonic lodges chartered under the Grand Lodge of North Carolina. It was likely designed by state architect William Nichols and built by local craftsmen Samuel Hancock and John Berry. Donations to our Historic Eagle Lodge Foundation are greatly appreciated and will contribute to ongoing preservation of our building.
By Appointment Only
Meets 2nd & 4th Tuesday each month
+ OPEN 6-8:30 PM on Last Fridays!
Hillsborough Wills & Trusts
ABOUT THE VENUE: Come enjoy the view from our friendly front porch across from the Orange County Library. For most of the months between March and November, our estate planning firm hosts a variety of local artists and expressive forms from pottery and visual arts to puppetry and magic. We often include live music, beverages, pop-up vendors and a Door Prize after 7:00. Keep an eye out for details!
Paynter Law Firm
ABOUT THE VENUE: Paynter Law Firm hosts multiple local artists every Last Friday, from March through September. We also offer free refreshments and a view of downtown Hillsborough from our rooftop deck. Come by and visit our artists in our bright and open space! We look forward to seeing you!
Snow Approach Foundation
MONTHLY HAPPENING:
In the morning:
Friday Brain Connection Cafe 9:30 AM-12 PM
CarePartner Education Group 11 AM-12 PM
ABOUT THE VENUE: Snow Approach Foundation’s goal is to build and support a neurodiverse, inclusive community that adapts to changing brains of all kinds. We offer weekly brain connection cafes, complimentary personalized consultations, education, support, and skill building resources to benefit our community as a whole.
The Colonial Inn
ABOUT THE VENUE: The Colonial Inn is proud to provide artists and concertgoers a unique setting to experience and be part of the Last Friday music scene in Hillsborough!
The Rookery
MONTHLY HAPPENING:
Live Music To be announced!
ABOUT THE VENUE: The Rookery is a space that supports local artists. We want to display and offer a space where artist can come share their creativity.
Vintage Dental Arts
ABOUT THE VENUE: Rooted in community. A family-oriented dental practice in downtown Hillsborough, NC. Please come by and meet Dr. Heidi Cook, Emma, and the office dog, Dijon!
Yonder: Southern Cocktails and Brew
MONTHLY HAPPENING:
Live Music Sara Zaleta, 8-11 PM. French music! If you can’t be in Paris, we have the next best thing.
ABOUT THE VENUE: Hillsborough's living room & cocktail lounge, Yonder will be featuring monthlong showcases of local artists on the wall, while offering handcrafted southern cocktails, local brews, and dynamic local musicians!
ALLIANCE PARTNERS
Burwell School Historic Site
ABOUT THE VENUE: First, built in 1821, the Burwell School Historic Site is a gem of historic Hillsborough, NC, located at the northern edge of the town's famed Historic District. Restored and open to the public, the early 19th century house and outbuildings bring history alive for visitors of ALL ages! Visit this site to explore the complex, multi-layered stories of freedom seeking and oppression through the lives of Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly, Mary-Ann, Anna Burwell, and more.
Hillsborough Visitors Center
ABOUT THE VENUE: The Visitors Center is a resource for information on local attractions. There is also a gift shop, a folk art gallery, and a video on historic Hillsborough for public viewing. In addition, the Visitors Center is located in the Historic Alexander Dickson House, one of the most historically significant buildings in town.
Public restrooms are available on-site.
Orange County Historical Museum
ABOUT THE VENUE: At the Orange County Historical Museum you can discover how local people lived -- the politics, food, technology, and fashion -- from prehistoric times through the 20th century.
Preservation Fund of Hillsborough
ABOUT THE VENUE: Tour the old Cadwallader Jones Law Office (circa 1810), located on the corner of E Margaret & Court St!
For more information about Last Fridays & the Art Walk, contact us at programs@hillsboroughartscouncil.org or (919) 643-2500.