Chalk artists will transform the Downtown Canton sidewalks into works of art a First Friday Chalk the Walk on Junee 5.Downtown Canton is buzzing with excitement at the monthly First Friday tomorrow, Friday, June 5, with one of the most popular First Friday themes, Chalk the Walk, where chalk artists transform the Downtown Canton sidewalks into works of art.

Additionally, on Friday, the musical act The SpYder Stompers kicks off the Summer Concert Series, offering a “tasty spread of foot-stompin’ pre-war acoustic country blues, ragtime, and string band classics” at Canton Centennial Plaza.

Downtown Canton Partnership director of operations Tony Schnyders says he is excited about the fresh approach organizers are taking, designed to celebrate the district's vibrant arts scene and local businesses.

The changes will create a more well-rounded cultural experience for everyone, says Schnyders, adding that the live music will include 30-minute to 45-minute intermissions for guests to shop, visit the many galleries around Downtown Canton, as well as other vendors and restaurants.

“The intentional structure of our event is that the band will play a set on the stage, then there will be an hour to an hour-and-a-half of dead time on the plaza," he explains. “We're encouraging everybody to check out our art galleries, vendors, and all of that.

Schnyders says the intermission encourages people to “go check out downtown, celebrate all of our businesses down here.”

The new timing strategy has already shown results this past spring. “What we've done in the last two years is tried to have different activations in different parts of the downtown,” Schnyders notes. "We've learned it has moved people up 4^th Street to the food trucks and shopping."

Additionally, Downtown Canton’s Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) within the Downtown Canton Special Improvement District (SID) allows for alcohol consumption while checking out the various attractions and galleries on First Friday.

Return of the chalk
Schnyders says they’ve learned that the Chalk the Walk event consistently draws an audience to First Friday, and the unofficial first summer weekend is appropriate timing.

The The Hub Art Factory interior.“This is one we've done for a really long time,” he says. “We will have two featured artists—people who do it professionally—and we'll have another 12 to 15 amateur artists, some kids, and a lot of local folks who are putting down their own art in the street.”

Highlighting the art scene
One of the primary First Friday missions is to showcase Downtown Canton’s growing gallery scene. Schnyders highlights several key venues, including nonprofit The Hub Art Factory, a collection of innovative, “peculiar” local artists who have made a commitment to pushing the limits of artistic expression; and Second April, a collaborative community of artists, vendors, and creatives who bring the heart of Canton to life with rotating exhibits on two floors of working studios.

Both Hub Art Factory and Second April were founded by Canton native Tim Carmany, who Schnyders describes as a passionate gallery owner who has "rejuvenated that whole walkthrough gallery" right off the plaza.

Both galleries stage unique programming during First Friday—hosting things like comedy acts, live painting, interactive installations, and pop-up vendors, in addition to rotating exhibits.

Carmay’s galleries are just a small part of Downtown Canton’s growing arts scene, which exists in some places most people wouldn’t expect to see fine art.

For instance, ArtsinStark works to establish Stark County as a thriving and vibrant region uses the arts as a draw. The organization regularly offers appointment-only tours of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which is home to the $2.2 million public art initiative commemorating pro football’s highlights, The ELEVEN. The project features 11 major sculptures and installations throughout Downtown Canton and the Hall of Fame campus

Downtown Canton also hosts more than 60 murals and sculptures in the downtown area. “People can just walk down random streets, and they will find cool art,” observes Schnyders, suggesting to visitors: “Maybe grab a DORA cup and take pictures next to your favorite pieces.”

Getting back to the roots
The changes reflect a clear vision for downtown, with a broader mission to maintain an inclusive cultural destination.

Artist Gail Folwell sits behind her bronze sculpture of the NFL Draft, the second greatest moment in professional football.“Our biggest goal is that people view downtown as always being safe, clean, and vibrant—those are the three pillars that we're trying to do through the special improvement district,” Schnyders explains. “We're trying to get back to our roots with First Friday to really focus on local artists and the connection to our community.

“When we're running First Friday, the goal is that everybody wins,” he continues. “Everybody's ringing registers is our goal.”

The renewed focus for First Friday is on the eclectic artist community represented in the Downtown Canton area, Schnyders explains.

“We're trying to get back to attracting a demographic that's passionate about art, culture, food and music,” Schnyders says. “We do want people to be able to come down and have a cultural experience. Come down, find a great place to have a cocktail, and experience a full cultural event.”

The June First Friday is tomorrow, Friday, June 5, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Downtown Canton. Hosted by the Downtown Canton Partnership and Visit Canton. For more information, including maps of artist locations and vendor details, visit the First Friday Canton Facebook page.