It’s time for 4th Friday, and the Arts Council  is teaming up with the city to celebrate recycling. Many exhibits hosted by the Arts Council also bring work from artists across the nation to downtown Fayetteville. On July 25, the newest exhibit titled Transformation: Artful Recycling opens. This is the annual recycling-inspired exhibit hosted by The Arts Council. This event is sponsored by Pratt Industries, Wastequip and Waste Industries on behalf of the City of Fayetteville’s Environmental Services Department. The goal is to show all of the creative uses for items that would otherwise be thrown away, and inspire everyday recycling.

“Our show features four artists, two from Fayetteville, one from Durham  and one from Raleigh,” said Mary Kinney, marketing director of the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. “Their work is really unique. It is showcasing recycled materials as fine art.”
The exhibit will open from 7 to 9 p.m. at 301 Hay St. during the 4th Friday activities.

Also welcoming 4th Friday guests is the City of Fayetteville’s Environmental Services Department. Come early (between 6 and 7 p.m.) to sign up for the Recycling Scavenger Hunt in front of the Arts Council building. Enjoy music by the Erik Smallwood Duo from 7 to 9 p.m. For more information. visit www.theartscouncil.com.

Keeping with the recycling theme the Hay Street United Methodist Church, located at 320 Hay St., will offer a free and fun craft for kids making bird feeders from recycled tin cans. They will also have live music provided by the “United Praise” band from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.

This month the Downtown Alliance theme for 4th Friday is “Beach Blast.” Embracing this celebration of summer, many of the downtown businesses will remain open late and some will even provide entertainment like live music. The Downtown Alliance will also provide free entertainment through the Street Ratz Breakdance Crew, which will perform in front of 222 Hay St. Shadows of Fire/TranceFusion Arts will also perform in front of the Capitol Building at 126 Hay St.

Fascinate-U is a paradise for curious kids, who are invited to explore the entire miniature city, and unlike many museums, touching the exhibits is encouraged.  Fascinate-U also offers special events throughout the year, and always on 4th Friday. This month the event is about celebrating summer. The museum is open from 7 to 9 p.m. and admission is free. Kids are invited in to explore the new schoolhouse and farm. There is also a free summer craft that kids can take home. Fascinate-U is located on 166 Green St.  

Downtown Fayetteville is full of art, and Cape Fear Studious, established in 1989, is one of the galleries in downtown Fayetteville. It provides retail space and studios for local artists. It also has a gallery that features work from all over the nation. A new exhibit coincides with 4th Friday: Solo Artist Member Show. From 6 to 9 p.m., artwork of many mediums is on display at Cape Fear Studios. For more information, visit www.capefearstudious.com
Downtown Fayetteville is also saturated with history. One of the best places to learn about the history of downtown is at the Market House. The Market House has both a permanent exhibit and a rotating exhibit. The permanent one is titled A View From the Square and explores the history of downtown. The rotating one explores a new aspect of the region’s history every month. This month’s exhibit is titled Cape Fear River, and explores the history of the river and how it has affected the region. The Market House is open from 6 to 10 p.m. and is located where Hay St., Gillespie, Person and Green streets meet.