The bitterly cold winter weather on Friday, December 5th didn’t deter the crowds from getting outside to enjoy Portland’s First Friday festivities. In honor of the event, Side x Side hosted an opening reception for an exhibit of student art work created during after-school classes at the studio. Classes included: Creative Explorations, Threads & Textures, and Intro to Drawing. The doors opened at 5pm and students and their families and friends arrived to view the art work on display.

Six-year-old art student Harry walked into the studio with his family and, wondering what an art opening is, asked, “Now what do I do?

Side x Side executive director, Beth Wilbur Van Mierlo was on hand to explain, “You talk to the public about your art work – how you created it, why you named it what you did, and what you love about the arts. You get to socialize with the other kids from all the classes, and you get to eat the food!”

Harry excitedly shared his art piece with visitors, answered their questions, and met students from the other after-school classes. And he enjoyed the snacks!