FARMINGTON — Artists from different genres will be showcased during Farmington’s First Friday Art Walk.

Planned for 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 3, several downtown businesses will provide space for musicians, poets and painters.

“Art comes in all forms, not just paint on a canvas,” Malcolm Porter, organizer for the Farmington Downtown Association and co-owner of the new Enchanted Herbs and Botanicals, said.  “Someone knitting mittens is art.”

First Friday events are held in many communities in Maine and around the nation, he said.

A new band, Down the Dirt Road, plans to play from 5 to 7 p.m. at County Seat Realty on Main Street, agent Pam Barker said.

Band members were in other bands and decided to come together to perform modern, country and some ’50s music, she said.

It is a unique band with members ranging from 11 to 67 years old. Sara Barker, 11, Pam’s daughter, is a lead singer and is joined by Hal Burhoe, Travis Pinkham and Diane Hanscom. The members are from the Wilton and Jay area, she said.

Poets and poetry readers are welcome to share during an Open-Mic Poetry Reading (minus the microphone) at Devaney Doak and Garrett Booksellers on Broadway.

From 6:30 to 8 p.m., people are welcome to read their own work or a poem they enjoy or just listen to the participants, owner Kenny Brechner said. Each is limited to three poems or 10 minutes of reading.

H. Brown Fine Arts at 229 Broadway will have a display, Porter said.

A preview of a soon-to-open gallery at 114 Perham St. will also be part of the activities, he said.

Farmington Historical Society may open the Octagon House for tours.

Across the street at SugarWood Gallery, Dan and Janice Maxham have held a First Friday reception for their featured artist of the month since they purchased the store and they will again this Friday.

The Merry Plinksters Ukulele Band will play at Minikins.

An art display, including work by co-owner Emily Hartung, will be on display at Calico Patch.

The artwork of Wal-Mart employees is on display at Enchanted Herbs and Botanicals, Porter said. Employee Darlene Nile of Industry brought in her paintings Tuesday. 

Nile started painting when she was young and studied it at the University of Maine at Farmington, she said. She has worked in the claims department at Wal-Mart for the past 22 years.

Several other employees are planning to bring in items, including paintings, crafts and photographs, she said.

Across Main Street, Upcountry Artists will also have an art display, Porter said.

First Friday participating businesses were invited to offer a First Friday discount or special or hold an open house featuring refreshments, he said.

abryant@sunmediagroup.net