April's First Friday brings something a little different to the Cultural Arts Districts as the Seniors from Herron School of Art and Design flood the downtown galleries with their final thesis shows. With galleries closing left and right it makes it a little harder for these Seniors to find venues to exhibit their work. Where have all the good galleries gone? Since the closures of Ruschman, G.C. Lucas and AV Framing some of the local artists have found venues off the beaten path, such as B.F.A. painters Brittany Eaton and Chad Waples who will exhibit their Senior thesis in wistful limbo in Fountain Square. A short walk down Prospect Street from the Murphy building is a place owned by David Eskenazi, who was excited to see his space being used as a gallery for the night. On Friday, April 2nd, 2010, from 6-10pm at 1127 Prospect Street one can see paintings from Eaton, influenced by her local surroundings living in Fountain Square, along with Waples' reflection on theological and religious philosophies.

The 4 Star Gallery to some is a new venue, but for those steady art goers this gallery has just been on a bit of a sabbatical for a while and has been back for several months and going strong, showing one-person shows with a non-profit motto. Although this month they will open their doors to the final senior photography show, Cue the Violins. This work is described by the students to be distinctive with a variety of subject matter ranging from every day nature, intimacy, life to reality. And with several of the photography students working together in one space this show is sure to have something for everyone to enjoy. Come out on Friday April 2nd to meet the artists at the opening reception from 5pm to 9pm with a video screening at the Wheeler Building. If you have not been out to the 4 Star Gallery, it is located on 653 Massachusetts Avenue and the hours are 11-5 Monday-Thursday, 11-7 Friday, and Saturday 12-7. For more information or to contact the gallery, check out www.4stargallery.com. This show will run through April 30th, 2010.

Charming Displeasures is a perfect title for the collaboration between Printmaking Seniors, Courtney Coriell & Socorro Rico. This show explores personal identity, which is expressed through appearance, relationship and experience. These young artists have put together an outstanding show with a lot of energy and professionalism. With over 15 pieces from each artist hanging in the Athenaeum's ArtSpace the work really pulls you into the details that each lady puts into her own unique creation. Charming Displeasures will open on First Friday, April 2nd from 6-9pm and run through April 29th, 2010, for more information check out the ArtSpace on Facebook. The ArtSpace is located at 401. E. Michigan Street.

The Hank & Dolly Gallery at the Harrison Center for the Arts (1505 North Delaware Street) will be showing Anthropomorphism a painting exhibition by Emily Schnellbacher. This will open a week later on April 9th, 2010, from 6-9pm and will run through May 2nd. Schnellbacher says, "I am fascinated with the phenomenon and power of the human mind and its ability to manifest its own existence. In my most recent body of work I've begun to deconstruct and redevelop these notions into figurative imagery thus mimicking the actions of human cognition." After viewing Schnellbacher's work on her website I am looking forward to seeing the work in person to see her decorative style that she adorns her paintings with as the animals she portrays in each painting start to come to life. To see more of Schnellbacher's work, check out her website at www.emilyschnellbacher.com

Second Friday is starting to make a name for itself, not only here in Broad Ripple will you find several galleries opening for the night, but the IUPUI Cultural Arts Gallery inside the Campus Center will be hosting Echoes of Frank by Kyle Capicik on Friday April 9th, 2010, from 6pm-9pm. Capicik is a senior at Herron in the Furniture Design program and will be showing his one-of-a kind art through April 30th.