Experience Art After Dark

Art After Dark (AAD), hosted by SLO County Arts, is a monthly event held on the First Friday of each month. Participating businesses transform into vibrant creative spaces, showcasing local art, music, performances, and more in a free, community-centered walking tour that highlights the artistic heart of San Luis Obispo.

AAD Locations: August 1, 2025

  • Art Central Art Supply and Gallery

    1329 Monterey St. SLO

    Local artists across various mediums interpret the theme of the exhibit "Crescendo of Color" in many different ways. Art Central receptions run from 5pm to 7pm.

  • Blackwater

    705 Higuera St. SLO

    Blackwater is a gift and plant shop in downtown San Luis Obispo, offering a curated selection of home decor, unique gifts, and lush greenery. The shop transforms seasonally, creating a warm and inviting shopping experience.

  • Buen Dia

    790 Higuera St. SLO

    We will be serving free mocktails from our coffee shop for an elevated shopping experience!

  • The Bunker SLO

    810 Orcutt Rd. SLO

    The Bunker will be featuring Spring Break Jake, a Bend, OR-based painter who creates heavily textured, multi-layered work using the juxtaposition of tropical imagery and colors with macabre, Memento Mori-style illustrations.

  • Central Coast Wines

    712 Higuera St. SLO

    Featured mixed-media artist McKenzee Marcum blends her photography with expressive painting techniques. Her current series reimagines location-based photos, combining scenes from her own life with places that hold meaning for others.

  • Century 21 Masters

    1103 Toro St. SLO

    Century 21 Masters’ featured artist for August is Carolyn Chambers, who creates assemblages from fiber, found objects, and acrylic paint or sculpture. The unlikely combinations of materials, textures, and color can be surprising and thought-provoking.

  • Drew Davis Fine Art

    393 Pacific St. SLO

    Drew Davis’s work features our beautiful local landscapes in Modern Impressionism Style. Visit his studio during Art After Dark to experience one-of-a-kind local art while enjoying some wine!

  • EDNA Contemporary

    967 Osos St. SLO

    With an exceptional selection of paintings, photography and sculpture by emerging to mid-career artists, EDNA Contemporary specializes in residential and corporate art consulting. We strive to make Art After Dark a fun & inclusive event every month!

  • Euphoria

    779 Higuera St. SLO

    We will be showcasing one of our local jewelry artists Wild Honey Pie Designs here at Euphoria.

  • Gala Pride & Diversity Center

    1060 Palm St. SLO

    In Sons and Lovers, photographer Arthur Tress illuminates the often-unseen emotional bonds between gay men and their families, both biological and chosen.

  • Hands Gallery

    777 Higuera St. SLO

    Local artist Drew Davis is Hands Gallery’s August feature. Drew’s oil and acrylic scenes of the Central Coast are brought to life with his bold style.

  • HumanKind Fair Trade

    947 Monterey St. SLO

    HumanKind is featuring the vibrant art of local artist Gisele Thompson. Gisele paints in acrylics which gives a richness and texture to her paintings. Local Musician Mark Ruffing and Antwon Byrd will also be featured.

  • JunkGirls

    870 Monterey St. SLO

    For August’s Art After Dark, JunkGirls will be featuring local artist Rosemary Bauer. Rosemary Bauer is a native Californian who enjoys painting the scenic Central Coast of California using oils and acrylics.

  • Making SLO

    751 Higuera St. SLO

    Making SLO is a local makers' store, we feature local makers and artists that create everything from art & apparel to jewelry & gifts. We're connecting our community by collaborating with and celebrating the diversity of our local creatives.

  • MYLR Gallery & Books

    1238 Monterey St. SLO

    In her debut solo show, Break the Cycle, California artist Vanessa Morrow invites you into a deeply personal journey of unlearning, reclaiming, and transforming. This emotionally charged exhibit weaves together bold paintings and vulnerable poetry.

  • The Palm Theatre - SLO Film Center

    817 Palm St. SLO

    Art AFTER Art After Dark: Every month we host our Flickerhead Friday series programmed by staff member Michael Lipari, focusing on a different director or film movement. Say “Art After Dark” at the box office for a ticket discount! 7PM!

  • SLO Gallery

    1023 Broad St. SLO

    Featured San Diego-based artist Michelle Gonzalez  joins our two dozen artists with her uniquely vibrant acrylics and watercolor/ink works. Her work continues SLO Gallery's tradition of variety and has to be seen to be believed!

  • SLO Museum of Art

    1010 Broad St. SLO

    You don't want to miss the original Philip Guston in our lobby!

  • Tigerlily Salon

    659 Higuera St. SLO

    Tigerlily Salon will be hosting the reception for local artist Addy Cota's exhibition "Ride On". Cota's acrylic works captures the untamed spirit of the west with a distinctive surrealist twist. Tooth Fairy SLO will be offering on-site tooth gems.

View all of this month’s locations on the AAD map! Virtual and printable options available.