Downtown Northville's art galleries and other stores stayed open later than usual last night for December's First Friday Art Walk.

The evening had a festive atmosphere. People walked from gallery to gallery to view the work of artists from near and far. Meanwhile, bonfires warmed the town square.

Mary Starring of Starring the Gallery remembers what the First Friday was like when she opened her gallery in 2005: "It was pretty small. There were two other galleries who had started it, but they are no longer in Northville. The event was originally called The Art and Fashion Walk."

Mary has been enthusiastic about keeping it going, and said, "The DDA feels that we already have something going on. Let's not reinvent it, let's make it bigger and better."

Her gallery featured photographer Robert Beras and dollmaker Charlie Patricolo. Beras' wife Lauren is the owner of  Lorla's. The Duke and Duchess of Manchester, close friends of the couple, were there to support Beras. Maxwell Heiderer, author and illustrator, was on hand for book signing. And massage therapists gave chair massage while musicians Sheila Landis and Rick Matle performed throughout the evening.

The work of artist Shadia Zayed and her students were showcased on the lower level of The Northville Art House, where Zayed teaches acrylics. Upstairs, tables of crafts included birdhouses, jewelry, pottery and more. Members of the Northville Arts Commission assisted guests and served refreshments.

Fairy Doors posters were out and available at The Northville Gallery. Jill Adamczyk,  on her first Art Walk, enjoyed the gallery's paintings. 

Adamczyk explained how friends, Jen and Phil Francis, threw a party for friends and then all came to the Art Walk together.

"I'm having so much fun!" she said.

Next door to The Northville Gallery, and up a flight of stairs at Tiffany Art Glass, owner John Zawadski has his art displayed. He has created leaded and stained glass for 36 years, 33 of which have been in Northville.

"Most of our work is custom made," Zawadski said, "such as stained glass cabinet inserts, front door panels, and room dividers."

The newly opened State of MIind Art Gallery welcomed visitors to browse the work of its more than 30 artists. It carries ceramics, paintings, photography, fiber arts, jewelry, glass, and more.

Dancing Eye Gallery was also open for Art Walk-goers. Linda Kyle, who has worked there part-time for ten years said the gallery has a lot to offer. It has "one of a kind, unique items," she said. The gallery carries handmade jewelry, artisan tile, clothing, and much more.

Kyle continued, "It's an interesting place to work and learn about the art."

Genitti's Hole in the Wall restaurant and other downtown restaurants were bustling with diners, and those on the Art Walk found retail stores such as Re-Purpose, Pendleton and The Next Chapter Bookstore & Bistro open for business.

The Next Chapter Bookstore & Bistro donated a percentage of Friday's book sales to the Northville Educational Foundation.

Martha Nelson, manager at The Next Chapter, said "It's the bookstore's way of supporting the public schools."

Members of the NEF Board of Directors were there from 6-9pm to gift wrap bookstore purchases. Musicians Donna Lee Holman and Ron Harkrader gave a performance.

Correction: The spelling of one of the featured artists, Robert Beras, was misspelled in a previous version of this story.