Inaugural 'First Fridays' Series Brings Dallas' Literary Community Together

Apprentice Creative Space is a co-working and event space in Oak Cliff founded by artist and library Kaitlin Seibert. The nonprofit has hosted a number of events including book fairs, fashion shows and community resource gatherings.

On Jan. 3, Apprentice debuted its monthly First Fridays series, bringing together Dallas’ arts and literary community. The event is free to attend and runs from 6-9 p.m., with complimentary drinks and a live DJ set included.

“Since we first opened Apprentice Creative Space in April we have wanted to find new ways to share our space with the community,” says Seibert, president of Apprentice. “We have done that through working with a lot of other local organizations. We've been waiting for the right opportunity to launch the First Fridays series, and the New Year felt like the right time to start.”

The inaugural First Friday mixer was presented in collaboration with two other local arts organizations. The Cedars Art Union Incubator is a membership-based independent art studio that co-hosted the event with Apprentice. Cedars showcased some of its in-house art and provided information about its programming.

DJ Diva Summer of Say It With Your Chest took care of spinning tunes. Say It With Your Chest is a community organization that puts together events for unhoused and underprivileged individuals in Dallas.

“The Cedars Union Art Incubator will be showcasing some of their art from their members and will provide information about their community memberships, workshops and cohort program,” Seibert says. “Going forward, we intend to partner with other creative arts organizations for all of our First Fridays events.”

The Cedars Union has its own space, too, a sprawling 7,000-square-foot art studio at 1219 S. Ervay St. Its upcoming programming includes painting demos and a community Q&A.

“The ideal First Fridays mixer integrates creatives and arts organizations in Dallas and provides them with the opportunity to network and foster community,” Seibert says. “People will be talking about writing art, and creative practices, and hopefully will walk away with new connections and inspiration for the new year.”

First Fridays takes place 6–9 p.m on the first Friday of the month at Apprentice Creative Space, 919 Morrell Ave., No. 110.