I’m on my way out the door, but there’s so much going on today that I’d hate to just not mention anything… of course you know it’s First Friday, which means that just about every store front and gallery in town will be open and exhibit some sort of art. Here are some hilights:

• Stop by Fuller Glass Studio on Munjoy Hill to check out work from Ponomo and others.
• Two Point Gallery has a new 6-artist show opening called “Constant Urban Influence.”
• Geno’s is showing work from Nathan Fogg & Justin Mershimer.
• Sanctuary Tattoo has a metal-themed show from a variety of artists in various mediums.
• At HOPE.GATE.WAY (185 High Street), Tower/Building Of Song’s Alicia Ines Sampson shows “I sail oceans in maps,” selected works from 2003 to the present.

When you’ve had your fill of wine, cheese, and visual art, come by SPACE Gallery for Drum Swamp (sponsored by the Drum Shop), a 20+ drummer collaboration. Should be pretty epic. That starts at 8pm, will last about an hour, and is free.

Also, the Portland Phoenix Best ‘10 nominations are in, and now it’s time to vote for your favorites! HillyTown was nominated in the category of Best Blog, so vote for us! (note: Food blogs have their own, separate category).

Sure, there are lots of galleries and art spaces in Portland, but for tonight’s First Friday Art Walk, why not head off the Congress Street path a bit and check out a couple less-conventional spots?

The DoorYard (108 High Street, at Spring) will be celebrating its first Open Studio/Art Walk exhibit in way too long. It’s a multimedia installation and from what I’ve heard from a few of the artists/collective members, it sounds pretty interesting. Plus, there will apparently be cookies.

Down at The Apohadion (107 Hanover Street), Your Future Landlords (Justin Woollard, Doug Milliken, and SK Green) will be showing “nearly 200 drunken, obscene, often offensive but always ridiculous cartoons.” There will also be some sort of musical/art/ridiculous performance.

For more wine-and-cheese types of art happenings tonight (and everything in between), peruse the FFAW listings. Bundle up.

The weekend is full of great events around town (and outside Portland as well) so find something fun. For Saturday night, I highly recommend helping our friend Knaughty Sarah celebrate her birthday at Geno’s (though the other options for the night are really awesome as well)!