NORWICH – In the spirit of making downtown Norwich more vibrant and colorful, the Norwich Merchants Association, in collaboration with the Artist’s Palette, will host the first “Fourth Friday” from 5 to 8 p.m. this Friday.

Akin to similar events held in nearby Binghamton and in Albany, Fourth Friday is a day of all things art and music in downtown Norwich. The event – to be staged on the fourth Friday of every month – will feature works of art displayed in storefront windows of participating businesses along Broad Street. Most works will be up for sale by the artist who created it. An art walk kick things off at 5 p.m.

In addition to the art walk, the Artist’s Palette at 29 S. Broad St. will host a special gallery opening from 6 to 8 p.m. in which artist and store owner Jill Kraft will unveil her own photographic work in an exhibit titled “City Streets, Part 1.” Each photograph on display depicts the busy streets of New York City as perceived by Kraft and captured through her camera lens. Moreover, live music from local musician Mike Davis will echo from the studio as guests come and go.

The Artist’s Palette is still relatively new to the Norwich business district as it relocated from its former spot just north of the city last summer. Kraft said now that she has more of a presence downtown, she hopes to partner with the Norwich Merchants Association more often to make the county’s seat a vigorous contender in the art scene.