As they do each month, local artists and art lovers will come together this Friday, Feb. 6, for Topeka’s First Friday Art Walk. First Friday events will be held at multiple locations around Topeka.

The Mulvane Art Museum at Washburn University is hosting the opening reception for its two newest exhibitions, “Drift and Drag: Reflections on Water” and Daniel Coburn’s “The Hereditary State.” The reception runs from 5:30-7:30 p.m. with a solo dance performance by Ellie Goudie-Averill at 6:30 p.m.

Downtown Topeka businesses will use this month’s Art Walk to celebrate Valentine’s Day with their annual Chocolate Walk. Downtown retailers will offer a variety of treats, including chocolate fountains, hot chocolate and more. For details and a full list of participating businesses, visit this location.

NexLynx, located downtown at the corner of 6^th and Jackson, is celebrating their 50^th consecutive Art Walk with a chocolate fountain, chocolate wine, work from over 25 local artists and live music Kirk Drager. For a full list of featured artists visit www.nexlynx.com/gallery-of-arts

North of the river, retailers and galleries in the NOTO Arts District will have several options to choose from.

Vintage Vibe, 833 N Kansas Ave., in conjunction with the Topeka Shawnee County Library, is going with a Western theme this month to help promote the library’s Big Read book selection, “True Grit.” The store will be decked out in Western gear and serving up baked potato dip and “True Grit” cocktails. Western wear is encouraged for anyone who wants to get in the swing of things.

4 Girls’ Garage, 837 N. Kansas Ave., is also getting in on the “True Grit” theme. The garage will be dressed in cowboy gear and stocked with their typical selection of upcycled, industrial, and antique items. Local artist Ptr Sponseller, who mixes animal bones and reclaimed scrap metal, is the featured artist at 4 Girls’ this month. More Western flair can be seen at Portico, 802 N. Kansas Ave., who will showcase photographer Michael Wolfe along with a life-sized Wild Bill Hickok sculpture by Melissa Rau.

Marydorsey Wanless, Associate Professor of Photography at Washburn, is this month’s featured artist in the Morris Gallery at the NOTO Community Arts Center, 935 N. Kansas Ave. Wanless’ exhibition features her rural Kansas-themed “Traveling the Back Roads” collection.

Located slightly off NOTO’s beaten path, at 115  NW Laurent St., aMUSEd will kick-off their month long FANtabulous Comic Book/Sci-fi Art Showcase. This science fiction, comic book and fantasy-themed exhibition runs from Feb 6 – March 7 and will give fans the opportunity to vote for their favorite piece in the Viewers’ Choice competition.

Other happenings in NOTO this Friday include local bluegrass act Donkey Show performing at Two Days Monthly Market (829 N. Kansas Ave.), a live painting demonstration by Native American artist, Allen Burgess and book signing by Ester Catrell at Finders Keepers (835 N. Kansas Ave.), artwork by Allison Smith at Matryoshka Tattoo (902 N. Kansas Ave.) and an array of art from the collective at Two Wolves Studio & Artist Den, located above 4 Girls’ Garage.

This is only a sample of what’s in store for art walkers this Friday. For more information and a full list of First Friday Art Walk participating businesses, events and exhibitions, visit artsconnecttopeka.org/february-2015-gallery-features