First Friday shuttle to cape art galleries gets positive reviews

Although it may take months to tell if free transportation between galleries increases attendance at Cape Girardeau's First Friday art events, initial response to the debut of the shuttle service was largely positive.

"I think it's a delightful idea," Carmen Robertson said of the shuttle, which was sponsored by the ARound Town Group. Robertson was among Chateau Girardeau residents who rode the shuttle Friday.

Retired art teacher Anita Dickerson of Cape Girardeau rode the shuttle with friends Ann Bartlett and Mary Pelts. The trio are regular First Friday patrons, but normally transportation and parking issues limit the number of galleries they can visit.

"This is the first time we've been able to go to more than one or two," Dickerson said as her party headed into the Edward Bernard Gallery on West Street, their fourth stop of the evening.

Edward Bernard Gallery owners Paul and Peg MacDougall said the First Friday openings are important to the success of the business.

"Every First Friday brings in new faces," Paul McDougall said. He and Peg were both optimistic the shuttle would eventually result in more exposure for the gallery.

The shuttle driver tallied 98 boardings by 8:30 p.m.

Jim Phillips, curator of collections and exhibitions at the Crisp Museum, said it is too early to tell what impact the shuttle will have on overall attendance because the university's art students are off campus. The Tunes at Twilight Friday performances also will cut down on attendance at the galleries early in the evening.

"It'll probably be three to six months before you can get any firm idea," Phillips said.