Enjoy a respite from back-to-school preparations with a stroll through the Graceful Arts Gallery. At the First Friday Art Walk this evening from 4 to 6 p.m., you can enjoy the “Artists Then and Now” displays at the gallery and enjoy light refreshments.

Featured western artist Kathryn Leitner will be at the gallery tonight to talk with visitors. The gallery is also expecting the granddaughter of Marjorie Hayward, an Alva artist whose paintings are part of a featured retrospective. Another featured August display is by Ashley Jones Leming, a young artist who has ties to Alva.

This is a good oppo...