A new group show of ceramics, painting demonstrations, Clayton Rippey’s watercolors, Caveman Al’s “Lava Island,” “Hobochic” handbags and a lively array of other summer art beckons as seven galleries are joined by 20 merchants who will showcase work by local artists during the First Friday Gallery Walk and Chamber of Commerce Summer Artwalk.

Several shows open 6-9 p.m. Friday during the monthly Gallery Walk, which is enhanced by the Artwalk that evening. The Artwalk continues 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

The popular annual Cascade Clay Artists’ Clay, Fire and Form show returns to the Depot Arts Center Gallery with work by potters, hand builders and sculptors. The group helps clay artists develop and works to enhance public perception of clay as an art form. Items in this year’s group theme project, “Put a Lid On It,” will be sold by silent auction to benefit a scholarship at Skagit Valley College for a ceramics student.

A collection of new Northwest watercolors by Clayton Rippey opens at Scott Milo Gallery, with pastels by Sandy Byers, acrylics by Greg Prince and Joseph Lesser and oils by Gail Weir. A reception with the artists and painting demonstration by Greg Prince are Friday during the Gallery Walk. The painting demonstration continues at lunchtime Saturday.

Insights opens a Summer Show featuring all its gallery artists with a reception during Friday’s Gallery Walk and an oil painting demonstration by James Moore during the weekend. The Summer Show includes playful, whimsical pieces by Anne Schreivogl, impasto paintings by Alfred Currier, photographs on canvas by David Grant Best and oils by well-known valley artist John Simon. The show continues through July.

The Business, 402 Commercial Ave., will showcase “touching and revelatory” photographs of Eastern Slovakia by Sandy Carter and songs by talented Seattle musician Ali Marcus. A free performance by Marcus is 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday. Her newest record, “The Great Migration,” includes members of several Pacific Northwest bands, including Spoonshine, the Whisky Swillers and the Angels of Sin.

Anchor art space welcomes Carolyn Law and her exhibition of mixed media works on paper with a reception Friday. Law produces works in a series using intaglio printing as a template. As an artist, she is recognized in Seattle, the Northwest and beyond for numerous significant public art projects completed over almost three decades.

Other Gallery Walk highlights:

• Anne Martin McCool Gallery, 711 Commercial Ave., features paintings and prints by McCool, Debbie Aldrich jewelry and a book signing by Susan Rodney for her book “Ravens Clan: Spiral Spirits.”

• Adrift, 510 Commercial Ave., is showing work by regional artists.

• Bowman Gallery, 801 Fifth St., features photographs by Marius Hibbard.

Other Artwalk Highlights:

• Read Me A Story celebrates the opening of its new location, 1005 Ninth St., with 20 percent off art supplies.

• Donatello Flower & Gifts, 702 Commercial Ave., features Stacia Doyle’s Hobochic handbags.

• Burton Jewelers, 620 Commercial Ave., features Lane Parks’ pastels and an inventory auction.

• Keystone Center, 619 Commercial Ave., offers Mary Snowden’s cedar baskets and paintings by Mikki Slivinski, Gustavo Vargas and Melba Falk.

• Elisabeth’s Cottage By the Sea, 619 Commercial Ave., features Margaret Johnston’s jewelry.

• Al’s Gallery of Small Sculptures, 615 Commercial Ave., behind Keystone Center, features Caveman Al’s miniature sculptures. Be sure to see “Lava Island,” which Al is about to ship to New York.

• Johnny Picasso’s, 501 Commercial Ave., presents paintings by Paula Anderson.

• Maison et Jardin, 404 Commercial Ave., features various artists in mixed media.