STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

The Sun Valley Museum of Art will launch its First Fridays at Sun Valley Museum of Art tonight—June 6.

Tonight’s inaugural First Friday will feature a special live performance by Andrew Sheppard from 5 to 7 p.m. at SVMoA, Fifth and Washington streets. And it will give valley residents a chance to peruse the current exhibition: “Uncharted: Artists as Wayfinders.”

Andrew Sheppard is an American singer/songwriter who grew up in Hailey but now lives in Boise. He turned to music for salvation after his pro skating dream was cut short by a debilitating injury. from Boise.

He has garnered national and international recognition for his original song “Steady Machine,” which opened the door for him to play with Ron Lepread, bassist for the Commodores; drummer Manu Katche of Sting, and bass player Guy Pratt, who worked for Pink Floyd, Madonna and Michael Jackson, in Paris, London and Auckland, N.Z.

“Uncharted”  features some interesting work, including that of Vietnamese American artist Tiffany Chung, who created new work for the exhibition focusing on the Silk Road.

First Fridays are meant to offer an evening of art, music and contemporary during which the community can drop in to explore the Museum’s exhibition, create art and enjoy live music and DJ sets.

Admission is free and there will be complimentary drinks for SVMoA members and a cash bar for non-members.

And right now it’s a good way to kill time in town before heading home, given the evening traffic delays caused by highway construction for those heading out of Ketchum.