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The LexArts Gallery Hop will unveil new work by new artists at new venues for the new year. Forty-eight galleries, museums, studios and supporters are opening their doors, admission gratis, from 5-8 p.m. on Friday showing all forms of media, from Florida coastline photography to wrought iron sculptures

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LexArts has shown and sold work from hundreds of artists — often from the Lexington area — for 27 years, according to the event’s website. Each venue curates its own space with pieces of its choosing.

The Episcopal Diocese of Lexington will exhibit a large photograph of the church, coupled with a brief parish history at each of its participating locations. Christ Church Cathedral on East Fourth Street promises a smorgasbord of work, with paintings, woodwork and the self-proclaimed “world’s largest mustache cup.”

“Think about a cup, and inside there’s kind of a little band at the part you put up to your lip for protecting your mustache,” said Margaret Christensen, Christ Church Cathedral parish secretary. “(Artists at Transylvania University) did a replica of one of their collections, and … you can walk in and sit in it. It’s hysterical.”

Gallery Hop not only supports local artists, but local businesses as well. Even on the eastern edge of the bimonthly event, the Lexington School of Photography draws landscape and thoroughbred enthusiasts to view work by professionals and amateurs alike.

“We do get a fairly decent turnout because we’re above Wines on Vine, which is a fairly well-known watering hole,” said Charters Osborne, co-founder and featured artist. “Somewhere between 40 and 50 people. Sometimes significantly more. If it’s a UK game night, significantly less.”

The newly-condensed Ann Tower Gallery will now share the Downtown Art Center, located at 141 E. Main St., using the second level to feature abstract, oil-on-panel landscapes by one of their contracted artists, Patrick Adams.

“The (DAC) is really kind of the hub. It tends to be where people come first to get Gallery Hop guides,” said Lina Tharsing, local artist and manager of the Ann Tower Gallery. “Most galleries serve food or snacks or something, and it’s just kind of a night to get together with friends and travel from one gallery to the next.”

For art patrons intending to meander away from the consolidation of venues downtown to those with exhibits on the geographic fringes of the event, a trolley will be provided by Lextran to transport citizens, free of charge, from stop to stop over the three hours of operation.

“Every venue is responsible for getting the artwork and artists to come, so it’s always different. Each place is different for every hop,” said Jessica Frazier, administrative and development associate for LexArts. “Some of it’s visual, some of it is artistic performances. It’s really any form of art.”

Despite the bone-chilling temperatures in Lexington this month, the galleries and supporting venues participating in Gallery Hop promise a shared cultural experience sure to warm the cockles of the creative spirits. Plus, the Cats have the night off.

For more information about the LexArts Gallery Hop go towww.galleryhoplex.com.