Art Happens ~ Highlighting a Handful of Upcoming Events for Your Viewing Pleasure

Scott Murphy's U118 at the DAI

Art seems to be happening everywhere these day. And I like it.

Here are some of the Northland events that caught my attention. There's plenty more when you include the music and theater scenes. As for the visual arts...

Friday Anne Labovitz will be at Security Jewelers in downtown Duluth from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in conjunction with her new limited edition, hand-crafted sterling silver heart pendant. Yes, it's a Black Friday special event. The pendant is a collaboration with Security Jewlers, Ms. Labovitz putting her heart out there for everyone to wear. Hearts are not trademarked, though her paintings of hearts certainly ought to be. (You may see some at Lizzard's Gallery a few blocks East.)

Saturday. For the serious art fan, I can recommend several stops for you.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. you can shake a leg on down to the home studio of Barb and Jim Collette where the works of several local artists will be featured in an event aptly titled Art in the Neighborhood. Many of you probably know 4419 London Road as by the name Stained Glass by Collette. In addition to the Collette's stained glass work you will find pottery by John Lawler, fiber art by Karen Zeisler, jewelry by Sally Cavallaro, and other visual art by Terri Wingness and Byron Johnson.

This latter artist does intricate fine line drawing using only horizontal and vertical lines. He used this method to reconstruct / draw each block in Duluth that has a little free library on it. According to my source, he doesn't show often, so this is an excellent opportunity to meet him and see his work

From 2 - 8 p.m. Skatradioh is openings its doors at 215 East 1st Street for a Printsgiving Poster Sale. Anyone who has been in the Twin Ports for even a short period of time has likely seen some of David Moreira's screen printed poster art. Here's a chance to grab something for yourself, or as a present for someone who is cool.

For the record it should be noted that Saturday is also the last day to submit work for the next issue of PRØOF Magazine. If you are a writer or artist, be sure to check out the submission guidelines. Special thanks to Kathleen Roberts for this contribution to the local scene, and the broader lierary/arts scene to which it is connected.

Local Art Seen

Monday, December 2, there is an opening from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Zuccone Atrium in the Zeitgeist Arts Building at 222 E. Superior Street featuring Esther Piszczek's z e n t a n g l e®-inspired art  and Mike Nordin's digital nature photography. Wine and cheese has been promised to add a little color to this wholly black and white show. Piszczek is a recent addition to the local arts scene, and a welcome one injecting new energy and enthusiasm into the local scene. She also has work on display at St. Luke's now through February.

Tuesday evening at the Tweed is the third installment of their new monthly event called Tweevenings. The topic for discussion is titled Dean Meeker: A Dialogue Between Prints and Sculpture. Dr. Robert Leff will present the visual comparison of the artist's process between sculpture and works-on-paper. Several of Meeker's prints and sculptures will be on display, providing a rich background for the comparison and discussion on how the artist's choice of medium helps portray his themes.

Thursday, December 5, is an opening from 5 - 7 p.m. at the Duluth Art Institute that you won't want to miss. I've been greatly looking forward to seeing the new work Scott Murphy has been working on and I can tell you that you won't be disappointed. His new show is titled Broken Thread. Lost Causes. The opening also features Matt Kania's plein air style paintings in the corridor gallery and Kip Praslowicz's Portraits show, photography with a large format camera, in the Steffl Gallery.

We have a lot to be grateful for today. I'm thankful to belong to a community with so many talented people and the encouragement they provide to one another as they spread their wings.

In the meantime, art goes on all around you. Engage it and enjoy it.