Forecast for Friday Art Crawl Lookin' Good

One of the highlights of the local Twin Ports arts scene in 2013 has been the Second Friday Art Crawl that so many people have been participating in. If your thermometer is reading forty below zero right now, like it is at my house, the idea of doing a downtown walkabout may not elicit much enthusiasm. But take heart, the forecast for the end of the week is for a balmy 70 degree swing to the upside. Dig it.

Two shows of note for Friday evening have openings planned. Washington Galleries from 6-9 p.m. and PRØVE from 7-11 p.m.

The Washington Galleries show is themed Cracked with Ej Arnold, Renan Cruz, Faith King, and Jamie Uselman. Cracked features four local folk who know one another in varying degrees who are coming together to display their own personal preferences. The show's description is ambiguous at best, stating "there is no tangible description that comes to mind in trying to explain the artists or their pieces. We welcome you to come and draw your own." That's pretty loose when it comes to creating expectations, but works to create interest. Sounds like like a teaser right before a commercial break where they say, "The most incredible news just came across the wire. We'll be back to tell you about it after this word from our sponsors."

One thing that's definite: Live music from Nathaniel Harvie and Lion or Gazelle. Plus nibbles and beverages by Alyssa Brown.

Down the hill at the PRØVE this month's show is themed Polarize:

 
Artists interested in submitting to the February Valentine's Day show might be interested in their call for submissions. The theme for this show is ‘Quaintrelle.’ Deadline 3 February 2014. If nothing else, the name of the show will teach you a new word.

quaintrelle (n): a woman who emphasizes a life of passion, expressed through personal style, leisurely pastimes, charm, and cultivation of life's pleasures.

All genders may apply.

Duluth Art Institute
Be sure to mark your calendars for the 2014 Annual Membership Show sponsored by US Bank January 23 - February 20, 2014 in the Depot's Great Hall. The opening reception is Thursday, January 23 from 5 - 7 p.m. The DAI Membership Show has been growing annually and will likely be better than ever, both in quantity as well as quality. It's not too late to show your work in this show. If you're a DAI member and active artist, select something from this past calendar year and bring it to the Duluth Art Institute by the 10th this week.