Love Your Local Artists.... Four Twin Ports Arts Events Worth Checking Out

Zentangle-inspired work by Esther Piszczek

"Art is the signature of civilizations." ~Beverly Sills

Here are four Twin Ports visual arts events to note as we move closer to the weekend....

"Roots of Expression" by River
6:00 Reception, 7:00 Poetry Reading at Beaners Central
I met poet River Urke last summer at a poetry reading downtown. A Duluth native who currently lives in Stillwater, she's returning to share her first solo art show, Roots of Expression. I should have known something was up when I ran into her in front of Beaners last fall. Kudos to Jason Wussow for all the great events he hosts, making Beaners one of the most popular venues in the Northland.

A multimedia artist, River will share a collection of art from paintings to photography blended with poetic imagery from her upcoming book, Spirit Songs, the story of a woman’s journey of self-discovery on a trail of forgotten roots. After the readings from River and Rocky Makes Room, there will be live music from Lyz Jaakola and the Smokin Chimooks. Free

Esther Piszczek's 'Reflections'
5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Friday at the Red Mug
Start your weekend right.  Stop to take in Esther Piszczek's opening at The Red Mug in Superior'as former Board of Trade Building. If you're coming over from Duluth, it's right on the way to the next event listed here. Though the Red Mug will be showing her Zentangle-inspired art for the entire month of February, you might as well stop by and meet the artist in person. Opening starts at 5:00.

Love Your Local Artist

5:30 - 8:00 Friday at the Superior Library
Valentine-themed art shows are running rampant again as The Friends of the Superior Public Library hosts its fourth annual Love Your Local Artist event from 5:30-8 p.m. Friday at the Superior Public Library.

I've attended every one and can tell you this is a very special event. Last year there were almost 30 artists with work displayed, near double the first year of this event. A string quartet has been on had playing chamber music the past three years and the atmosphere is lively. It's free and everyone is invited.

8th Annual Love at the Snoodle
Saturday evening, the Snoodle Gallery is hosting its very last annual art exhibition at their current location near the Lake Superior Zoo. The theme: Blast Off. By June 2014 Tonya Borgeson hopes to be fully moved. The state of Minnesota is purchasing the Snoodle property, an exciting time for the studio with a lot of changes planned for its future. So this year's Love at the Snoodle is an all out blow out. As in the past they will be exhibiting over 25 artists, including at least one piece by yours truly titled "Play With Matches and You Get Burned." There will  performances, music and light refreshments. The artist reception is Feb. 8th from 5:00-9:00 pm.in the studio and gallery, with the Exhibit running for the duration of February. All in the spirit of LOVE.

Here's the activities menu:
5:00 celebration/ Art Exhibition reception starts
5:30-6:30 music in studio by Aurora Baer
6:30 Spin Collective - Fire spinners performance
6:45 High Pony Dance Project - Dance performance
7:15 Bionic Wow- Puppet Show
7:30-9:00 music in studio by Sonja Bjordal, Big Country and Dean Harris Wolfson


Reminder: Tweevenings is tonight at the Tweed.  Ann Klefstad will share how visuality both within and beyond the Western influence links daily life, spiritual life, and natural sciences, including math. Klefstad is a deep well of insight on all things art. She will present and discuss works by artists Dennis White, John Sims, and Frank Big Bear, as well as a carved spoon from the Rawlings Nelson Collection of American Indian Art. The talk begins at 6:30.


HOT OFF THE PRESS
My first volume of short stories, Unremembered Histories, is now available at Amazon.com. Reader feedback has been very positive, with the exception of my mom who said the stories were "Weird." Well, it's not the first time a mother failed to understand her son.