Upcoming Arts Events and the Schedule for This Year's North Country Dylan Celebration

Karen Nease is here in the Twin Ports.

I'm just thrilled by the number of artists who have been arriving on our shores from various places around the country and even the world. In the recent years we've been joined by artists from Germany, South America, Atlanta, New England and Kansas City. Karen Nease is the artist from KC and I had the privilege of visiting her studio Sunday to get a glimpse of what she is all about, and what she has in the works for her April exhibition at the Duluth Art Institute next year.

Though Nease has just unpacked, she has had her eye on the Northland for a while. The Joseph Nease Gallery that she and her husband owned and managed in Kansas City, showcasing the work of regional artists there, was featured three times in Art in America, garnering national recognition for their contribution to the arts. Karen and her husband will be welcome additions to our local community. And I very much look forward to sharing more about her work with you here in the near future.

Upcoming Events 

Zenith Visions... John Heino Photography at Lake Avenue Cafe
Zenith Visions is a photo exhibition by John Heino opening this Thursday at Lake Avenue Cafe from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (The abbreviated time is no doubt so he can get behind the piano at the Blackwater with the Maxi Childs Trio.) The show will feature 19 pieces in a variety of sizes from 10x16 to 36x24, including prints on dye-infused aluminum, giclee and 300 wt. rag. Subjects range from North Shore landscape to dance, steampunk and abstract with something for every price range from $35 to $375. The show runs through March 31 so if you can't be there for the event, there will be plenty of opportunity to check things out while you grab a coffee or meal on another occasion. John wants everyone to know, "The gracious folks at Lake Avenue Cafe remind you that it is not necessary to be a customer to walk through and view the show."

Mary Boman at Lizzard's
I heard Jeffrey of Lizzard's Gallery and Framing on KUMD the other day noting that the opening for this retrospective exhibit coincides with Mary's 80th Birthday Celebration. Drop by and see her work, and share a bite of birthday cake. The opening reception/birthday party is also this Thursday from 5-7:30 p.m.

Caleb Wood, Alexis Pio & Flo Doodles take over Prøve
Guess what? There is no Second Friday Art Crawl this week. Why? Because Washington Galleries is taking a hiatus. I've been notified that they will be making changes and that we can look forward to some new things in the months ahead.

So, Friday night there will be no real decisions to make as to which event to take in first. Head over to the PROVE. The show's description goes like this: One animator. One illustrator. One doodler. Caleb, Alexis, & Flo will be taking over Prøve's walls with massive and encompassing illustrations and animations. Dad's Acid will shred. You come dance, peep some crazy creations & enjoy yourself.

North Country Dylan Celebration 2014 Schedule Announced

As you know it's never too early to start planning for tomorrow. By tomorrow I mean this year's Dylan Fest and Dylan Days, here in Duluth and Hibbing. Last night I acquired a schedule for the nine day celebration. Here are links to bookmark for ongoing updates:
dylandays.org -- bobdylanway.com -- dulutharmory.org

Saturday May 17 
A Salute to the Music of Bob Dylan @ Sacred Heart Music Center

Sunday May 18
Dylan Trivia @ Carmody’s Pub

Monday May 19 
Dylan-Themed Grog Time @ Tycoon’s Alehouse

Tuesday May 20 
Dylan Art Exhibition & Poetry Showcase @ The Red Mug Coffeehouse (Superior)

Wednesday May 21 
Open Mic Night @ Beaners Central

Thursday May 22 
Blood on the Tracks Express North Shore Railroad Ride

Friday May 23 
Creative Writing Workshop & Literary Showcase @ Howard Street Bookstore

Saturday May 24 
Full day of activities in Hibbing beginning with the Dylan Bus Tour at 10:30 a.m. and ending with the Bob Dylan Birthday Bash at Zimmy’s

Sunday May 25 
Farewell Breakfast @ Zimmy’s

I'll close with this. Google Images are a wonderful, fast way to get a visual story of so many kinds of things. In this case, see the contrast between the Fifties and the Sixties. Who, in 1960, would have guessed that the events of the Sixties would have emerged from the Fifties? But if you look closely, you'll see the seeds.

Meantime, life goes on all around you. Celebrate it.