Local Art Seen: Support at the PRØVE

Vision Chair

It's been just over three years since the PRØVE Gallery's inaugural exhibition. A lot has changed since those first shows by the PRØVE Collective, but one thing has remained constant. Their original mission was "to become a conduit of powerful ideas and diverse viewpoints as well as fostering a greater appreciation of the modern arts, expanding community and providing cultural exchange. The gallery’s ambitious aims include presenting monthly shows, collaborating with like-minded arts organizations and create networking opportunities that benefit the arts retail environment." The gallery has remained a central place to see compelling art that goes off the edge of ordinariness.

Last night I was able to attend an opening reception for Support, a show curated by graduating students of UMD Professor Jen Dietrich's senior seminar course. The students have spent the semester working hands on with PRØVE to develop concepts, learn about the daily operations of running the gallery, and the process of developing an art exhibition in a professional setting. 

Assembling this show, Support, included putting out a call for entries from the UMD campus and selecting pieces for exhibition. As a collective, they have curated and decided to give back to a known mentor of students, Brian Hendrickson.

Hendrickson has been a long-time support for multitudes of students at UMD. He helps build frames for large canvas paintings, solves problems related to building foundations for projects and aids in installations. He's a helping hand when needed, and his unheralded service has been greatly appreciated. Now, he's in need of support in his battle with cancer.

The work, all by students, reflected a wide range of styles and attitudes. Some of the pieces were visual essays, and all deserved more engagement. A jazz ensemble provided atmosphere with a good crowd showing their support for this labor of love by the students.

Floating City by Yinghui Meng

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A Few Endnotes
Less than two weeks till Christmas. There are several events today where you can buy local and support the arts. There is a Duluth Armory Celebration at the Armory Annex (former Perkins) on London Road is having an event featuring arts, crafts and pottery workshops, along with live music. 5::00 till 8:00 p.m.

Noon till 2:00 Chris Monroe is doing a signing copies of her new children's book Bug on a Bike at the Fitgers Book Store.

2:00 till 4:00 p.m. there is a book signing for my new children's book A Remarkable Tale from the Land of Podd at The Red Mug Coffeehouse in Superior. My illustrator Ian Welshons drove up from Stillwater and will be signing copies of the book as well.

Trepanier Hall is hosting Biiboon Bimaadizimin: Winter Good Life, with artists and artisans selling a variety of cool things, also with music and more.

And Nice Girls of the North has merged with the Second Saturday Marketplace. They will be open in Laeside from 10:00 a.m. till 3:00 today.

It's a really warm one today. Can it be spring already? Make the most of your day.