Keeping It Real: Local Arts Happenings in the Twin Ports for June

Twice this week I was talking with people who did not grow up here who commented on how vibrant the local arts scene has become. It's a fairly pervasive sentiment as far as I can tell, and this list here only hints at it. For theater and music scene activities look to the DNT, Reader, Transistor and other sources.

Last night we attended the kickoff opening for the five day Duluth Superior Film Festival (DSFF) at the Clyde Iron Works. Though many, if not most, of the films have a regional tie-in, this one did not, a New Zealand mockumentary of the current vampire genre called What We Do In The Shadows. It was a hilarious riff with cleverness throughout. You'll want to check out the other seventeen films here at the DSFF website.

And now, thanks to Esther Piszczek and friends, here's a short list of upcoming arts related events for the month of June.

TONIGHT, June 4
Opening reception for Nissa Ellen Wick at the Red Mug, 5-7 p.m.
A Minnesota native, Nissa Wick has called Duluth her home since 2007. Another self-taught artist who is pretty darn good. She works primarily in acrylics with scenic old Duluth as her subject matter.
You can hear her on KUMD's Radio Gallery here. But it's best to check out her work in person. And tonight best of all because she'll be there, so you can meet the artist herself.

Tim Miller Photography, opening reception at Pizza Luce, 7-9 p.m. 11 East Superior Street
If you're attending Day 2 of the DuSu Film Fest at the Zeitgeist, you can stroll over to Luce after Adam Swanson's film on the making of the mural for Spirit Mountain. Just sayin'.

Chelsey Bereiter, Beaner's Central, opening reception 6 p.m.
One of my favorite meeting places, a place to grab a bite in the middle of the day. Soup's always good and the food fresh. Friendly staff, too. They have an active night life as well, and a different artist each month. Stop by tonight and catch an eyeful. 324 N. Central Avenue.

The Duluth Depot is hosting a Design Pop-Up Show today through Saturday, 9 a.m. till 6 p.m. featuring printed materials from national, regional and local designers.

Saturday, June 6
Duluth Fire Festival, Saturday, June 6, 3-10 p.m.
I've been hearing about this and was told it will be a really fun event.
Armory Annex, 1325 London Road

Second Friday, June 12
Pierce & Piszczek Fine Pianos, 6-8:30 p.m.
405 E. Superior Street
New art exhibit this month plus one of Esther's "tangled" pianos that she's devoted immense amounts of time to ... patterns everywhere!

Goin' Postal 2015 Summer Art Show, Friday, June 19, 6 p.m.
Works by over 22 local artists will be on display with music by Mark Anderson, Theft by Swindle and possibly Revolution Jones. I'll have a few new pieces there and some older favorites. It's become a really special, much looked-forward-to event.
816 Tower Avenue, Superior

Studio 15, Emily Hayes, Closing Reception, Friday, June 19, 7 p.m.
I enjoyed her work immensely and recommend catching this one if you haven't yet been to Studio 15 at 15 3rd Avenue W.


Prove Gallery, "Exhibition that promotes skateboarding and bicycling"
If this is accurate the PROVE will feature artists Justin Anderson, Todd Bratrud, Bjorn Christianson, Jay Croft, Ben Gore, Lazy Monk Bags, SkatRadioh, Lucas Winzenburg
21 N. Lake Avenue

Zeitgeist Café: Alberta Marana

Zeitgeist: Atrium: Andy Frye

I think there's an opening at Benchmark Tattoo this week, but I don't have the information here. Openings are usuallyon the first Friday of every month.

And then there are the classes, including Esther Piszczek's Zentangle (R) Pattern Drawing for Youth (ages 8-14)
My parents enrolled me in classes at the Cleveland Art Institute when I was five years old and it changed my life. The Duluth Art Institute has classes for youth and if you pay attention you will find them elsewhere. If you'r a parent of kids with a creative bent, feed the fire, enroll them in a class. A great experience that can fire up a life.

Zentangle Pattern Drawing
Friday, June 12, 12-4 p.m., Ordean East Middle School
OR, Friday, July 24, 12-4 p.m., Ordean East Middle School

Zentangle (R) and Wine, Thursday, July 9, 6-8:30 p.m. (This one is for the parents)
Master Framing Gallery, 1431 London Road

Other upcoming events include
Our Zentangle zoomer will be taking over the walls of Pizza Luce in August with an Art Reception, Thursday, August 6, 7-9 p.m.

IN JULY
There will be a juried Plein Air Festival with 30 plein air painters here in the Northland plus an exhibition in the Duluth Art Institute. This six-day event is going to be seriously cool. More on this event can be found at the DAI website.

Meantime, art goes on all around you. Engage it.