Local Art Scene: Miscellaneous April Events (In Chronological Order)

Zentangle-inspired design by Esther Piszczek

Though we're continuing to get snow the calendar insists that spring is in the air, whether it's confirmed by weather or not. One sure sign of spring that we're familiar with here is the annual Sea of Bowls coming up next week, soon followed by the Art for Earth Day Gallery Hop and the Empty Bowl events at the Depot.

Lately I have been reading quite a bit about the integration of technology into our lives. We have increasingly smart phones and other "smart" devices. Pretty soon we'll also have smart cars. As we transition to this technology-driven future that integrates high tech into the fabric of our lives and culture, I sense there were be an antithetical movement of high touch activities that enable us to feel a measure of control over our sense of humanity. For this reason there will always be a place for arts and crafts, for human creation and affirmation. It's art and design that keeps our hotel rooms and restaurants from being sterile.

Here's a short list of upcoming arts events and happenings.

Tonight
Beaner's Central, Hermantown High School Art Showcase, 6-8 p.m.
Located at 324 N. Central Avenue in Spirit Valley, Jason has been showcasing local talent for ages. The front room of the coffeehouse is wonderful for these events as the natural light flows in from his massive windows. It's a great room to have lunch in with new art exhibits every month. You should make it a habit to grab a bite there at least once a month or more... The soups, sandwiches and other delights are tasty as well.

Eris Vafias, Collection of Chaos 

Also tonight, Pizza Luce is hosting an opening reception for Eris Vafias. Her show is titled Collection of Chaos II, featuring paintings, photography, assemblage/conceptual art and music by Richie Townsend. On display throughout the month of April, the opening reception will be from 7 to 9 this evening.

Friday, April 8
Pierce & Piszczek Fine Pianos at 405 E. Superior Street will again feature Zentangle (R) Inspired Art by Esther Piszczek, CZT, and nature photography by UMD Professor Ladona Tornabene, Ph.D. Free parking available behind the building after 5:30 p.m. Her Zentangled piano is now complete. Check it out. Esther's newly patterned and thrown ceramic pieces will also be for sale.

AICHO has lined up another promising exhibit featuring works by Gordon Coons, Ojibwe/Ottawa. The art exhibit open March 21-April 18, from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. in the Gimaajii Gallery. The artist reception is tomorrow evening @ 5:30 p.m. AICHO is located at 202 West 2nd Street, Duluth, MN.

Gordon Coons is a member of Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians and lives in Minneapolis. Gordon creates works in a variety of mediums, including linoleum block prints and paintings and pen/ink. Gordon has won numerous recognition awards and a commission for his fine art.

Next Week

Sea of Bowls: Empty Bowl Preview Night Monday, April 11, 5-7 p.m., The Depot, 506 W. Michigan Street, Free!  Bowls range from $25-$100

Empty Bowl Tuesday, April 12, 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m., The Depot, 506 W. Michigan Street, Soup is Free. Bowls are $25. To learn more about the nature of this fundraiser you can read this summary of the 2013 event.

Now until Wednesday, April 13, 3 p.m.; professionally handcrafted bowls are online for you to view and bid on. For more information call 218-727-5653.

Zeitgeist Arts Café: Henry Roberts, "Venice Carnival" Monday, April 18, 5-7 p.m.
Photography Exhibit. Roberts traveled to Venice, Italy to experience the colorful Carnival pageantry in 2015; this show features photographs depicting his experience of the event.

Zeitgeist Arts Atrium will feature work by figurative and portrait painter Yuta Uchida. Reception Monday, April 18, 5-7 p.m., 222 E. Superior Street

Zeitgeist Arts Lobby will exhibit designer/printmaker David Moreira's work. "SkatRadioh is an art, design and printmaking studio started by David Moreira in Duluth, Minnesota."

Duluth Art Institute's Design Duluth Series, a year-long series that explores Design in Duluth will have its next event Thursday, April 21, 5:30 p.m. at the Red Herring Lounge, 208 E. 1st Street. The theme is "Minnesota Nice: Good, Bad, Nice?" Featured Designers to include: Chaperone Records, Hemlocks Leatherworks, Frost River, & Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial Committee.

Duluth Gallery Hop - 26th Annual
Saturday, April 23, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. "In honor of the 46th Anniversary of Earth Day several downtown Duluth galleries, Duluth Art Institute, Washington 315 Gallery and UMD Art & Design will be hosting free receptions and open studios. Tour local galleries, visit with artists and watch demonstrations at this fun event.

Can't catch it all? As they say, just keep trying.

See you there.