Twin Ports Arts Scene: December Happenings

Un-Typing Casta at the Tweed

Hard to believe it's December already. Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday have passed, but My guess is that your Christmas shopping has only just begun.

Well, quite a few of this month's arts activities will give you a chance to work through your gift lists. We have oodles of local artisans making items that are perfect as stocking stuffers to wearable art and functional art. Lift the spirits of loved ones and support the local arts simultaneously.

I'd like to begin here with a shout-out to Esther Piszczek who assembles much of the info I use on these monthly postings. Thank you. And if you have not seen her Zentangled piano and the story of its creation, visit this link to the 17-minute documentary Life and Art Entangled.

Now, for the List.
(EdNote: I am using colored fonts for eye candy. Live links are blue, like the one above.)

Pepperkakebyen, Duluth's Gingerbread City
Saturdays and Sundays, 1-5 p.m., through December 11 at the Nordic Center, 21 N. Lake Avenue View this amazing collection of Gingerbread houses handmade in Duluth.

Get It Local Art & Gift Fair
Saturday, Dec 3, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Peace Church, 1111 N. 11th Avenue E.
This is one of many local art fairs filled with talented artisans and artists.

Duluth Art Institute's Free Family Day: Handmade Holidays
Saturday, Dec. 3, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.  This event will take place at their Lincoln Park location at 2229 W. 2nd Street. "Make unique handmade gifts and cards for your loved ones this season. Even the littlest of gift givers can get in on the fun. No registration necessary."

Lake Superior College Student Art Show - Opening Reception
Monday, Dec. 5, 5-7 p.m.
Lake Superior College, 2101 Trinity Road, S Building;
Show runs Dec. 5-7, as follows:
Monday, Dec. 5: 12 p.m.-8 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 6: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 7: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Brian Barber Art Opening
Thursday, Dec. 8, 6 p.m. @ Beaner's
I don't know anyone who doesn't enjoy the work of animator/illustrator Brian Barber.
With music by Jason & Veikko of Woodblind, Beaner's Central Coffeehouse, 324 N. Central Avenue.

2nd Fridy Art Crawl
Friday, Dec. 9, 6-8 p.m., 2nd Friday Art Crawl @ Duluth Fine Pianos, 305 E. Superior Street
Always a good place to stop on the 2nd Friday of the month if you are downtown. Esther P's home turf. There will be cookies for this festive evening surrounded by patterns and pianos.

Plys with Purpose @ the PROVE
Friday, Dec. 9, 4-7 p.m., The Prove Gallery is located at 21 N. Lake Avenue
"Plys With Purpose is Prøve Gallery’s third exhibition and silent auction of 30 crafted skateboard decks by local, national, and international artists all sharing one purpose, building skateboard parks in our communities."

Get to the Point: Awesome Art & Gift Fair
Saturday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.,  Lafayette Square, Park Point, 3026 Minnesota Avenue

Textiles for Body & Mind
Erika Mock's studio is open the next two Fridays till Christmas. 4701 Cooke Street in Lakeside. While you're in the neighborhood, stop in at the Lakeside Gallery at 4431 East Superior Street where you find Aaaron Kloss's landscape paintings and plenty more. (Including a few of my pieces. You can also find my art a the children's book A Remarkable Tale from the Land of Podd at Goin' Postal in Superior.)

Winter Moon Holiday Boutique
Saturday, Dec. 17, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Zeitgeist Arts Atrium, 222 E. Superior Street
This is another one that is becoming a tradition, like the gingerbread houses and the Plys with Purpose. I think I've purchased something here every year they've done this. It will be the week before Christmas and if you haven't finished shopping, it's the last weekend you will have free.
Artists this year include:
Esther Piszczek of E.P. Designs, patterned cards, playing cards, puzzles, silk scarves, ceramics;
Patty Salo Downs of Miina Designs, felted scarves, bags, clothing;
Sally Cavallaro of Sally Cavallaro Designs, silver jewelry;
Mary Reichert of Otlak Felt Studio, felted scarves, bags, and rugs;
Natalijia Walbridge of Dock 5, custom screen printed canvas bags;
Barb Collette of Stained Glass by Collette, stained glass ornaments and art;
Lila Boehland of Lila Felt Creative, felted landscapes, bracelets, ornaments;
Annemarie Gorham of Lake Superior Beach Glass, beach glass jewelry, and
Heidi Ash of 185 Chocolat. (Heidi's chocolates exemplify the expression, "something to die for." They are that that yummy.)

There are number of new books from locals this year. Lucie Amundson's story about their plucky business Locally Laid came out this spring. It's vibrates with life and insights about life and business.
Patterned Peace, by Esther Piszczek, CZT, published by Whole Person Associates, Duluth is available on Amazon.com and The Bookstore at Fitgers. Original, hand-drawn artwork ready to color. Includes full pattern index.

If you get over to Superior there's always art to see at the Red Mug Coffeehouse, and a Christmas Village of artists kitty-korner akross the street where you can enjoy hot chocolate and more works by local artisans. Open on weekends. There's also plenty of art to see and purchase at Art on the Planet, 1413 Tower Avenue, Superior, WI (new name / new location -- adjacent to Wine Creations.) There's parking in the back.

If you're looking for gift ideas for newborns and infants, be sure to check out this Etsy shop, Picture Book Boutique. You don't have to live in the Twin Ports to get there. Original creative expressions for baby showers and Christmas.

Last note: the Tweed and the Duluth Art Institute both have some great exhibits right now. Check 'em out while you're out and about.

Meantime, may your December be one to remember.