Local Art Scene: 15 Excerpts from the June Twin Ports Calendar

Zen Swirl by Esther Piszczek

There are moments, above all on June evenings, when the lakes that hold our moons are sucked into the earth, and nothing is left but wine and the touch of a hand. 
--Charles Morgan  

Here we go. Fasten your seatbelts. We're on the cusp of yet another big month of arts activities in the Twin Ports. Big shout-out to Esther Piszczek for compiling all these events for us. She's a true trooper on this stuff, and a huge source of encouragement. Thank you, Esther.

I threw in the Grandma's Marathon at the end of this list only because I will be running my first 5K that weekend. As the locals are well aware, it's always good to know which weekend the town will be blam-jammed with runners and their friends, so you can either join the party or flee to the hills.

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1. Starts tonight. The Duluth Superior Film Festival runs May 31-June 4. Here's where to get the full menu.

2. Thursday, June 1, 6-8 p.m., Sinew: Female Native Artists of the Twin Cities, Artist Reception, Tweed Museum of Art, 1201 Ordean Court "An exhibition curated by Dyani White Hawk, who is also one of the eight artists featured. The show was originally organized for artistry in Bloomington, MN in conjunction with the Guerilla Girls Twin Cities takeover. The exhibition presents an eclectic selection of works by each artist that include paintings, prints, weaving, drawings, digital videos and sculptures. Other artists: Carolyn Anderson, Julie Buffalohead, Andrea Carlson, Elizabeth Day, Heid Erdrich, Louise Erdrich, Maggie Thompson and Dyani White Hawk. On view at the Tweed Museum of Art through September 24, 2017.

3. Thursday, June 1, 6-8 p.m., Ellen Taylor Artist Reception, Beaner's Central Concert Coffeehouse, 324 N. Central Avenue.

"Dreamtiger" by Ed Newman

4. Monday, June 5, 5-7 p.m., Art Show Opening & Reception: Larry Turbes: Figure Paintings and Scripture, Zeitgeist Atrium, 222 E. Superior St. "Larry Turbes is primarily a self-taught artist, working for the past 24 years drawing, painting and sculpting. His focus is the human figure.... Since retiring from architecture in 2015, now dedicates full time to his art."

5. Saturday, June 10, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Nice Girls of the North 2nd Saturday Marketplace, Lakeside Lester Park Community Center (the former Lakeside Library), 106 N. 54th Ave. East. "Free coffee, cookies, and a friendly atmosphere await while you browse a collection of handcrafted clothing and bags, pottery, jewelry, stained glass, photography, personal care products, baby items and much more. One central checkout, most major credit cards accepted."

6. Thursday, June 15, 5:30 p.m., Arrowhead Regional Arts Council Celebration, Fitger’s Brewery Complex, 600 E. Superior St. "Executive Director Bob DeArmond of Arrowhead Regional Arts Council is retiring after 30 years of work with the organization. There will be food, drinks and music at the event."

7. Monday, June 19, 5-7 p.m., Stephanie Wilcox Art Show and Reception, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Community Room, 425 W. Superior St., Suite 1060.  "Join Stephanie for an artist reception featuring a one night pop-up of her handmade jewelry and other small works in addition to the show! Refreshments provided. All are welcome!" Show runs June 1-July 17.

8. Wednesday, June 21, 6:30-9:00 p.m., Zentangle (R) & Wine with Esther Piszczek, CZT, Master Framing Gallery, 1431 London Road. Come experience the fun and relaxation of drawing simple, repetitive line patterns with pen and ink and pencil shading. No previous drawing experience necessary. Class Cost: $35; Supplies: $10 (or use supplies provided without additional cost). RSVP to episzczek@gmail.com. Seats are limited.

9. Saturday, June 24, Chum Rhubarb Festival 2017, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., London Road along 11th Avenue E. (outside the First Lutheran Church) "Chum’s 13th annual Rhubarb Festival promises lots of rhubarb — including hundreds of pies, muffins and crisps, as well as rhubarb brats and burritos. There will also be live music, games, crafts, auctions and stage shows."

Park Point Art Fair, 2011

10. Saturday & Sunday, June 24 & 25, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Park Point Art Fair 2017, Park Point Public Beach House, 5000 Minnesota Ave. "The 47th annual Park Point Art Fair will feature the juried fine art and crafts of over 120 artists from the upper Midwest and beyond. In addition to the outdoor gallery, there will be a food court, demonstration areas, a stage with live music and more — all at the Park Point Recreation Area."

Each year, an estimated 10,000+ visitors attend the weekend festival as artists display and sell work in media such as ceramics, glass, jewelry, painting, photography, woodwork and sculpture. With artist tents lining a paved path that extends through the park, the show allows people with physical disabilities the chance to fully experience the event."

11. Thursday, June 29, 5-7 p.m., Exhibit Reception for Jonathan Thunder, Robert Dewitt Adams, Elizabeth LaPensee and Chris Sellek, Duluth Art Institute at the Depot, 506 W. Michigan St. "Jonathan Thunder’s solo exhibit showcases a new body of paintings dedicated to deities in Ojibwe mythology placed in a contemporary context. The exhibition is accompanied by a catalogue. The adjacent gallery features “Play” — showcasing the work of artists Robert DeWitt Adams, Elizabeth LaPensee, and Chris Sellek — who explore games, gaming and game mechanics in their work."

12. The Farmer's Markets are blossoming. Here are places to find fresh produce this summer and harvest seasons:

Tuesdays, 3-7 p.m, Hilltop Farmer's Market, First United Methodist Church, (Copper Top), 230 E. Skyline Parkway (formerly @ UMD)
Wednesdays, 2-6 p.m., Duluth Farmer's Market, 14th Avenue E. & 3rd Street
Thursdays, 4-7 p.m., Lincoln Park Farmer's Market, Harrison Community Center, 3002 W. 3rd St.
Saturdays, 7 a.m.-12 p.m., Duluth Farmer's Market, 14th Avenue E. & 3rd Street
Saturdays, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., Barkers Island Farmer's Market, parking lot near the S.S. Meteor at Hwy 2/53 and Marina Drive in Superior, WI

Photo from the Bill Pagel exhibit.

13. Throughout the month of June you can still see the Bill Pagel's exhibit of archival Dylan memorabilia and historic documents. Here's a link to the show Einstein Disguised As Robin Hood. For those who do not know Bill Pagel, he's been written about in chapter one of the book The Dylanonlogists by Pulitzer Prize-winning author (and Dylan fan) David Kinney. He also collects artwork, which it is Dylan-themed, so is worthy of a blog post about local arts happenings. Maybe one day we'll curate a show of the paintings he's purchased over the years.

14. Speaking of Dylan-themed paintings, I currently have several paintings on display at Goin' Postal and at Art on the Planet, both of these on Tower Avenue in Superior. (1400 block and 800 block.) Check 'em out. You can see the variety of Dylan portraits I've generated at my Flickr pages.

15. Oh, and let's not forget Grandma's Marathon... Just so you can plan around it. Grandma's is the third weekend of June, with activities from Thursday thru Saturday. Details HERE.

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Esther Extras

Learn a Tangle! Draw along with ZT co-founder Rick Roberts in this 12 minute video from the Kitchen Table Tangles series and see what he does with his unexpected OOPS! moment while drawing the tangle Diva Dance through his original tangle Paradox.

Her Book & Film

Patterned Peace, by Esther Piszczek, CZT, published by Whole Person Associates, Duluth. Available on Amazon.com, at The Bookstore at Fitger's, and Duluth Fine Pianos. Original, hand-drawn artwork ready to color. Includes full pattern index.

Life & Art Entangled, a 17 minute art documentary created by Lola Visuals featuring Zentangle (R) inspired artwork on a piano created by fine-line pattern artist Esther Piszczek, CZT, and the improvisational jazz piano music of Peter Brown. Life & Art Entangled debuted at the 2016 Duluth Superior Film Festival. Watch here on YouTube.com.

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