In Situ: The Artists of Studio 101

Thursday evening I attended the opening of a new exhibition in the John Steffl Gallery of the Duluth Art Institute titled In Situ: Studio 101 Artists. This fall we've seen several major openings and events featuring representational artists showing new work, including two featuring plein air painters. In Situ features a circle of artists who have been gathering for a number of years in the semblance of a artists collective. The current number is seven, the location is 101 East Michigan Street, though for the duration of October the artists will be doing live painting right there in the gallery.

At Thursday's opening it was quickly apparent who the model had been the evening before as several paintings of Terry Millikan were on display. In addition to the paintings mounted about the Steffl Gallery there were also easels with paints and other art-making paraphernalia.

Studio 101 had initially been started by Jeff Schmidt and Penny Clark of Lizzard's Art Gallery & Framing on Superior Street. Currently there are seven artists who work in the Michigan Avenue space: Dorothea Diver, Lee Englund, Goran Hellekant, Constance Johnson, Cot LaFond, Dale Lucas and Larry Turbes.

One of the threads that has woven these artists together is a weekly gathering in which they paint live models, developing their skills as students of the human form. The seven artists who are part of this collection each have different motivations for their artistic endeavors. Dale Lucas states, "I paint for the joy and relaxation it gives me." Lee Englund says, "Painting from life offers me a challenge I cannot resist," adding that each painting is a new experience.

The work will be on display throughout the month of October at the DAI in the 4th Floor of the Depot, and on Wednesdays the public is invited to come watch as the painters work "live" there in the gallery.

It's been really exciting seeing the renewed enthusiasm for painting here in the Twin Ports and its variety of manifestations. And the best is yet to come.

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Big shout-out to Christina Woods, new interim director for the DAI. Annie Dugan, who has stepped down from the role of director, has not in any way stepped out of the Duluth arts community, being on the scene Thursday with sleeves rolled up for the next adventure, coming soon to a City Hall building near you. Tip of the hat to Dana and Catherine, and everyone else who has helped manage and maintain this community asset.

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There's plenty to see at the Tweed, the DAI and all the satellite galleries and art spaces in the Twin Ports. And it's free. 

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

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