Local Art Scene: August Happenings A-Plenty

When I was eight years old my grandparents took me out of school for three weeks to ride a train across the country from Ohio to Reno, Nevada. Uncle Dale, Aunt Ellen and my cousins lived in nearby Sparks. Eventually they moved to California where both taught at San Jose State University.

This all came to mind alongside the observation that it is now August, and one of the premiere car shows of the year--Hot August Nights--takes place in Virginia City, Reno and Sparks this weekend and next. Classic cars really are an artform.

And no, you don't have to go to Nevada to see classic cars. We have a very strong classic car collector community right here in the Northland. Every Wednesday evening you will find them here and there around the Twin Ports region, and in conjunction with events like Carlton Days (July) or Spirit Valley Days and Far West Days later this month.

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Classic hood ornament. Aerodynamic and delightful.

Did you know that August used to be called Sextilis in Latin because it was the sixth month in the original ten-month Roman calendar? You probably didn't even know that the calendar only had ten months in the first seven or so centuries A.D.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary "August" means consecrated, or venerable. More could be said, but let's just get on with what's happening.

Thanks, again, to Esther Piszczek who faithfully pulls together this information for our community each month. I've trimmed it down a but here and am only going to present the first two weeks of activities. You can see the full month ahead at the Twin Ports Art blog that she maintains.

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All events, including Esther's classes, are listed in chronological order. Click on colored text throughout to link to more information. Visit the Creative Education Opportunities page to find classes to explore, the Reoccurring Events page for events that happen routinely, and the Farmer's Markets page for where to find local and organic produce/products. (Yes, harvest season has begun.)

Here's a list of highlights for the next two weeks.

Seven Bridges Swimming Hole, Amity Creek. Kelly O. Beaster 

Friday, August 2, 5:30-7 p.m.
Art Opening: Stream Study, Duluth Folk School, 1917 W. Superior Street
"Through photographs, drawings, and poetry, we hope to spark conversations about the history, the culture, and the ecology – as well as the environmental concerns - about Duluth’s waterways, using Miller Creek, Tischer Creek, and Amity Creek as representatives of Duluth’s watershed. Drawings by Kelly Beaster, Photography by Christopher Paris, Poetry by Angie Mason. Music by Lyn Rye, appetizers, and more!" On View: August 2-September 30

Saturday, August 3, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.Spirit Valley Days: Big Community Block Party, on Grand Avenue between Central Avenue and 59th Avenue W. "The 40th Annual Spirit Valley Days is a three day extravaganza that celebrates all West Duluth has to offer. On Saturday, August 3, enjoy: vendors, petting zoo, climbing wall, games, artisan market, sidewalk sales, free bike tuneups at Ski Hut and a family garage sale at the American Legion and music. Festival runs Thursday, August 1-Saturday, August 3, CLICK HERE for a full schedule of events. For more information call Joy Herbert at 218-464-6834.

Saturday, August 3, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Duluth-A-Whirlesque Art & Craft Show, Lakeside-Lester Park Community Center, 106 N. 54th Avenue E.
"Come and join us! We will have a 3D printing demonstration from our awesome local artist Jess Triska, a kids area for kids to do some fun arts and crafts while parents browse and meet local artists. Tasty snacks will be available and of course there will be wonderful art to purchase."

Monday, August 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Yoga Meditation and Art Making with Julie Deters, Duluth Art Institute Lincoln Center for Education, 2227 W. 2nd St.
"Each session will begin with an hour of movement and breath work to release tension and make space in the body and mind that allows for the flow of creativity. Spend the second hour of class working in a group setting on an art project of your choice. The group will be guided through a visualization that allows each participant to build their own imagery to use upon completion of the visualization. Bring your own yoga mat and art supplies. Paper, pencils and ink will be provided. All levels of experience are welcome.

"Class will include meditative live music by special guest, Sound Journeying."Dive deep into your creative self with this guided visualization, amplified on the waves of live music by Sound Journeying”. Cost: $20 ($85 non-member) per class session. Next Session: September 9

Mondays, August 5, 12, 19, 26, 5:30 p.m.

Zentangled design by Esther Piszczek

Tangling Mondays, Mount Royal Library, 105 Mount Royal Shopping Circle
This group meets in the the old Yarn Harbor space, which was taken over by the library awhile back (on the left when you walk in). It is open to anyone, but primarily focused on pattern drawing. Bring your supplies and something you want to finish or start. No instruction, no fee, no organization. It's wonderful to tangle together, if schedules align, and lovely to tangle alone. If you find yourself alone, no worries, another Monday is right around the corner. Enjoy!

Tuesdays, August 6, 13, 20, 27, 12:30-3 p.m.
Open Studio at the Duluth Depot, 506 W. Michigan Street
The Duluth Art Institute offers a regular Tuesday open art-studio session at the Depot. People of all abilities practicing all artistic mediums are invited to bring their own supplies and join the weekly group. Cost: $5 plus a DAI membership (first session is free).

Saturday, August 6, 5-8 p.m.
Creative Crosswalk Painting with Moira Villiard, 11th Ave E & 5th St.
EdNote: Moira (Rhymes with Theory) has gained a lot of recognition for her significant role at AICHO and passion for making a difference through creative community service. This is but one of her many projects.

Martin DeWitt painting from July Zeitgeist show.

"The Hillside streets will become safer and more colorful this summer when local artist, Moira Villiard, in partnership with Zeitgeist and local residents, creates four creative crosswalks at currently dangerous intersections. The crosswalks and intersections will be painted to attract more attention to crosswalks and the people using them, promoting pedestrian and bicycle safety by slowing traffic in the residential area, while also highlighting neighborhood culture and identity through public art. Zeitgeist will lead community engagement efforts to allow residents to influence the design of the murals that they will be walking, biking, and driving through daily. Neighbors are encouraged to come out to help paint the design."
For more information, contact Shawna Mullen, Zeitgeist Active Transportation Coordinator. 218-929-1908.; Shawna@Zeitgeistarts.com

Wednesday, August 7, 6-7 p.m.
Brave Girls and Wise Women with author Rose Arrowsmith DeCoux, Blue Room, Mount Royal Branch Library, 105 Mount Royal Shopping Circle
"Join Rose Arrowsmith DeCoux for a storytelling adventure! Hear how Tatterhood battles a band of trolls, Manka solves impossible riddles, and Vasalisa dares to knock at the witch's door. Daring heroines reclaim fairytales as fierce, funny, and feminine. This program is intended for youth ages 7-12, but appropriate and enjoyable for teens, mixed-age audiences, and adults."
"Event Type(s): Performance/Presentation; Age Group(s): Kids, Tweens, Teen, Adults"

Saturday, August 10, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Beautiful setting, friendly artists, North Shore glory. Fifth season.

Lake Superior Art Festival, Brighton Beach in Kitchi Gammi Park
"The sixth annual Lake Superior Art Festival (formerly the Brighton Beach Art Fair) features more than 40 artists displaying and selling their creations on the shore of Lake Superior."

Saturday, August 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."
August Guest Artists: Amy Stech: Bent Petal upcycled metal garden art and Lanae Rhoads: Mix Cosmetiques custom cosmetics

Sunday, August 11, 7-9 p.m.
Gag Me With A Spoon - A Community Storyshare, Teatro Zuccone, 222 East Superior Street
"Adeline Wright hosts this evening of storytelling and open mic journal sharing in the style of the Moth and Mortified podcasts. There will be featured storytellers and a musical guest. Member of the audience are also welcome to sign-up on the night for an 8 minute open mic journal-sharing segment. Cost: $5 at the door."
Listen to previous Gag Me With A Spoon podcasts.

Wednesday, August 14, 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.

Saturday, August 17, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday, August 18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Shawna Gilmore's whimsy was at a recent Bayfron Park show.

Art in Bayfront Park, Bayfront Park, 350 Harbor Drive
"Art in Bayfront Park is a two-day art fair offering an opportunity to purchase works from more than 100 regional artists, including jewelry, paintings, photography, ceramics, metalwork, glass and more. There will also be food vendors, craft beer samples in the Bernick’s Tent from 2 to 4 p.m., live music and a car show."

Sunday, August 18, 2-6 p.m.
Hillfest, Intersection of Fourth Street and Sixth Avenue E.
"This neighborhood street festival is for anyone who enjoys Duluth’s Hillside neighborhoods. Activities include arts and crafts, bouncy house, a mini-bike rodeo with the YMCA bike fleet, climbing wall, basketball tournament, food, tofu toss, live music and more. The event will happen rain or shine."

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There's a LOT more happening than what is listed here. The Tweed and Duluth Art Institute always have things happening and art to see, as do all your favorite galleries. There are weekly Movies in the Park on Fridays, classes of all kinds, and a flourishing writing community, with periodic book signings and readings at area bookstores.

One book signing event of note is taking place at Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum on August 15. Louie Kemp, who grew up here in the Northland, will be sharing stories from his newly released Dylan & Me.

The full title of the book is Dylan & Me: 50 Years of Adventures. The event will take place at Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum on the evening of Thursday, August 15. Hosted by the Duluth Dylan Fest Committee, the John Bushey Memorial Encore Lecture with Louie Kemp will give Northlanders the opportunity to hear first-hand never-before-heard stories about Bob Dylan.

Louie will be speaking, and signing copies of his book, at four locations in the Twin Cities before making his way North. You can read more about how his friendship with "Bobby" by reading yesterday's blog post if you have not yet done so.

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Let's do it. Make it, or take it in.