The DAI Member Show: Fun to See What Everyone Has Been Up To

The primary mandate for artists participating in the Duluth Art Institute's Member Show is that you submit something new, something created within the past year. Yes, there are other rules (no A.I. art and size limits, for example) but overall it's an opportunity to showcase your current direction and interests. 

The opening reception took place Wednesday, June 1 in the Great Hall at the Depot. There were more than 150 artists' works on display and an enthusiastic vibe. The social component is almost as important as seeing what everyone has been working on.

As always, there were sculptures, prints, paintings, drawings, ceramic works and etchings. And, as always, the show is a vivid reminder that there's a heckuva lot of talent in this region. There's so much truly remarkable work that it is near impossible to select a "Best of Show." Nevertheless, like nearly everyone else, I did cast a vote.

Here are a dozen items that especially caught my eye. (EdNote: There were many others that captured my eye, but reflections made them hard to photograph.)

Like many others, Aaron Kloss delights in our region's white birches.

Hover by Shelley Breitzmann. A landscape muted by fog,
A bird floating low over the field. (Acrylic on canvas)

Ceramic artists were well represented, though these are from an exhibit
in the Steffl Gallery. (L) Iron Red Flask by Robert DeArmond.
(R) Vase, fireclay stoneware by Karen Keenan.

Shorthand in Red. Mixed media on panel.

Treehouse Love. Oil and wax on Arches oil painting paper
by John Ulrich.

Deuteronomy. Relief print by Tom Rauschenfels.

Deuteronomy (detail)

Spring fire. Eulsion on canvas by Charles Nahgahnub

Larix Laricina. Beer, charcoal, ink; by Lucas Anderson.

And they danced by the light of the moon. Julia Peterson, mixed media.

Autumn Royalty. Digital photograph on canvas by Ivy Vainio.

Freed Spirits of Petros. Photography by Tim Beaulier.

Regina Apis, et al. Linoleum print on lokta paper by Todd White

What a Child Knows. Acrylic on canvas, by Alexa Carson.

What does Santa eat? Children's book illustration, digital by Brian Barber.
The reflection on the glass is not part of the work.

Leading with our Hearts. Acrylic and paper on canvas, by Alison Aune.

Minimum Rage by Emily Koch. Oil on wood panel.

A Reflection of Ennyman

Again, try to stop and see this show before it departs June 18.

There's some excellent work upstairs in the galleries as well.