Local Art Scene: Armory Annex Artisans Actively Apply Themselves to Their Crafts

Paul Webster shows a visitor how to forge iron.

The growth of the "maker scene" has been quite explosive in recent years, perhaps in part as a countertrend to the tech wave that has swept the globe. Hands-on interactions with raw materials, building connections with the real -- not digital -- world.

For those unaware, a number of makers have taken up active residence in the Armory Annex, a former Perkins Restaurant adjacent to the Historic Armory. The Annex was open during Saturday's Art for Earth Day Gallery Hop, but you're actually welcome to visit most any time I believe. This is a quick snapshot. There is are glassblowers, artisans, a piano technician and a forging community here. Check it out. It's a beehive of activity.

The forgers are present every Saturday. 

A few tools of the trade.

Paul Piszczek is the piano man here. These are the innards for
Esther P's Zentangled piano. 

One of the glassblowers at work. Between Duluth and Oulu we have 
a talented and active network of glassblower artisans.

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Local Art Seen: Students Show Their Stuff at the Tweed

I've always enjoyed seeing the kind of work young art students are doing. I suppose it's in part because I 'm always about how their work compares to what I was producing when in their shoes. I also wonder what these art students are thinking and how the envision their futures. What kinds of expectations do they have? What kinds of paths will they travel?

Here is some of the artwork I saw at Saturday's Art For Earth Day open house at UMD. If you missed it, it's not too late to see this show at the Tweed, though the open studios will no longer be accessible in the same manner as last weekend, and certainly no one will be making waffles for you in the halls. Thank you to everyone involved in making guests feel welcome. You brought back many memories.

And to Nick Kuvach, who won the Best In Show Award in our own Ohio University senior exhibition 1974... Congratulations. I was jealous at the time, but your award was deserved. You epitomized the times.

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REMINDERS

DON'T MISS LEAH YELLOWBIRD'S 

"DIMENSIONS"

at the AICHO's Dr. Powless Community Center on Friday

And the two shows that same evening in Superior.

Click links for Details:

8th Annual Goin' Postal Show

816 Tower Avenue, Superior

and V.I.P. Vintage Pizza hosts the

Goin' Postal Spring Photo Show

 Afterparty for both shows at Vintage Italian Pizza

1201 Tower Avenue, Superior

MEANTIME, ART GOES ON ALL AROUND YOU. 

Engage It.

Art For Earth Day, Duluth-Style

Queen Eleanore by Ingeborge

Violet and the Plant by Russell Gran

There's been plenty to see in our local arts scene. Though I only got to half of it, I saw plenty to keep me satiated, taking a more leisurely stroll rather than striving to inhale it all. If you were out and about, I hope you also got your fill.

Last night we were served the appetizer at Goin' Postal, as many as 15 artists assembled in that group show. Will try to share a bit that in a separate post. Less is sometimes more, the operative word being "sometimes."

What follows, in no particular order, are images from newly renamed 315 Gallery (formerly the Washington Gallery at 315 Lake Avenue North) and Lizzard's. It's always a pleasure seeing old friends, new work and new directions, accompanied by new enthusiasms.

Larger than life: the inimitable Mary Plaster.

Jonathan Thunder is preparing new work for a show at the DAI

Brianna Deterling / deterlingstudio.com

Peering in through the window at Lizzard's.

White Daisies by Teresa Kolar is a captivating work. 

Patricia Canelake, flowing lines and delightful pastel colorations.