8th Goin' Postal Fall Art Show and After-Party Is A Bash

An electric vibe filled the little shipping store on Tower Avenue in Superior Friday evening. There are no tickets (it's a free event) so an accurate head count is near impossible, but the steady flow of traffic through the store/pop-up gallery was indicative of another satisfying milestone passed at the 8th Annual Fall Goin' Postal Art Show.

This year's show had the benefit of a tailwind from seven years of assembling the circus. It also had its obstacles, the primary one being time constraints as many of the same champions of this show are also absorbed in producing next week's ambitious Hallowade, a Halloween-themed fundraiser for NoteWorthy Kids at historic Wade Stadium in Duluth on Saturday, October 28th from noon until 10 p.m.

Friday night, though, the spotlight was on and the Goin' Postal Show delivered.

The after-party at the Top Hat one block North featured four bands, including the newly formed retro group Laura Velvet & the Bookhouse Boys. Here are photos from the art show followed by a series of shots from the Top Hat. If nothing else, it's my hope that this will entice you to make an appearance at next year's Goin' Postal shows.

Detail from a piece by painter Elizabeth Kuth

Artists Elizabeth Kuth (L) and Rachael Weizenegger

Laura Velvet & the Bookhouse Boys: Lisa Holman, Cally Nielson, Maija Elizabeth Tatro, Luke Perry, John Heino, Tal Lindblad, Randy Lee, Jimi Hendrix (a.k.a. Andy Perfetti).

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More sights and scenes from weekend shows coming soon.

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Making Marks @ 3 Local Art Events Friday

Quick note about the three shows this Friday.

The Goin' Postal Fall Art Show is from 6-9 and will be at the usual location in Superior down by the tracks on Tower Ave, though the after party will move to the new Cedar Lounge. (FREE)

From 3-5 that afternoon there will be a We're Moving art show at Art on the Plaza. Their new address will be 1413 Tower, but their closing celebration is at their Belknap Plaza location and you should try to be there, if nothing else than to hear Similar Dogs perform a couple songs with a guest harmonica player. (FREE)

Finally, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. the DAI Make Your Mark Fund Raiser is being conducted down at 1400 Railroad Street, between the Silos and Garfield. There will be local artists making live art as well as plenty more to see with many of the usual suspects on hand. ($50 per person)

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Last week local artists had a party to make art for Make Your Mark. What follows, with the exception of the last, are some of the marks I made.

Google Earth

Meantime, art goes on all around you. Hope to see you there.

Art Openings This Week in the Twin Ports

Thursday is a major opening at the Tweed for New York artist Robert Miniciello's Spontaneous Acts in conjunction with Sharon Louden's Windows at the Tweed Museum of Art. The reception is slated for 6-8 p.m. There are some interesting features about the show which you can read about here.

Friday is the Fall Goin' Postal Show, the 9th semi-annual show here. Goin' Postal is a shipping store that has evolved into a gallery space featuring work by local artists. The openings have become something of an event with high caliber musicians capping off the evening in an after-party downstairs. Revolution Jones is slated to perform, along with Israel Malachi.

Perhaps we'll see you there?

Local Art Seen: Goin' Postal 2014 Fall Art Show One-Ups Itself

David Lynch by Becky Buchanan

New art and new artists, new music and a great vibe.... that's how last night's event came down for the fifth October in a row. I can still remember that first show. Snow, slippery roads and a lot of folk with good intentions who backed off. Still, it was rewarding for sure, and the foundations were laid for what has now become a semi-annual tradition.

Andrew Perfetti, owner of Goin' Postal, is also a musician and photographer, so the event brings together both of his passions, an appreciation for the arts as well as the music that undergirds his life. The event has also become a reunion of friends as well as a family affair.

Mark Anderson

The balmy weather certainly contributed toward making this an unforgettable evening. Anything is possible when it comes to late October in the Northland. The 1991 Halloween Blizzard isn't far from anyone's thoughts (four foot drifts anda three day blow) but this weekend the weather gods are smiling, perhaps making up for the cruelty rendered upon us last winter.

At least three or four of the events have included an after-party at Bev's Jook Joint, which has now been replaced by a tattoo parlor, tatts seeming to be more in vogue than drinking games. Now that Andy has renovated his basement recording space, the afterparty turns to a music scene not unlike a Greenwich Village hole-in-the-wall. For the late night crowd, those who remained were treated to music from Theft By Swindle, Israel Malachi, and the core of Perfetti's former Uprising band.

We always appreciate the contributions of our sponsors.

The feel-good atmosphere created a magnetic mood that kept people circulating, making it difficult to depart. Once again a memorable evening for nearly everyone, both the new artists and the veterans.

Here are some pictures from the event. For those who couldn't make it, you missed a great reception, but the art will still be hanging on the walls in the event you're able to swing by in the weeks ahead. 816 Tower Avenue,  a.m. - 5:30 p.m. M-F.

Carla Hamilton was among the new artists who participated in this show.

We always appreciate AJ Atwater's colorful contributions.

Lindsey Graskey, whose work I always enjoy, continues to contribute.

Familiar faces and new. Really special evening.

To see some of my own work visit my art blog The Many Faces of Ennyman. A few of these are currently on display here at Goin' Postal.

Thank you to everyone who contributed in so many ways to produce a really rewarding experience for so many people.

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In other action this weekend, Tim Bouvine will be signing copies of his book Catching Lightning Without The Bottle at Barnes & Noble from 3:30 till 6:00 p.m. this afternoon. 

If you need to get your own creative juices flowing, Pineapple Arts will be the busy place to be as they continue preparations for the seventh annual All Souls Festival. 

And finally, Twins Bar have been renovated and given a new name and a new upscale look, which will include some art by local artists. Grand opening tonight will feature music by Israel Malachi. Check it out.

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

Today, Tomorrow and Saturday in the Twin Ports Art Scene

Color provokes a psychic vibration. Color hides a power still unknown but real, which acts on every part of the human body. ~Wassily Kandinsky

TODAY

There are a number of local artists who could spread their wings and fly off to larger markets and make a name for themselves. One of these is Sarah Brokke, and artist/painter who teaches at St. Scholastica. Her new show is titled (r)evolve and it is opening during the noon hour today at the Kruk Gallery on the campus of UWS. If you're not already booked, then stop by. I am confident it will be impressive.

Today is Day 4 of the Zeitgeist Arts' 5-Year Anniversary Celebration and Fundraiser. The Zeitgeist has become a centerpiece of the local arts community. It's facility has become like a home for many in the arts. The theaters set new standards and its offerings have been like nothing you can find elsewhere.

Pineapple Arts on 1st Street has sent out an invitation to poets and friends of the spoken word to an Open Mic of Poetry & Thought. It's a younger crowd, but there are veterans here, too. Poetry is alive and well in the Northland.

TOMORROW

Jeredt Runions calclates best height for a piece.

Last night a number of the artists gathered to hang the Goin' Postal 2014 Fall Art Show which will open tomorrow evening at 6:00 p.m. There was a good vibe present as the various pieces claimed wall space around the room. 17 artists have contributed to this show, including a number of new ones. Some of my new work will be there as well.

SATURDAY
"Utvalgte" is a 16 artist show hosted by the Gulden Kunstverk Gallery in Steinberg, Norway. If you wonder why I mention this, it's because Walter Welo has Northern MN roots, and I like a lot of what I see going on there. There are also a lot of Scandinavians here in the Northland who occasionally make the trek "back home." If you are in the neighborhood, check it out.

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There's plenty else going on in the Twin Ports this weekend. Pick up a Transistor for the pulse of the music scene. The Reader is always helpful, too. The theater scene is vibrant, and the weather outdoors continues to be inviting/enticing. You have few excuses if you're bored.

My children's picture book A Remarkable Tale from the Land of Podd has been approved by the publisher as a go. I need to review the final-final proof and it will become available for public consumption. Can hardly wait to share it.

Meantime, art goes on all around you. Rather than just look this year, maybe it's a good time to open your wallet. Yes, you can take it with you.