Art In November: The Season Is At Hand

OK, kids. It's November and the variety of things happening continues to expand. Thank you to Esther Piszczek for assembling all these events and activities. For the record, this is hardly comprehensive, and no longer just visual arts. There are numerous art galleries with local artists' work that is on continual display, and public spaces as well, such as Red Mug, Wussow's, Pizza Luce and the like. As the holidays approach it's a good time to make time for checking things out.

From tomorrow through New Years there are arts and crafts fairs every weekend. I know this because a friend told me he and his wife have events scheduled for every weekend till the end of the year. And I believe he said that they will be at separate events part of the time. In short, there is a lot going on.

Book signings, comedy events, music events, theatrical performances and other kinds of activities may be inadequately catalogued but if you work you'll find a lot through various sources like the DNT Best Bets page and the Reader. If you have other recommendations feel free to let me know.

ALSO, I am going to be dropping my AdWords in order to make space for local advertisers at reasonable rates. If you wish to sponsor this blog for a month, or be featured in a blog post, great! And as we think about holiday giving, buy local as much as you can and give as much as you can. (By this I mean that there are over 300 local non-profit organizations doing good work in our community. Maybe this is the year you step it up a notch?)

AND NOW... Drumroll Please.

Mondays, December 2 and 9, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Zentangle (R) Pattern Drawing Meets Origami: Tangled and Folded with Esther Piszczek, certified z e n t a n g l e teacher, Lincoln Park Community School, 3215 West Third Street 

In the first class, you will draw patterns on a 3.5" square paper tile using pen, ink, and pencil shading. Esther will then use basic graphic design to turn your tile into a seamless repeat and print it creating your very own custom origami paper. In the second class, you will fold the paper into pretty origami flowers or stars and create lovely, unique origami ornaments. Class Limit: 10; Class Cost: $40; Supply cost: $5; Register online HERE or contact Erin Bates, Coordinator, at 218-336-8760 x 5 or email: erin.bates@isd709.org

Details on all of these events, and more, below!

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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 and the Reoccurring Events page for events that happen routinely.

Saturday, November 2, 9 a.m.-2 pm.

Duluth Woman's Club Bazaar 2019, DWC Hartman House, 2400 E. Superior St.
"This seasonal event features Duluth Woman’s Club-member created gifts, original paintings, felted scarves and ornaments, book pillows, reusable gift bags and hot dish carriers, knitted items, framed jewelry art, baked goods and more. Fresh scones and coffee available."

Saturday, November 2, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Holy Rosary Craft Show, Stella Maris Academy, 2802 E. 4th Street
"50+ local vendors showcasing jewelry, art, sewn creations, homemade canned goods, syrup, and other types of handmade goodness. We will also feature a few direct sales people as well including part lite, pampered chef, creative memories, tastefully simple and more. Lunch available for purchase too."

My novel took 20 years. FWIW

Saturday, November 2, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

I Wrote a Novel in a Month – And So Can You, Duluth Public Library, Gold Room, 520 W. Superior Street
"As part of National Novel Writing Month, Duluth writer/director/producer/performer Brian Matuszak talks about his experience writing a novel in a month and invites attendees to break off into groups to talk about their plans, progress and stories. Those groups will be encouraged to stay connected throughout the month before meeting at the library again Dec. 3 to share their progress and learn about the long haul of editing."

Saturday, November 2, 5 p.m.

"Alien" . Ink on 1939 London Times.

Duluth Art Institute's Masquerade Gala, Duluth Depot Hall,
"The event celebrates contemporary art, artists and the community, and features an aerialist performance, a 3-course sit-down meal from Duluth Grill, a silent auction of items inspired by the neighborhoods and communities the Duluth Art Institute serves, a live auction, and a drag performance at the conclusion of the evening.

"Each gala attendee will go home with art made by a table host. This year’s hosts are Cheng-Khee Chee, Claudia Faith, Darren Houser, Kristen Kaas, Karen Keenan, Lenore Lampi, Adam McCauley, Juliet McLellan, Chris Monroe, Rita Morris & Barry Sands, Karen Nease, Ed Newman, Ann Price, Robb Quisling, Tom Rauschenfels and John Ulrich."

Schedule
5 to 6:30 p.m. – Cocktail Hour with Aerialist Show
6:30 p.m. – Dinner and Auction
9 p.m. – Drag Show

Tickets are $100 and can be purchased online or by calling our 218-733-7560.

Saturday, November 2, 7:30-9 p.m.
UWS Ragtime Recital with Jeff Madison and Alex Sandor, UWS Holden Fine Arts Building, 1805 Catlin Avenue, Superior
"Singer Jeffrey Madison and pianist Alexander Sandor will present a delightful evening of Fats Waller tunes, as well as some examples of 'classical' music that was influenced by music from the ragtime era." Tickets: Adults: $12; Seniors: $10; Students: $10

Saturday, November 2, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Treasures Along the North Shore: A Belly Dance Show, Teatro Zuccone, 222 E. Superior Street"Join us as many talented local and regional solo and group performers present a variety of styles of belly dance from oriental to tribal to fusion making this a wonderfully treasure filled evening of diverse, unique, and fun entertainment! Tickets: $15 Adults; $12 Students & Seniors; $6 Children ages 4-11 available at the Teatro Zuccone box office."

Monday, November 4, 5-7 p.m.

Art Opening: Umbra, Zeitgeist Arts Atrium, 222 E. Superior Street
"This solo exhibition by Terresa Moses, Umbra, centers the intersectional experiences of Black womxn.* Inspired by her own experiences and the experiences of other Black womxn in the Duluth area, Moses was compelled to create work which validates and uncovers the institutional racism and sexism perpetuated in this community everyday. 

"Each piece delves into six themes which Moses has identified as gaze, control, savior, (d)anger, burden, and liberation. It is her hope that all individuals come to realize their contribution to these experiences– either as a perpetrator of harm or a healer. *Indigenous womxn and womxn of color may experience some, if not, all of the themes conceptualized in this exhibition." [NOTE: Cocktails & Conversation featuring black womxn artists immediately follows this event in the Zeitgeist Arts Cafe. See details below.]

Painting by Moira Villiard

Monday, November 4, 7-8 p.m.
Cocktails & Conversation: Black Womxn Artists, Zeitgeist Arts Cafe, 222 E. Superior Street
"Moderated by Sandra Oyinloye; local artists Terresa Moses, Kym E. Young, and Carla Hamilton will have a conversation about their work, perspectives, and experiences.

"This is a free event, and seats will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. The event will immediately follow the opening reception of ‘Umbra’ an art exhibit by Terresa Moses. This solo exhibition centers around the intersectional experiences of Black womxn, and we encourage participants to attend the reception before Cocktails & Conversation!

"Zeitgeist's Year of the Womxn is a 12-month series of programming throughout 2019 that highlights women’s stories, perspectives and experiences while showcasing that women can, and do, hold positions of power, leadership, and influence across our community. To learn more, and to view a full listing of their events visit: https://zeitgeistarts.com/yotw/."

Mondays, November 4, 11, 18, 25, 5:30 p.m.

Mapped Life Series. Kentucky.
Acrylic on Rand McNally Map

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, November 5, 12, 19, 26, 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).

Thursday, November 7, 5-8 p.m.
Roundabout Art Tour, Seven venues in North Carlton County. Carlton is thick with creative people and having watched the development of the Twin Ports arts scene in recent years, retired art teach Kris Nelson (The Chair Artist) has corralled seven venues for what is being called a Roundabout Art Tour. The venues include
Visit one or visit all seven roundabout locations between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7: the Pine Knot News office, Encore! Performing Arts Center and Gallery, Gateway Goods, The Historic Scott House, Dragon Fire Ceramics, Oldenburg House and the Fond du Lac Cultural Center and Museum. If you are NOT familiar with all these venues, Thursday will be a great time to BEGIN to get acquainted with what's happening in the arts in Cloquet, Carlton & vicinity. The Encore Theater is always looking for new artists to show their work (and you get a Free ticket to a show.) Contact Kris Nelson to get added to her mailing list (in the event I fail to get the word out for the various calls for art.) Oldenburg House and Scott House have a LOT of happening events. Expand you world. All these places are just down the road a piece. If you have kids, both these historic homes make fabulous wedding venues.

Enough said. Roundabout map is at the end of the page. Click to enlarge or download.
Thursday, November 7, 6-8:30 p.m.
Yoga and Writing Workshop, It Takes A Village Healing Collective, 114 W. Superior Street, 2nd Floor (Above Duluth Sign and Stewart Taylor Printing)

"This donation-based yoga practice and guided free-form writing workshop is generally held on the first Thursday of every month. It is intended to be an opportunity to slow down in order to reflect and reconnect through the use of yoga and prompted journal writing. Each month will have a different theme, with the goal of building self-awareness and appreciation.

"Materials will be provided, but attendees are asked to bring a journal (if they have one) and anything else desired for their comfort. This workshop is taught by Alyssa Johnson, RYT500. E-mail alyssa@blindspotcreatives.com with questions."

Friday, November 8, 5-8 p.m.
Closing Reception: Swedish Folk Painting: Revival in the Upper Midwest, Nordic Center, 23 Lake Avenue
"This exhibition will feature contemporary Swedish folk paintings by Judith Kjenstad, Pieper Fleck Bloomquist and Alison Aune.  These three artists have studied, and transformed, traditional Swedish dalmålningar from Dalarna, with its characteristic floral kurbits (fantastical gourd flowers), and decorative-figurative bonadsmåleri from the southern provinces of Småland and Halland into contemporary paintings.  Each artist will exhibit their paintings in the content of traditional Swedish folk painting and its recent revival in the Upper Midwest. $5 Suggested Donation." Viewing Hours: Fridays, 5-8 p.m.; Saturday and Sundays, 1-4 p.m.

Friday, November 8, 7:30 p.m.
Opera Studio: Love Scenes, UMD's Weber Music Hall, 1151 University Drive
"Opera Studio presents Love Scenes, with guests artists Marcus McConico, Jeffrey Madison and Ryan Deignan directing or performing alongside students in scenes from Pirates of Penzance, Hansel and Gretel, The Magic Flute, Carmen and others. Each scene will showcase a different aspect of love, including deceptive, unrequited, brotherly, infatuated, forbidden, first, and Godly love." Tickets: Adult $15; Senior/Veteran $10; UMD Faculty/Staff $8; Student $8; UMD Student - Free

Saturday, November 9, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Coppertop Craft and Bake Sale, United Methodist Church, 230 E Skyline Parkway
"Featuring: Over 50 talented, local Crafters; Bakery & Gourmet Foods; Used Book Sale
Nam Lee’s famous Egg Rolls.

9:00 a.m. Warm Cinnamon Rolls & Paul’s Homemade Scones

11:00 a.m. Sloppy Joe Lunch

"Sponsored by First United Methodist Women; Proceeds to organizations that help women and children. Additional parking in MN-DOT lot with shuttle service provided."

Saturday, November 9, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Get Great Stuff Local Art & Gift Fair, Duluth Congregational Church, 3833 E. Superior Street

"It's the season and this event is a great place to pick up locally-made items right from the people who make them."

Saturday, November 9, 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." Guest Artists: Shari Johnson - headwraps, finger-less mitts, and other warm gear; Lynne Sather - fabric creations!

Saturday, November 9, 5-9 p.m.

Duluth All Souls Night, Duluth Depot's Great Hall, 506 W. Michigan Street
"Duluth's annual fall multicultural evening festival of interactive arts observing grief and the change of season with displays, ceremony, spectacle, funeral march, and fire. We are about honoring our ancestors, feeling our losses, naming societal ills (rotten ideas) that need to die, imagining and manifesting a better world. An incredible lineup of performers as usual, hope to see you there!!!"

Schedule of Events
5:00 Great Hall Displays accompanied by Richie Townsend, joined by Bella Yaga 

5:30 Train Museum: short tarot readings available w/ Dr. Crow Jon, Roadraven Bohemian Tarot & Bone and others, face painting

6:00 Great Hall welcome/ceremony, Jillian Forte (w/ Minneapolis folk) Bella Yaga ritual music and spectacle, introducing Daniel Polnau as Strombolli

7:00 Funeral March for Rotten Ideas around Downtown Library with Duluth's own brass band, Thomas Boys Back Home and Barebones stilters/puppeteers; Spiral Dance and reading/burning of society fails

7:30 Spin Collective Fire Dancers and drumming Renan Cruz model Guatemalan kite burning

8:00 Great Hall after party raising Maximus, giant skeleton marionette created by artists Chris Lutter, Mary Plaster and friends with more tunes by Thomas Boys Back Home

Saturday, November 9, 6-8 p.m.
A Goody Night, Teatro Zuccone, Zeitgeist Arts, 222 E. Superior Street

"A Goody Night is an artistic storytelling experience that aims to create a platform for people of diverse backgrounds to better connect within the community. A Goody Night seeks to establish meaningful connections among artists in cities across the country, through storytelling events that are coordinated at designated times and venues. We believe we can enhance and inspire our communities by focusing on the more objective meaning Inherent in the artists’ work, giving all the glory to God. Mediums such as music, painting, film, etc. are strategically combined in order to achieve our goals."

Musical & Visual Guests: "Annie Humphrey", "Di Jay", & "Flo Matamoros"

6:00 p.m. – Open Mic Sign Up
6:15 p.m. – Open Mic
7:00 p.m. – Event Begins

Sunday, November 10, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Demo: Psyanky, Duluth Folk School, 1917 W. Superior Street
"Duluth Folk School instructor Theresa Hornstein will be demonstrating Ukrainian egg decorating (pysanky)! Swing by to watch this ancient craft being done right before your eyes!" [NOTE: Hornstein is teaching a Ukrainian-Style Egg Decorating Class for Christmas on November 25, 6-9 p.m. Register Here!]

Sunday, November 10, 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. Cost: $5 at the door." Listen to previous Gag Me With A Spoon podcasts.
[NOTE: this is the last Gag Me With A Spoon event for 2019 and the last in this format. Gag Me With A Spoon will return in 2020 with two story telling event competitions. More details to come!]

Wednesday, November 13, 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.You can read about one student's experience here: Local Art Seen: First Lesson in Zentangle with Esther Piszczek, at Ennyman's Territory, August 18, 2019.

Thursday, November 14, 3:30-5 p.m.
Custom Leather Bracelet Workshop, Duluth Public Library, Mount Royal Branch, Blue Room, 105 Mount Royal Shopping Center
"Create your own custom leather bracelet! Join Minnesota artist Jen Anfinson for an introduction to leatherwork in jewelry making. Learn about leather tools and techniques and create something unique! All materials will be provided. Program for ages 13 and up. Paid for in part by the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund. Event Type(s): Arts & Crafts
Age Group(s): Tweens, Teen, Adults, Seniors"

Thursday, November 14, 6:30 p.m.
CHOICE, unlimited's Evening of the Arts, Lincoln Park Middle School, 
"CHOICE, unlimited hosts its ninth annual Evening of the Arts, featuring more than 80 artists performing and presenting original music, poetry, art, dance and film." Tickets: $5

Friday, November 15, 6-8 p.m.
Jazz@DFP, Duluth Fine Pianos, 331 W. Superior Street
A night of jazz surrounded by pianos and the Zentangle (R) inspired artwork of Esther Piszczek, CZT. ($10 suggested donation to pay the musicians) I would love to see you at this event!
Musicians: Ryan Frane, Piano, Matt Mobley, Bass, Jennifer Parker, Vocalist

Friday, November 15, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Community Felt Rug Making Design Class with Mary Reichert, Duluth Folk School, 1917 W. Superior Street
"Felt rug making is an art of storytelling. This class is a continuation of the first 3 days in October and is when the design and hard work really begins to come together! We will be laying out the base layers, lightly felting them, and then adding our design on top of this base in preparation for the community felt making event the following day." Cost: $25; Register HERE. A bit about felt artist Mary Reichert.

Saturday-Sunday, November 16-17, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Community Felt Rug Making Design Class with Mary Reichert, Duluth Folk School, 1917 W. Superior Street
"The art of felt rug making has a long history of bringing people together and this event is inspired from the felt rug making traditions of Kyrgyzstan. The rug will begin about 8' by 10' with the design ready to go and together we will add soapy water and start walking on the rug with our bare feet. Over the course of two days, along with the help of live music, we will walk, stomp, sing, kick and roll the wool into a strong felt rug that will be a gift for the Duluth Public Library. All hands and feet welcome! You can drop by for 10 minutes or stay all day. No experience necessary. "

Saturday, November 16, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
A Very Merry Craft and Vendor Holiday Show, Edgewood Vista, 4195 Westberg Road
"A Very Merry Craft and Vendor Holiday Show is coordinated by Kathleen Wicklund of the Katz Meow Shows. There will be 25 vendors and 33 tables of mostly handmade items and a few direct sellers. Proceeds from the vendor fees will be going to the Alzheimer’s Association."

Sunday, November 17, 1-3 p.m.
SunFUNday! Art for Children of All Ages: Pepperkakebyen Prints ~ Gingerbread Greeting Cards & Wrapping Paper, The Nordic Center, 23 N. Lake Avenue

"Join art professor Alison Aune, her UMD art education students, and special guests. Pre-Registration is encouraged! Admission: $5 suggested donation; Contact: Alison Aune, aaune@d.umn.edu, with questions and pre-registration information.

Sunday, November 17, 2:30 p.m.

Victory Chorus: Button Up Your Overcoat, Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 835 W. College Street 

"The Victory Chorus, which is focused on uniting people living with dementia and community members to create joy through song, welcomes the community to their winter concert. The music of the Victory Chorus will be performed by people living with dementia singing alongside volunteer singers and features the Twin Ports Tenors and Frank Garcia as guest musicians. Free parking available. Questions: Contact Mimi Stender at mstender@thevictoryfund.org."

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Local Art Seen: All Dunn at the Red Mug

The artist is a receptacle for emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider's web. --Picasso

I first encountered Christopher J. Dunn's drawings at the Washington Galleries in a joint show with Emma Rustan on the first day after the two were wed. It was Dunn's first public art show and an exciting weekend for the pair. This current exhibition at the Red Mug in Superior is a solo venture, with a range of new works framed for display throughout.

Like his first show, Dunn's pieces reveal a fascination with contrasts, between light and darkness, between sharply defined and loose, between hard edges and soft. An emerging artist, his draftsmanship is strong and the effects he creates appear intentional as he tackles a variety of subject matter. There are subtle features in many of the drawings which he produces with ink markers. The subject matter appears to be anything that fascinates him and will enable him to develop his skills of observation and representation.

Here are a few select pieces from this new show which will be on display till the end of the year.

EdNote: Kitty-corner in the park across the street, beginning Dec. 2 and 3, the 8th Annual Christmas Market in Superior will again set up shop. They'll keep a fire going to warm your cockles, but if you need to step out of the cold you can grab a bite to eat and swig java at the Red Mug before continuing on your way to do the rest of your shopping. While there check out Chris Dunn's latest work.

Meantime, art goes on all around you. Get into it.

Local Art Scene: Moira and Steveboyyi Art Opening/Fundraiser @ The Red Mug

Tonight at 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. there's an art opening / fundraiser featuring paintings and drawings by Moira Villiard and Steveboyyi Makubuya at the Red Mug Coffeehouse on the corner of Hammond and Broadway in Superior.

Here is the announcement that was sent this weekend:

MOIRA / STEVEBOYYI ART OPENING AND FUNDRAISER

DULUTH, MN - On Tuesday, September 12 artist Moira Villiard will be hosting an art opening, birthday celebration and fundraiser at the Red Mug Coffeehouse in Superior, WI from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Her colorful portraits and surrealism will be displayed alongside artist Steven Boyyi's most recent body of incredible paintings that depict animals and daily living in his home country of Uganda. Prints and original smaller artworks will be available for purchase at the opening and refreshments will be served. The event is free and open to the public, with 100% of sales of Steveboyyi’s work going towards his medical and living expenses following his denial of reentry into the USA.

Steveboyyi is currently back home in Uganda where he's facing a series of hardships related to his health. He was diagnosed with permanent blindness in one eye as a result of a traumatic injury, and suffers from multiple life-threatening conditions that surfaced in the months after returning from the USA. Despite these ongoing obstacles, his dream continues to be bringing art to children who grew up just like him through Dream of Duluth: A Global Street Outreach Initiative.

About the Artists:

Moira Villiard

Moira Villiard is a young, independent traditional artist, activist, muralist, writer, designer and filmmaker who, by some feat of pluralism, hopes better our community through these niches. She’s known for her live painting demonstrations at cafes, fledgling businesses, event openings, and in classrooms; a major part of her philosophy is making art accessible and interactive. Stylistically, her artwork ebbs and pulls between the realms of portraiture, illustration and surrealism.

She currently works as the Cultural Program Coordinator for AICHO Galleries in Duluth, MN, curating art shows, connecting with native artists, aiding in the development of community outreach strategies, and organizing culture, arts and language-based workshops for both housing residents and artists alike. An established visual artist herself, Villiard's career as a professional painter began with the help that AICHO provided at her first art exhibition 3 years years ago. Since then, she has been featured in over 100 gallery exhibitions, art workshops and demonstrations, and has worked as an event coordinator for a variety of different community institutions. She currently serves as a freelance editor and graphic designer, as well as the Vice Chair for the Executive Board of the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council and is a coordinator of the Twin Ports-based variety show, A Goody Night.

In 2014, Moira came down with a chronic pain condition that prevented her from painting with her dominant hand for the next year or so. Towards the end of 2015, she underwent surgery and continued in her recovery until she was able to finally (and carefully) paint again that summer. She is currently working on a series of surreal paintings exploring topics related to commodity fetishism, "infrastructure", data clouds, blackbox technology and other arbitrary systems and concepts that form the invisible backbone of society.

Steveboyyi Makubuya

Stevenboyyi is a young artist from the streets of Kampala, Uganda who dreamed one day he might come to the United States and share his talents with the world. Towards the end of 2016, through both hardship and miracles, he found his way to the U.S. with the help of a local church and on a foundation of his artistic talent.

Steveboyyi doesn't know when he was born (though he picked a birthday of October 12 for himself in his later years). Brought to a children's home at the age of around nine months, he grew up without the knowledge of his name, his parents, birthday, or even the presence of a family. When the orphanage closed its doors, Steven was 17 -- he continued his life back on the streets, relying on his creativity and courage to survive daily obstacles. He cites the rain as his enemy and the birds as his friend during this time.

Steveboyyi had been making art since the age of 13, when the orphanage was visited by a local man who taught the children the core techniques of ironing ginger cloth with wax and painting it with watercolors. He paid attention to the man’s work and tried it for himself, developing the style he uses to this day. At the age of 20, just a few years after the orphanage closed, Steveboyyi began gathering bits of trash from the streets and incorporating it as color in his artwork. Having lived on the peripheral edge of society and in spending so much time on his own, his art became a sort living, breathing, meta-cognitive portrait of everyday life in Kampala.

“I base the pictures on my life and the lives of most of the African children who grow up on street and have talents which can be helped to become better people in the world," says Steveboyyi. Little did he know, his artwork would become a catalyst for bringing people together and enabling healing to take place in their lives.

* * * * 

Learn more about Moira in this Perfect Duluth Day story.

Read my 2015 interview with Moira Villiard here and here. 

Learn more about the artist Steveboyyi of Uganda.

More about Steveboyyi can be gleaned from this DNT story. 

* * * * 

Meantime, art goes on all around you. Get into it.

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Local Art Seen -- Eris Vafias at the Red Mug

You can see these and more work by Eris Vafias 

at the Red Mug Coffehouse in Superior 

through the end of June. 

There may be a closing reception announced at 

Twin Ports Arts Align on Faceook. Stay tuned.

* * * * 

Meantime, life goes on all around you.

Get into it.

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Local Art Seen -- Christie Carter Eliason @ The Red Mug

"Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly."

--Lennon/McCartney

Inside A Raven Conspiracy

Blackbirds and ravens are nothing new for Northland painters. In 2015 Ann Klefstad and Bridget Riversmith shared a batch of them last year at the Zeitgeist,  and a few more of Ann's appeared in the Corridor Gallery of the DAI this past fall. Birds are fascinating. DaVinci was captivated by them and I've painted a few blackbirds myself. This month through the end of April Christie Carter Eliason's Inside A Raven Conspiracy will be on display at The Red Mug in Superior. You can learn more about the artist here in our February interview.

* * * * 

"Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly."

--Langston Hughes

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

Emerging Artist Christie Carter Eliason Shares Her Journey

She's been an artist all her life, at heart. But like many of us, life gets in the way of living that artist dream. Through March and April, her work will be on display at the Red Mug Coffeehouse in Superior, her first public show. The opening reception will be Saturday, March 11, from 2 - 4 p.m. and I, for one, am looking forward to it.

Birds can be endlessly fascinating, hence the abundance of bird feeders and bird watching in our country. I've painted birds myself on occasion, but thought first of Ann Klefstad's paintings of birds from the crow/raven family. When I saw the invite to Christie Eliason's upcoming "Inside A Raven Conspiracy" exhibition, I was immediately drawn.

EN: When did you notice you had skills as an artist? Did you draw better than other kids in school? How did that come about?

Christie Carter Eliason: I remember as a young child sitting in my mother's studio and drawing or painting. My mother was an artist and she nurtured my interest in art. She saw to it that I never went without a sketchbook and pencils. She was always enrolling me in classes. The first class I can remember was at the Memphis Academy of Art in Memphis, TN, where my artwork was chosen to represent the youth exhibit. I was very young, maybe 6 years old. In addition, my mother took me to many art galleries to see art of all sorts. Because of her encouragement, I have always been able to see myself as an artist. What a gift to know that about myself so early on in life.

I decided to pursue a career in teaching and set my sights on becoming an art teacher. However, life happened and I temporarily set school aside for marriage and children. When I returned to college, I was going through a divorce as a single mom and faced with making myself as marketable in the work force as possible. I pursued elementary education instead of art. I have never regretted this choice. I love children and I love teaching.

EN: When you were younger you had a desire to be a children's book illustrator. What turned you on to this idea?

CCE: I have always felt a great love and appreciation for children's picture books, so much so, family and friends would give them to me as gifts, even in my teenage years. I admire the way a picture book succinctly conveys so much with so few pages. I love the way that the illustrations and words collaborate to provide multi-layers of a story. This inspired my artwork. I dreamed of creating my own picture books. I attended many workshops, conferences and classes revolving around this aspiration. I developed characters and wrote stories.

EN: Your career has been in teaching and your life taken up with raising a family. What prompted you to get back into art and why painting?

CCE:  I got back to making art because I have always known I'm supposed to make art. It is very much a part of what makes me who I am. I guess I can't NOT make art. It was just a matter of freeing up my time and space. I was chomping at the bit to get back to it. Why painting? I have dabbled in a number of mediums, but there is something about seeing paint strokes on a surface that draws me in.

However, in addition to a teaching career, my life was full with parenting four children alongside my second (and favorite😊 ) husband on our small family farm. I found little time, energy or space for making art. As my children began to launch themselves into the world, I was able to shift some of my focus back to making art. For whatever reason, I felt mental roadblocks when I considered my dream to illustrate, so I put myself on a different path, at least for the time being. My commitment was to paint often and to put my work out into the world.

EN: What is the backstory on your current show at the Red Mug? Why "Inside A Raven Conspiracy"?

CCE: We paint what we know, or love, or want to better understand. I started with painting my dogs, then other peoples' dogs, then wildlife such as foxes, bears, moose and birds. I painted a raven and suddenly found myself digging a little deeper to find what lies beneath the surface. I tried to imagine how they might appear to one another. I wanted to paint portraits of them, as if seen through the eyes of another raven. Of course, I am limited by my own humanness. I found myself comparing and contrasting myself with them. My mother said it is like a metaphor for what is happening in the world around us. As we attempt to better understand those who seem unlike us, we end up learning more about ourselves. And I suppose she is right. In the process of exploring corvids, I found myself again as an artist. There will be new explorations in my future, but I will always hold a special place in my heart for crows and ravens.

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 Meantime, art goes on all around you. Get into it