Local Art Seen: Moira, Steveboyyi & Wendy Red Star

Moira Villiard's new direction.

Surrealistic impressions by Moira Villiard

Steveboyyi

Wendy Red Star and Sharon Louden were at the Duluth Art Institute Friday for the opening reception of Reservation Pop in the Morrison Gallery, followed by a lecture on The Artist as Cultural Producer. The ideas in the work were expanded in book form by Sharon Louden. The first images here are from that event. The following are several additional images from last night's show/fund raiser featuring work by Moira Villiard and Steveboyyi Makubuya of Uganda.

The DAI event included a Saturday workshop hosted by Louden.

Painting by Moira Villiard at The Red Mug.

For those unaware Steveboyyi, who was with us from Uganda this past winter, had sustained an eye injury when he was younger, which was recently re-damaged shortly after his return to Africa, resulting in an optic nerve atrophy. The young artist is now blind in one eye, which was a devastating blow. The fund raiser aims to help Steveboyyi get back on his feet as well as, if possible, to be able to get corrective surgery one day.

The paintings and cards based on his art are available for sale at Red Mug. If you would like to simply contribute cash for Steveboyyi, who not only has a passion for art but also for helping orphans in Uganda -- as he was raised in an orphanage --  contact Moira (rhymes with Theory) through Facebook or here in Duluth at the American Indian Community Housing Organization where she works.

Moira Villiard talks with artist/author Ellen Sandbeck.

Meantime, are goes on all around you. Think about it. 

Local Art Seen: Sharon Louden's Windows

Thursday, October 22, the Tweed Museum hosted its opening reception for two totally disparate shows, Robert Miniciello's Spontaneous Acts and Sharon Louden's Windows. Louden, who has participated in group exhibitions since 1985 and has been featured in solo exhibitions since 1997, is known internationally for her drawings, paintings, prints and installations.

The current exhibit assembled sculpture and paintings, plus two performances of music with a small ensemble and theater lighting. The Star-Trekkish musical component was composed by Washington D.C.-based pianist and organist Andrew Simpson, who is the classical composer who produced this special score that was performed live by UMD students. By means of Arden Weaver's lighting, a measure of drama was added to the two performances.

The installation itself has that space age feel, with rolls of reflective mylar-like material draped all about the Sax Gallery as if a futuristic tapestry. The mirror-like sheets of aluminum had been draped from the ceiling, over the banisters and fastened to walls. The effect on the sensations was such that a visitor might fail to notice that there are a number of small paintings adorning the walls in various locations.

The paintings themselves were small in contrast to the expansive installation, and unremarkable -- shapes of color on white backgrounds. The use of primary colors as such gave reminders of Joan Miro at a certain phase, or Mondrian's later period.

Louden's Windows installation will be on display through May 26. If you're near the campus, take a little time to check it out.

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?