Local Art Seen: We've Got Murals! Plus, Two Events To Check Out

Two weeks ago the Zenith Bookstore opened here in the Twin Ports, next door (or across the parking lot) from Beaners Central in the old Wild West building in Spirit Valley. The opening was fun, but as with any bookstore, the heroes are the books themselves, as well as the people who create the character of the store. You might call it Bob and Angel Dobrow's Big Adventure.

Last month when I was at the State Fairgrounds for the annual Back to the Fifties Car Show, I noticed that my two favorite bookstores that I used to visit when we lived in the Midway 35 years ago were still there in the Midway and in Dinkytown, though if you go the Dinkytown store has moved out of the basement to an upstairs location around the corner.

The Dobrows moved here from Northfield, where Bob taught math and statistics for two decades at Carleton College. A story at Perfect Duluth Day has photos inside the store and offers some backstory about the Dobrow's quest to find a building here and more. Be sure to follow the links at the end of the story for other related items of interested.

The aim of this post is to draw attention to the decorative entryway to Zenith's storefront, a mural of books by Proctor muralist Tom Napoli. Napoli's books are a great addition to the aesthetic lift he provided Ganucci's Italian Restaurant across the street and down the block. If you have never eaten there, you must go for lunch or dinner sometime and take in the interior design as well. The food is fab, pure Italy, and may be one of Duluth's best kept secrets that ought to be shouted to the world.

For what it's worth this is not the only book mural in town, though. Scott Murphy's mural of books graces the library downtown, and curiously he, too, hails from Proctor. It's great to see these exteriors getting dressed.

Stay current on upcoming events. Bookmark the ZenithBookstore.com.

GOING COASTAL BOOK LOVERS EVENT

Which bring me to the two events. First, on Tuesday evening Zenith Bookstore is Going Coastal. That is, there will be a book signing and reception for a new book of short stories by area writers titled Going Coastal. At least three of the nine authors will be part of a panel discussion, reading from the short stories they produced for this Lake Superior Writers anthology published by North Star Press. Phil Fitzpatrick, Judy Budreau and Max Reagan will each be reading and sharing. Beaners will be providing free cupcakes, though I suspect we'll all be there for other reasons.

If you have not yet checked out our newest bookstore in Duluth, then you can use this event as a prod to get you over here.

MURAL UNVEILING IN THE CRAFT DISTRICT

"Yes, we're going to a party, party." --Lennon/McCartney

From 3:00-4:00 this afternoon there will be a ribbon cutting and block party to celebrate the new Paul LaJeunesse mural on the Frost River building in the Craft District. LaJeunesse was the Duluth Art Institute's first Artist-In-Residence. The ceremony will be part of a celebration that includes music by Teague Alexy and an ice cream stand by Love Creamery (yummm) in the Pocket Park. More details here on their Facebook event page.

Sponsored by Bent Paddle Brewing Co. & Duluth LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation.)

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In case you haven't noticed, the Twin Ports arts scene is bursting with life. Get into it!

Twin Ports Art Beat: More July Happenings of Note

Who was the most important artist of the 20th century? At one time, many people might have said Picasso. He generated thousands of paintings, sculptures, drawings over the course of a lifetime, playing a significant role in moving art from the representational into the modern age of expressionism, through cubism into freedom. When Picasso died in 1973, an obituary claimed he left behind 4,000 masterpieces, to which Andy Warhol quipped, "I can produce 4,000 masterpieces in one day." He was, naturally referring to the ability to screen print 4,000 copies of one of his works at his Factory.

Though both Picasso and Warhol have been accurately acknowledged as significant artists of the past century, a case could be made that Marcel Duchamp, Picasso's French contemporary, was the most important artist of the century, anticipating as he did the post-modern era.

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For what it's worth, July is underway and with it here's an outline of various arts-related activities that you can take in this month here in the Twin Ports. There are a number of places to eat with interesting art on the walls as well including these Superior locations: Sclavi's, VIP Vintage Pizza, Red Mug, and in Duluth, Beaners, Ganucci's Pizza Luce, Hanabi, and more.

Stephanie Wilcox Art Show, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Community Room, 425 W. Superior St., Suite 1060, show runs till July 17. (The art decorating this blog post is by Stephanie Wilcox.)

Friday, July 7, 9:05 p.m., Fantastic Beasts, PG13, Greater Downtown Council's Movies in the Park, Leif Erikson Park.

Saturday, July 8, 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."

Saturday, July 8, 3-6 p.m., The Natural Hair Symposium: Celebrating the Beauty of Natural Hair, with UMD Assistant Professor of Graphic Design Terresa Hardaway, Zeitgeist Arts, 222 E. Superior Street.
"If you have, want, or love natural hair, this event is for you! Join us for a series of events that celebrate the beauty of natural hair. A Poster Exhibition, Hair Butter Demo, Head Scarf Demos, Hair Talks, Panel Discussions, Goodybags, Giveaways, & More! This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served." Learn more at projectnaptural.com.

Tuesdays, July 11, 18, & 26, 11:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Art Canopy, Duluth Depot Porte-Cochere, 506 W. Michigan Street.
"Adventure into art with free demonstrations and art-making experiences this summer. Each Tuesday the Duluth Art Institute invites the general public to get inspired and messy under the Duluth Depot canopy from July 11 to Aug. 8." Contact the Duluth Art Institute for more information, 218-733-7560 or info@duluthartinstitute.org

Wednesday, July 12, 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.

Friday, July 14, 9:00 p.m., Over the Hedge, PG, Greater Downtown Council's Movies in the Park, Leif Erikson Park

Sunday, July 16 at 3:00 p.m. the  DAI will be unveiling a new mural by Paul LaJeunesse, the Duluth Art Institute’s first Artist-in-Residence in its new, Lincoln Park Craft District artist residency program, who completed the mural celebrating local craft workers. The mural will be installed permanently on the Frost River building (1910 W. Superior Street) in the Craft District Wed., July 12. The Sunday unveiling will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, which is free and open to the public. The DAI is also pleased to announce the selection of the second-term, national Artist-in-Residence, Nik Nerburn, who will be introduced at the event. For more details, please see the attached news release.

Mondays, July 17 - August 7, 6:30-9 p.m., Zentangle (R) Pattern Drawing II with Esther Piszczek, CZT, Peace Church,1111 N. 11th Avenue E. Cost: $75 (tiles included)
Note from Esther: "Anyone who has taken my Zentangle I class series through community education is eligible for this class. If you have already taken ZT II with me, do not fear, this class will be a brand new experience. Payment required by Monday, July 10. There are 3 seats left in this class."

Wednesday, July 19, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Fairlawn Mansion's Ice Cream Social, Fairlawn Mansion, 906 E. 2nd Street, Superior, WI
"Bring the family to Fairlawn for some old-fashioned fun, including food at “yesteryear” prices, carriage rides, arts and crafts sale, games, cake walk, and free group tours of the mansion (last tour leaves at 8 p.m.).

Lawn chairs and/or blankets suggested. There will be FREE shuttle rides back and forth from Barker's Island to Fairlawn. Musical entertainment by The Fractals. For more information, call 715-394-5712."

Friday, July 21, 8:50 p.m., Secondhand Lions, PG, Greater Downtown Council's Movies in the Park, Leif Erikson Park

Saturday, July 22, 8:00 p.m., Zenith City Cabaret, Zeitgeist Arts Cafe Atrium, 222 E. Superior Street
"Join Zenith City Cabaret for "an evening of musical theater entertainment", featuring vocalists Lauren Hugh, Shad Olsen, David Packa, Jennifer Robbins, Adam Sippola, Cally Stanich, and Sara Wabrowetz." This event is free with a suggested donation of $10 appreciated. Contact Adam Sippola for more information at 218-590-8670 or adam.sippola@yahoo.com

Friday, July 28, 8:45 p.m., Jurassic Park, PG13, Greater Downtown Council's Movies in the Park, Leif Erikson Park

Friday, July 28 and Saturday, July 29, Free Range Film Festival, a farm fresh alternative to stale cinema
"Watch independent cinema ... in a barn. The barn is located at the junctions of County Roads 1 and 4 just one mile south of Wrenshall, Minnesota, approximately 30 minutes South of Duluth. Selected films are shown in a massive hayloft. A 14’ x 24’ screen and surround sound round out your film-going experience. This event is free with a suggested donation of $10 appreciated to help pay for barn maintenance. Also visit freerangefilm.com.

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Farmer's Markets have been blossoming in the Twin Ports in recent years. Here are a variety of places when you can find locally grown fresh produce and other local products.

Mondays, 3:30 – 7:00 p.m. Hermantown Farmer's Market, 5255 Maple Grove Road, East side of Old Hermantown City Hall, July 3 –Sept 25

Tuesdays, 3-7 p.m, Hilltop Farmer's Market, First United Methodist Church, (Copper Top), 230 E. Skyline Parkway (formerly @ UMD)

Wednesdays, 2-6 p.m., Duluth Farmer's Market, 14th Avenue E. & 3rd Street

Thursdays, 4-7 p.m., Lincoln Park Farmer's Market, Harrison Community Center, 3002 W. 3rd St.

Saturdays, 7 a.m.-12 p.m., Duluth Farmer's Market, 14th Avenue E. & 3rd Street 

Saturdays, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., Barkers Island Farmer's Market, parking lot near the S.S. Meteor at Hwy 2/53 and Marina Drive in Superior, WI


A Shout Out to Esther Piszczek who assembled much of the content on this list. Places to find her art in the Twin Ports:
Art on the Planet, 1413 Tower Avenue, Superior
Duluth Fine Pianos, 405 E. Superior Street, Duluth
Master Framing Gallery, 1431 London Road, Duluth
Zenith City News, E.P. Designs, a regular Zentangle (R) inspired art feature in this newspaper, which can be found at various public locations around the Twin Ports and online.

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