October 20, 2005
Greatest.Idea.Evah.
In a high-school-loving town like a St. Louis, an idea for an underground art show cheekily mocking prep traditions is just perfect. Perfect, we say! This Friday night, an 11-member team of artists are putting together a one-night show dedicated to celebrating the 10-year reunion of Kimmswick High School's art club.
Now, canny observers will note that Kimmswick High doesn't exist.
That's not stopping this group from getting together and royally messing with traditions. For example, the show's dedicated to the fictional "Randy Muggs," who passed before the group's graduation; after what high school didn't have one student perish during any four-year stretch? And the school's mascot is the Fighting Mile High Pie, a curious one even in a town with Gorloks, Statesmen and Billikens.
Artists include: Barbara Cliffe, H. Lindsy Donahue, Mark Early, Alice McCullen, David Miller, Amanda Mueller, Cassie Simon, Laura Stair, Ron Weaver, Clarie Williams and Anchovy. All will show works inspired by high school, as well as their own work from days gone past.
The event will take place on Friday, October 21, from 6:30-11:00 p.m., at Fort Gondo Compound for the Arts, 3151 Cherokee. Live music from the Macro Meltdowns and The Fires is featured from 9:00-10:30.
The guess here is that Galen Gondolfi is going to move into major flip-out mode by the time this one's over. St. Louis and high schools? A group show with 11 artists? A night with gallery openings all over town, earlier in the evening, where free wine will be consumed, sending artsy revelers out in search of a bigger party? Says here that you'd best stop in early for maximum elbow room. This is going to be one of the gigs that people will talking about for some months to come. Book it.