52nd City: Arts & Artists

Open Studios this weekend

The Open Studios project put on by the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis is in it’s third year and each year it gets bigger and bigger with more artists participating. This project is open to any and all artists living in the general St. Louis area and encourages people to visit artists studios to see completed works, works in progress and to get an idea of an artist’s working environment. There’s been a little controversy with certain aspects of this years event but overall it serves a great purpose in promoting local art by a well respected institution. It’s clear by the growing number of artists who are participating that the art world in St. Louis is booming and let’s hope this boom is cultivated into an everlasting growth that will only benefit our great city.

OPEN STUDIOS –
Saturday, July 19
Sunday, July 20 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Map of participating artist’s studios

Below are a list of some personal favorites who are participating along with links – a full list of artists can be found here.

Josh Crow – Lafayette Square

Sarah Giannobile - Tower Grove West

William LaChance – Maplewood

Jonathan Lisenby - Lafayette Square, Open Lot

Carmelita Nuñez- Tower Grove South

Jeremy Rabus – Maplewood

Kim Richardson – Benton Park West

Daniel Shown - Tower Grove South

Cindy Royal - Soulard, Soulard Art Market

Amy VanDonsel – Benton Park West

Light Project @ PFA

We're reminded that one of our sponsors is engaged in an interesting project. It's a continuance of a current show, with some new adaptations. From the Pulitizer Foundation, this note:

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In conjunction with the Flavin exhibition, on September 4th we'll be opening "The Light Project", which will include 4 outdoor light installations around Grand Center. I've attached the press release which has further details about each artwork and the collaboration between the Pulitzer and the Contemporary, SLAM, and White Flag.

One of the installations will take place in that burned-out church on Spring Avenue. Two artists will be recreating the roof with lamps, lanterns, and lamp shades donated by the St. Louis community. We're currently collecting donations. It's been an interesting process so far - we've been documenting the collection and stories behind each lamp online: http://lamp-collection.pulitzerarts.org/

An author with a papermate, spitting paperweights

Via Lo-Fi St. Louis: Darkest Dreams a Lighted Way, an exhibit featuring work by 21 different "artists that have suffered mental, emotional, and/or physical abuse," opens 6 p.m. July 11 at Fort Gondo Compound for the Arts (3151 Cherokee Street). For more information, call (314) 576-7155 or visit http://www.ddalw.com.

Described by organizer Aunia Kahn as "not for the faint of heart," the artwork displayed in Darkest Dreams a Lighted Way is meant to illuminate the problem of abuse in the United States as well as in other countries. "Darker art, or art that has deep emotional effects on its viewers, can be the most healing, but often, it is not shown at venues or given the opportunity to be shared," Kahn said on her web site. "We need to use our voices both for ourselves and for those unable to speak out."

Tonight on Cherokee St

There’s lots going on tonight down on Cherokee Street….stop on by – 6pm - ???

TYPO 3159 cherokee
"29th Road" photo series by anna hancock

SNOWFLAKE 3156 cherokee
"now on file" (juried exhibit featuring artist working with the
printmaking process)

DRIVE-BY 3408 compton (west side of snowflake bld.)
"babylon report: the art of war" installation by coby
ellison (large scale installation)

FORT GONDO 3151 chrerokee
"shed shot: visual aids" films and doc. pieces by leper tv.
posters, cd covers, paintings, photos that support
the best dysfunctional pop band in st. louis).
With live performances from SHed SHot, Homewrecker and Jason Wallace Triefenbach

FIRECRACKER PRESS 2838 cherokee
grand opening of the new cherokee street location featuring the band Maid-Rite performing live.

and when it’s all said and done

BOOTS CONTEMPORARY ART SPACE 2307 cherokee
join us for cherokee street after party and backyard patio fun.
music and chilling out with beers stl summer style.

Snowflake/Cherokee: Friday

The fun is happening on Cherokee, this Friday night. Our super-solid supporters, Bevin and David at Snowflake, alerted us to an event at their space this Friday, with several other events taking place up-and-down the block. Here's the info:

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NOW ON FILE
Selections from the Snowflake flat files
June 6 – July 12, 2008
Opening Reception: Friday June 6, 7-10pm

Prints from Christine Garvey, Robert Goetz, Jana Harper, Elysia Mann, Dan Rule, Kacie Smith, and Amy Thompson fill the walls for our inaugural group show. In addition, Erica Buss, Karen Lederer, and Rebecca Tidswell helped to stock the flat file drawers. Please stop in Friday and celebrate our new flat file
viewing area.

Snowflake would like to thank the jurors, Gina Alvarez, Jason Urban, and Amanda Verbeck.

Snowflake
3156 Cherokee Street
St. Louis, Missouri 63118
www.snowflakecitystock.com

Also on Friday June 6:
Fort Gondo: Lepers TV hosts “Shed Shot/Visual Aids”
All Along Press: Open Studio
Typo: Anna Hancock, “29th Road," a photo series
Drive By: Coby Ellison “The Art of War”
Firecracker Press: “Grand Opening” at new, Cherokee Street location

ED BOXX

Okay, somebody just sent a strange note to my flickr page, referencing Ed Boxx and the possibility that he was killed while painting:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51252573@N00/1244120762/

Has anyone seen/heard/read something about this, anywhere?

I've been wanting to interview this cat for forever.

EDIT:

Just had this sent to me:

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as soon as i got on the st louis graffiti fourm at bombingscience.com
this is the message i see, it diddnet really get into much detail but
here it is

"R.I.P. ED BOXX!!!!

He was stabbed and shot while painting on the east side. post pics of
one of the best writers to come outta the lou.

bump.bump.bump.bump."

then the next message i saw confirming that one...

"True story. cristo was with him and just got out the hospital. dude
got shot in the leg and neck . but will be alright. except for seein his
homie get shot in front of him. shits fucked up.
bump fox
bump cristo"

Recorduroy : Saturday : Fun!

Long one of our favorites (and, now, one of our co-bloggers), Dana Smith is about to launch a one-night art-and-music-project-party. If you're at loose ends as to your Saturday night plans this weekend, do read the following. Good music, solid art, perhaps a new venue to you, as it is to me. Okay, the details:

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Recorduroy presents
Abstract Reality

Open Lot
1310 S 18th St
St. Louis, MO 63104

Sat Apr 19 6 p.m. – 12 a.m.

Paintings by:
Michael Keth
Jeremy Rabus
Laura Redington
Dana Smith

Music by:
Macro Meltdown (8 p.m.)
Peanuts (Jeremy Brantlinger, Eric Hall, Nazeer Sadeeq Holmes) (9 p.m.)
The Museum Mutters (10 p.m.)
Gringo Star (Atlanta, GA) (11 p.m.)

For more information about the Open Lot please contact open.lot@gmail.com (available for events).

Flavin show

I have been to the Dan Flavin show at the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts three times since the show opened, and plan to go as often as I can until the show closes. The first time I went was during an afternoon rainstorm. Natural light is a major feature/element of the building so a tempestuous weather pattern has dramatic effect on the experience.

Flavin uses light as his medium (combinations of fluorescent tubes in various shades and sizes) and those tubes pop like crazy, casting light so that everywhere you look, colored glow combines with the lines and corners of the building to create modern, Mondrian-like images in three dimensions. I find it to be an incredibly beautiful experience.

The Pulitzer Foundation is just as spectacular with no art on the walls as with. As a docent there for several years, I spent many hours drinking that place in. Some incredible artwork has been shown in there. Nothing has ever hit me as hard visually/viscerally as this Flavin show. If you feel so inclined, check it out.

Some people think this sort of work is a boondoggle.

I dig it.

The Pulitzer is open: Wednesdays: Noon - 5pm. Saturdays: 10am - 5pm.
During Dan Flavin: Constructed Light, the Pulitzer is open the first Thursday of every month from 6-9pm. Admission is Free.

PFA
3716 Washington Boulevard
(between Grand Boulevard and Spring Avenue)
St. Louis, MO 63108
phone 314.754.1850
http://www.pulitzerarts.org/exhibitions/

Open Lot update

Back in October we were introduced to the Open Lot by the wonderful Andrea Avery. I recently sat down with the Open Lot crew on a stormy Tuesday night (knitting night) and talked to them about why they’re doing what they’re doing. It seems most university graduates who are from out of town usually split once they’re finished with school. That’s not the case with these individuals, each hailing from a different part of the country, they decided to remain in St. Louis after graduation to have a go at contributing to the artistic endeavors of the city.

The idea for the Open Lot came from traveling in Europe and seeing how other metropolitan centers were encouraging the creative element in their immediate surroundings. They decided to find a building (and they found a great one), live/create in it’s space and make it available to others for events and performances. The result is a much needed alternative to the usual club/gallery where these type of events are normally held. You have a printmaker, two architects and a painter (as well as BJ Vogt who maintains his sculptor studio in the basement) all sharing the space as roommates and artistic partners.

They have some interesting events coming up in March.

Open Lot
1310 S 18th St
St. Louis, MO 63104
open.lot@gmail.com

March 9th, (all day), Community y(art) sale

March 14th, 7-11pm, Art Opening, Gale Davis new drawings "People Will Know What Kind Of People You Are" & Jonathan Lisenby new paintings (responding to Davis' work) "People Empyrean".

March 18th, Musical Performance, Paul Metzger (12 string improv banjo) and Tim Kaiser

Angela Malchionno, Aaron Jacobson, Jordan Hicks and Jonathan Lisenby of Open Lot
illustration by Dana Smith

On Feb 17 the Contemporary Art Museum was the site for an event where questions (Provincial Gallery Stimulator) were put forward by White Flag Projects founder Matthew Strauss to a panel of respected professionals in the local artistic community. These questions are also extended to the local art community at large to think about, discuss and answer. I've attempted to give my answers, what are yours?

The Repair of the Provincial Art Environment

THE REALITIES OF THE SMALLER CITY:
CAN a smaller city ever be a viable center for progressive visual art? yes
MUST all smaller cities necessarily be provincial? no
IS provinciality defined by geography or philosophy? philosophy
ARE all art galleries in smaller cities necessarily provincial? no
WHAT are the systemic problems that hinder every small city art environment? time and money

THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF COMMERCIAL ART GALLERIES:
IS an art gallery merely a business like any other? yes
WHAT are the functions of a commercial art gallery? to sell art
DO commercial art galleries have any cultural responsibilities? no
HOW do economic factors dictate gallery policy and practice? a gallery/dealer must have a vested (monetary) interest in the art they have available for sale.
SHOULD commercial galleries, which determine a significant percentage of the art exhibited in their city, be held accountable for the quality and relevance of those exhibitions? yes

THE PLIGHT OF LOCAL ARTISTS:
WHY are local artists eager to be represented by galleries that do the absolute minimum to earn their commissions? not sure
WHAT functions does a more effective commercial gallery perform that the provincial gallery does not? steady income for an artist.
DOES the provincial gallery advertise, publish catalogues, travel to important art fairs, cooperate with other galleries, or do anything else to expand awareness of their artists beyond the province itself? they should
IS being represented by a provincial gallery more harmful than helpful to the career of a local artist? in some cases
HOW are local artists of otherwise good judgment cowed by their limited alternatives? necessity is the mother of invention

THE ROLE OF LOCAL COLLECTORS:
WHAT are the qualities of a selective buyer of contemporary art? independent thinker, good taste, money
WHAT is the difference between purchasing art from a provincial gallery or a cosmopolitan gallery? price
SHOULD the payment of significant commissions to galleries assure buyers that all due measures are being taken to adequately promote and protect the art and artists in which they have invested? yes

THE EFFECT OF INSTITUTIONS:
HOW do indiscriminant donors and misguided not-for-profits squander their city’s limited resources? no plan
CAN the education efforts of local museums produce a genuinely astute and sophisticated audience for contemporary art? no
HOW do the hiring and retention practices of universities affect the quality of the local art environment? depends on the individual and whether or not they want to get involved with the local community.

THE DETERMINATION OF REAL-WORLD LEGITIMACY:
WHO determines art world legitimacy? no answer
WHAT factors determine a gallery’s legitimacy within the larger art world? no answer
DO provincial galleries strive for actual legitimacy or merely the appearance of legitimacy? no answer
DOES the provincial gallerist demonstrate any particular taste, discernment, foresight, intelligence or energy that would lead a credible authority to place any value in their endorsement? no answer

THE CASE FOR URGENT CHANGE:
ARE there any objective standards of relevance in contemporary art? objectivity is very difficult to express in art, so for the most part, no.
WHO are the individuals & institutions responsible for the provincial philosophy’s persistence? everyone in the community is responsible.
IS anyone in a position to improve the provincial art environment? yes,there are many people in a position to improve the art environment.
WHAT can an individual do to earn a better art environment for their city? make great art
CAN the provincial gallerist be persuaded to amend his or her practices? yes
CAN the mercenary endeavors of a few individuals overshadow the intellectual, aesthetic, and artistic well-being of an entire community? absolutely
MUST we risk that higher standards resulting in less art and fewer galleries in the short term will beckon better art and more galleries in the long term? yes

Matthew Strauss of White Flag Projects
illustration by Dana Smith

Snowflake Cares

Recently I sat down with Bevin and David Early from Snowflake/City Stock to talk about their new exhibit at the Contemporary Art Museum. Snowflake Cares, February 19-22, 2008

Dana Smith: So, this thing at Contemporary, when does it start?

Snowflake/City Stock: The first day is Tuesday, February 19 is the first day and it runs each day from 10am – 5pm thru Friday. Thursday the 21st we’re having an opening and that’s our fitness competition. We got a cardio, you know, a cardio-buster in the garage, this thing you row on. And we’re going to see how many rows you can do in 3 min.

DS: What time is the opening?

SCS: It starts at 6pm, the doors open at 5pm and the competition is at 6pm. Then after that it flows into an event Matthew Strauss is hosting the open laptop event, that starts at 6:30pm.

DS: What is this fitness idea?

SCS: It kind of comes out a couple of things, like, here’s the evolution of the whole idea. We’re hanging out one day and we see all these bicyclist coming by, so we go out there and start handing out water and they were taking them. And I was like, it’s cool that they are into athletics and we’re a gallery, we have
no relationship but we were just interacting. So I was like maybe it would be fun to host a 10k run down here. It would be cool to cross pollinate these different crowds and have the event as a performance piece. I’d like to see 50 artists barreling down Cherokee street. So then we starting thinking about, “ok let’s host this event”, and not only do you cross pollinate different crowds but as a gallery we’re interested in good work and in order to have good work you gotta have healthy artist, so we need to get a fitness program going for any artist that shows here. So then we decided “let’s start a gym”, so Snowflake Cares was born out of that idea.

DS: On the night of the opening, you’d like artists to come down and exercises?

SCS: Oh yeah, well you can come in all week and exercises. You just pop in, you get an appointment and if you do a 20 min workout you’ll get a set of wristbands that have a custom Snowflake/City Stock design on them. We have a treadmill, cardio fitness machine, stationary bike, yoga videos and free weights. You can come in and use whatever you want for 20 min. Thursday night you can either come and workout or take part in the competition. The 3 min row, how many rows can you do in 3 min or how many times around can you jump rope in 2 min and then after that we have a couple prizes for the top winner in each category. We encourage people to come down in your fitness gear, don’t come dressed up for an opening, come on down in your sweats and sneakers and get ready to get fit and leave with some limit edition Snowflake City Stock wristbands.

Bevin and David Early
illustration by Dana Smith

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New Poster Collection at Euclid

Taking a student group over to Euclid Records the other day, I found out about the new rock poster business that Joe Schwab is developing, featuring works by St. Louis artists, STL expats and talented folks from beyond our fair region. These are some snappy pieces, yo!

Check here for another awesome way to part with your cash.

Boot Print #2 Online

We get notice today that the second edition of Boot Print is out, with the electronic form now available. Though we cut away a few details here, the essentials are below:

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The second issue of Boot Print initiates our study section with vigor by investigating firsthand the role of the independent curator. Dana Turkovic, Jan van Woensel, Elpida Karaba, Cecilia Canziani, Sotirios Bahtsetzis and Abdellah Karroum were invited to discuss their vision, their thoughts, their place, and future in independent curatorial practice.

Boot Print’s regulars and guest contributors explore the intersections of art, including Beate Engle and her exploration of the alternative marketing strategies of Hannah Beck-Mannagetta at FIELD (Berlin); Isil Egrikavuk interviewing Turkish artist-curator-publisher Halil Altindere; Daniel Tucker with a review of three recent publications on art and activism; Georgia Kotretsos with an interview of Oliver Kochta-Kalleinen and Tellervo Kalleinen of the Complaints Choir; Juan William Chàvez on art and music, interviewing Carlos Amorales of Nuevos Ricos, and Milena Muzquiz and Martiniano Lopez-Crozet of Los Super Elegantes; Tim Ridlen testing the limits of cinema in the art world; Wyatt Arden Kahn with a look at the entertainment value of Dash Snow; and last but not least, Juozas Cernius on the deathly implications of Damien Hirst’s For the Love of God.

Boot Print will reach 2000 art professionals in print form via postal mail in the United States and abroad; 3000 via email in its electronic form. Follow the link below to www.bootsart.com to download Boot Print Issue 2. In January it will be available in print at Boots Contemporary Art Space in St. Louis.

Art Weekend #2: RRCS, Saturday-Sunday

Yup, you can buy 52nd City's at this event! Gotta say, that's one of many, many inducements to head to Mad Art this weekend for the Rock N Roll Craft Show. Details below, compliments of Megan McGlynn:

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It's that time of year again.... this weekend is the 4th annual Rock N Roll Craft Show, and it will be bigger and better than ever!

This year's show rocks 100 crafters, 12 bands, food, drinks, and family-friendly demos.

Crafts include fused glass dishes and jewelery, hand crafted wood furniture, sterling silver jewelry, knitted scarves and hats, hand-sewn baby clothes, silk screened t-shirts, rings, necklaces, hand-crafted paper books and note cards, fine art, ceramics, ornaments, wrapping paper, lambskin leather purses, decoupaged vintage suitcases, hand-blown glass, vinyl record bowls, magnets (MEG'S MAGZ!), candles made in recycled wine bottles (MEG'S WAX!), coasters (MEG'S FLATS!), fine art, inexpensive gifts for your day care providers, cozy things for Grandma, sparkly things for crazy Aunt Peg, shiny things for Buster, etc., etc., etc., you name it... we have it all. Seriously, this year's crafts are so cool, you will find something for everyone on your shopping list! To see all participating vendors, go to http://www.rocknrollcraftshow.com/artists.php

Bands play every hour, and include Gentlemen Auction House, the Ottomen, A Bit Shifty, WonderGround, etc. For band lineup, go to http://www.rocknrollcraftshow.com/bands.php

Attendance prizes are also given each hour, and were generously donated by LUSH, Subterranean Books, the Royale, V Vegaz, Knitorious, Dick Blick Art, Donnaland Vintage, Ziezo, among others.

Demos and workshops are free and family-friendly, and include knitting, glass bead making, t-shirt printing, etc; schedules can be found at www.rocknrollcraftshow.com.

For general info, go to www.rocknrollcraftshow.com. Remember, the entry fee is $2 per person and that gains you access to hundreds of thousands of handcrafted original usable art, 14 bands, the chance to win free stuff, and the opportunity to participate in crafting yourself!

Please come join us this weekend from noon-9 Saturday and noon-6 Sunday at the Mad Art Gallery in Soulard (2727 S 12th St).

Thanks!

What Superhero Would You Be?

Okeydokey, this is gonna be another cut + paste, below, but the release is worded so elegantly, I can't really improve upon it. It regards an art show next weekend (the 15th) that includes some of our favorite people, including our recent Kick Ass recipient, Lindsay Scott and multi-media goddess Kelsey LaPoint. I love the premise - what superhero would you be? (Personally, I would want to be Jana of the Wonder Twins) & sounds like a rock & roll good time:

Inner Mission Productions and LoveORama Records present

May These Changes Make Us Light: Winter Show Collaborative
Contemporary Art Museum
Saturday, Dec. 15
Two shows — 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., $10 tickets, Doors open at 6:15

Featuring: Gravity Plays Favorites, Acro Yoga Fireflies, FIRE DOG, Celia's Yuletide Express, Amazonia Belly Dancing Troupe, VJ Evil Che, Kill Fashion and more …

Some come out from beneath the gnarled roots of the oak tree. Others live under the Arch, where they perform wizardry unknowingly. They roam the city among everyday people. Sometimes they switch masks and morph, seeking ways to present gifts and survive the dangers of the city.

But, the planet is trembling from the loss of one of these St. Louis superheroes, the Great Story Hunter. A gigantic ARCH transmitter broadcasts a message to the galaxy's edge, where peaceful yogis receive the message. The people have forgotten how to lay their own stories to rest. And so the discontent builds, blocking people's hearts.

About 30 St. Louis artists will expose their alter egos and super POWERS at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., Dec. 15 at the Contemporary Art Museum.

"May These Changes Make Us Light – Winter Show Collaborative" is a multimedia performance that uses dance, music and sculpture to amuse the adventure within us. Narrating the story through live video-mixing, VJ Evil Che, Mike Pagano, will project onto a 10-foot-tall, inflatable plastic dome — and lead the audience through a tale that blends the real and fantastical.

"The show builds on the understanding that daily life is performance – we script each choice and motion," said Lyndsey Scott, St. Louis artist. "The joy of the process blurs the veil between what appears to be and what is."

MYTHICAL CHARACTERS PLAYED BY:

The Fireflies — St. Louis' only acrobatic yoga troupe. The
crowd-pleasing pairs stretch the limits of aerial poses. They are featured in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's article "Feels Like Flying" on Sept. 24.

Gravity Plays Favorites — a sassy, captivating acrobatic duo that performs powerful aerial routines using only a standing pole. Performing in TV programs and theatrical venues, the well-seasoned dancers travel nationally about twice a week.

Amazonia Belly Dancing – an electrifying group that performs the ancient dance of the body's life force — the belly, while also incorporating innovative tools from modern dance and fire spinning.

MUSIC:

FIRE DOG — This local power trio serves up a playful attack of soul and surf, fresh and electric. The FIRE DOG anthem, "2004," is the show's theme, which can be heard at www.seefiredogroll.com. The group toured the Western United States last fall, playing over 30 shows in two months.

Celia's Yuletide Express — This is cheerful group of about 20
vocalists and sleighbell-ists, accompanied by a live rock-swing band. They spread "glad tidings of great joy" to all people, appearing at charity events and holiday parties in the bleak mid-winter.

A St. Louis quartet specializing in African and Middle Eastern
drumming will provide the percussion and ambient sound.

ADDED SURPRISES:
Accomplished local artists Kelsey LaPoint, Lyndsey Scott, Sara
Paulsen, Emi Hemeyer, Jerome Gaynor, Lezlie Silverstein and Holly Gallaher set the stage and fashioned the costumes in playful ways that make believing easy.

We are a mesh of figures impossibly and perfectly formed –– exalting and exuding light as one. The wild formations stretch the hearts and minds of all those who experience it. Please contact Rebecca Rivas at 314-537-9861 or rebeccasrivas@gmail.com for more information.

Open Lot Opens

Open Lot, located in a former yeast factory, is a new interdisciplinary studio/exhibition space in Lafayette Square (1310 S. 18th Street to be exact). Their first show “We’ll Talk More Later” is a collaborative affair featuring St. Louis artists Greg Edmondson and Lot dwellers. It takes place Friday, November 9th. The following evening Open Lot features the extravagant sounds of Pittsburgh avant-folk/noise/drone/acoustic/electronic musician Mike Tamburo.

Participants include recent grads from SIUE, Washington University, and Mizzou: Angela Malchionno, Aaron Jacobson, B.J. Vogt, Em Heymeyer, Jonathan Lisenby, and Jordan Hicks.

I’m very interested to see how this space evolves. You can find out more at their myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/openlot.

Firecracker: Maryville Show

Earlier this week, I dropped by the Firecracker Press, on some pressing, important business. Eric Woods took a few moments out of our extremely challenging conversation to press a flyer on me, relating to an upcoming show at Maryville. Well, I forgot to post that up, but an e-mail received this evening, puts that reminder back in mind. For those of you out West County Way, here's a fine opportunity to check out some great letterpress art:

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OPENING: Thursday, Nov. 1st, 6-8 pm
RUNS THRU: Nov. 30

The Firecracker Press will be having an exhibition of printed work at the Morton J. May Foundation Gallery this Thursday night. The show consists of poster and printed materials we've produced over the past five years including work that's recently been published in the 2007 Print Magazine Regional Design Awards issue. We've literally wallpapered the gallery with printing and we'll be giving demonstrations on our newly acquired and totally adorable tabletop printing press.

The gallery resides in the same building as the campus library. Park in the Art and Design parking lot and walk to the east side of the library for the entrance.

Maryville University
Morton J. May Foundation Gallery
650 Maryville University Drive
ST. Louis, MO 63141

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Tel (314)776-7271
Web www.firecrackerpress.com

Dr. Sketchy @ Atomic

With a couple of updates going live today, I was reminded that I promised to post up something on the upcoming Dr. Sketchy event at the Atomic Cowboy.

I'm still not 100% sure what to say about this unusual endeavor. Instead, I will go visit.

The website.

And the video.

Wm. Stage at Mad Art

Wm. Stage will probably always be known best for his long-standing column, "Street Talk," in the Riverfront Times. But even for that paper, he wrote two other columns and always kept himself busy with outside pursuits, from writing true-crime books to process serving to publishing postcards. There's always a story when you run into Wm., and you might do that anywhere. The track. A corner saloon. The annual Polish festival in North St. Louis. He's that kinda get-around guy.

He'll be in one place soon enough, as a Mad Art exhibit features his words and photography. Details here:

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WM. STAGE BOOK SIGNING
& PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT AT MAD ART

Writer-photographer Wm. Stage will sign copies of his book, Pictures of People, at Mad Art Gallery on Thursday, November 1, 2007 from 7 to 10 PM. In addition, Stage will hold forth on his writing and photography pursuits spanning nearly three decades. Some 40 pictures of people from the book will be on display for that evening only.

Pictures of People is a collection of 80 black-and-white candid photographs exposed from 1982 to 1993. Subjects hail from diverse pursuits and every level of society. The famous, the infamous, and everyday working stiffs all share a common bond, scrutiny before the lens. Most subjects were photographed in Saint Louis, either natives or artists/lecturers passing through. Text is limited to name, occupation, locale and year photographed. Among those pictured are former Cardinals’ manager Whitey Herzog, photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, novelist-visionary Ken Kesey, mountain climber-environmental activist Sir Edmund Hillary, actress-comedian Brett Butler, poet-filmmaker Yevgeny Yevtushenko, novelist T. C. Boyle, and monologist Spalding Gray. An expanded version of this book may be viewed on www.pixofpeople.com.

A working journalist since 1982, Wm. Stage has interviewed and photographed thousands of people from every walk of life. He has taught photojournalism at Saint Louis University School for Professional Studies. He attended the week-long Photojournalism Workshop, offered by the University of Missouri-Columbia’s School of Journalism and held in a different Missouri town every year since 1946. In 2007, he became an occasional commentator on NPR affiliate KWMU, located on the campus of University of Missouri-St. Louis. Other books by Stage include Ghost Signs: Brick Wall Signs in America [1989]; Mound City Chronicles [1991], Litchfield: A Strange and Twisted Saga of Murder in the Midwest [1998] and Have A Weird Day: Reflections & Ruminations on the St. Louis Experience [2003]. He lives and drinks in the City of St. Louis, where photographic opportunities abound.

Mad Art is located near the A-B Brewery at 2727 S. 12th Street St. Louis, MO 63118.
For more information please call 314.771.8230 or 314.567.8697

Wiktor's Studio: Open House

If you've not had a chance to visit Wiktor Szosatlo's studio, there's an opportunity this weekend, as one of his pieces is slated for a trip to his native Poland. Working in a variety of artistic media, his studio's really a fascinating place. Details:

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A commission piece I have been working for almost a year now is about ready to leave for its final destination in Poznan, Poland. The welded stainless steel 7' tall sculpture titled: "At Long Last I Got To Like Myself The Way I Am" shows a mirror image of the same person running to (finally) embrace himself...

The party will take place this Sunday, Oct. 28, 12 noon till 6 pm on the sidewalk in front of my studio at 4398 Chouteau Ave @ Newstead where the sculpture will be displayed. Beverages will be provided and the studio will be "open" for browsing. Please bring all your deserving friends...

Wiktor

Do Not Destroy Dana Smith's Artwork!!!

A progression from the last 15-minutes. All true.

1. I see that Dana Smith has added a new comment to our 52nd City Myspace page, a fantastic panting of a member of Shed Shot at a basement show.

2. I e-mail Dana, telling him that it's the coolest piece of work that I've seen from him. Like, ever.

3. He e-mails back, noting that the piece has been entered in Art Attack!, an upcoming SCOSAG benefit. He mentions that the piece could be destroyed soon. And that I should look up Art Attack!.

4. Unsure about Art Attack!, I see his link to the KDHX site, where I click on the info.

5. I post up the press release:

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KDHX Community Media and South City Open Studio and Gallery for Children (SCOSAG) present Art Attack! on Friday, November 16 at the South Broadway Athletic Club from 7:00 p.m. to midnight. Art Attack! is Saint Louis' first and only rock 'n' roll art destructo-auction. Outrageous and chaotic, this competitive art event will benefit both KDHX Community Media and SCOSAG. The event features original works from 32 local artists, including local celebrities. Completed works may be viewed at the KDHX TV studio during regular business hours from November 1 until the day of the event. Works may also be viewed online.

Art Attack! is a single elimination tournament consisting of five rounds in which pairs of paintings will compete head-to-head. Audience response to each painting will be measured by an Applause-O-Meter, with the piece receiving the most applause progressing to the next round.

Losing works of art then face a perilous future in front of the Wheel of Misfortune. This large wheel includes six diabolical and imaginative ways of destroying the losing piece. If the Wheel lands on "Certain Death," it will be destroyed immediately. If not, the audience will then have a chance to save the piece by bidding on it for a minimum of $50 in the first round, $75 in the second, and so on. If the minimum is not reached, the piece will meet its demise without delay.

The excitement will continue throughout five nerve-rattling rounds until the final winner is announced. The creator of the winning piece will win $1,000 cash, as well as the comfort of knowing that their art will live on.

Art Attack! will also feature the gritty blues of Casey Reid and bluegrass-punk of The Monads in between rounds.

Tickets are $10 and will be available at the door at 7:00 p.m. or for advance purchase at the South Broadway Athletic Club.

The South Broadway Athletic Club is located at 2301 South 7th Street in St. Louis, Missouri.

Art Attack! is a non-smoking event.

Solitary City @ Beverly Gallery - Q&A

This Friday evening, three local photographers combine on the show Solitary City at Beverly Gallery, the ordinarily woman-only space at 3155 Cherokee. This time out, the three shutterbugs are all fellas and they've combined to create a project in which each's work bounces off the other, as they examine architecture and the urban condition, both in St. Louis and around the world. Their show will run roughly 7-10 p.m., though you should be safe in arriving within 60-minutes of either side of that timeframe.

Two of the three participants - Brett Beckemeyer and Alan Palmer - answered some questions earlier this week via e-mail. That interview follows. After the short Q&A, Beckemeyer provides some additional thoughts on happenings around the intersection of Cherokee and Compton this Friday night.

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1) How do you three know one another?

[BB] I met Alan Palmer through a mutual friend a couple of years ago, but it was not until later that we discovered affinities in our common photography hobby. We discussed having a show together about a year ago. One day Nate Sampson noticed some of our work on my desk at the architectural firm where we both worked and that led to his joining the show.

2) How many pieces are involved for each of you?

[BB] We set a goal of around 10 photos per artist. However, this show was always intended as a collaborative dialogue; we have put together a series of tripartate works in which each artist is represented, with only a few exceptions. In total there are 34 photos, divided by three. Folks will have to come to the show to see how that math works out :)

3) How hard was it to take such vast quantities of work, only to boil the shots down to the final number?

[AP] The most difficult part of the selection process, at least in my experience with it, has been grappling with pulling photos out my own archives. As a group though, I think we've been on the same page as to which photos worked and which didn't. We've been rotating and reviewing each other's portfolios for almost a year now, and after many rounds, I think we've arrived at a cohesive collection.

4) Why this particular venue? What drew you there?

[AP] I happended to be introduced to Galen while we were in the midst of getting things together, and he was open to the idea of us putting up photography show at Beverly. Fort Gondo, Beverly, and Snowflake all have great reputations for hosting independent art, and I knew Galen would keep things DIY and allow us any artistic freedom that we needed. Oh, and the Beverly smells nice :)

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There's also an opening reception at Fort Gondo:
www.fortgondo.com/fortgondo.htm

A closing at Snowflake:
www.snowflakecitystock.com/Art_Info_Page.html

And music by Ryne Watts and Campfire Club at Beverly, at 9 p.m.

Got a Cultural Kid?

If so, take them to the Art Museum tomorrow, for this performance/workshop with Eric Hall:'

---------------------

Between 1 and 4 PM this Sunday afternoon I will be presenting a child-based sound-art piece at The St. Louis Art Museum called "untitled (or not)". I have designed a sound-sculpture which involves the participants in the creation of music through interaction with Tibetan Buddhist ritual instruments, objects, and sounds (strings of temple bells, dorjes, hand-bells, a prayer wheel, prayer flags, and recordings of rag-dung trumpets and polyphonic chant), all of which are being processed by automated real-time samplers and effects, creating an open-ended collaborative composition between myself and the audience. Hopefully this will be exciting and engaging to the kids, and if they absorb some of the sounds and symbols into their subconscious and it leads to them being open to the ideas behind Buddhism later in life, then I will be gratified. While I'm certainly not a practicing Buddhist, I would never dispute the impact learning about Buddhism early in my life had on my emotional development and world view. If nothing else, it will sound very cool. And its all free and full of kids and their grown-ups being creative and immersed in art, so whats not to like?

IAM: Call for Artists

Another day, another call for artists.

And, it should be noted, another of our favorite events of the year. The Independent Art Market is offering slots for the fall 2007 and we've got some of the details below, though you'd like to click on any of the hotlinks to go directly to the IAM website for the final submission info:

---------------------------

You've seen our work. You've been to the shows. Now is the chance to show your work with us. The Independent Art Market is looking for like-minded artists who would like to join us for our upcoming show this December in an exciting new location.

The Independent Art Market was established to create a retail environment for artists creating high quality work to be sold to the public at large. Due to the retail nature of The Independent Art Market, customers are generally able to take home their newly purchased items at the point of sale. In order to make art accessible, artwork is usually priced between ten dollars and three hundred dollars.

The Independent Art Market is having its next show in December, and we are inviting area artists to join us. The show will take place over three days on December 7th, 8th and 9th at an exciting new venue (details TBA) from 6-12 on Friday, 12-10 on Saturday and from 12-6 on Sunday. All chosen artists are encouraged to be present for the entire show to meet potential customers and help sell their own work, but are not required to be present.

Cementland Project in NYTimes

Today's New York Times Art & Design section has a nice article and snazzy slideshow on Bob Cassilly's Cementland project. I love the last line of the article.

The goal, he said, is similar to that of the City Museum: to create an unmistakable place “where people can come and do things they’re not supposed to.”

I like to think of all of St. Louis as that sort of creative playground.

Firecracker Cracks Design Dandys

Sorry about the Beatle Bob-ish title there, but I'm in some sort of state of mind tonight. Just checked my electronic mailbox and saw that our cover printer, The Firecracker Press, had been lauded by the industry and I was so excited that I had to share. And so I do, here, now:

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The Firecracker Press is happy to announce we've been selected for the 2007 Print Magazine Regional Design Annual. We've been picked for 3 awards which will be announced and published in the November issue. We're not shy about patting ourselves on the back a bit. However, we are most proud that the 3 pieces beating out over 20,000 entries are ALL for St. Louis based clients. They are listed as follows...

Entry 1. Business Card for Marie Oberkirsch.
Marie makes wonderful textiles and is a teacher for fiber arts at a few local colleges. She also works for Laumeier Sculpture Park and helps plan their wildly successful art fair each year.

Entry 2. Book Cover for Observable Books Reading Anthology.
This organization is run by Aaron Belz. He holds monthly poetry readings at the Schlafly Bottleworks and publishes a number of books each year. To date Firecracker has done four books for his reading series.

Entry 3. Invitation for 2006 Designer Plate Show at The Firecracker Press.
In 2006 The Firecracker Press and local teacher and artist Michael Kathriner planned a gallery showing of dinner plates designed by local artists. The show also helped to debut the gallery space at Firecracker, now being used to house a portion of our type collection.

If you see any of these fine folks please congratulate them. They're all doing great work and The Firecracker Press is proud to work with such interesting and innovative individuals. Be sure to pick up the Regional Design Annual on newsstands in November.

Peat & Bill Hilly: Video

Peat Wollaeger continues to generate heat around his stencil career. He cannot be stopped. He cannot be contained. The latest media-friendly Peat sighting is a music video launch complementing his recent, limited-edition Mountain Dew bottle. Find the video and other, odd bits of e-ephemera at:

www.stencilbilly.com

Adjust your sound accordingly.

Q'n'A w/ LJ Lindhurst

On Friday night, my old pal LJ Lindhurst will be coming back to town, to show at Mad Art Gallery. The three-person gig called "Flight Risk" will feature performance from Jennifer Weigel and paintings by Tim Meehan and Lindhurst. Owing to the digital age we live in, I checked in with the former Webster University Journal film critic via ELECTRONIC MAIL!

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Here we go!

You've visited Mad Art while on a trip back home to St. Louis. What were your impressions?

Why, 52nd City's own Thomas Crone introduced me to Mad Art. I was also a bit familiar with it because my sister worked as the bartender at the Hi-Way Bar next door. (If you ever go to the Hi-Way Bar, please do not forget to wear your top hat and monocle, and please extend your pinky while sipping your champagne, because that place is freakin high class all the way.)

My first impression of Mad Art was, I have to show my work here! The space is completely gorgeous; it's worth visiting just to see the Art Deco architecture and the remains of the old police station. It is just a really cool gallery.

What's the focus of your work in this show?

I'll be showing ten paintings from my Lock Series. These are Photorealistic paintings of padlocks and chains in various states of decay, glimmering in bright sunlight. These are meditations on truly seeing one's surroundings, and taking a moment to find beauty in the details of even the most stark urban landscape. They are also devout works of Photorealism; I'm an old-school Gearhart Richter-style Photorealist, devoted to rendering the photographed image as accurately as possible in paint. We're kind of a cult amongst painters, so this is a fine opportunity for the St. Louis arts community to get to see a type of art that goes beyond your typical gallery offerings of landscapes, Abstract Expressionism, or even Contemporary Realism. (Not that there's anything wrong with those genres! I'm just saying, this is something you don't get to see every day.)

What do you know of the other artists on this bill?

I actually don't know too much about them. I'm sharing the bill with Tim Meehan and Jennifer Weigel. Tim Meehan is showing work that has multiple layers of imagery and meaning; he uses overlapping textures, images of birds, and the natural landscape to explore childhood memories, and his impressions of nature. This work sounds like it will be a nice relief for the eye after viewing my intensely-focused, somewhat claustrophobic paintings.

Jennifer Weigel is going to be doing a performance piece called Sustenance. Apparently, this is part of a series of pieces that attempt to dissect the very nature of the art opening. From what I gather, the opening itself will be the subject of this piece. I'm very curious to see how this plays out; the interaction of the people with the art, the food, the drink, and each other, will all be part of the performance. Jennifer's work is quite interesting--you can check out her Web site to see more: http://home.earthlink.net/~cwilbur202/ It's nice to see artists who are willing to go out on a limb like this, and do something completely avant-garde--it is also nice that St. Louis has a gallery like Mad Art that will host that kind of performance art.

I may have an irrational dislike of New York. Are you okay with that?

What's the matter? Did someone make fun of your pants? AGAIN?

What should visitors to the show say to your family? Things like "I remember going to school with Little Jackie?" or the like?

I don't understand why people should be saying ANYTHING--they should all be too busy writing checks! to me me meeeeeeeee!

And anyway, it's not a good idea to harass my dad; he doesn't like hippies, and he will likely be carrying several concealed weapons. (I forgot to ask, does Mad Art have a metal detector?)

What's next for you?

I guess I'll go back to my old routine of getting rejected by every gallery in New York City. It's a lot of fun!

But seriously, I am working on a series of smaller paintings based on these creepy Mickey Mouse Club dolls my sister found at a flea market in Lafayette Square. If she only knew how obsessed I'd become with these dolls, she may have thought twice about giving them to me! (I'm also starting to think that maybe they get up and walk around my apartment while I'm asleep, but I have no concrete evidence.) Hopefully, I can paint a number of these pieces for a show I'll be having at Brooklyn Collective (http://www.brooklyncollective.com) in October.

I'm also working on a large Xerox collage installation based on The Unabomber Manifesto, entitled, Today Seemed Like a Good Day to Write To All of My Dead Friends. I'm fascinated by the Unabomber Manifesto, and by Theodore Kaczynski. His manifesto is just amazing and terrifying; it perfectly encapsulates intellectual impotence in an overwhelmingly chaotic world that is feeding on itself through out-of-control technology, science, religion, and oppressive government. It's ripe for exploration, and I feel such a natural response to it. I'm also fascinated by the fact that just about everyone I discuss this idea with tells me, "That is not a good idea." I love how even now, people find his words and ideas actually dangerous, like they could do someone harm. The whole thing is just crazy.

Where can people find your work?

Right now I've got work at two galleries in Brooklyn: the fabulous Jan Larsen Fine Art/Gallerie at theXpo (http://www.thexpo.com) down in DUMBO, and Jack The Pelican Presents (http://www.jackthepelicanpresents.com) in Williamsburg. At the risk of sounding like a hopeless ass-kisser, I have to praise both of these galleries for their unique sensibilities, and I am really proud to be a part of their collections.

What am I missing?

Well, you DID forget to ask questions that praise me in a roundabout way. Where are the questions like, "How did you get to be so amazingly awesome?" or "How could you be so beautiful AND so talented? I just don't get it!"

What's up with Matt Kindt?

52nd City's been lucky enough to work with a wide variety of talented artists, writers, photographers and illustrators. So it's nice to get an occasional update from those involved in the project to this point. Matt Kindt provided an illustration to Luby Kelly's "The Book" in our "Stuff" web edition. If you've not read it, save a few minutes to do so, as the piece is probably the longest one that we've published in either form, print or web.

Kindt sent along word of upcoming events that he's taking part in, inc. a variety of comic cons and a "live exhibit" at the Science Center.

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ART OPENING THIS FRIDAY!

Matt & Sharlene Kindt have a two-person exhibit of all new artwork starting this friday at Gallery Visio in St. Louis. The show will feature water colors, prints, and ink drawings. The opening reception is from 4-7pm. To read more about the exhibit go HERE. For directions to the gallery and campus go HERE.

SUPER SPY PRE-ORDER SPECIAL OFFER!

The new SUPER SPY graphic novel made its debut at the MoCCA Comic and Art Show in New York this past weekend and sold out! More advance copies will be available at Matt's appearance at Comic-Con in San Diego, the Subterranean Books art show (July 13) and Wizard World Chicago. But if you can't make it to those shows this summer you can still order the book -- it hits the shelves in August...

You can PRE-ORDER the full color 336 page book now at Top Shelf's website HERE! or through Previews June Issue (page 361).

As an added bonus, if you pre-order a copy of Super Spy before June 30 through Top Shelf's website HERE, Matt Kindt will personally hand-craft an ink and watercolor a 5x7" sketch that will be shipped with your order. All you have to do is go to Top Shelf's website and place your order and your original art will be on it's way!

Here's what early reviews of Super Spy are saying:

"...one of the best comics I've read."

"...invokes the feelings after reading Speigelman's MAUS."

"These spy stories are filled with pathos and longing -- Amelié meets Alfred Hitchcock in comics form. It transcends traditional spy fiction."

STILL A LIVING EXHIBIT!
Matt is appearing every Wednesday and Thursday from 9:30 - 5:30 at the St. Louis Science Center at the Marvel Comics Exhibit through September. He will be on display (along with Peter Pranschke and Dan Zettwoch) for all onlookers as he works on his new comic book projects. Come by for a sketch or chat or just to climb the awesome rock wall that is directly behind his drawing table. For more information on times and admission prices click HERE.

APPEARANCES
Matt Kindt will be appearing at several conventions this summer including:

MoCCA in New York (June 23-24)
San Diego Comicon (July 26-29)
Chicago Wizard World (August 9-12)
Art show and book release party: Subterranean books on July 13th

Jennifer Silverberg: Selected Projects

So embarassed about this, but I had to have a good ol' mano a mano with a lady that was about two feet shorter than me tonight. She meant well - she was door-guarding at the Sheldon, and I showed up late to Jennifer Silverberg's photography show there. She was just trying to do her duty and kick everyone out at closing time. Slackerly me, I usually head out to art shows around 8 p.m., not 5 p.m. - which was when Jen's opening started. So I barely squeezed in, after dodging the tiny lady in the tuxedo at the front door. The lights were being dimmed in warning as I ran up the stairs to do a jog-through. Even in the five or seven minutes I had, I was smote with the sublimity of it all. There are some classic RFT shots - images of Hunter Brumfield, Fred Friction and Pops Farrar among them - but also some gorgeous images series on the cotton gin mills down in the boot heel, which employ mainly migrant workers. I've been a big admirer of Jen's work in the RFT since moving here, and it was swell to see her pictures blown up to incredible size, hanging on a gallery wall. (If there is any justice in the world, someone will give Jen another gallery show.)

I'm planning to go back to do a proper walk-through, and I suggest that anyone who loves photography as an art form do the same. I've been foiled by the Sheldon's quirky hours before, and barely managed to see their blow-out Josephine Baker exhibit last year as a result. Plan accordingly; give yourself some time to really linger, because there's a lot to see here. As I frantically raced through the gallery, I also got a glimpse of Miles' Davis' jacket and some blues paraphernalia that caught my eye, so I'll have to go back with a good hour to burn at least ...

Jennifer Silverberg: Selected Projects
Sheldon Art Galleries
3648 Washington Boulevard
314-533-9900, www.thesheldon.org

Fort Building on Cherokee

Via Barbara Cliffe... wait. I confess to originally typing a short, whimsical reflection on the Cherokee liquor ban to go along with this pass-along note, but it's too darned hot to finish it up. So, via Barbara Cliffe:

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Dear All,

On June 8th, from 6pm to 9pm, I'm going to be having an art show
called "Let's Build A Fort!" at the Beverly Gallery (3155 Cherokee
Street). It's going to be an interactive, activity-based show, with
viewers invited to participate in building forts out of sheets,
blankets, and pillows. All are encouraged to participate, as well as
bring additional bedding which will be donated to The Women's Safe
House after the exhibit closes.

The Women's Safe House is a shelter for battered women and their
dependent children; they also provide career counseling and guidance
to provide future opportunities for these women. All bedding donations
will go to The Women's Safe House. They specifically need full and
twin sheet sets, pillows, pillowcases, mattress covers, and crib
bedding.

Please feel free to invite your friends and families. Also, send this
invite along to anyone you think may be interested, the more the
merrier. It's going to be a very fun night for a great cause, and the
absolute nicest way to get rid of those extra sheets you never use
anymore.

-Barbara
For more information, you may contact me via email.
barbaracliffe @ gmail.com

"Slinger" at Boots

Okay, the one St. Louis culinary phenomenon I've not tried yet is the slinger. The first time I passed through town, I visited Irv's Good Foods, which is no longer around (it is now extra parking space for the Botanical Garden). While I found Irv's charming, because the waitress was named Ernie and the short-order cook was Bert, and it was as old school as you could get, it probably wasn't the place to be when first laying eyes on a slinger. If I remember correctly, it was called "Nightmare in Chili" or something like that. Not that Utah has high culinary standards - there are restaurants out there that serve fried Spam sandwiches for cryin' out loud, and our verson of T-Ravs is green Jell-o - but I was a bit taken aback when a customer ordered one. It was like someone had cleaned out a garbage disposal and thrown it on a plate. Since then, I have realized that this was not the high water mark for this particular dish, but I've still had some trouble getting over my initial horror. It has been my mission to love everything about St. Louis, and I have only been able to love the Slinger in theory, not in practice.

But, it's with some delight that I read this press release from Boots, down on Cherokee; they're having a Slinger-themed art show focusing on St. Louis art and St. Louis artists. I guess the brain sandwich isn't as ubiquitous as it used to be, so that won't function as metaphor anymore ... it's gotta be the Slinger.

Details:

boots contemporary art space presents

Slinger

The Slinger as a cultural metaphor.

In this exhibition Boots attempts to explore, analyze,and question what
it means to be an artist, critic, and/or curator living and working in
St. Louis. Is there a St. Louis aesthetic?What are the issues our
artists are dealing with? What mediums are conveying our themes and
ideas? Is there a collective movement, or are we a group of individuals?

Featuring work by:
Brandon Anschultz, Robin Assner, Sarah Colby, Andrea
Green, Ryan Hess, Jamie Kreher, Jason Wednesday Miller
Pranschke, Bryan Reckamp, Tim Ridlen, Mike Schuh
stripper:pilot, Matthew Strauss, Brett Williams &
Paul Zografakis

Opening reception: featuring DJ Cobra Commander
Saturday, May 19th, 2007
6:30 - 10pm

On view Saturdays 10-5 and Sundays 12-5 until June 23.

Boots Contemporary Art Space www.bootsart.com
2307 Cherokee St., 314.772.BOOT

nitpick

You know, it’s great that the PD covers the first Friday downtown gallery walks. The work Robin Lynch does to keep this thing going is tremendous. But for crying out loud—couldn’t the Post get a more current photo than that of two Gallery Urbis Orbis visitors from 2005? Urbis has been closed for well over a year. Maybe it is just me, but if you are covering a gallery walk, seems like you'd want a picture of gallery that is actually in business.

White Walls

Friday night is the second SIUE MFA show at Mad Art Gallery—and should be another stellar night of art. Sculptor Sarah Frost, who also has a part-time gig as graphic designer for Schlafly, will present her thesis exhibition. Her current work examines our culture through the collection of its remains, such as consumer objects and discarded packaging. She presents or reconstructs these items in a context or material that alters their significance.

Last fall I saw a version of her “White Walls” at the SIUE student gallery. From far away it reminded me of a Louise Nevelson piece—a study of white objects piled high and wide. But Sarah’s piece had more nuances in color and culture—examining common modern day objects that have been cast off as junk. Maybe if Nevelson were a bag-lady…

She is re-creating the installation on the Mad Art stage and I’m eager to see this and her other works. What I appreciate about much of Sarah’s work is that it engages on so many levels. I think making good art about relevant social topics is very difficult and Sarah manages to present smart and thoughtful work that isn’t condescending. Art that tries to beat a message into my head is offensive in its non-subtly. She can pull off irony without being too cheeky. She really manages to balance message and method in a delightful way. (More of Sarah's work.)

Showing with Sarah will be printmaker Angela Malchionno. Her work incorporates printmaking and drawing into sculptural environments that often invite viewer participation. The prints I saw in the fall were gorgeous and I think they are going to look fantastic in the space.

When: Friday, April 27, 2007
Time: 7-11pm
Location: Mad Art Gallery, 2727 S. 12th Street, STL MO 63118

Maps in Belleville

Was really pleased to get a MySpace invite from Maps Contemporary Art Space, over in Belleville. I have to admit I don't get over the river much, which is ridiculous, since it's closer than some of the Missouri places I venture to; and I forget, to my folly, that there's a lot going on on the other side of the Mississippi. Was double pleased to see that their first artist will be the awesome Mike Shuh, who I've admired for a long time. These cats have their schedule planned out through the summer, with lots of names I don't recognize, even though I recognize some of the folks on their friend roster. So that'll be an exciting venture to hop over the bridge and see what these guys are up to.

Details for Mike's show:

May Exhibition: Mike Schuh, I see what you're saying.

Maps' premier exhibition features St. Louis based installation and performance artist Mike Schuh. For I see what you're saying. Mike will be transforming Maps into a conversation piece...literally. Through the use of simple construction techniques and everyday materials, Mike will explore the connectivity (or more so the lack thereof) that is experienced through contemporary forms of information and news media.

I see what you're saying. will open Thursday, May 3rd from 7-10 pm, and will be on view from May 3rd-June 3rd, 2007. Gallery hours are by appointment only, please call (618) 334-4347 for an appointment.

Maps is located at 225 N. Illinois St. in Downtown Belleville, Illinois, just a few blocks West of the Belleville Square.

How to get to Maps Contemporary Art Space from St. Louis:Take I-64 East to Hwy 159 South (exit 12) towards Belleville. Maps is approx. 6 miles on the right side of N. Illinois, just before the Belleville Fountain/Town Square.

Via Metrolink: From the Belleville stop take the 16 Belleville/St. Clair Square bus line to 225 N. Illinois St.

Three Cheers for Holtz

Since Dr. Ivy Cooper quit writing art reviews for The Riverfront Times, I really have no reason to pick up the paper—well, unless I want a discreet mid-afternoon massage.

This Friday, Dr. Cooper will make an appearance as the “personal cheerleader” for SIUE MFA candidate Christine A. Holtz. Holtz will perform Christine A. Holtz Productions as her thesis exhibition. The artist has had a mascot head created in her likeness (you’ve got to see this thing) and will be cheering her way into the hearts of art fans from 7-9:00 at Mad Art Gallery. Artwork will be given to the first 50 visitors to the gallery.

Holtz is an exciting emerging artist able to address relevant social topics through humorous and entertaining methods. She creates work that push her physical, emotional, and mental limits to illustrate truths of consumerism and its negative repercussions. Previous works include:

Munny?

I've only recently ducked out of the cave long enough to hear about this "munny phenomenon" that's sweeping the country. Since Star Clipper is kind enough to sell our mags and since we want to jump on the munny bandwagon (who doesn't?), hears some munny news from our pals in University City:

You asked and we listened! By popular demand, Star Clipper will be hosting the second St. Louis MUNNY Show on Friday, May 18th.

ARTISTS: Pieces eligible for exhibition must be fully decorated MUNNY’s, QEE’s or other community-recognized do-it yourself blank vinyl toy. The new MUNNY v.3 is available now at Star Clipper as well as the 8" TREXI's!

FANS: Last year's event was amazing and this year's will be even more extraordinary as we solicit custom vinyls from artists nationwide! The blind figure swap kicks off at 6 PM (check out our Events page for details) and the Show starts at 7.

Artist applications are due April 15, 2007.

Show Me Yours!

Seeing art being made can be mesmerizing, entertaining, interesting and just plain fun. (Note the whopping success of Wall Ball).

Next weekend you can see our good friend and the printer of our magazine covers, Eric Woods of Firecracker Press, cranking out woodcuts at Mad Art Gallery. New York’s Cannonball Press returns to St. Louis and Eric will be representing the locals, doing a demonstration of sorts. “I figure it'll be kind of like a DJ spinning records but instead or turning out jams we'll be turning out prints,” he says.

Way Cool.

• The show is from 7-11pm next Friday, March 16th.
• Maid Rite performs from 8-11pm.
• Limited-edition $20 prints too!
• More info here.

Never Meaning No Harm

I first saw Eric Gibbons work in New American Paintings, a publication that showcases emerging and mid-career artists from throughout the United States. The magazine never disappoints. It consistently delivers to my doorstep the finest eye candy in the art world. While I find plenty to love in each issue, Eric’s work really stood out; enough so that I suggested to Mad Art (where I was working at the time) that we invite him to exhibit—even if he was in Texas.

That was well over a year ago and now I’m anxiously awaiting his opening next Friday, February 9th. I’m not sure what to expect. I fell for his 2004 work, heard he’s done some Star Wars paintings since then, and he’s indicated that for his Mad Art show, he’s channeling “the spirit of Yoko Ono so things will be peaceful and weird”.

Without even meeting him--I love this guy already. I’m betting you will too. You can find out more and see some of his work at www.ericgibbons.com or visit www.madart.com for more information on the show.

Never Meaning No Harm
Friday, February 9, 2007
7pm – 11pm
Mad Art Gallery, 2727 S. 12th Street, 63118
Free admission / cash bar

Zen Master Clown

I hate this time of year--winter doldrums. It takes me 20 minutes just to walk from my kettle of hot tea to the cush of my couch and settle in for a nice hour of nothingness. Meanwhile this Tom Brady guy is going to be doing about eleventy kinds of cartwheels over at Mad Art Gallery this weekend.

According to his press release…

“A talented composer, designer, sculptor, photographer, stylist, and performer, Brady conceives, designs, builds, and musically accompanies the installations in which he places himself. He then becomes an acrobat, a zen master, a clown, a body behind a mask, or a nucleus of whirling lights and images. Any of these reduces you, the audience, to a level of helplessness where you can only watch and be drawn into Brady's world. Constantly playing with the level of information that the audience receives, Brady's work sculpts light and shadow to create magical images and reflections on the state of being.”

Maybe he could give me a kick in the pants while he’s at it.

Friday, January 26th and Saturday January 27th, 2007
Doors 7pm / Show 8pm
Admission: $22 for adults; $15 for students.
Tickets available at the door or reservations may be made by calling 314-503-8441.
More info at http://www.madart.com/Exhibitions.htm

Please don't tell Matt Strauss...

... but on more than one occasion recently, I've found myself in deep, meaningful conversations about the intent, meaning and chances of success for White Flag Projects. Which means I'm hanging out with people: a) really interested in modern art and the spaces that show it; or b) I'm developing an odd fixation on both Matt Strauss and people fixated on Matt Strauss.

But, again, let's keep this between us.

That said, here's an e-mail from Matt Strauss:

Please join us tomorrow afternoon from 2-6 PM for the opening reception
of:

modular: New Art from Los Angeles
Jan. 6 - Feb. 10, 2007

Featuring Hollis Cooper, Danny Jauregui, Nicole Van Beek, Louisa Van
Leer,
Kevin Wingate, and Bari Ziperstein

Curated by Dana Turkovic

Opens Saturday afternoon, January 6, 2-6PM

WHITE FLAG PROJECTS
4568 Manchester Ave
Just east of Kingshighway on Manchester.

Read David Bonetti's interview with the curator at:
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/entertainment/stories.nsf/visualarts/story/
4F8A9E5D4E25AF5D8625725700836E5F?OpenDocument

Find more at:
www.whiteflagprojects.org

Shopping the way it ought to be

Let me get all sappy for a second. For over twenty years I’ve gone Christmas shopping the first weekend of December with my mom, three aunts, and two cousins. We gather together in St. Louis from across the Midwest and tear up the town. For me, the camaraderie of this event is way more important than the actual shopping. We laugh and cry more than we buy, but I haven’t missed a shopping weekend with my family yet.

I also never miss an Independent Art Market, and one takes place this weekend at Shaw’s Gallery. This is where I really seriously shop for the holiday season. I’ve bought pottery, stationery, and cookies for in-laws, a silk-screened t-shirt for my brother, jewelry for friends, and I confess—I’ve treated myself to some pretty swank silk-screened tea towels. If you prefer high-quality, hand-made, unique, affordable gifts, there is no better place to drop your hard earned dollars than with local hard-working artists.

And to enhance your shopping experience, this year the Art Market team is offering a sake, sushi and fashion cocktail reception, a broad range of musical performances, poetry readings organized by Observable Books, and a variety show organized by 52nd City. (Yes that’s us—we’ve attended Art Markets of the past, so we were delighted to be invited to be a part of it this year’s event.)

The Independent Art Market proves that holiday shopping can be fun.
Get out of the malls and into the galleries this season!

What: Independent Art Market
Where: Shaw’s Gallery, 2 blocks east of the Botanical Garden (4065 Shaw Blvd. 63110)
When: Friday (6pm-midnight), Saturday (noon to midnight), and Sunday (noon-6pm)
Schedule of Events
Participating Artists

This Sunday at Hartford: Art and Free Candy

Jeesh, how about this snow day? I have been outside a few times this morning, and the sun shining through the prisms of so many ice crystals nearly blinded me with its brightness. It's really lovely. Not being native to the Midwest I am still wowed by the sheer sparkliness of ice storms.

As brilliant as those ice prisms: an art show, opening at Hartford Coffee on Sunday December 3, featuring 52nd City's own Thomas Crone, along with Dana Smith, Andrea Day, Chris King, Tom Lampe and Brendan Dulaney. Click the links for some little previews of the art that'll be hanging. Also that Sunday, the next installment of Free Candy! with Amanda and Julia, following the art opening. I expect the atmosphere to be warm and jovial, with many excellent pieces hanging on the wall and a lively edition of Free Candy (see below). Hope to see you there!

THE DETAILS:

Sunday, December 3
Hartford Coffee Company, 3974 Hartford (@ Roger) Free, maturish
audience only, 7 p.m., 314-772-5947, amanda@freecandy.net

Delightful show prequel, in the form of a new art show featuring
the photography/artwork of Thomas Crone and friends (Dana Smith,
Andrea Day, Chris King, Brendan Dulaney, Tom Lampe) from 5-7 p.m.

Tonight on Cherokee

Sorry for the late word, but I'm just getting it myself. Two art events along the Cherokee Arts Corridor are happening tonight. Click, please.

Rock 'n' Roll Craft Show: Artists In

The results are in for the artists participating in this fall's Rock 'n' Roll Craft Show, to be held at the Mad Art Gallery, on the weekend of November 25 and 26. All the artist info is here:

http://www.rockandrollcraftshow.com/artists.php

You probably know somebody on the list and who doesn't like seeing someone they know on a list? Check it.

Huth & Nesser at Mad Art

Just got the mailer in the ol' mailer delivery system known as my front door. The two-woman show "Intersections" will go live this Friday, November 3 at Mad Art Gallery, 2727 S. 12th Street, with a 7-11 p.m. opening reception. The artists involved are Janice Nesser and 52nd City mag's own art director Caroline Huth. Check the gallery's site for details.

Caroline Huth

On the Mount Rushmore of 52nd City heroes, our art designer Caroline Huth has a fixed place. So it's a pleasure to note a couple of announcements - one dealing with workshop opportunities and the other a retirement of sorts:

---------------------------------

SHAW ART FAIR – This Weekend!
Last Chance: My Last Art Fair

Yes, it's true. I'm hanging it up after this art fair and just teaching classes. Come see what I've got left and get yourself a bargain. Last chance!

14th ANNUAL HISTORIC SHAW ART FAIR
Saturday & Sunday October 7& 8, 2006
Saturday – 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday – 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Admission is $5
Children 14 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Proceeds benefit the activities of the Shaw Neighborhood Improvement Association.

132 quality artists from around the country who work in a large variety of media and styles.

Located on the tree-lined parkway of beautiful Flora Place at Tower Grove Avenue, the Historic Shaw Art Fair is one of the premier fine art and fine craft fairs in the St. Louis area. It is highly rated by art fair magazines and participating artists.

The food court and a variety of music help make your visit a relaxed and pleasant one. Dogs on leashes are welcome. Disabled parking and accessible entry ramp provided. Parking is available on neighborhood streets and in Tower Grove Park. The Missouri Botanical Garden’s Best Of Missouri Market is held on the same weekend directly across Tower Grove Ave.

2006 COLLAGE WORKSHOPS with Caroline Huth
Now Available: Dates in November and December

Sign up now for holiday workshops – make your own great gifts this year! Artist and designer Caroline Huth presents self-guided workshops in the art of collage design. In one 6-hour session you'll work with your memorabilia, plus accoutrements from her studio, to create a one-of-a-kind framed piece of your own.

Learn how to come up with a theme, assemble the right items, build layers and dimension, and finally frame your final piece. Final pieces will be in a 12x12 shadowbox frame in either black or creamy white.

Holiday 2006 Dates:
Sat, Nov 4
Sun, Nov 5
Sat, Nov 18
Sun, Nov 19
Sat, Dec 2
Sun, Dec 3

Location: University City Centennial Commons, 7210 Olive Blvd in University City
Time: 12 - 6PM
Cost: $75, plus $20 material fee

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL! Reserve by October 31 and pay only $70! (plus materials fee)

Reservations are required. Classes are limited to six people. Payment is required within one week of signup. Once paid, fee is non-refundable. A pre-workshop will be emailed (one week prior) with information on what to bring, but start collecting your stuff now!

Please send your email address to: caroline@carolinehuth.com

Please mail checks to: Caroline Huth, 6951 Amherst, St. Louis, MO 63130 (PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT THE WORKSHOP LOCATION)

CALL TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE!
(314) 863-5955 or (314) 409-7056

See you there!

The Winners' Circle

The inagural night of Art Outside was excellent. Just returned from strolling the booths and had the honor of watching some certificates getting passed around. The winners this year are:

-First place: Caroline Huth
-Second Place: Daniel Shown
-Third Place: Firecracker Press/Eric Woods
-Most Evocative: Jane Linders
-Work Least Likely to be shown at an Art Fair: "Typewiter" Tim Jordan

Looking forward to more beer, more art and some excellent show of talent tomorrow, including our wee showcase in the Crown Room. Don't be afraid to come by and say hallo...

Triangular Collaborations

Tonight at Mad Art Gallery, you can see portraits by Jess Dewes of local St. Louis artists and writers. I got to see some of the proofs for this show and they knocked me out. I’m anxious to see which prints made the final cut. The portraits are accompanied by poems from 52nd City editor Stefene Russell. The artists/writers were asked to create a piece incorporating the writing, hence the name Triangular Collaborations. Photographed include locals Andrea Avery (yeah, me), Jenna Bauer, Aaron Belz, Thomas Crone, Tom Dykas, Tim Garrett, Galen Gondolfi, Marie and Matt McInerney, Carmelita Nunez, Maryellen Picker and Eric Woods.

Also showing will be Ilona Niemi, a visual artist from Finland. Her works are psychological portraits inspired by the disappearance of her childhood friend, Piia, in 1988. They are beautiful and haunting pieces. Her work has been shown in the National Portrait Gallery in London, as well as in numerous group shows in Britain, Finland, Norway, France, Japan and the US.

This should be a swell night. You can pick up copies of the latest issue of 52nd City Magazine too. Just $8 a pop—so be sure to stop by. Mad Art Gallery is located at 2727 S. 12th Street in Soulard. The opening is from 7-11pm. Free food. Cash bar. Real fun.

Slow Good

2005 Kick Ass Award Winners, Stephen & Sara Hale, are just two of many folks working on The Art of Food fundraiser, which happens Saturday, July 29th and is presented by Sauce Magazine, Mad Art Gallery, and Schlafly Beer. This event will include a silent auction with artwork by local artists and food stations with St. Louis's top chefs, who will create hors d'oeuvres from the products of local purveyors. The theme will be all things food, from music to video to fashion, and will draw St. Louis foodies and art fans alike. Admission is $10 ($5 for Slow Food Members) and proceeds benefit Slow Food St. Louis.

Last night, I dropped of my piece for the auction--I'm donating a fiber piece from the 2005 Potato Eaters show at the Contemporary Arts Collective of Las Vegas. I got a sneak peek at some of the other art and it looks like you are going to be able to bid on some really nice stuff. Don't miss the opportunity to get some food-inspired art and support a really wonderful cause at the same time. Many local artists are involved, and there will be lots of yum yums of which to partake, so I encourage you to check it out.

Slow Food, founded in 1986, is an international organization whose aim is to protect the pleasures of the table from the homogenization of modern fast food and life. Through a variety of initiatives, it promotes gastronomic culture, develops taste education, conserves agricultural biodiversity and protects traditional foods at risk of extinction.

BFA Show this Weekend

Been meaning to toss this onto the web for AGES now, but a note from Brett Underwood reminds me to slap it up. Also, look for a feature on the same topic, written by yours truly, in the current edition of Playback.

--------------------------------------------

Get Your B.F.A.
Bad Folk announces the first-ever Bad Folk Art show at two venues on
Cherokee Street, June 23-25, 2006.

The show opens Friday, 6/23 at the Typo Gallery at 3159 Cherokee (at
Compton) from 7-10 PM. This space is the former Way Out Club as well
as the lobby of the Tin Ceiling Theatre. Art show hours continue through
Saturday and Sunday, 6-9PM.

Radio Cherokee will host the musical components of the show. A
performance on by Bad Folk will take place at 9PM on Saturday, 6/24.
Harmony Band
and Arthur Dodge will both play sets to open the show.

On Sunday, 6/25, Sherman S. Sherman will be joined by a cast of local
musicians to debut "Peck Of Dirt", his solo project. Sherman was
formerly in the Good Griefs and Fred's Variety Group. This show will start
at 8 PM.

Radio Cherokee is located at 3227 Cherokee (at Virginia) and it should be noted that this space will close its doors this summer in order that the owners may concentrate on their other endeavors along St. Louis' most diverse and art-active streets.

Come get your BFA. For additional information, see the website
www.badfolkbybadfolk.com or e-mail questions to
Tim@badfolkbybadfolk.com.

P.S. Bad Folk will also play Saturday, July 1 at Mangia Italiano.

R'n'R Crafts

To amplify Stefene's previous post... I wound up at the Rock and Roll Craft Show twice over the weekend, including a rather-packed Sunday afternoon visit. Bought a few things, but anticipate (ugh! money!) buying more from several folks in coming months and years. So, in thecommonspace.org style, here are some links:

Dan Zettwoch

Mardou

Justin Visnesky

Dinosaur Kewpies (no link! oh!)

Cherokee: Friday Night

After the success of January's multi-venue opening along Cherokee Street, the spaces are opening new shows again this Friday, May 12. And though the times are plugged as beginning at 6 p.m., assume that the evening will stretch to a healthy hour.

Couple of particular items to note:

52nd City issue #1 artists Eric Woods and Dana Smith are both featuring new paintings, part in a group show at Typo, 3159 Cherokee. The opening time here is listed from 6-8 p.m.

Down the block, Radio Cherokee has some indoor and outdoor happenings. Here's what RC sent along: "at radio it's SO MANY DYNAMOS with guests. doors 9pm. www.radiocherokee.net for the full line up. earlier (6-9pm) gondo, typo,
and snowflake (all one block east of radio cherokee) will host local artists. this friday also marks the first installment of HI ART. the nasty billboard attached to the virgina side of RADIO CHEROKEE will be reworked by st. louis artist steven mcfarland. each month a diff. artist will have their chance to go public. hope to see you out."

In addition, Beverly, Fort Gondo and Snowflake will have openings, all located within a as stone's throw of the above locations.

April Art-y Bits

So many fliers, so many eavesdropped conversations, so much to see and do.

1. The Chippewa Chapel Traveling Guitar Circle and Medicine Show, previously highlighted here by Stefene Russell, has added a Myspace page, so that the kids can keep up with the rotating venue hootenany. The next four stops are vertitable tour of new nightspots on the South Side: April 20, Iron Barley, 5510 Virginia; April 27, Colorado Bob's Ship of Fools, 3457 Morgan Ford; May 4, Windy's on the Wedge, Bates and Virginia; May 11, Kicker's Corner, 6201 So. Broadway.

2. Congrats to Emily Bax, winner of "best in show" at the recent BFA annual at Webster University. All the piece will be up in the Hunt Gallery for the next month, or so.

3. Photographer Eric Post - who released the recent book, "Ghost Town: While St. Louis Sleeps," 2005, Reedy Press - is spinning records on Wednesdays at the Atomic Cowboy. Not only might you find his set intriguing, a blend of downtempo, reggae, dub and R&B, but tech nerds will want to stare at his rig. He brings in his own two turntables, a twin CD mixer and a laptop. Caramba! Geek out to his gear, or just listen.

4. Speaking of music geekery, the St. Louis Record & CD Show returns to the American Czech Hall, 4690 Landsdowne at Kingshighway, on Sunday, May 7. Truly, save your pennies, 'cause records here can be had for 100 of them.

5. Andrea mentioned some of the activities of the Tree Huggers in Forest Park - Wiktor Szostalo, Agnieszka Gradzik and Joe Papendick; how about those for a trio of names? - and some photos are going up at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/51252573@N00/sets/72057594110154314/.

6. The remains of the 52nd City book sale live! In fact, for the next week, you can fill a bag ($1) or a box ($2) with books at the Hartford Community Cafe, where the second floor has been taken over by hard- and soft-covers of all sorts. This is no small amount of books, seriously. And I know you wanted to come out Saturday, but it was a busy holiday weekend, and all. No worries.

7. The Cine16 show at the Missouri History Museum this Thursday will feature the silent classic "The General," along with live musical accompaniment. More info over at the Ecology of Absence site.

More to add, but I'm spacing. Hmm...

Tree Huggers

After the 52nd City Book Sale at the Royale this Saturday, I urge you to visit The Tree Hugger Project, a large environmental installation work by St. Louis artists, Wiktor Szostalo and Agnieszka Gradzik. The unveiling will be part of the annual Tulip Festival at the Jewel Box in Forest Park. Hours are 10am -3pm. The installation will remain in the park for some time, so you can also see it during Earth Day, the following weekend.

Wiktor spoke to me about his project at the Launch Party on Wednesday night. I’m familiar with his work from his exhibitions at Mad Art. I think he and Agnieszka are two of the most sincere and hard-working artists I’ve come into contact with. They started The Tree Hugger Project last summer at the Sculpture Trail in Hebden Bridge, England; installations in Jefferson City and at the Washington University School followed and they’ve been invited to show at Europos Sculpture Park in Vilnius, Lithuania and a Museum of Contemporary Art in Isfahan, Iran. The installation will travel to several destinations abroad and in the US in 2007 and beyond.

Below, is an excerpt from the Artists’ Mission Statement:
"The Tree Hugger Project is an ongoing work of Environmental Art designed to help us re-discover our relationship with nature at a very personal and intimate level. Made from twigs, branches, sticks, vines and other natural materials, these playful sculptures remind us that we humans are still very much a part of our natural surroundings. They bring us back to childhood memories when climbing trees, and playing with friends outdoors was a part of our daily experience. Has anyone ever climbed a tree without hugging it?"

Visit The Tree Hugger Project for more information. You can also see related drawings, paintings, and sculpture at the Third Floor Gallery at 1214 Washington. Call the gallery at (314) 241-1010 for more information.

Ruff Stuff