Final Friday Events - February 24th

By Brendan Costello on February 21, 2012

Special thanks to Molly Murphy and the Lawrence Arts Center for event listings.

LAWRENCE ARTS CENTER (940 NEW HAMPSHIRE)

• Hong Chun Zhang - HAY WIRE: Solo Exhibition    “Hay Wire” is a site specific project made for the Lawrence Arts Center. This body of new workincludes one large charcoal drawing, two oil paintings and three Chinese ink paintings as well as oneinstallation piece. The idea for this series comes from my life experiences both in urban China and ruralKansas. I mix my Chinese heritage, aesthetics, and identity with my new home in the mid-west and inmiddle kingdom.

• Jennifer Crupi - THE ARTICULATE BODY: Solo Exhibition    The artwork in this exhibition addresses the ways we communicate with each other visually, throughbody language. Hand crafted of aluminum or sterling silver, these interactive objects becomeinstruments for gestural behavior. Studies show that 85% of our communication is non-verbal. With theincreasing use of e-mail, Internet social networks, and text messaging, true one-on-one interpersonalcommunication is fading and our more honest and authentic feelings are being overlooked. All of mypieces point out various gestures or postures and their associated meanings in the hope viewers willrealize the importance of how our bodies speak for us. An old proverb rightfully claims, “Actions speaklouder than words”. Although our body movements may be mute to the ears, they are inevitably farmore revealing than the spoken word which often disguises.

• Directed Visions: Works from 1st and 2nd Year Graduate Students from the School of Art at the University of Kansas    "Directed Visions" represents a rich variety of fresh talent, innovative artistic practices, and conceptualapproaches from the University Of Kansas Department Of Visual Art Graduate Students. Thegraduate studio experience encourages authentic artistic exploration. Ideas, forms, and materials areexplored as part of the student's creative process. The works in this exhibition are responses to directedinvestigations.The Department of Visual Arts Graduate Studio Arts program is a comprehensive three-year programthat gives students the opportunity to experiment with media, materials, and diverse artistic practicesthat support the development of artistic excellence.

• Dannon Art Project    This project will be housed on the north end of the second floor of the Arts Center.Rex Hausmann created a painting on the second floor at the Lawrence Arts Center January 23 – 27.This temporary studio will handed over to a series of artists who will create new works, each leavingtheir works on display. Hausmann invited artists to work in this space in different mediums to create a community response to his painting.Audiences are encouraged to visit the space.

DOWNTOWN UPSTAIRS (824-1/2 Massachusetts)*6:30-10:30

Eclectic artwork mixed with the eclectic Downtown Upstairs Studio is eye candy for the soul andpromises to please. Trip the light fantastic upstairs to view the artwork by Traci Bunkers, MikeWallace, and Uncle Andy. This venue is open late to give everyone a chance to visit.

• Traci Bunkers, mixed-media artist and published author, has a little something for everyone, includingquirky pin-back buttons & pocket mirrors, ponytail dreadlocks, mixed-media paintings, photographs,and handmade books. She will also have both of her books "The Art Journal Workshop" and "Print &Stamp Lab" available. See her website at http://www.TraciBunkers.com for more information.

• Mike Wallace is a Lawrence area artist who is showing again after many years. He is currentlyproducing portraits and animal portraits in oil, as well as mixed-media pieces. For more information,contact Mike at mwdesign@sunflower.com.

• Andy, fondly known as Uncle Andy, is a prolific artist who specializes in squished acrylics on foundobjects.

THE LAWRENCE PERCOLATOR(in the alley behind Lawrence Arts Center, look for the green awnings)

• This Green Space (in process)5-9 p.m. at the Percolator.   Visitors are welcome to see "This Green Space" installation in process. Check out thescale model of the field and hear about how you can participate. More info at http://thisgreenspace.wordpress.com/

THE INVISIBLE HAND GALLERY (801.5 MASSACHUSETTS, suite D)*6 until 9 pm

• Works by Nicholas Ward    Nicholas Ward received his BFA in 2007 from the University of South Dakota and his MFA in 2010 from the university of Kansas. In 2008, Nicholas was invited to study at the KID Puppet For Film Animation School in Prague CZ. There he studied under master puppet-makers and animators, many of whom worked directly under the father of Czech puppet animation, Jiri Trnka. Since 2010 Nicholas has been involved with Mid America Arts Alliances Mural Project, A six-state series of three-month community engaging residency projects designed to empower and ignite art in mid-western communities. He is also co-director, and cinematographer for the documentary film Called to Walls (currently in production). In 2011 Nicholas was an artist in residence at the Bemis Center For Contemporary Art in Omaha, Nebraska. He currently resides in North Lawrence.

THE BOURGEOIS PIG (6 E. 9TH ST.)*6 until 9 pm

• “Trash Lion” new works by Natale Collar    Natale Collar was born on the Kansas plains. Raised on gunpowder and game bird, shespent her childhood summers selling fireworks and her winters going on hunting trips with her father. This exposure to nature and culture helped shape her methods in creative expression. She studied at the University of Kansas, getting her BFA in Sculpture with a minor inPsychology. She works mainly in metal, wood and living materials but is constantly searchingfor challenging and innovative mediums. She has shown in several University related exhibitsbut Trash Lion marks her first solo show.

This series explores nature, create-ure, and culture and the labored union of theaforementioned items. The works aim to expose the usefully discarded and overlookedwithout putting anything on a pedestal. It is as much influenced by trenching oddities as it isregular forest dwellers. While it's perhaps more about gathering acorns than getting lost in amonstrous city, both parts have relevance.

TELLER'S THIRD FLOOR GALLERY (746 MASSACHUSETTS)

• Rachel Scribner ~ Settle Down    From the artist: My work contains drawn and painted imagery of forms made by the earth and forms made by man. Natural forms speak of the unending cycle of life and shifting of situation and circumstances. Manmade structures echo the need for order and logic along with the very human attempt at control of our lives as we deal with life changes.  Death, loss, pain, relief, and joy alter our emotional conditions similar to the effects ofthe elements like wind, rain, erosion, etc. The skeleton-like structures and architecture reference human life and its fragile state. Nature shifts, buries and allows growth within space even during trauma. Emotions, dreams, fears and expectations settle in the process. This work is a meditation on the shifting of life and how we move through those periods over and over, constantly adjusting and finding new ways to settle into our circumstances.

THE ELDRIDGE (701 MASSACHUSETTS)

• The Eldridge presents an evening of live music with Irish trio, DORIAN'S WHEEL, featuring Kelly Bohling

WATKINS COMMUNITY MUSEUM* 6 until 8 pm

• Knowledge Grows: Student Experiences in the Smart Choices Garden with Americana Music Academy students and teachers     On Friday, February 24, the Watkins Museum will open the exhibition KnowledgeGrows: Student Experiences in the Smart Choices Garden, celebrating the Liberty Memorial Central Middle School's garden project. The family-friendly event will run from 6:00-8:00 PM. Students and teachers from the Americana Music Academy will present musical selections throughout the evening. Hands-on activities and refreshments will be provided. 

• On view on the second floor of the Watkins Museum, Knowledge Grows features photos and recollections by students and volunteers that participated in the Central Smart Choices Garden. The exhibition explores the growth of the project and its role as an educational experience. Historic artifacts and photographs reveal how agricultural activities shaped the lives of young people in Douglas County in the past.

THE ART PARTY (718 NEW HAMPSHIRE)

• Lawrence Art Party    The Lawrence Art Party continues this month with a group show of local and regional artists as well as Van Go! Mobile Arts.

 
WONDERFAIR (803 1/2 MASSACHUSETTS)

• Chop Chop with Lee Piechocki and Matt Jacobs    Chop chop, get to work. Chop chop, make some art. For many talented artists “chop chop” is both an internal mantra and an incessant external fact. Moreover it describes the way in which art is often made, in chops: a second stolen during a commute, an inspiration set in motion at an inopportune moment captured as note to self in one’s sketchbook. Beginning Final Friday, February 24th, WonderFair presents Chop Chop, an exhibition of momentary pauses in modern man’s hectic schedule. The show pairs former Wonder-Fairian Lee Piechocki with Kansas City Art Institute grad Matt Jacobs. Art brothers from different art mothers, their work is united by an obvious delight in materials and pop-toned banality. As if they shopped for art imagery from the same neon-colored aisle at the dollar store, Jacobs’ sculptures juxtapose bright pool floats and rainbow-hued household cleaning supplies,while Piechocki’s imaginary interiors are filled with beach balls, kitsch dolphin posters, and stray fluorescent marks.

• Wonder Fair will host a live printing demonstration and fundraiser for the KU Printmaking Club. Ten specially designed t-shirt and poster screenprints will be available, priced $10-$20, featuring such crowd-pleasing images as Pizza, Storm Troopers on Bikes, and (for the minimalist) bold geometric patterns. Help a printmaker, and help yourself to a hand-made tee! 

AIMEE'S CAFE AND COFFEEHOUSE (1025 MASSACHUSETTS)

• The South Mass Art Guild (SMAG) a Kansas Arts Not for Profit will be celebrating it'sfourth anniversary! Join us for drinks and Hors d' oeuvers. Visual art will be for sale.

1109 GALLERY (1109 MASSACHUSETTS)

• Contemporaries, featuring artist Marty Olson    1109 Gallery presents "Contemporaries" with more than 50 pieces of artwork from area artists. Our featured artist in the large gallery is Marty Olson whose pieces range from inspirations of the Southwest, personal symbolic lexicons and the spirit of the Flint Hills. Each painting and piece represent the dance of creative process as he experiences it. Our opening reception will be held on Final Friday from 7:00-9:00 p.m. with great art, great food and libations! 

PACHAMAMA'S (800 NEW HAMPSHIRE)

• New Works by Justin Marable    Justin Marable was raised in Robinson, a northeastern Kansas farm town. Throughout his life, Justin has learned and wandered within the boundaries of his Midwestern homeland, observing the landscape and landmarks of the surrounding region. Printmaking, drawing, and music have become his main methods of artistic expression. Justin graduated from the University of Kansas in May 2005 with a B.F.A. in printmaking. He currently resides in the Kenwood neighborhood of Topeka with his wife and daughters. He works full time at his home as an artist, husband, and father.

TRAILRIDGE AND GRAYSTONE APARTMENTS (2512 W. 6th St.)*5:30 until 8:00 p.m.

• Works by Kevin Kinkaid and live music by Kaelum Hasler    Trailridge and Graystone Apartments and Townhomes will be hosting our monthly Final Friday show above our office located at 2512 W. 6th St. This Month's artist will be Graystone resident Kevin Kinkaid with live music performed by Kaelum Hasler on the cello.  There will be free food and champagne.

LAWRENCE PUBLIC LIBRARY *5:00 until 7:00 p.m.

• Backroads, Images of Rural Kansas:  Photography by Kansascapes Photo Alliance     Native Kansans Brad Neff, Scott Bean and Roger Spohn have banded together to form the Kansascapes Photo Alliance. Their collective and individual goals are to capture and share the subtle beauty of Kansas through their photography. Each member has had work published in Kansas Magazine and other regional publications, and the group strives to inspire others with their images as well as to document, preserve and protect the fragile and vanishing lands.

• Eclectic Muses: Photography by Constance Whiston     Constance Whiston has a background in sculpture, painting, drawing and calligraphy. This continuously informs her photography. She began photographing with a “Brownie,” then proceeded to employ an instamatic, waterproof 35 MM Pentax, digital Pentax, 35 MM Canon FTB, Nikon SLR and Canon SLR.

DIANE'S ARTISAN GALLERY (4 E. 7TH ST.)

• "A Trunk Show of Makenna Bartel Jewelry"     Come by and celebrate the return of one of our most beloved artists, Makenna Bartel. Makenna will beon hand to present her latest jewelry designs with a large selection for fans of her work to choose from.

LOST ART SPACE (845 MASSACHUSETTS)

• "THE GREY AREA"     The Lost Art Space studio/gallery features a show built around the processes and environments that externally shape the inner urge to construct and create. The lines between gallery and studio become blurred as the six resident artists expand into the main gallery with individual site-specific installations focused on conceptual ideas & the interplay of layers that develop into a finished work of art. This show attempts to illuminate the grey areas between thinking and making, material and artifact, creator and creation and the underlying threads between us all.

Along with the work of studio artists Paul Flinders, Jeromy Morris, Jason Barr, Erok Johanssen, Jesse Gray, and Jeremy Rockwell, multimedia projects from New Zealandand Colorado will be displayed, as well as new microchip paintings by Yuri Zupancic, jewelry from Wayne Propst and KANVAS Co., work by Matt Ridgway, Robert Gandy and other local favorites.

SMILING MAD DESIGNS and INKELLO PRESS (801.5 MASSACHUSETTS,suite 3)

• Join Margo Holland of Smiling Mad Designs and Christy Schneider of Inkello Letterpress for Final Fridays on February24, 2012. Located above Esquina in a playful studio space, the two women create a variety of handmade items.  Margo, an arts-inspired mother of three, creates colorful, eclectic jewelry, textiles and home decor objects. Christy designs and prints on an antique letterpress, making a variety of paper goods, including greeting cards, journals, bookplates, and more. She is also a mother and a children’s illustrator, who owns Yellow Pencil Studio, Inc.

PHOENIX GALLERY (825 MASSACHUSETTS)

• Jewelry Artist, Dawn Kent and live music from Wes Samms     Not only will there be a demonstrating artist here, but there will also be live music from Wes Samms and free massages from Janette and Kate of Images Salon. This is a Final Friday at Phoenix Gallery that you don't want to miss! Ourdemonstrating artist will be Dawn Kent of Interlace. From Dawn: “I have always searched for a creative outlet which would also inspire others. This is how Interlace was born.   As a self-taught artist, my pieces began with simple stringing techniques and blossomed into the intricate pieces you see today. The design of each piece starts with selection of colorful, focus beads and unfolds as each bead is added. There is no planning of the designs, but an understanding of each component and its relation to the next. I was born and raised in the Midwest, and currently live in Lawrence,Kansas. In addition to being a jewelry artist, I am the mother of two lovely daughters, and have been happily married for 15 years.”

SIGNS OF LIFE GALLERY (722 MASSACHUSETTS)

• Opening Reception, The New Show    The New Show is all about 'new' - new year, new decade - and Signs of Life is welcoming twelve new artists to our gallery.  We will also have new works from a few of our current artists plus the long-awaited return of Terence Koehn.