Fair and festival season is gearing up. We recently had the Cherokee Triangle Art Fair and here comes the Butchertown Art Fair on Sunday May 18, 2008.

The Butchertown Art Fair last year had over 40 booths featuring paintings, sculptures, antiques, crafts and jewelry created by Louisville-area artisans. This event is non-juried and will be held rain or shine. Artwork and antiques will also be on display in the courtyard of historic Bakery Square. Food will be provided by St. Joe's Church and kid's activities will also be available.

The Thomas Edison House Garden & Home Tour will be held concurrent with the Butchertown Art Fair on May 18, 2008 from 11 AM - 5 PM. This annual event offers insight on unique methods of gardening in the urban landscape and benefits the Thomas Edison House, a historic house museum in the historic Butchertown neighborhood. For more information on the Garden Tour, please call (502) 585-5247.

This Saturday is something called Celebrate Asia Family Day at the Speed. The short press release I got is the first I've heard of it so I'm not sure exactly what to tell you to expect though it sounds cool enough particularly given that admission is free.

The Speed is proud to host this wonderful celebration of Asian Cultures. Celebrate Asia Family Day is the area's largest Asian cultural events for families. Come and enjoy the arts and traditions of China, India, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Samoa, Thailand, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. Activities include: cultural performances from several different Asian cultures in the auditorium; informational displays on the Sculpture Court; hands-on experiences in the Art Sparks Workshop, and special demonstrations.

Saturday May 10, 2008
Noon-5PM

Speed Museum
2035 South 3rd
Louisville, KY

I've already mentioned a few highlights for this week's First Friday Trolley Hop like the Derby City Tattoo Art Show and the opening at the Tim Faulkner Gallery, oh and yeah the book signing at Felice. Here are some more happenings tonight:

The Mayan Cafe will be premiering their special Derby menu. "The Mayan Cafe will be offering our Special Derby Menu on May 2! Start your meal with such delights as a chilled Squash Bisque or a Derby Salad with arugula, strawberries, jicama & Oaxaca cheese in a mint vinaigrette. For our entrees, we will be offering a Beef Tenderloin in our mole sauce and a Pan-seared Salmon filet encrusted with pistachios in a pomegranate cream sauce, as well as several other dishes. Be sure to save room for dessert to try our Sweet Crepe with fresh mangos & mascarpone cheese in a rhubarb sauce or our Blood Orange Flan."

"St. John United Church of Christ opens its doors at 7:00 pm. Everyone is welcome to tour our sanctuary. Outside, Terry Birkhead and his drumming group will perform."

Carr-Waite Studio , 221 S. Hancock Recent work by Caroline Waite and Geoff Carr. Opening Friday, May 2, 6-9 pm.

I feel so out of the loop that I didn't know anything about this project. Granted it just officially launched today, still yet, I should have known! I should have given you an early heads up! Alas, I did not know and could not give you an early heads up but I'm telling you know.

Photographer extraordinaire Leslie Lyons has just launched I Live in Louisville. I'm not 100% I've got the relationship right but I believe I Live in Louisville is the first ongoing project sponsored by The Five0Two campaign. Up until this point The Five0Tw0 has released one new, original work of art each month. I Live in Louisville is an ongoing project. So what is it? I'm just going to copy the entire about text:

There's much going on in Louisville. With the recent merger of Metro Louisville and Jefferson County, we've been identified as the 16th-largest city in America. A city with quantity is one thing. But a city with quality - now that's special. Louisville is special.

This is a city with much to offer: culturally, aesthetically, and economically. All these Louisville features are the result of people who make things happen here. Interesting people, smart people, creative people, innovative people. People who live here and make a difference in this community. And in many cases, exporting ideas, products, and arts to the world at large.

If you live here, you probably know what I'm talking about. Tell me who you are and what you do. If you don't live here, it's probably about time you came to visit. The people in this project will offer an intriguing reason for you to do so.

Sounds good right? I thought so. The artist's statement is even better:

There is a map of the world in the local restaurant, Lynn's Paradise Café, with a sign attached that says "It's not where you've been. It's where you're from." 

Visitors are then invited by the sign to peel off a colored dot and place their sticker on the map to show where they are from, where they were born, the place they represent. I stood there, looking at the dots in some of the places I've been in the world . . . Barcelona, Montreal, Kingston, London and New York City where I lived for 18 years. But I was born in Louisville, Kentucky and just like the sign implies . . . that is what really matters. 

I took Louisville with me to all those places whether I was aware of it or not. But how does the saying go - The best journeys are ones that lead you home? Well, I have settled back in Louisville again after clocking in years away longer than those I spent here. I thought it was time to balance the scale back in my hometown's favor.

As part of this week's First Friday festivities (oh come on, I couldn't pass up that alliteration) the Tim Faulkner Gallery will be hosting an opening reception for a show of new paintings by Quincy Owens.

Tim Faulkner Gallery presents "Since We Last Spoke", new paintings by Quincy Owens.  Opening reception will be Friday May 2nd, 5 -10pm, and the show will hang through May.  Gallery hours are Mon - Fri 4 - 8pm, Sat 12 - 4pm, and of course by appointment.  Tim Faulkner Gallery is located at 815 E. Market St. #4 (upstairs in the Mary Craik building). 

I know you're already swamped with Derby week activities but this one is different from anything else I've seen on any social calendars so I wanted to tell you about. On Friday night May 2, 2008 Derby City Espresso is hosting an opening party for the Derby City Tattoo Art Show.

This Friday is first Friday as well. First Friday & Derby week = lots of cool stuff to do downtown. I hope you squeeze this event in though. I love the vibe Derby City Espresso is bringing downtown, I hung out there one afternoon last week and got some work done and really enjoyed it.

Derby City Espresso
331 E. Market Street
Louisville, KY

One of my beloved's very good friends died from Leukemia while they were in college as such the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society are right up there with the Alzheimer's Association. So I'm happy to share the press release I got for a benefit at Flame Run on April 26, 2008 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Flame Run contemporary art glass studio is hosting a Glass Extravaganza on April 26 to raise money for the Kentucky and Southern Indiana chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The public is invited.

About 20 pieces made by Flame Run artists will be sold at auction or given away through raffles from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Some of the pieces will be made during the evening of the event by Flame Run artists. Attendees will buy raffle tickets at the door for $10, $15 and $50. Refreshments will be served.

Flame Run co-owner Susie Slabaugh White planned the event after she was nominated as a candidate for Woman of the Year by the Kentucky and Southern Indiana chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She is one of 13 business and community leaders competing for the titles in honor of the Boy and Girl of the Year - local children who have survived blood cancer. The winners are judged solely on a philanthropic basis - the male and female candidates raising the most funds win. Last year's events raised $132,000, according to Carolyn Harper, who is coordinating the campaign for the society.

"I am honored to be given this opportunity to raise awareness about leukemia and lymphoma," said White, whose grandmother died of lymphoma about 10 years ago.

Flame Run
828 East Market Street
Louisville, KY

Time to buy art! But apparently only with cash.

Indulge in the rich, artistic experience as local, statewide, and nationwide artists travel to the Cherokee Triangle and display their creative talents. Bring cash & support the arts!!!

Saturday April 26, 2008
10AM-6PM
Cherokee Triangle/Willow Park

I don't personally know enough about Tricia Batement to give you the full scoop so I'm just going to quote the press release.

The Louisville Graphic Design Association (LGDA) will host a lecture by designer Tricia Bateman on Thursday, April 24th at 6pm. The event will be held at the Cressman Center for Visual Arts Gallery at 100 East Main Street, and will include hors d'oeuvres provided by the Wiltshire Pantry. The cost is free for LGDA members, $15 for non-members and $5 for students.

LGDA members attending this event can enter to win a full-conference registration to the annual HOW Design Conference, a four-day conference, created for graphic design professionals, being held May 18-21, 2008 in Boston, MA. The giveaway, valued at over $1,000 is open to current LGDA members, no purchase necessary.

Reservations are encouraged but not required. To RSVP email lgda.rsvp@gmail.com

About Tricia Bateman
Tricia Bateman began her career in design coloring with Pantone markers on Bienfang 100% rag paper on her dad's ad agency office floor. As an adult, Tricia has left her mark on the magazine design industry with more than 10 years experience winning various design awards and inclusion in Folio magazine's Folio:40. Former titles under her guidance include Writer's Digest, Popular Woodworking and HOW. Looking for a new creative challenge, Tricia recently left HOW magazine for Madison Design Group. From the new point of view of a design firm, she's managed a few magazine redesigns and launches as well as branching out into branding, identity and collateral for companies like Procter and Gamble, Cincinnati Children's Hospital and Summerfair Cincinnati.

The Late Seating at Actors presents The Promiscuous Materials Project
Apr 25, 10:30 pm following performance of Doubt at 8 pm

An electric mixture of selected stories and songs by Jonathan Lethem, interpreted by local artists as part of The Promiscuous Materials Project.

TICKETS $10 (or $5 with Actors ticket stub)
CALL 502-584-1205 for reservation

PERFORMANCE
Necessary Theatre
Freewheelin Theatre Company
Riverrun Theatre Company

MUSIC
One Small Step

VISUAL ART
Lindsey Dobson
mperfect
Natasha Sud
Joe Welsh
Brad White
Matt Dobson

MUSIC VIDEO
Andy Garbe

Another First Friday another Trolley Hop. You know how these things go. A few highlights for the April 2008 edition:

- The Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft Gallery Shop will host a reception for the April Artist of the Month - Bruce Frank. Frank is a photographer who uses his background in graphic design to create images that generally feature a central flower or leaf pattern, with an enhanced background or border. He calls his work contemporary botanical art.

The Museum will also unveil the 2008 Derby couture! Wearables include: Hats by Angie Schultz, Polly Singer, Jill Henning, Leigh Magar, Fleur de Paris, C.K. Nobles, Donita Cherry and Ann deVuono; Jewelry by Summer Eliason and Kara Nichols; Sunglasses by iWOOD Eco Designs; and Neckware by Bird Dog Bay and Judy Kushner.

- "Join St. John United Church of Christ in their post-Lenten Fish Fry at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. The Sanctuary is open to guests and will feature organ music. Outside, enjoy musical drumming guest Terry Birkhead. St. John is also hosting The Thousand Poet's opening event at 8 p.m. upstairs in our Renaissance Theatre. Enjoy poetry with Erin Keane and Adam Day, followed by The Big Time Band and finally a musical performance by Brett Eugene Ralph. For more information, visit thousandpoets.org."

- The Bodega at Felice will be sampling Derby entertaining ideas and Ky Ale products. As part of Poetry Month, there will be poetry readings at The Bodega during the Trolley Hop.

- "Gallery NuLu, 632 E. Market St. 2nd floor, proudly announces their latest show, Leah Tinari's "These Squares Certainly Sabotage the Stereotype"! Opening: April 4th, 2008 from 5-8 pm through: May 31s t, 2008.

Brooklynite and celebrated New Yorker illustrator Leah Tinari makes her first trip to Louisville with her outrageous, sumptuous paintings. Tinari celebrates and puts her personal touch on the everyday snapshot by turning it into art, permanently recording her boisterous nights out and family gettogethers in our 'snap it, delete it, and retake it' society.

Tinari's illustrations regularly accompany The New Yorker's Goings On Around Town Section, putting her touch on bands like The Faint and Supergrass. Her work has also snagged the cover of the UK's Adbusters, as well as coverage in Elle, Lucky, Spin, and The New York Times Magazine. She teaches a drawing and painting class at Parsons School of Design as well.

Whitney May of The New York Arts Magazine sums it up: "Here, youth, laughs, tequila, and a digital camera are everything; neither politics nor the rest of society pose any significant roadblock."

Maker's Mark is throwing a cool sounding contest open to Kentucky artists.

For over 50 years, we've been handcrafting Maker's Mark here at our little distillery in Loretto, KY. From the hand selecting of our grains, to the tasting of each barrel and the hand dipping of each bottle in our signature red wax, we leave nothing to chance when it comes to our bourbon. That's why we look at each bottle of Maker's as a work of art.

And now we want to see your artistic take on the process.

We'd like to try something new, something different. Something that reflects the essence of not only our bourbon, but the distillery, the people, and the brand in an artistic way.

We want to give local artists full-access to our historic distillery, in the hope that it will become an inspiration they can express through their art form.

Get all the contest details at themarkofgreatart.com

This Brown-Foreman AfterHours at the Speed event next Friday April 11 from 6-9PM looks just about my speed.

Join us as we celebrate the charms of Kentucky with "Bourbon and Bluegrass." The evening will feature the live music of "Hog Operation," handicapping experts on hand from Churchill Downs, $2 tastings of Woodford Reserve cocktails, food samplings by Liquor Barn and tours of the Kentucky Collection. Admission is $10, free to museum members. Visit Medieval and Renaissance Treasures from the Victoria and Albert Museum for $5 with AfterHours admission. Parking is available in the Speed Garage for $3. Doors will open at 5:30 PM for this event.

Speed Museum
2035 South Third Street
Louisville, KY

This dinner is too rich for my blood but if you can swing it sounds like a neato lecture and dinner.

Austrian artist Werner Reiterer is the creative force behind the chandelier installation at the corner of Seventh and Main in front of the 21C Museum Hotel. Following the artist's free lecture in the 21C Atrium on Wednesday, April 16, Proof chef Michael Paley will present a three course menu at which Reiterer will be the guest of honor. A portion of the proceeds from the dinner will go to support the 21c Museum Foundation. The cost is $125 per person, including wine, tax and gratuity. Seats are limited and reservations may be secured with a credit card at 502-217-6374 or bbomba@proofonmain.com.

On Friday evening March 28, 2008 from 5-8PM there will be a closing show at Gallery NuLu for Valerie Sullican Fuchs solo show "Boys Don't Cry." I don't know much about the show so here is some info from the press release:

Described as a "prominent video artist" by Julien Robson, The Speed Museum's Curator of Contemporary Art , Fuchs offers her first solo exhibition in five years.

Fuchs has exhibited her work throughout the US, including Louisville's 21C and Speed Museums, twice at the Santa Barbara Center for Contemporary Art, and several galleries in Chicago. Fuchs has also shown her work abroad, most recently in Estonia at the Parnu Film and Video Festival, as well as in Austria and Serbia.

Fuchs is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Al Smith Fellowship from the Kentucky Arts Council, multiple Artist Enrichment Grants from the Kentucky Foundation for Women, and a grant from the Sony Corporation. In 2003, she won a Prague Quadrennial Award for Video Design. In 2005, the Louisville International Airport commissioned the creation of her 'Zero to Sixty' project, on permanent display in the terminal.

She received a Bachelors in Architecture from the University of Kentucky, and her MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her latest collection offers several new video pieces, as well as other works.

Gallery Nulu
632 East Market, Upstairs
Louisville, KY
502-561-1162

I got this press release for an interesting sounding show that opens next week at Zephyr Gallery.

Zephyr Gallery will exhibit Compositions of Symmetry, artwork by Louisville artists Michelle Amos and Brenda Wirth from April 2nd -May 10th. An artist's reception and First Friday Gallery Hop will be held on April 4th 6-9pm at the gallery, 610 East Market. The May First Friday Gallery Hop will be held on May 2nd 6-9pm. Gallery hours are Wednesday- Saturday from 11am- 6pm and by appointment.

Brenda Wirth will display her series of digitally manipulated photographs that are the basis for several large new vinyl pieces. Using self-adhesive colored vinyl adhered to clear vinyl, Wirth created brightly colored intricate symmetrical patterns that reference the natural world. Her works include an installation using painted driftwood, light and shadow.

Michelle Amos takes a different approach to symmetry with her twin dolls in woven caskets.

The band Ut Gret will play the opening reception and offer sweet melodic tunes for a festive Spring evening.

A reader sent me the info on a call for artists put out by Kaviar Forge & Gallery for Kentucky artists.

Kaviar Forge & Gallery is hosting its second Exhibition of artwork created by people who live or work in Kentucky. We're interested in all media, and we want to hear from all artists, not just professionals! The last exhibit was limited to just the Clifton and Cresent Hill neighborhoods, this time we are opening it to the entire Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Kaviar Forge & Gallery is devoted to the discovery, introduction and promotion of emerging artists and all talents. All artist welcomed including painters, graphist,potters, photographers, jewelers, weavers,blacksmiths and much more!

Artists are asked to submit work for upcoming competition by April 21, 2008.  The Exhibition will be held in July through Aug . For those interested in participating, you may send images to:
Blair Arseneaux
Kaviar Forge & Gallery
1718 Frankfort Ave
Louisville KY 40206

or Blair@KaviarGallery.com

• Send slides, photos, or a CD /DVD (JPEG preferred).
• Application fee is $25 (3 images per application) submit digital images on a CD or via e-mail (JPEG preferred)
• include information: size, sale price or not for sale, media, technique
• submit work by April 21, 2008

If you have any question please contact Blair Gallery Manager

Just got a press release for a new show at Flame Run that's going to feature the work of the glass studio's founder Brook Forrest White Jr.

Flame Run contemporary art glass studio will showcase the work of its founder, Brook Forrest White Jr., in a solo exhibition April 4, 2008 through May 20, 2008. A reception is scheduled on Saturday April 5 from 6 to 9 p.m.

The show will include at least 10 to 15 new pieces, including "Twinkle Twinkle," an installation depicting the solar system that is 35 feet wide, 11 feet tall and two feet deep. "It's a new direction for me because it is work on a much larger scale," White said.

Twinkle Twinkle sounds amazing. The opening reception for the show is Saturday April 5 from 6PM-9PM. The show runs April 4-May 20, 2008.

This Saturday March 22, 2008 from Noon-4PM the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft will present a Figurative Clay Sculptures Workshop with Maggie Towne. 

How is it possible that next Friday is the final Friday of March already? I do not know but it is and that means it's time for another Frankfort Avenue Trolley Hop.

Frankfort Avenue Trolley Hop
Friday March 28, 2008

Some highlights:

Sniper Photo Studio at the Mellwood Arts Center is having a sale

Mom's Music is presenting Kentuckiana's Fastest Drummer Qualifying & Live Music@Cafe Ole` 6-8pm

Elizabeth's Timeless Attire will be showing Vintage Derby Hats from 1930-1960

Well, there won't be free trolley service but several galleries will be open tonight since last week's First Friday Trolley Hop was called due to weather.

The Carr-Waite Gallery will be featuring new work by gallery owners Geoff Carr and Caroline Waite. Pyro will be open and featuring member Susan Moffett's "Journeys: Drawings and Prints" and Swanson-Reed will have "Make It Right: Rebuilding New Orleans."

Believe me when I tell you that no one on the planet loves Alfred Hitchcock movies, particularly Rear Window, more than my beloved. Seriously. So unless a hospital emergency pulls us away I'd bet money that on Tuesday March 18, 2008 at 6PM you'll find us at the Speed Museum for the lecture The Architecture of Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window.

In 1954, audiences were first treated to what is perhaps the ultimate Alfred Hitchcock movie, Rear Window. The film's unsettling murder mystery was certainly entertaining enough, but Hitchcock achieved more than the usual resonance with audiences, through the use of his mammoth set representing an apartment-house courtyard between West 10th and 11th Streets in New York's Greenwich Village. Hitchcock's apartments in Rear Window are emblematic of many factors common to American life in 1954, from new questions of privacy generated by smaller living spaces, to a need to individualize near-identical housing units, to the anonymity newly available to those who would live outside society's rules. The Architecture of Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window will attempt to demonstrate how the director used commonly encountered architectural elements and used them to manipulate his audiences into acceptance of the tale he wished to tell. Sandy McLendon writes about architecture and design.  His work has appeared in Old House Interiors and Arts & Crafts Homes, as well as Modernism Magazine, where he is a contributing editor. His book about the use of prefabrication in building custom housing, PreFAB Elements, was published in 2005 by HarperCollins. Admission is free. Presented in the auditorium.

Speed Museum
2035 South Third Street
Louisville, Kentucky 40208

Tomorrow night, Wednesday March 12, 2008 Avalon will present an opening reception for the 2008 Avalon Spring Art Show. The show, which runs during the months of March, April and May features works by local artists in a variety of mediums (complete list of artists after the jump). Artists will be on hand for the reception which runs from 5-7PM.

Avalon
1314 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY

Image: "Red Daisies" oil on canvas by Micki Thomas

Thanks to Five0Two for giving us the scoop on the Clay Buffet First Friday Gallery Hop goodness.

"Artist Damon Thompson converts his apartment and back yard into a gallery once a month, and throws a wild party besides. Live hip hop djs, sometimes even live artwork. All artists get 100% of proceeds. All it takes to get in the show is to show up and bring your art, space permitting."

Friday March 7th & other First Fridays, starts at 8pm.

Clay Buffet
215 S. Clay St
Louisville, KY

I've never been to Kentucky Crafted: The Market so I can't give you a first hand account of how neat or interesting it is. However I can say that more than one person whose opinion I trust has urged me to write about Kentucky Crafted: The Market and encourage people to go to it. So this is me, telling you about it and encouraging you to go.

Steve over at Louisville History and Issues is very enthusiastic about this event so I'm going to quote him: "I'm telling you folks, Kentucky Crafted is quickly becoming the hottest public event of the year in Louisville! This is THE place to sample and purchase all sorts of Kentuckyfood products, meet and greet Kentucky authors, and peruse all sorts of crafts made by people right here in Kentucky. This is the ultimate "Buy Local" event! I've already gone for two years straight, and I give this show the highest recommendation.

Now, Business First is reporting that the Southeast Tourism Society has named Crafted: The Market" as one of the top 20 events in the Southeast this winter! "Every quarter, the Atlanta-based organization selects 20 of the top events for each season and publishes them in more than 300 newspapers, magazines, radio and TV stations and in 125 AAA publications, according to a news release."

Kentucky Crafted: The Market 2008
Saturday, March 8, 2008
9:00 am to 6:00 pm

Sunday, March 9, 2008
10:00 am to 5:00 pm (EST)

South Wing B
Kentucky Exposition Center
Louisville, Kentucky

$1 off admission coupon (PDF)

This Friday night March 7, 2008 the Tim Faukner Gallery presents an opening reception for the exhibit "A Veil Of Personality" by Jen Goodell. The show runs through March 31, 2008.

The artist describes the exhibition as

"a story of sorts, it is a story of exploration and experimentation. Every painting is an attempt to create chaos and then find a way to resolve it.

The result is multiple paintings, each with their own personality, some more similar to each other than others"

Tim Faulkner has this say about the artist

"Everyone that I have meet who knows Jen Goodell says the same two things; they like her, and they love her work ! The reason behind this is easy- pure honesty, plain and simple. This very rare quality shines through her work in complex layers of subtle imagery, a very personalized sense of color theory, a great use of geometric symmetry, and a cryptic flow of insightful prose. By the time you realize that you have dissected the work to it's base elements and that there are in fact words everywhere, you understand that what she has written could be found in any artist's sketchbook, or in any one's personal diary."

Tim Faulkner Gallery
815 E Market street #4
Louisville, KY, 40203
502 381 1314

This Friday night The 930 Art Center is having an opening reception for the exhibit Various Colors by Kaori Ishitani.

The reception is from 7PM-10PM and the artist will be speaking at 7:15PM.

The exhibit will be on view March 7-30, 2008

A concert featuring Concert featuring Brooks Ritter and Sarah Elizabeth will begin at 8PM. This is a free, all ages show.

Image Life is Too Short ©Kaori Ishitani

Tomorrow night Pulitzer winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks will "perform from her works and lecture publicly at the University of Louisville. Her talk is the 2008 Minx Auerbach lecture in women's and gender studies and a feature of Women's History Month."

The Fort Knox-born writer won her Pulitzer for drama in 2002 for "Topdog/Underdog," the Broadway play that also was presented this year at Actors Theatre of Louisville. "In the Blood," a 2000 Pulitzer finalist, was performed at UofL in 2006.

She co-wrote the screenplay for "The Great Debaters" movie that debuted in December; also in 2007 her project "365 Days/365 Plays" was produced worldwide in more than 700 theaters, including Actors.

Suzan-Lori Parks
March 6, 2008 6 p.m.
Margaret Comstock Concert Hall, School of Music
Admission to the lecture is free and open to the public.
There will be a reception afterward.

Parking is available for $3 in the nearby Speed Art Museum garage, 2035 S. Third St.

Another first Friday, another trolley hop downtown. There's some cool stuff involved with this one that I recommend you check out. A few highlights:

"Join the fun as the Frazier Museum kicks off March with the 2nd Annual Taste O' Ireland! Celebrate the Emerald Isle with a taste of Irish whiskey & music from Guilderoy Byrne, playing traditional & contemporary Irish favorites on a variety of acoustic, folk instruments.

Admission is Free and our galleries will be open - including our temporary exhibits A Slave Ship Speaks: The Wreck of the Henrietta Marie and Women's Work: The Paper Doll Quilts of Rebekka Seigel. "

Cressman Center for Visual Arts Gallery will present a reception for America's Favorite Architecture (AIA Traveling Exhibition from 6 - 9 p.m. The traveling exhibition "is organized by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) to help celebrate its 150th anniversary. It features photographs by Carol M. Highsmith of 150 works of architecture--buildings, bridges, monuments, and memorials--selected by a public poll conducted by the AIA and Harris Interactive."

Swanson Reed Contemporary may be the best stop of the night cause they're giving away free gumbo from Cafe Lou Lou as part of their exhibition and fundraiser: MAKE IT RIGHT: REBUILDING NEW ORLEANS, featuring the work of three Louisiana artists. There will be a
benefit concert by Noisy Crane at 10 PM, $5 at the door and a "share of all the profits go to the Make it Right foundation which is using innovative and sound architectural ideas to rebuild after the hurricane."

Project Women's fourth annual "Women of Wisdom" art exhibit will be shown at the Mary Craik Gallery, 815 East Market, Louisville, from March 7 through April 5, 2008. The exhibit showcases women artists with ties to Kentuckiana. Art is for sale: artist's receive 50%, and 50% goes to Project Women to help them assist single mom's to get a college education.

Tonight there is a reception for artists Todd Esser and Melissa Wilson at Shekinah Gallery. Esser and Wilson are artists working with Creative Diversity Studio. Shekinah will be exhibiting their work through March.

Todd's series of unique paintings will be on display and for sale. Melissa will be presenting for the first time with Creative Diversity Studio with her painted floorclothes.

Light refreshments will be provided. Cool, art and food.
Friday February 29, 2008
5:30pm-7:30pm

Shekinah Gallery
982 Barret Avenue
Louisville, KY

It wouldn't be a real holiday without an opportunity to create your own holiday themed piece of glass art at Glassworks. That's why I totally refused to observe President's Day last week. Glassworks didn't give me the opportunity to make something patriotic or George Washington related therefore it clearly wasn't a real holiday.

Easter is one of my favorite times of year for one reason and one reason only: Cadbury Creme Eggs. That's not at all related to making your own glass easter egg, I just thought I'd share a little bit of personal information. If you want me to be your friend bring a Cadbury Creme Egg next time you see me.

Blow Your Own Easter Egg at Glassworks
$40 per person, ages 7 and up
Every Saturday in March, 10am-5pm and Friday Mar. 21 12-5pm.
Reservations required: 502-992-3056

Glassworks
815 West Market Street
Louisville, KY

Image courtesy of Glassworks

Friday February 29, 2008 is the February edition of the Frankfort Avenue Trolley Hop. Highlights of this week's Hop including paintings of Ireland by Spike Frederick at Crescent Hill Gallery, a sale at Sniper Photography at the Mellwood Arts Center and live music from Michael Ray at Margaret's Consignment and Collectibles.

The Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft is having an opening reception this Friday February 22, 200 from 5:00-7:30PM. The two exhibits are Made to Deceive: The Art of Trompe L'oeil and New Blue: New and Emerging Kentucky Artists.

While Made to Deceive sounds interesting (more information about it after the jump), I'm much more interested in New Blue.

The art world of Kentucky is a dynamic and ever-changing system of mutually dependant participants. Individual artists come and go, as is the wont of those of a creative disposition. But those who chose to make their homes and careers in the Bluegrass state find a welcoming, enthusiastic reception for the fruits of their artistic expression.

With this exhibition, KMAC will launch the first of what will become a Biennial of Kentucky art and craft. While "new" artist often appear in our shows, we plan to use the occasion of the first Kentucky Biennial to feature an invited group of artists who represent the new faces of art and craft in Kentucky. Working with the advice of a select group of advisors from around the commonwealth, we will present artists whose work will represent fresh, creative and bold interpretations of art and craft media.

The Bristol downtown is taking prime advantageous of its proximity to PYRO Gallery. For the month of March several PYRO artists will have selected works displayed in the Bristol's Terrace Room.

Louisville's premier casual dining restaurant The Bristol Bar and Grille Downtown is collaborating with the neighboring PYRO Gallery to present diners with an ongoing fine art exhibition, a great opportunity to enjoy the creativity of local artists during a night out. Gracing the walls of Bristol's Terrace Room through March will be art from such celebrated local artists as Ann Stewart Anderson, Keith Auerbach, Kim Huber, John McCarthy, Corie Neumayer, C.J. Pressma and Marilyn Whitesell. Bristol's display of PYRO artwork will rotate though the year, with fresh works making their debut every three months. All work on view at Bristol will be for sale.

The Bristol
614 West Main Street
Louisville, KY

Last week I mentioned that Shelly Zegart, the Louisville based author, lecturer and consultant who is an internationally known and renowned expert on American quilts, is giving a tour of the exhibit Gee's Bend: The Architecture of the Quilt. That tour is only available to Speed Museum members but I've found out that Zegart will also be presenting a lecture on that same day, Sunday February 24, that is free and open to everyone, not just museum members.

Lecture: African American Quilt MakingQuilt authority Shelly Zegart discusses prevailing yet differing perspectives on African american quilt-making, including common misperceptions about various traditions.

Shelly Zegart lecture: African American Quilt Making
Sunday February 24, 2008
3:00PM

Speed Museum
2035 South Third Street
Louisville, Kentucky 40208

A couple weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending an opening party for a new contemporary art space in the Portland neighborhood. Called Plexus Contemporary it's the brainchild of artist Bryce Hudson (and the product of lots and lots of his sweat equity). The party was fantastic, with fresh made crepes (so, so good) provided by Brian and Dana McMahan but it's the art space itself that I really want to talk about.

The space, a completely converted and remodeled medical building originally built in the 1920s, is fantastic, Bright, airy and open feeling with large and small spaces, big walls as well as nooks and crannies filled with art. When I first heard about the space I was a little skeptical, when I saw it in person I was completely impressed. It's well designed to showcase both large and small exhibits and flows really well.  

Shelly Zegart is a Louisville based author, lecturer and consultant who is an internationally known and renowned expert on American quilts. On Sunday February 24, 2008 Speed Museum members have a chance to experience Zegart's expertise when she leads a tour of Gee's Bend: The Architecture of the Quilt exhibit.

Members Only Tour of Gee's Bend: The Architecture of the Quilt Shelly Zegart will lead a members only tour of the exhibition. Tour is free but space is limited so reserve your spot by calling our reservation line at 634-2970. (meet at Information Desk)