gatewaygroupies

First Friday this Friday

Grand Center's big deal last Friday wasn't much of a big deal, apart from the architectural genius of the newish Centene Center for the arts. But I have high hopes for this Friday's gallery walk, though. The downtown gallery walk's website seems to be on the fritz, so I'll sift through my e-mails to deliver the goods. Let's see...there's free eats and drinks and the "Forces of Nature" show at Art St. Louis, Cheryl Wassenaar and Mel Watkin are still up at Phillip Slein, uhhh... this is really irritating. So few art galleries in the Lou have websites. Laine thinks the abstract show is still up at Ellen Curlee Gallery. 3rd Floor Gallery hasn't been open on a Friday night in months, but I have nothing to indicate that it will be this time, either. Drive Agency is having an opening reception for photographer Mark Schepker and metal sculptor Andre Tourrette. You should stick your head in MacroSun Imports, too. And if you're willing to break from downtown for Soulard, MadArt is bustin' out the wine and cheese for Julie Malone and Justin Visnesky.You could even buy something.

It's the first unofficial Friday of Summer, come have fun with us.

all star city

St. Louis will be the site of the 2009 MLB All Star Game!

That's so cool.

Saturday Night Art

Art Saint Louis thinks they're being sneaky, but my Google-fu is too strong for them. Saturday night is the opening of a new show, a special show, a show jurored by someone wholly unconnected from the St. Louis Art scene (read: fair). My super-freaky Google-fu tactics have garnered the following from Art St. Louis regarding ASL XXII:

From 620 artworks submitted by 141 St. Louis & Midwest regional artists for Ms. Thomas' consideration, she selected 49 artworks by 39 artists for this 22nd annual exhibition.

The featured artists are:
Todd Anderson, Edwardsville, IL
Travis Bailey, Union, MO
Jack Beckemeyer, Union, MO
John Bohac, St. Louis, MO
Monique Bromberg, St. Louis, MO
Luca Cruzat, Carbondale, IL
Sharon Davie-Barrett, Rantoul, IL
Carla Dawson, Chesterfield, MO
John DenHouter, Edwardsville, IL
Adam Dupuis, Charleston, IL
Ron Flier, Glendale, MO
Sarah Frost, St. Louis, MO
John M. Goessmann, St. Louis, MO
SJ Hammack, Kirkwood, MO
Mitch Horstmann, Richmond Heights, MO
Katherine Kaminski, Carterville, IL
Dani Kantrowitz, University City, MO
Ken Konchel, University City, MO
Paul LaJeunesse, St. Peters, MO
Susan Leslie Lumsden, Thayer, MO
Elaine Marschik, St. Louis, MO
Don McKenna, Kirkwood, MO
Carey Netherton, Carbondale, IL
Betsy Nimock, Clayton, MO
Marion Noll, Webster Groves, MO
Elizabeth Parris, Rolla, MO
Carol Ross, Chesterfield, MO
Helene Slavin, Clayton, MO
Sun Smith-Fôret, St. Louis, MO
Darren Snead, Maplewood, MO
Larry Torno, University City, MO
Kristy Verticchio, University City, MO
Justin Visnesky, St. Louis, MO
Patricia Vivod, Troy, IL
Ron Vivod, Collinsville, IL
Peggy Wyman, Macomb, MO
David M. Yates, Edwardsville, IL
Raymond Yeager, Jacksonville, IL
Yingxue Zuo, Ballwin, MO

This is so exciting! Only TWO people I've ever heard of! I love our local art scene, but a body just gets SICK and TIRED of seeing the SAME NAMES over and OVER and over again. Celebrate change with us this Saturday night from 7:00 to 9:00 at Art St. Louis, 917 Locust Street, the third floor loft, I think. My impeccable Google-fu also revealed the following: Good Free Food!

Reception Sponsors:
Adams Mark Hotel
Bryan Young Catering Plus
Catering St. Louis
City Grocers
Companion Baking Company
Gourmet to Go
Hank's Cheesecakes
La Tropicana Market & Deli
Something Elegant Catering

Come eat with us, see Laine's two newest photographs, and all the new works from St. Louis' brilliant artists.