All Entries in the "Arts & Music" Category
The 427 Gallery debuts in Ferguson this Friday
Today it's just a real estate office, but on Friday evening, Ferguson's Pearce Neikirk & Partners will be transformed into a new art gallery.
There are dozens of reasons why I love my new job as a real estate agent, but probably the main one is getting to work with my broker, Pearce Neikirk. After 28 years in the business, he recently opened his own office in the heart of downtown Ferguson’s Citywalk district. And from day one, he started dreaming of creative uses for the space, with a focus on how it could best benefit the community.
With the closing of the NAC gallery up the street, and two big ol’ walls just sitting there empty, some kind of art venture seemed like the best idea. So when I started digging up all kinds of interesting treasures from my own collection, the answer was pretty obvious… Let’s open an art gallery!
Fast forward a month or so and our new endeavor is finally ready for its big debut. Starting this Friday, the simply-named “427 Gallery” (@ 427 S. Florissant Road) will begin hosting regular exhibits, with a new show every 4-6 weeks.
Our first show is called “Five Room House” and it features beautifully rendered architectural drawings from 1940, created by the late Delmar Loveall of Florissant. Mr. Loveall was an Air Force pilot and barbershop chorus singer who taught shop class in the Special School District for many years. I discovered his amazingly detailed drawings at an estate sale sometime around 2004, and I’m thrilled to finally be able to share them.
You can see Mr. Loveall’s work during various weekend hours throughout February, or just make it easy and come to the opening gala this Friday. Why not grab a drink at Cork or Ferguson Brewing and then walk on over…
“Five Room House” opens February 3 with a reception from 7-9pm. All are welcome! The 427 Gallery is located at 427 S. Florissant Road in the Streetcar Lofts.
International Poster Exhibition debuts at UMSL
During the Chicago International Poster Biennial, opening this week at UMSL's Gallery FAB, 92 award-winning posters from 21 countries will make their very first traveling debut. This poster is called “C’est L’été,” or "This is Summertime."
FROM THE NEWS WIRE:
For the first time in its history, the Chicago International Poster Biennial show will be on display outside of Chicago.
Gallery FAB on the campus of the University of Missouri–St. Louis is serving as host for the Second Chicago International Poster Biennial Finalists Exhibition. The exhibit will run through April 12 and feature 92 of the 175 finalist posters created by award-winning international poster artists from 21 countries around the world.
Jennifer McKnight, associate professor of art at UMSL, organized this special exhibition with Lance Rutter, director of the Chicago International Poster Biennial.
“If you came out last year to see the CIPB Juror’s show, you are going to love this collection of winning posters from the 2010 Chicago Poster Biennial Finalists show even more,” McKnight said.
Gallery FAB hosted the CIPB Juror’s show in fall of 2011.
The exhibit’s opening reception will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19. Lance Rutter, CIPB director, will attend the reception, and CIPB2 posters by acclaimed New York graphic artist Paula Scher and CIPB2 catalogues will be available for purchase. CIPB2 was the Second Chicago International Poster Biennial, held in 2010.
Gallery FAB is at 201 Fine Arts Building at Rosedale Drive and Florissant Road, 63121. All exhibits at the gallery are free and open to the public. Regular hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call 314-516-6967 or visit umsl.edu/~art
UMSL composer teams with the London Philharmonic
You can add this to the list of things people don’t know about North County….. One of the preeminent American composers of classical music works right here in NoCo. UMSL professor Barbara Harbach, who tours the world as a concert organist and harpsichordist, is also a prolific composer with a large catalog of works.
She has written music for symphonies, operas, chamber ensembles, musicals, film scores, and modern ballets. And now, her latest project – a CD recorded by the esteemed London Philharmonic Orchestra – is set to be released just in time for the holidays.
“Music for Strings” is her seventh CD for the independent label MSR, and if it’s anything like her lovely “Chamber Music 3,” it would make a great gift! To learn more about Harbach, visit her website. Or jump over to MSR, where you can listen to samples and purchase CDs.
Laissez les bon temps rouler! FloTown goes Creole
FROM THE NEWS WIRE:
The Old St. Ferdinand Shrine is proud to kick-off the Florissant Christmas Walk with a benefit concert Saturday, December 3rd at 1:30 P.M. featuring authentic French Creole music. Admission is free but donations will be accepted. All proceeds from the event will be used on badly needed restoration projects at the Shrine.
Our performer, Dennis Stroughmatt, is the only artist in the world that tours and plays the music of the French Creoles that settled in the Midwest. This music makes your soul jump, your head spin, and your heart at its happiest. Anyone listening can’t help but get up and dance along.
The performance includes the up-tempo music, language, stories and culture secreted away in Missouri that became part of the American fabric at the time of the Louisiana Purchase. The French Creoles, both of French and Spanish descent, were Roman Catholics who were born in the colonies and created their own unique social customs and celebrations.
As a special treat, Dennis will be performing La Guillanee. La Guillanee is the Celtic festival of sharing food and bounty throughout the community during the winter. In France it brought the community together to celebrate the New Year and joie de vivre (joy of life). Share the joy of life and happiness at the Shrine!
There would be no better place to hear this brilliant musical story than at the Old St. Ferdinand Shrine. The Shrine, built in 1821, is the site of one of the earliest French settlements west of the Mississippi. The convent was home to St. Rose Phillipine Duchesne in 1819 when Mass was said for the first time that Christmas Eve. Our Creole Christmas concert includes songs in both French and English not unlike the songs sung and performed at the Shrine during past holidays.
After the performance, the Shrine will have chili and drinks for sale as well as gently used Christmas items and special book-fair event pricing of $4 per bag. Come have a fantastic time, and support this significant historic landmark. For additional information call 314/837-2110; or visit www.oldstferdinandshrine.com.
Are you getting ready for the big day? NOCO is a proud sponsor of the 3rd annual Live Well Ferguson 5K