"A little Madness in the Spring Is wholesome even for the King." - - Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)
As winter gradually washes away, let the Decatur Area Arts Council lead you down the primrose path to creative, entertaining, and delectable madness! Swing by an exhibit. Sample an art class. Savor a bit of poetry, wine and international cuisine. . .
Non-stop "madness" at the Madden Arts Center, 125 N. Water St. in Downtown Decatur!
FIBERS BY 5
March 5-30
Five fiber artists times five different uses of fibers, Fibers by 5, is an exhibit of both two and three dimensional work in fabrics, yarns, dyes, pine needles, paper and more.
Artists, Ann Titus and B.J. Parady each embrace the concept of abstraction - choosing to relay the essence of a place, a moment, an idea rather than a literal depiction. Although they share the joy of juxtaposing and manipulating various textures by incorporating dyes, layering and stitching fabrics, their ultimate products are decidedly unique.
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Ann's own style varies from bold, graphic, contrasting colors to shadowy images achieved through the transfer of vintage photographs to fabric while B.J.'s images often reflect subtleties of color within a limited palette. Flanking the gallery walls in high contrast to their work, hangs more sculptural tapestries embellished with beads, waxed linen, wire and crocheted forms by David Johnson from Chicago. Inspired by ethnographic textiles, Johnson's pieces beg the viewer to touch (though you really shouldn't).
Leandra Spangler and Peggy Wyman have stretched the traditional boundaries of what we typically associate with fiber arts. Spangler's passion for papermaking merges with her interest in basketry, resulting in elegant vessels with complex textural surfaces that reflect light in rich variations of tone and value. Using twined reed forms for armatures, she covers the surface with handmade papers and often includes objects gathered from nature. Wyman, a self-proclaimed "accidental artist," allows her medium, the pine needle, to lead her in directions far beyond traditional basket weaving to intriguing and unusual sculptural basketry.
Join us at the opening reception during the First Friday Gallery Walk on March 5 during which the artists will share some insights into their work at 6:30 p.m.
FIRST FRIDAY GALLERY WALK
March 5
5 to 8 p.m.
Plan to join us for the first First Friday Gallery Walk of 2010. Soak up great art, live music, tasty hors d'oeuvres, and inspiring words of exhibiting artists at the Anne Lloyd Gallery, Blue Connection, Gallery 510, and Richland Community College Art Department (in the Theatre 7 lobby).
While the Anne Lloyd Gallery comes alive with the work of five individually unique fiber artists (see above), the Blue Connection spotlights its own unique student artist, Grace DeClerck. A Studio Art Major at Millikin University, Grace demonstrates her experimentation with a wide variety of techniques, bold colors and genres. Her energetic drawings and paintings embody a sense of structured chaos and a feeling of tension. Grace and the fiber artists all speak briefly about their work at 6:30 p.m.
Gallery 510 features the photography of Bill Fletcher, a Decatur native and long time member of the artists' guild. Traveling to far reaching locales like South America and Alaska, Bill has been captivated by the visible evidence of conflict between man's quest for progress and nature's timeless antiquity. He documents these remote areas and attempts to visually freeze a specific event, condition or process in time. At 5:45 and 7:15 p.m. you can enjoy Bill's talk about his journey with the camera.
Just a few steps away, Richland Community College fills the lobby of Theatre 7 headquarters.
ROCKIN' AT THE MAC: The STILL vs. Voodoo Lounge in a battle of the bands
Sponsored by: JL Hubbard Insurance & Bonds and Sliderz Bar & Grille
Saturday, March 27
7 to 10:30 p.m.
Two concerts in one evening.
The Madden Arts Center will be rocking with one band in the gallery and the other on the third floor. You can bounce back and forth between the two, munch on snacks and grab a beverage at the cash bar (by the Beach House), then cast your votes throughout the evening to catapult your favorite band to the winner's circle.
At only $1 per vote, you can show your support as many times as you want.
And that's not all - three original pieces of art shown in last September's Street Art exhibit will be up for silent auction to top off this slightly quirky and totally awesome event.
The STILL - featuring Denny Brue (saxophone/harmonica), Larry Clark (guitars/synth), Tim Fulk (drums), Jerry Johnson (vocals), Ralf Pansch (fretless bass) and Christy Quintenz (vocals) - cranks out a nostalgic repertoire of blues, rock ‘n' roll and R & B. Expect to hear their take on tunes made popular by Jimi Hendrix, Cream, the Rolling Stones, Linda Ronstadt, Stevie Wonder and other '60s and '70s favorites.
Cooking up some contrasting country standards as well as rock ‘n' roll is Voodoo Lounge, featuring Bill Cunningham (keyboards/vocals), Mike Lewis (drums/vocals), Wendy Terry (bass/vocals) and Kurt Terry (guitars/vocals).
The winning band will be announced and honored with a recording of the group played on the air of Neuhoff Media. Believe us when we say, in this case every vote counts (and goes to benefit the Decatur Area Arts Council).
Tickets are only $20 each. For further information, call 423-3189 or log on www.dectaurarts.org.
THE ILLUSTRATION ART OF GARY KELLEY
April 5-30
Opening Reception: Friday, April 9, 5 to 7:30 pm
From his studio in Iowa, Gary Kelley has touched the world as an award-winning illustrator. Counting as clients such world-renowned publications as Time, Rolling Stone, Atlantic Monthly, The New Yorker and Playboy, he has been the recipient of countless awards, including 26 gold and silver medals from the Society of Illustrators.
Kelly's latest project, a 12-foot tall arc featuring the first 11 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, was recently part of the stage set for the 25th anniversary concert at Madison Square Garden this past October. Kelley's 2007 induction into the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame places him in the company of such famous artists as Norman Rockwell, Maxfield Parrish, and Winslow Homer.
In recent years, Kelley has allowed himself the time and freedom to create his own work; oil paintings that express both his passion for the human form and his ability as a storyteller. Stylistically, he acknowledges the influence of his heroes: the post-impressionists, Matisse, Bonnard, and Picasso. Kelley will speak about his work at 6 p.m. during his opening reception.
CUISINE of INDIA
Friday, April 16
Cocktails, 6 p.m.
Dinner, 6:45 p.m.
If you missed Diwali in Decatur last fall, now is your chance to invigorate every taste bud with the traditional spices and flavors of India. Plan to come early and taste Indian appetizers while sipping on a specialty beer or other popular beverages from India.
Advance reservations must be made by calling the Decatur Club at 429-4200. A portion of the event proceeds benefit the Decatur Area Arts Council. There is limited seating, so make your reservations early.
A NIGHT OF POETRY
Monday, April 19
6:30 to 9 p.m.
Poetry lovers and writers, come out for a night of poetry. Sit back and relax while enjoying original works by a talented group of Millikin University professors and other area writers at the Madden Arts Center.
You'll hear everything from funny phrases to heart-warming stories to thought-provoking notions. In celebration of National Poetry Month, Millikin University hosts this event, open and free to the public. Area poets, novice or experienced, are encouraged to read their poetry during an open mic session at the end of the evening.
CORKS & FORKS
Thursday, April 29
6 to 9:30 p.m.
You don't want to miss the Decatur Area Arts Council's 11th annual Corks & Forks at the Decatur Conference Center and Hotel. Hosts, Susie and John Skeffington with Jan and Jack Kelsheimer invite you to join them for exquisite wines, delightful food from area restaurants and caterers and exciting auction packages featuring wine, weekend getaways, sports tickets, and more.
Tickets are available by calling the Decatur Area Arts Council at 423-3189. Participants must be 21 years of age to attend. Proceeds support the Decatur Area Arts Council programs.
ARTS FOR ALL CLASSES
Whether you are 4 or 94, the Decatur Area Arts Council has an arts class for you. Whether you're looking for fine art instruction or a crafty experience, you can find plenty of opportunities this spring. Drawing, painting, clay, fused glass, card making, watercolor, beads and bracelets, workshops for teachers to earn CPDUs - check out a complete listing of March through May classes on our website at www.decaturarts.org or call us at 423-3189 for details.
