May art walk
With the weather warming up, May is usually a particularly busy and festive art walk. With that in mind, most of the galleries are putting together phenomenal shows.
Here are just a few to check out, but note there are many, many more, so be sure to go to all of them.
They're all going to have something interesting this Friday. Unless otherwise mentioned, all opening receptions are free and open to the public and will take place 5-8 p.m.
Whyte's book signing
Mary Whyte will be celebrating her new book, "Working South," with an exhibition of the same name. The stunning book, published by the University of South Carolina Press, illustrates the 50 works in the exhibition so you can still have a little slice of Whyte's work even if you can't purchase all of the original watercolors. For a sneak peak, check out www.workingsouth.com. The gallery is at 79 Church St., or visit www.colemanfineart.com.
Fun with Legos
The John M. Dunnan Gallery is hosting its second annual "The Dunnan Lego Spectacular," organized to promote and encourage the creativity of young artists.
Youngsters were invited to build and enter their own Lego creations. These will be unveiled and the winner chosen at the opening 5-7 p.m. Friday. The gallery is at 121 Church Street. Visit www.johndunnan.com.
'Stop Making Fence'
With its daydreaming quality, Lisa Shimko's "Stop Making Fence" collection at Scoop Studios is bound to be a fun show.
Gallery co-owner Colleen Deihl describes it as "a collection of unedited, slightly absurd imagery guided by the irrational nature of daydreaming." And the artist herself says, "This series is a commencement of embracing the fact that a lot of life doesn't make sense and art can be a place to celebrate it instead of constricting it."
Shimko stopped trying to make sense of things and went full steam into this new direction, where she explores and acknowledges barriers, yet attempts to move past them. The artist's new mantra is something a clever friend of hers said upon seeing the new work, "The absurdity shocks you into freedom."
Scoop Studios is at 57 1/2 Broad St. Visit www.scoopcontemporary.com.
'Egg Meditations'
Check out Yvette Dede's "Egg Meditations" at the Corrigan Gallery, 62 Queen St.
Dede's exploration of these graphite egg images has been going on for the past 10 years. "The graphite drawings contemplate the simple yet complex egg, delving into the mysteries of life through the spheroid shape that introduces the beginnings of life," says gallery owner Lese Corrigan. Visit www.corrigangallery.com.
'Arcs & Angles' at RLS
"In 'Arcs & Angles,' beautiful, twisting, female shapes torque their bodies on stark white backgrounds, creating paintings that explore solidity, development, femininity and struggle," says Robert Lange Studio gallery director Carri Schwab.
See a collection of 20 female-inspired works done by watercolorist Ali Cavanaugh and resin and acrylic artist Jessica Dunegan.
RLS is at 2 Queen St. Visit www.robertlangestudios.com.
Ralph Grady James
Ralph Grady James just finished up a show at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, and he's showing here Friday at the Edward Dare Gallery, 31 Broad St. Many of James' works focus on coastal birds and their fragile habitat as well as landscape and figurative pieces.
'Heavy Metal'
Colorado sculptor Wayne Salge will visit this weekend for the opening of his newest collection of metal work, "Heavy Metal" at the Ellis-Nicholson Gallery, 1 1/2 Broad St.
In addition to the opening reception Friday, Salge will give a lecture at 3 p.m. Saturday.
He will speak about fine art bronze casting and explain the foundry process.
This will include a discussion on patinas as well as showing guests actual samples.
The lecture will finish with a discussion of the care and maintenance of bronze sculptures. Space is limited for the lecture.
Call 722-5353 to reserve a spot.
Juan Kelly surrealism
Surrealist painter Juan Kelly sets out to create his own world, complete with detailed paintings of a rather strange combination of things -- cows, zebras, ice-cream cones -- all set with a backdrop of a beautiful ocean scene.
His works have an Old Masters quality mixed with fun childhood memories put together in an unusual fashion.
See his newest works Friday at the Mary Martin Gallery, 39 Broad St. Visit www.marymartinart.com.
