St. Louis-area art openings this Friday explore the beauty of nature, teapots and African-American works. “Ebony Creations” is a joint project of Portfolio Gallery and the Edwardsville Arts Center.
When the folks at Edwardsville Arts Center (EAC) sought to spotlight African-American artists in 2011, they first gathered their thoughts, then Googled them. Quickly, the online search led them to Portfolio Gallery in St. Louis’ Grand Center, which has exhibited black artists since 1989.
But the rest of the process was slow-going. On Friday evening, after three years of conversation and practical issues including sponsorship-gathering and EAC’s one-year lead-time on exhibits, the Edwardsville facility and Portfolio will open “Ebony Creations.” The event will include live music and a chance to talk with many of the artists.
Bringing the idea to fruition was a learning experience, according to EAC board chair Joan Wentz. She came to understand the work through exposure, as will others of every race, Wentz noted.
“I was ignorant about African-American art. So it’s an educational thing,” Wentz said.
In an email, EAC executive director Pat Quinn summed up the effort as a joyous event.
“The show is a great celebration of local black artists allowing EAC to reach a wide untapped part of the community,” Quinn wrote.
For Portfolio founder Robert Powell, the exhibit is about getting new eyes on the work, which includes 30 paintings, photographs, textiles and sculptures by local artists. Powell expects some visitors will travel from as far as Chicago and hopes many others will cross the bridge from St. Louis.
“Sometimes we treat the river like it’s an ocean but it’s really only 20 minutes away,” Powell said.
Friday Exhibit Openings: EAC/Portfolio, RAC, Slein, Craft Alliance
‘Ebony Creations’
Where: Edwardsville High School campus, 6165 Center Grove Road, Edwardsville, IL, 62025
When: Opening reception 6-8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 10 includes live music; runs through Feb. 28
How much: Free
Information: EAC website and Portfolio Gallery website
‘Irrevocable Fragments,’ exploring how memories influence purpose
Where: Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar Blvd., 63112
When: Opening reception 5:30-8:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 10; runs through Feb. 15
How much: Free
Information: RAC website
Paintings by Catherine Howe, examining marriage of form/content in depicting nature
Where: Philip Slein Gallery, 4735 McPherson Ave., 63108
When: Opening reception 6-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10; runs through Feb. 15
How much: Free
Information: Slein Gallery website
‘Fif-TEA: 14th Biennial Teapot Exhibition,’ celebrating Craft Alliance at 50
Where: Craft Alliance, 6640 Delmar Blvd., 63130
When: Opening reception 6-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10; runs through March 23
How much: Free
Information: Craft Alliance website
Follow Nancy Fowler on Twitter: @NancyFowlerSTL
