The very first thing that has to take place before a person can find a visually appealing show is for the artist to have the means to create.
For the second year, the Regional Arts Commission is sponsoring fellowships that will help. According to a press release, “Ten $20,000 fellowships will be awarded to individual St. Louis artists in all disciplines. … Beyond monetary value, this opportunity will give artists time and freedom to study, reflect, experiment, explore, and create.”
The deadline for application is July 22, and RAC will hold a workshop designed to help people apply from 5:30-7:30 p.m. July 1. Questions should be directed to Roseann Weiss at roseann@stlrac.org
The 2013 Artist Fellows were Alice Bloch (Dance); Arny Nadler (Visual Art); Deanna Jent (Theater Arts); Juan William Chavez (Visual Arts); Kathryn Bentley (Theater Arts); Peter Martin (Music); Philip Boehm (Literature); Richard Newman (Literature); Stan Chisholm (Visual Art); Van McElwee Media Arts).
Kevin Snipes
When you think of a pop-up exhibit, it’s likely to be a one-day event in a restaurant on its off day or a short creative use of an otherwise vacant space. But the Duane Reed Gallery – a well-respected venue – has applied that term to its show of the works of Kevin Snipes.
If this pop-up is a case of serendipity, as the gallery says this is an impromptu exhibit, the good fortune is St. Louis’. Snipes’ ceramic works are whimsical and practical as well as thought provoking. The Visiting Artist Workshop at Harvard has photos of Snipes at work.
The opening reception is 2-5 p.m. June 21 and the exhibit will run through July 26.
Missouri Chamber Music Festival
Visually appealing obviously applies to the visual arts, but other art forms evoke images that calm or excite, lift up or prompt introspection.
Expect all of that at the Missouri Chamber Music Festival that got underway yesterday. Today’s concert, “A Light In Sound,” features harp, flute and strings at 5 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Webster Grover, 10 W. Lockwood Ave. ($20). Saturday’s “Fairy Tale” ($25) with works by Schumann, Ravel and Brahms will be at the same venue. On Sunday, strings and piano will be featured at the Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd. in a 2 p.m. “Souvenir at the Sheldon” ($25).
Gesher Music Festival
And the same can be said for the Gesher Music Festival, which will run from June 22-29. Its opening concert ($40) features Matt Haimovitz at the Centene Auditorium, 7700 Forsyth Blvd. On June 25, attention turns to “Dreams and Prayers” with music by Roussel, Floch and Golijov in performance at the Wool Studio Theater at the JCC, 2 Millstone Campus Dr. This program will be repeated June 28 at the Ethical Society, 9001 Clayton Rd. On June 26, the 560 Music Center will be the location for “Child” ($20) with works by Lang, White and Mendelssohn; and that concert will also be presented on the afternoon of June 29 at the Wool theater.
The Fringe
If you want an early check on the high quality in concert, head to the Fringe.
At 8 p.m. tonight, Gesher Artists will perform Bach in collaboration with the dance ensemble Core Project Chicago.
The Fringe, which runs from June 18-22, brings us back to the RAC fellowships and the need for artists to find support.
On its website, Fringe says, “By their nature, artists are constantly driven to create. But too often, for lack of money, time or opportunity, artists are not afforded the chance to share that inspiring creation.
“ENTER ST LOU FRINGE.
“We empower artists with a platform to share bold, novel creations. Audiences are allured not only by artists’ unique work but by Fringe’s commitment to affordable ticket prices. Our vision is a city transformed through the singular artistic opportunity we provide.”
In its list of artists presenting, the organization also tries to give you a glimpse of what you might experience. For instance: The Randy Dandies, Burlesque: A PASTIE HOME COMPANIONWhere the women are naughty, the men are bawdy, and the jokes are above average.
