Art in January!

Welcome 2021! Scroll down for details and links!

Need a Face Mask?
Mask Force, by Zeitgeist Arts
Buy a Mask / Donate a Mask: "The Zeitgeist Community Mask Force Program allows people who are financially able to purchase masks, while providing mask donations to local organizations using a “buy one, give one” model. The makers are using the mask pattern recommended by Essentia Health, employing a variety of fabrics to keep up with demand. All masks are reusable and machine-washable. A children’s size is also available. 

"Donations are headed to local organizations such as the Damiano Center and the American Indian Community Housing Organization. Cost: $10 to buy a mask and donate a mask or donate 2 masks." [Note: Thank you Zeitgeist Arts, Sasha Howell and all the mask makers for making this effort possible.]

Details on all events, and more, below!
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All events are listed in alphabetical order, with date specific events listed first. Click on colored text throughout to link to more information.

Friday, January 1-Thursday, January 7
Winter Virtual Film Festival, hosted by the Northouse Folk School
"Light a fire and snuggle up to some crafty films from around the world. Each week in January we offer up a selection of films from the web that may inspire and entertain."
Sign Painters
Faythe Levine & Sam Macon, 2015, 65 min
"At a time when most American cityscapes are dominated by computer created mass-produced signage, Sign Painters takes a close look at the past, present, and hopeful future of the hand painted sign industry in the USA. There is some mild language. Watch here"

The Last Ice Merchant
Sandy Patch, 2014, 14 min
"For over 50 years, Baltazar Ushca has harvested the glacial ice of Ecuador’s Mount Chimborazo. His brothers, both raised as ice merchants, have long since retired from the mountain. This is a story of cultural change and how three brothers have adapted to it. Watch here"

High Steel
Julian Biggs, 1965, 14 min
"This short documentary offers a dizzying view of the Mohawk Indians of Kahnawake who work in Manhattan erecting the steel frames of skyscrapers. Famed for their skill in working with steel, the Mohawks demonstrate their nimble abilities in the sky. As a counterbalance, the viewer is also allowed a peek at their quieter community life on the Kahnawake Reserve, in Quebec. Watch here"

Saturday, January 9, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Nice Girls of the North Second Saturday Marketplace, Masonic Lodge, 4731 Gladstone Street (Lakeside)
"Due to concerns about social distancing, this sale will be a little different. There will not be the the central checkout. Each vendor will handle their own sales. This is to avoid people clustering around the check out. Please bring cash or checks as not all vendors may have credit card capabilities. We require everyone to wear your mask properly and maintain 6 feet of social distance. We will have a limited number of masks for sale if you need one. This location is handicap accessible."

Saturday, January 9, 1-3 p.m.
A Dala A Day Artist Talk, Live Virtual Event, The Nordic Center
"Join artist, Teri Glembin, to virtually tour her A Dala A Day exhibit at the Nordic Center. Learn about traditional to contemporary dalahästar (dala horses) and enjoy a history lesson on the origin of this little carved horse." Selective Focus: Teri Glembin, by Brian Barber, Perfect Duluth Day, July 24, 2020.

Saturday, January 9, 1 p.m.
"Let's kick off the New Year and sweater season at our next Chat with Julie Weisenberger of Cocoknits! She'll share an overview of the Cocoknits Sweater Workshop method and show samples of completed pieces. Have you wondered how and where the Cocoknits tools we use come from? Julie will give us an insider look at how she invents them and how they're made, incorporating the use of sustainable materials wherever possible. There will be a Q&A session, giveaways, and other fun surprises for those who join! Your ZOOM Link will be sent the evening before and about 1 hour before the event. Cost: $20"

Sunday, January 10, 1-3 p.m.
A Dala A Day FunSunday Workshop, Live Virtual Event, The Nordic Center
"Join us for this family-friendly event! Listen to stories about Dalahästar (Dala horses). Print out Dalahäst coloring pages and enjoy a crafty and cozy afternoon with the Nordic Center!"

Thursdays, January 14-February 4, 6:30-8 p.m.
"In this four-week workshop, participants create their own “rules” for their short story, then write and complete a revised draft. Along the way they’ll study other writers and short story “rules” (including when to break them). In this supportive virtual workshop, participants are encouraged to try something new and take some risks. At the end of the workshop, writers will have a fully written short story and more tools in their toolbox. Details and prices at lakesuperiorwriters.org.

"Instructor Felicia Schneiderhan is an award-winning writer, the author of many short stories, personal essays, nationally-published magazine articles, and the memoir Newlyweds Afloat. She has taught writing in workshop settings ranging from Chicago public grade schools to college classrooms."

Thursday, January 14, 7-8 p.m.
Fiber February Knit Alongs Sneak Peek
"North House is teaming up with Dappled Fern Fibers, a new community fiber arts venture in Grand Marais, to host four virtual knit alongs! A knit along is a way for a group of knitters to work on the same project at the same time and learn from each other along the way. Join Dappled Fern founders Dorothy and Mary Ellen for a short webinar sharing information about the knit along options, how to participate, and an introduction to Dappled Fern Fibers. After the webinar, you’ll be all ready to sign up to participate in a knit along.
Register in advance for this webinar"

Friday, January 15, 5 p.m.
"Felicia is excited to lead you through some of her strategies around making time to make things. Reflecting on the project planning workshops that are available through the School of SweetGeorgia, Felicia will talk about challenges around inspiration overload, time management, starting too many projects, and so much more. Join us for a session to get clear, get inspired, and get ready for a year of colour and craft! There will be a Q&A session, giveaways, and other fun surprises for those who join! Your ZOOM Link will be sent the evening before and about 1 hour before the event. Cost: $20"

Saturday, January 16, 1-3 p.m.
A Dala A Day Embroidery Workshop, Live Virtual Event, The Nordic Center
"Embroider a Dalahäst ornament! Join members of the Nordic Center board in this free embroidery workshop to learn how to make your very own felt Dala horse! While the example ornament is the traditional red, feel free to be creative with your color choices! Click Here for Materials List"

Mondays, January 25 & February 1, 5:30-7 p.m.
Knitting 102 - In the Round Cowl, This is a live Virtual class online: Instructor: Kathy Thomas 
"Get into the knit and purl of things with this beautiful, cozy, accessory. In this basic knitting class you will learn to knit in the round using a circular needle. Grab a friend and treat yourself!  Materials: Bulky yarn at least 109 yards , 16” US 11 circular needle, stitch marker, tapestry needle. Pattern, included in class cost, will be emailed. Cost: $35

Thursday, January 28, 2-5 p.m.
"In this virtual class with fiber arts instructor Laura Berlage, we will mail you a kit with all the supplies you need (just bring a scissors), including hand-dyed wool from her farm’s flock of sheep, needles, critter specific accouterments, and a foam work surface. Laura will then guide you step-by-step for transforming the carded wool into your own adorable critter. Great for beginning and intermediate level felters, and no previous experience is required. 

"You will have enough wool to make a second critter later, offering great practice in your newfound felting skills (except for the gnome classes - those kits only have enough wool for one gnome). Cost: $85; Registration required two weeks prior to class start to ship materials ($40 value). Registration closes, Thursday, January 14."


Ongoing Online Events
Every Friday, the Duluth Art Institute uploads a fun online activity. Activities you can download include an I-Spy game, Word Search Puzzles, and a Coloring Sheet.

DAI: Art in Bloom: Send Love. Send Art.
"Connect to your friends and loved ones by sending original art. The Duluth Art Institute offers a unique opportunity to say "I'm thinking about you." DAI Art In Bloom is here to support artists and connection to each other until we can all be together again. Peruse our list of artist's websites with work ranging $20 to $150. Consider sending stunning artwork from these beautifully curated collections. You'll be supporting artists and giving a gift that lasts forever. 100% of the profits go directly to the artists. The artist will mail the original artwork to the recipient with a special note."


Virtual Duluth (click Facebook link for a list of daily offerings from local creators)
"A place to post all the upcoming virtual events happening in Duluth by so many of our talented community members. Help us flood the web with helpful community content!" 

Zinema 2.0 Virtual Cinema
"Introducing the Zinema 2.0 virtual cinema! Though we cannot be in the theater together during this time, the Zinema remains committed to bringing you quality, thought provoking, independent film. Tune in each week to see what’s playing in one of five categories: new releases, social justice, arts, retro, and international. Your ticket purchase will directly support the Zinema, and you will have the freedom to watch on your own time. Rentals: $12 for 30 days."

Virtual Art Exhibits / Studio Art Tours
"Local filmmaker Allen Killian-Moore created this short art film as a complement to artist Tia Keobounpheng's temporary, outdoor, public art sculptural installation. UNWEAVING explores the ways tradition, culture, communities, and individuals are unwoven when we are disconnected from our foundation of ancestral history (i.e. when we don’t know our stories or when truths are suppressed or not acknowledged). A different unweaving can loosen us from perpetuating unconscious pattern behaviors, make sense of our position in the larger social fabric, and enable reweaving a more honest and equitable future. Keobounpheng is a fiscal year 2020 recipient of an Artist Initiative grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board."

"Online art exhibit of new work by mixed media artist Jeffrey Kalstrom created between March 7 and September 30, 2020, and hosted by The Nordic Center of Duluth. The works on exhibit are large scale mixed media wall panels combining mythic imagery and symbolic shapes in optically dazzling patterns."

James Woodfill: CODE Practice 
CODE PRACTICE refers to a body of sculptural works created over the last year and was intended to be the subject of a solo exhibition physically installed at Joseph Nease Gallery starting this summer. The novel coronavirus instigated our shift to a virtual web-based platform for an exhibition of his recent stop frame animations and sound work HERE.

Minnesota Black Fine Art Show
"Minneapolis based gallery Obsidian Art, Inc., brought together established and emerging Minnesota artists of African descent who created exceptional handmade craftworks, photographs, sculptures, drawings, digital images, and multi-media works. These works traveled in a juried 2019-20 exhibit appearing at Austin Area Arts, Duluth Art Institute, Paramount Center of the Arts in St. Cloud, Twin Rivers Council for the Arts in Mankato, and the exhibition culminated in the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport."

"An online exhibit provided by the Duluth Art Institute reflecting how artists are processing and observing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic."

Chesley Antoinette: Tignon
"Artist Chesley Antoinette is the creator and designer of Cantoinette Studios where she explores wearable art and sculpture. In Tignon, she presents a collection of unique turbans, exhibiting a vast range of color, form and wrapping techniques. The headwraps are accompanied by large scale contemporary photographs and essays providing visual and written historical context to the Tignon Law. 

"The 1786 Tignon Law of Louisiana was enacted to oppress affluent women of African descent, to decrease their beauty and thereby diffuse their allure to white men. Under the administration of Governor Esteban Rodriguez Miro, women of African descent were forced to cover their hair as an effort to control them, their affluence, beauty and intelligence. However, the headwrap became a symbol of rebellion as women donned their hair with exquisite, colorful scarves, adding jewelry, ribbon and other fine material. The Tignon was and is embraced by women of African descent, proving an occasion to showcase one’s creativity and adaptability."
 
On View
January 8-31
A Dala A Day: New Works by Teri Glembin, The Nordic Center, 23 N. Lake Avenue
"Illustrations and wood burned artwork inspired by my Scandinavian heritage and the need to keep CREATING ART during the 'Stay at Home' order during the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s a way for me to bring together my friends, family, and virtual artist community through social media and a love of Scandinavian Dala Horse art." Virtual Artist Talk: Saturday, January 9, 1-3 p.m.

Fall 2020
Kristen Kass: Reflections, Duluth Art Institute, Performing Arts Wing, 506 W. Michigan Street
"Working with fiber, Kristen Kaas designs and weaves pieces exploring texture and dimension. On view this fall are two large scale weavings in a soft pallet. Tufts of thread escape woven edges while iridescent yarn shines sporadically yet rhythmically throughout the weft . Kaas’ experimental techniques result in contemporary designs rooted in traditional methods. Her current work focuses on weaving layered structures using connection points between the layers to create dimension."

Fall 2020
Blair Treuer:Identity, Duluth Art Institute, John Steffl Gallery, 506 W. Michigan Street
"Textile artist Blair Treuer’s portraits of herself, husband and nine children move off the walls with emotional energy. Textures and patterns blend and contrast, creating form; fabric mimicking paint while luring viewers to lean in, to observe, to examine detail. Relationships of the materials emerge, as do the relationships between the artist, herself and her family. Video Link"

Fall 2020
Allyssa Swanson: Material, Duluth Art Institute, Corridor Gallery, 506 W. Michigan Street
"Alyssa Swanson weaves the influences of her ancestors, family, and mentors into monochromatic abstract sculptures. Beginning with inexpensive acrylic yarns, bulk fabrics and discarded scraps, she embraces the modest materials used by her great-grandmother, great aunt, grandmother and mother. Yarn, thread, needles and crochet hooks construct alternate ways in which women throughout history have extended their voices. In Material, Swanson reveals how the craft of her matrilineage informs her creative process and narrative. Artist Talk"

Fall 2020
Transitions, Duluth Art Institute, Depot Great Hall, 506 W. Michigan Street
"Transitions is a temporary installation of work for sale. Transitions offers you the unique ability to purchase artwork without waiting the length of the exhibition to take the work home. As work is purchased, new work will transition into the space left behind, making this exhibition dynamic and ever-changing. Transitions features artists recently and currently exhibiting in the Duluth Art Institute Galleries. Artists currently represented include Shaun Chosa, Michael Dahmen, Susanna Gaunt, Kristen Kaas, Sue Rauschenfels, Alyssa Swanson, and Blair Treuer. Come see work you will love on your walls. You can also view the work in our eStore.

Learn a Tangle!
Jackstripes, by U.K. CZT Chrissie Frampton, is a grid tangle that is a little challenging at first look, but if you follow the step-out closely, you will easily be able to draw it. It also creates beautiful spaces for creative fill. Click the link to learn how to draw this tangle line-by-line. Add some simple shading or a touch of color and use it to decorate envelopes, birthday cards, and bills. You can learn how to draw this tangle and many more on Linda Farmer's, CZT, blog at tanglepatterns.com.

Book & Film
Patterned Peace, by Esther Piszczek, CZT, published by Whole Person Associates, Duluth. Available on Amazon.com and Duluth Fine Pianos. Original, hand-drawn artwork ready to color. Includes full pattern index.
 
Life & Art Entangled, a 17 minute art documentary created by Lola Visuals featuring Zentangle (R) inspired artwork on a piano created by fine-line pattern artist Esther Piszczek, CZT, and the improvisational jazz piano music of Peter Brown. Life & Art Entangled debuted at the 2016 Duluth Superior Film Festival. Watch at YouTube.com.

Places to find my art in the Twin Ports:
Art on the Planet, 1413 Tower Avenue, Superior (ceramics, notecards, playing cards)
Duluth Fine Pianos, 331 W. Superior Street (next to Starbucks) (full gallery)
Master Framing Gallery, 1431 London Road, Duluth (notecards) 

Thank yous!
Thank you to Ed Newman for interviewing me for this article: Zentangle goes Zoom with Esther Piszczek, by Ed Newman, Ennyman's Territory, July 4, 2020.

Thank you to Amanda Hunter at Joseph Nease Gallery who put together 59 second videos for all participating artists of the Downtown Duluth Arts Walk's first virtual tour on March 27. Here is a link to the video she made of my work.

Thank you to Brian Barber of Perfect Duluth Day for featuring my artwork in January 2019: Perfect Duluth Day Selective Focus: Esther Piszczek

Other Places To Find Art
Where to find more local art events and profiles: Ed Newman's blog: Ennyman's Territory.
Connect with me on Facebook and stay updated on my classes/events on my web page, Eternal Possibility, and my Zentangle.com page, Esther Piszczek!

Thank you to Ed Newman, Perfect Duluth Day, and all others who contribute to this list.