Bait Night at Art on 16th

Hank demonstrating how to put hand work on his fish

2012 A.R.T. artist Hank Hall invites you to join him Friday, June 8 when he will mix the sport of fishing and the art of drawing during Bait Night at Art on 16^th in Olde Town Spirit Lake. This special event with a fishing motif is the fourth in an ArtsLIVE local promotion called ArtsLIVE Night Out, highlighting creative businesses in the Iowa Great Lakes Corridor. Bait Night will run from 7-9 pm and is open to people of all ages and artistic backgrounds. The result of Hall’s guided fishing and drawing experience will be a highly decorated fish to hang on the wall.

Participants should bring an open mind and an interest in growing their imaginations to the two hour trip. As they enter Art on 16^th, they will find large fish images from pre-cut matt board swimming on a blue tarp on the floor of the gallery. Participants will bait their hooks with colorful Sharpie markers attached to the ends of real fishing poles. As they stand or sit next to the blue tarps, participants will jig, troll and rest the bait on the pre-cut images, resulting in random and playful designs. Using tape and design templates, the fish artists will accentuate and define their personal fish. After pulling in the colorful catch, participants will continue to develop areas of the fish with more precise hand work. The idea is to play with color and materials and end up with a one-of-a-kind, eye-popping fish.

A special one-event fishing license of $20 is required for Bait Night, payable to Art on 16^th. Deadline for registration is June 1 with a maximum of 16 good sports. Prepayment will hold a spot in the event. For more information or to register, those interested should contact Sheryl at 712-330-6006 or shhall@mchsi.com.

Bait Night is also available for families or other groups looking for a creative activity, with a maximum of 6 participants during daytime hours and 16 during the evening. For more information about the June 6 Bait Night or other activities and classes at Art on 16^th, call 712.330.6006.

Art on 16^th, Hank Hall’s creative laboratory at 709 16^th Street in Olde Town Spirit Lake, opened in 2007 in the restored shop of master woodworker Joe Lieb and offers quality art classes and remarkable local art.

Check back often to see what other artists of the 2012 Artisans Road Trip are up to!

2012 A.R.T. Artist Judy Hemphill's "Second Stories" Exhibit

 "Second Stories," a photographic presentation by Judy Hemphill

photographs  © Judy Hemphill

 

Artisans Road Trip member Judy Hemphill of Spencer, Iowa, is an aerial, commercial, and fine art photographer. As changes occur in her surroundings her commercial and contract images often become historical documents. Since last spring Judy has been part of a project focusing on historical documentation. Through the Spencer Renaissance Initiative Grant Program, the Spencer Historic Preservation Commission hired Judy to photograph interior spaces of seven second floor properties in downtown Spencer. "Second Stories," a presentation featuring these images, will be repeated Tuesday, May 8, 2012, 5:30 in Spencer City Hall Council Chambers.  This event should be a good fit for the 2012 May Historic Preservation Month theme "Discover Hidden Gems."

Due to a variety of circumstances many of the former office and residential spaces on the second floors of buildings in the Grand Avenue Historic Commercial District are vacant. Many contain "hidden gems" in time capsules which have not been disturbed since last occupied 20 to 40 years ago. Judy captured overall views of hallways, kitchens, other living areas, offices, a dance studio, and an assembly hall. Also pictured are vintage wallpapers, light fixtures, and views from some of the windows overlooking Grand Avenue.

During the "Second Stories" event images of the seven interiors will be featured with commentss from Kirby Schmidt. "Second Stories" property interiors included are the Medlar, Moore, McAllister Block, Floete-Cornwall (Glass Block), Union Block, Citizens National Bank, and I.O.O.F. Buildings.

Spencer Historic Preservation Commission invites everyone to "Second Stories," a photographic presentation by Judy Hemphill, on Tuesday, May 8, at 5:30 pm in the Spencer City Hall Council Chambers, 420 Second Avenue West, 712/580-7200.  Come discover some historic hidden gems!