Aaron McIntosh is a fourth-generation quiltmaker from the Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee who examines the intertwined relationships between humans and plants across many artistic mediums. His exhibition “Entanglements” is featured at Missouri State University’s Carolla Arts Exhibition Center during First Friday Art Walk on March 1.
Sixteen venues are participating in this month's Art Walk, a monthly effort in which galleries and businesses line up arts-related events across downtown Springfield. Everyone is encouraged to walk around the neighborhood and pop into galleries in what organizers call a “self-guided tour.” Venues will be open for variable hours between 4:30 and 10 p.m.
‘Entanglements' finishes run at Carolla Center
“Entanglements” comes to the Carolla Arts Exhibition Center (326 N. Boonville Ave.) after a four-month run at Northeastern University’s Gallery360 in Boston. McIntosh’s work has also been exhibited in the Hangaram Art Museum in Seoul, the Houston Museum of Fine Arts, the Los Angeles Craft & Folk Art Museum and the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay & Lesbian Art in New York City.
“In ‘Entanglements,’ the artist takes up the metaphoric potential of plant life where he finds speculative roots to scaffold and explore queer ecologies,” a press release said. “McIntosh rejects colonialist and heteronormative paradigms that dominate botany in its perpetual ‘othering’ of queerness. Instead, he asks how might we imagine queerness through the sexual and gender-variant dynamisms present in the plant world.”
McIntosh has also explored plant life and LGBTQ+ issues with his project “Invasive: Queer Kudzu.”
Open ‘The Mystery Box' at Formed: An Artist Collective
More than 20 artists put their creativity to the test for “The Mystery Box Show: A Mixed Media Experience” at Formed: An Artist Collective (210 E. Walnut St., Suite 100). There will also be light refreshments and live music from Tony Menown.
The artists for this show were given a mystery box full of random everyday objects to create their art pieces. The theme? Their favorite TV sitcom. Guests are encouraged to talk to the artists about their creative processes and vote for their favorite art piece.
Across the street at Forming Art Studios (330 South Ave.), Charmed by Alex, Permanent Jewelry will hold a pop-up event. There will also be new art from Laura Ingalsbe, Bobbie Wright, Misty Lane and Sophie Bryan. Lane will do mini astrology readings and Bryan will create live portraits from 6-8:30 p.m.
Alleyscapes debuts work from Liu Peng
A new month also means the debut of a new Alleyscapes immersive art experience from Sculpture Walk Springfield. This month’s artist is Liu Peng and his piece is titled “2020.” It will be projected from sunset to midnight in the “backstage alley” behind the Hotel Vandivort and the Landers Theatre.
Peng is a 2014 graduate of the Hubei Academy of Fine Arts in central China. He has studied in the Digital Media Art Department of the University of the Arts Bremen in Germany and is currently studying at the Film Department of the University of Fine Arts Hamburg, also in Germany.
“He is adept at connecting things that have not even a little bit of connection, and he explores the subtle relationship between females, physical behavior, Chinese ancient culture, music and sound, and the fragments of the internet,” a press release said.
Park Central Branch Library show inspired by One Read Book ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures'
The Springfield-Greene County Library District has selected Shelby Van Pelt's “Remarkably Bright Creatures” as its 2024 One Read Book. The story of an unlikely connection between a widow and a Giant Pacific Octopus residing at the local aquarium is also the inspiration for the Park Central Branch Library’s 3rd annual Between the Lines Juried Art Show.
Stop by the Park Central Branch (128 Park Central Square) from 6:30-9 p.m. to see the work and cast your vote for the People’s Choice award.
English professor is this month's featured artist at Fresh Gallery
If you missed Andrea Hellman’s solo show at the Historic Holland Building during November’s First Friday Art Walk, you’ve got another chance to see her work at Fresh Gallery (401 N. Boonville Ave.). Hellman is this month’s featured artist and watercolor artist Nadine Ellman will be doing a portrait painting demo.
Hellman is an associate professor in English at Missouri State University. Her digital paintings have earned accolades from several galleries and have been featured in literary and art journals.
Hotel Vandivort displays work of Drury graduate
Hotel Vandivort (305 E. Walnut St.) is displaying the work of Sarah Jones during March’s First Friday Art Walk. Jones has lived in Missouri all her life and finds inspiration in memory, collecting, movies and watching sunsets.
Jones completed an MA in Studio Art and Theory at Drury University in 2016. She has a background in graphic design and illustration, and was a resident artist at the ideaXfactory from 2016-2019.
Nine other venues will be open for Art Walk
Other venues for March’s First Friday Art Walk are:
- Brick City Gallery, 215 W. Mill St.
- Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe, 220 E. Walnut St.
- Hold Fast Brewing, 235 N. Kimbrough Ave.
- J.L. Long Traders, 318 W. Walnut St.
- Jim D. Morris Center, 301 S. Jefferson Ave.
- Obelisk Home, 214 W. Phelps St., Suite 101
- Pool Art Center Gallery, 940 N. Clay Ave.
- Springfield Regional Arts Council, at the Creamery Arts Center, 411 N. Sherman Parkway
- Transformation Gallery & Tattoo, 330 E. Walnut St.
For more information, visit the official First Friday Art Walk website, or find them on Facebook.
