The month of May means end-of-school-year student exhibitions. You can see work from the artists of the future — both local and international — at several locations during a busy May First Friday Art Walk.
For the uninitiated, First Friday Art Walk is a monthly effort in which galleries and businesses line up arts-related events across downtown Springfield. The public is encouraged to walk downtown and pop into many in what organizers call a “self-guided tour.”
Head to Obelisk Home's OH Gallery (214 West Phelps St.) to see work from artist and instructor Meganne Rosen as well as her Ozarks Technical Community College students. Rosen’s newest collection, “Lineage,” is inspired by her grandmother’s stained glass.
“Lineage is a body of work based on two stained glass windows my grandmother made,” Rosen said in a press release. “For these paintings, I am examining her unique use of color and shape through a lens of further abstraction. These works are painted in oil using a wet on dry technique to build nuance and depth into the intense palette inspired by glass.”
Downstairs in the Lower Level Gallery will be work from Rosen’s OTC Portfolio Development students as well as Kat Allie’s OTC Advanced Painting students. The collection is called “Origins: A Spectrum.”
“The title, Origins, alludes to this being a kind of origin story, because, for many of them, it is their first gallery exhibition,” the press release said. “Spectrum is in reference to the wide range of subjects and media explored in this body of work.”
That’s not the only place you can see art from OTC students. OTC Fine Arts hosts its Spring 22 Student Showcase Performances and Art Exhibit in Lincoln Hall 211. Enjoy vocal, musical, theatrical, literary and film performances as well as art on display in the student gallery exhibition areas of several buildings. OTC is located at 1001 East Chestnut Expressway.
Missouri State, Drury also show off student art
Brick City Gallery (215 West Mill) will host the Missouri State University BFA in Art Senior Exhibition, while the school’s Carolla Arts Exhibition Center (326 North Boonville) features the BFA in Design Exhibition.
Just southeast of Park Central Square is the Jim D. Morris Center (301 South Jefferson). That’s where MSU International Programs has invited Springfield Sister Cities Association to display elementary art from Springfield’s Sister City of Isesaki, Japan. The event is designed to showcase SSCA’s mission of “Peace through People.”
Meanwhile, over on the Drury University campus, the Pool Art Center Gallery (940 North Clay Ave.) features the APEX Senior Exhibition.
“APEX represents the culmination of collegiate work for the Fine Art and Graphic & Digital Design majors,” the press release said. “From an individual perspective, the students will develop a significant and rigorous representation of their creative and academic accomplishments that is then exhibited at the Pool Art Center Gallery.”
Live art, music at Founders Park
First Friday Art Walk at Founders Park is back for May. The event, put on by the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, features live art and music at Founders Park (330 East Water St.). This month’s featured artists are Linda Spencer and Roberto Regalado of Laughingwell Studio. The band 83 Skidoo will provide live music from 6-9 p.m. and concessions will be available.
Consider the stars at the Park Central Branch Library
Elaine Miller’s photography showcase “Summer Essence” will be on display at the Park Central Branch Library. At 7 p.m. Andrew Mann will present an Art Talk on the basics of astrophotography. Come learn how you can capture the night sky for yourself.
Ten other venues, Sculpture Walk Springfield also participating
A total of 10 other venues are participating in May’s First Friday Art Walk. They are:
- 417 Artistic Photography (600 West College St.)
- Downtown YMCA (417 South Jefferson Ave.)
- Formed: An Artist Collective (210 East Walnut)
- Forming Art Studios (330 South Ave.)
- Fresh Gallery (401 North Boonville)
- Hold Fast Brewing (235 North Kimbrough Ave.)
- Hotel Vandivort (305 East Walnut)
- J.L. Long Traders (318 West Walnut)
- Kokoro Training Academy (212 West McDaniel)
- Springfield Vineyard (634 West Wall St.)
And don’t miss Sculpture Walk Springfield’s new collection. Sculpture Walk has placed 32 new sculptures to downtown, created by local, national and international artists. Visit Sculpture Walk Springfield’s website to learn more and download the map and a free audio tour app.
