Flyer Guide: First Thursday – March ’10

With warmer temperatures just around the corner, the monthly First Thursday Fayetteville events are that much closer to being in full swing again.

The cold doesn’t stop First Thursday but it does mean a temporary break from street closings and outdoor movies (and music, magicians, vendors, etc.)

From what we hear, next month’s event will see the return of the outdoor activities. But don’t think there’s any reason to skip out on tonight’s offerings. In fact, both Sound Warehouse and Little Bread Company are joining I.M. Spa in adding Block Avenue to the list of destinations.

Here’s what we know about:

East Square Plaza

Goddess Festival Art Gallery

East Square Plaza, located at 1 E. Center, is currently hosting The Goddess Festival through the month of March. In conjunction with First Thursday, they’re opening the 2010 Goddess Festival Art Gallery tonight with a reception for all of the artists who have work on display this month.

On the 2010 Goddess Festival main stage, pianist Claire Detels honors great women from the Golden Age of Broadway. Selections include music from singers Judy Garland, Barbara Streisand, Ethel Merman, and Liza Minnelli.

Detels is Emeritus Professor of Music History and Harpsichord with 26 years of teaching experience at the University of Arkansas, who now freelances as a pianist and teaches part-time at the Suzuki School of Music.

Fayetteville Underground

Fayetteville Underground, located in the downstairs section of East Square Plaza, hosts three major art openings in the Revolver, Hive, and Vault Galleries as well as paintings from all the Fayetteville Underground artists in the back room of the Vault Gallery and crafts in the E Street Gallery. All exhibitions will run through March 30.

“Repair”

ReconciliationJennifer Libby Fay
Fayetteville Underground, Vault Gallery

“My art is created in three steps,” says Jennifer Libby Fay, in reference to her dye transfer prints. “I love the freedom of painting the dyes, the discipline of composing – arranging colors, transfers and patterns – and the surprise of each print as it transfers.”

For Fay, the process is a spiritual quest. Her The Seven Step Spiritual Art Discipline, was included in the recently published book Visio Divina: A Reader in Faith and Visual Arts, a collection of essays that deal with the experiences of practicing artists.

An accomplished hand weaver and fiber artist, Fay currently focuses on textile surface design. Each of her dye transfer processes combines various layers and textures into a unique print.

“Courthouse”

DreamsWilliam Mayes Flanagan
Fayetteville Underground, Revolver Gallery

“In my paintings, I like to play with contradictions to convey the sense of mystery and promise I feel when I walk the streets of my hometown or travel country roads,” says William Mayes Flanagan.

A juried member of The Fayetteville Underground artist collective, Flanagan will be displaying an array of new work entitled Dreams beginning this evening, most of which has never been exhibited.

“A poet once told me that when she looked at the buildings in my paintings, she knew there were people inside,” says Flanagan. “I really liked that comment, because that is what I try to do – to give the feeling of the life inside today, tomorrow, or the past.”

“Aubin”

StoriesDon House
Fayetteville Underground, Hive Gallery

“I often seek the isolation of wilderness,” explains photographer Don House, “only to find myself pulled to signs of prior habitation, of human presence – the stone wall, the crumbled foundation, the tombstone – places with emotional weight.”

From nudes to landscapes to architecture, House searches for the character, the spirit, and the essence of his subjects before releasing the shutter.

His images can be found in a diverse selection of publications such as The Wall Street Journal and Backpacker Magazine, and have been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions around the country. A teacher, gallerist, curator and author, House’s two collections of work – Buffalo Creek Chronicles, and Not a Good Sign are available from Phoenix International Press.

I.M. Spa

© Angela Peace

I.M. Spa, located at 25 N. Block, will continue its Angela Peace Photography exhibition. Besides being a full-time instructor at NWACC, Peace has become a student of Arkansas wilderness photographer Tim Ernst. “Under his tutelage, I have frozen my fingers for the perfect shot of spring wildflowers, waited for the light to emerge to capture a compelling waterfall, and enjoyed the collegiality of other students as Tim taught us to develop our shots,” says Peace.

In addition, there will be a showcase of B Natural Studio jewelry.

If we’re lucky enough, I.M. Spa will have more of the same tasty hors d’oeuvres as last month. Mmm.

Sound Warehouse

Sound Warehouse, located at 17 N. Block, will host The Schwag. The St. Louis band is making an appearance before taking the stage later this evening with The Jerry Garcia Band at George’s Majestic Lounge.

Free food and drinks will be provided along with the intimate warm-up show.

Little Bread Company

In an effort to raise money to send students to the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts conference, Little Bread Company, located at 116 N. Block, is inviting all First Thursday goers to a delicious fundraising event for the Association of Ceramic Enthusiasts from 5 – 8 p.m. At the event, if you purchase a student-made ceramic bowl for $15, Little Bread Company will fill it with some tasty soup.

“The more the merrier,” says president Glenna Worrell. “We have a lot of bowls to go around.”

Parking

To ease parking needs, the paid parking lot next to East Square Plaza (to the east) will be open for free parking tonight. There are also two large city lots that are free after 5 p.m. to the west of Block Avenue between Mountain and Meadow.