Final Fridays and Second Look Saturdays

Final Friday

Over the Rhine/ Downtown

6-8 pm

http://www.irhine.com/index.jsp?page=finalfriday

The end of the month always means Final Friday. If case you've never been, its an evening during which downtown galleries open their doors to the public. There is food and cocktails at many galleries and local bars and restaurants are also open. Check out the link above- it includes a great map. Although there are usually plenty of places to park, The Pendleton Arts Center (1310 Pendleton St.) offers convenient valet parking for $4.

Second Look Saturdays

The Pendleton Art Center (1310 Pendleton St., downtown)

11 am- 3 pm

The Pendleton Art Center is always a part of Final Friday. Now its also opening its doors on the last Saturday of each month. For those of you who don't know, the Pendleton houses gallery spaces for a wide range of artists. Its a large place and a great way to see many different kinds of art under one roof. For directions and more information visit http://www.pendletonartcenter.com/ebrochure.pdf.

All Our Favs at the Malton Gallery

(A Ripple Winds, Dan Miller)

New Works

The Malton Gallery (2643 Erie Ave, Hyde Park)

Although there was no opening reception, the Malton Gallery has just opened a new show that promises to be spectacular. It features all of the Malton's most talented and famous artists. The photorealistic work of Dan Miller and the colorful compositions by Natalya Romanovsky are sure to please.

July's Hip Picks

From now on I will have a "Hip Picks" list for each month. Its designed as a list of the most exciting, interesting, and intriguing shows and evetns that you absolutely don't want to miss. I will display these lists at the beginning of each month as a blog entry and you will also be able to access them under "Calendar" (right). If you have any suggestions for events or categories let me know!

Best Weekend Event: Manifest Opening (July 18), Miller Gallery's Up Close and Personal (July 18, August 2, August 9)

Best Mid-Week Event: CAM's Creative Design Breaks (July 16)

Best Gallery Show: Masterpieces at Manifest (July 18-August 5)

Most Exciting Event: Final Friday, July 25

Best Museum Show: Views from the Uffizi, Taft Museum (through October 12)

Up Close and Personal with the Miller Gallery

(above: Canal Boats, Jon Michael Carter)

Up Close and Personal 2008: The Summer Artist Demonstration Series

Saturday, July 19. 11 am-3 pm.

The Miller Gallery (Hyde Park Square)

FREE

For three Saturdays this summer The Miller Gallery has an exciting lineup of artists demonstrations. This Saturday, John Michael Carter will paint from a live model. He is a talented artist whose paintings focus mainly on things he sees in his everyday life and his travels.

Save the Date: Saturday, August 2 and Saturday August 9 from 12-3 pm Ron Johnson and Ron Mosma will also do live demos. I will post more details about those artists later.

Architecture at the CAM

Creative Breaks Design Summer- Architecture

The Cincinnati Art Museum

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

5:30-8:30 pm

FREE

For the next installment of its Creative Breaks Design Summer, the CAM is focusing on architecture. GBBN Architects, a renown firm in Cincinnati, will be on hand to discuss Green Design (which is obviously a hot topic today). There will also be tours of the CAM's featured exhibition David McCauley: The Art of Building Books and live bluegrass music by the Rumpke Mountain Boys. As per usual, there will be happy hour specials at the Terrace Cafe. As I have said before, this is an awesome way to get out mid-week.

Young Art

("Untitled Study 6," Kim Krause)

Young at Art: Works on Paper by Emerging and Established Artists

The Phyllis Weston-Annie Bolling Gallery

July 11-August 16

This is an exciting show explores the flexibility and diversity of prints from the 1920s to the present. Prints are a form of media that is not always immediately recognized and is often underestimated. They are often great ways, however, to collect works by famous artists because they are often more affordable and readily-available (i.e. Picasso print vs. Picasso oil on canvas). Prints themselves, however, are also a great form of expression in and of themselves. The prints of Albrecht Durer (c. 1500), for example, have a great amount of precision and detail and were produced in relatively few editions and, thus, are very expensive. In the 1960s, Andy Warhol began to mass-produce photo-silkscreens and toyed with the idea that art, like other commercial endeavors, could be mass-produced. However you look at it, prints have been used throughout art history by many artists for many different reasons. This show explores that by showing everything from the traditional prints by Harry Shokler to the contemporary architectural structures depicted in George Schmidt's works. My personal favorites include the incredible colorful "Untitled Study 6 " by Kim Krause and the kitschy 1950s-inspired "2nd Place" by Melissa Harshman.

The Taft Goes to Italy

Canaletto, The Tower of Marghera, c. 1750


This summer, patrons can immerse themselves in a multi-sensory experience at the Taft. The museums is offering an incredible special exhibit, a special menu at its cafe, and an incredible summer concert series.

Views from the Uffizi: Painting of the Italian Landscape

The Taft Museum

Now- through October 12, 2008

$13- adult, $10 seniors and students.
Wednesdays: $5 adults, $4 seniors and students.
special coupons with meal at cafe (see below)

If you can't pocket a trip to Italy this summer, a visit to the Taft might just be the next best thing. Views from the Uffizi: Painting of the Italian Landscape, explores the evolution of Italian landscape painting from the Renaissance through the 18th century. With artists such as Botticelli, Guercino, Poussin, Claude Lorrain and Canaletto, who needs to fly to Europe?

The Taft is also offering special Italian-inspired cuisine at its Lindner Family Cafe. With the purchase of a meal at the cafe, patrons can receive free admission with the purchase of at least 2 tickets.

Taft With a Twist: Molto Italiano

Thursday, July 10, 7-10 pm.

Food, Wine, Italian food, and "Fellini Bellinis" at cash bar

$10 non-members, free for members

Reservations recommended ((513) 684-4526, www.taftmuseum.org)

To go along with their Italian theme, the Taft is offering an evening of relaxing and festive Italian entertainment. This is also a great way to check out the exhibit since admission is cheaper than usual. The event will also feature a bocce tournament and noodle games.

Saturday, July 19, 11 am- 4 pm.

A Day In Italy

FREE

This day is geared towards family fun. Folk dancing, crafts, music, and cultural displays promise to keep children entertained. Parents will love the performances by the Cincinnati Opera, Paul Wagner Band, My Nose Turns Red Theater Company, and Frisch Marionettes. With no general admission, this would be a perfect day to check out the Uffizi show.

Taft Sessions Music Series

Sunday, July 20, 2 pm: Kim Taylor

Sunday, August 17, 2 pm: Peter Mulvey

Cash bar, FREE

These concerts take place under the the tent of the Taft's garden and are a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Interior Design at the CAM

Cincinnati Art Museum

Creative Breaks Design Summer- Interior Design

Wednesday, June 2, 5:30-9 pm.

For the third part of its Creative Breaks Design Summer, the CAM is focusing on interior design. Admission is free, and there will be music and drink and appetizer specials. The most enticing features of this installment include the opportunity to create Rookwood inspired tiles, live reggae music, and an opportunity to chat with the innovative High Street Studio about their unique London style. This is definitely a relaxing, mid-week treat. There will also be tours at 6 and 8 pm featuring the museum's best make out spots.