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"Imagining the Founding of St. Louis," at Sheldon Art Galleries
The exhibit celebrates the 250th anniversary of the founding of St. Louis with paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture by Oscar E. Berninghaus, Karl Bodmer, Charles Bird King, Louis-Leopold Boilly, Charles Ferdinand Wimar and others. It pays tribute to the Native Missourians who lived in the region with an array of Mississippian, Osage, Missourian and Illinoisan regalia, art and artifacts.
Now through August 23, free, Bellwether Gallery of St. Louis Artists, Sheldon Art Gallery, 3648 Washington Blvd., sheldonconcerthall.org.
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Sarah Paulsen, "Elegy to Connie," at fort gondo and Kevin Harris, “birthday and oblivion: quantitative measurements of reality (metaphysical and otherwise)” at beverly
Paulsen has received the Mid-America Arts Alliance grant, which has supported the completion of her latest exhibit, “Elegy to Connie,” which includes both an art exhibit and a film screening on March 8, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Fort Gondo.
“Elegy to Connie,” is a feature-length animated documentary that examines the events prior to and after the 2008 shootings at Kirkwood City Hall. The exhibition at Fort Gondo situates Paulsen’s documentary amidst a large-scale installation of drawn and sculpted elements from the film’s making.
Harris’ exhibit, entitled “birthday and oblivion: quantitative measurements of reality (metaphysical and otherwise)” also opened February 22. It is a multimedia, solo exhibition with an immersive sound, and video and sculptural installation.
Both exhibits run through March 15, Paulsen’s at fort gondo (3151 Cherokee) and Harris’ at Beverly (3155 Cherokee). For more info, go to fortgondo.com.
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Anti-Selfie
If you’re tired of looking at selfies on Facebook, if you think the practice is making us vain, you’ll find this local movement copacetic. For the past few weeks, photos have been popping up under #STLblackout and #antiselfieSTL. These photos feature blacked-out selfies that read: #antiselfieSTL is it really that important? Be a part of the anti-selfie movement in St. Louis by browsing the photos on Instagram or posting your own.
Anytime, anywhere, instagram.com/stlblackout.
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“Thresholds: MOCRA at 20," at the Museum of Contemporary Religious Art
In order to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its opening, Saint Louis University’s Museum of Contemporary Religious Art (MOCRA) created a two-part exhibition called “Thresholds: MOCRA at 20.” Part one, which included highlights from MOCRA’S first 10 years, showcased last fall, and now it is time to reveal part two, which will present work from the second decade.
Now through May 18 @ MOCRA, 221 N. Grand Blvd., Free (with suggested donation of $5), mocra.slu.edu.
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“Decisive Moments: 20th Century Street Photography, Prints from St. Louis Collections” at the International Photography Hall of Fame
The new exhibition, “Decisive Moments: 20th Century Street Photography, Prints from St. Louis Collections,” traces the evolution of street photography through iconic works spanning the century. The daily life of St. Louisans, our city’s streets, and the changing society are seen through the eyes of true artists.
Now until April 27 @ International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum, 3415 Olive St., Free on Fridays, iphf.org.
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"Dress Up and Sit Down: A Night of Music, Dance, and Flamboyant Lounging," at Nebula
To honor the age-old practice of dressing up to sit down, The Hinge presents an interactive installation of dresses and chairs, music and dance—a sartorial/furniture/dance spectacle. Composer Barron Johnson performs on an upright bass. Leverage Dance Theater leaps, lifts, and ignites Nebula Coworking terrain. Bergere, Cockpen, and Windsor chairs transform a recreational space.
Feb. 28 @ 8 p.m., free (must reserve ticket here), Nebula Coworking, 3407 S. Jefferson, nebulastl.com.
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"Gary Stephan: Recent Work," at Philip Slein Gallery
Gary Stephan has had more than 70 solo shows in the U.S. and Europe, and nearly 200 group exhibitions. For this show, Stephan has focused primarily on the idea of presence vs. absence, specifically with visual language, such as layers of paint—some transparent and some not. The presence is what covers and the absent is what is covered.
Opening reception February 28 @ 6 p.m., exhibit runs through March 29, free, Philip Slein Gallery, 4735 McPherson Ave., 314-361-2617, philipsleingallery.com.
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Rain Harris at Duane Reed Gallery
There will be an opening reception for artist Rain Harris on February 28 from 5 to 8 p.m. Her exhibition at the Duane Reed Gallery will be open through March 29. Harris’ creates smart and enthralling mixed media and ceramic art. During a summer as artist in residence at a Pottery Workshop in China, Harris watched ceramic artisans replicate fabric flowers. When she returned, she took the Chinese technique and made it her own. Her ceramic floral shapes are intricate, refined, and speak of beauty and taste.
February 28 to March 29 @ Duane Reed Gallery, 4729 McPherson Ave., Free, duanereedgallery.com.
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Nu-Art Jazz Composers Series at the Scott Joplin House
Hamiet Bluiett, arguably the world’s finest baritone sax player, makes a visit to his hometown this Saturday, March 1, to kick off a series of concerts organized by Nu-Art and the Scott Joplin House. Bluiett (who will play woodwinds rather than saxophone) will be joined by Nu-Art’s George Sams on brass for the first installment of “Sounds in Motion, a few afternoons of creative improvisational music from New York- and St. Louis-based musicians.” The March 15 concert features Bobo Shaw, David Parker, and Sams; the April 12 show features Sams and JD Parran on woodwinds.
March 1 & 15; April 12, 3–4:30 p.m. $10 donation. Scott Joplin House, 2658 Delmar, 314-340-5790
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Chris Kahler, "Dialumens," at Bruno David Gallery
These new paintings by Chris Kahler focus on the interaction between negative space, light, and intersecting planes. They extend the exploration of boundaries between physical and psychological time, between phenomena and the variable conceptual filters for understanding them, through novel uses of color, form, and texture. This show marks Kahler’s sixth solo exhibition with the gallery. A fully illustrated book accompanies the exhibition, with essays by Paul Krainak and Had Smith.
Now until March 1 @ Bruno David Gallery, 3721 Washington Blvd., free, brunodavidgallery.com.
Our roundup of stuff to do this week includes a passel of excellent art exhibits, plus a kickoff concert for a jazz series at the Scott Joplin House featuring a rare visit from NYC-based musician Hamiet Bluiett.
