The Art of the Sign exhibition, Next Artisans' section meeting, May 3

The Artisans' are taking a field trip for our next meeting and you are invited for an evening of fun and vintage signs at Ars Populi, the gallery and studio of artist Bill Christman. The gallery is currently exhibiting "The Art of the Sign" which is comprised of the private collections of Mr. Christman and fellow sign connoisseurs Jim May and Greg Rhomberg. The Riverfront Times states "Stunning in size, scope and scale, the show packs its profoundest power in the riot of cultural iconography on display, nearly all of it tied to St. Louis" and that the "Art of the Sign appears to cover every conceivable process, form and material from signage's pre-digital era: Gilded. Molded. Sculpted. Glue-chip glass (an antiquated, visually dazzling technique that utilizes gold leaf). Handcarved wood. Neon. Plain-old light bulbs. Barber poles and other emblematic iconography. Wall-mounted displays. Terra cotta. Stone. Motorized contraptions. Contemporary signs fashioned as works of art." The show will be of interest to crafts people as well as designers, illustrators and letterheads.

There is a two dollar admission charge to the show. Ars Populi is located at 6010 Kingsbury, St. Louis. Thursday evening gallery hours are 7-10 pm.

For more information about The Art of the Sign visit http://www.arspopulisaintlouis.org/main/

The Future of Lighting is Spelled LED...

Metro Lighting's Show Me LED event is a chance to see, touch annd ask questions about LED lighting technologies that are available today. Thanks to Michael Craft for his excellent presentation to the Creative Artisans's section last week and his invitation to this event.

Artisans' Section meeting, April 5; Michael Craft Metro Lighting

To all friends of the Creative Artisans Guild: Thursday, April 5th we will be meeting at the St. Louis Artist Guild in Oak Knoll Park, 2 Oak Knoll, 63105, at 7 pm. The entrance is 1 block north of Clayton on Big Bend, Across from Fontbonne University.  Our presenter will be Mike Craft from Metro Lighting. He will be talking about custom lighting and new advancements in LED lighting. Mike’s will be showing us what’s possible when one’s medium is light.

Vic Barr, Gateway Gallery Featured Artist, Clayton, MO

Vic Barr, woodworker and Creative Artisans' section member, is the  March featured artist at Gateway Gallery, 21 N. Bemiston, Clayton, MO. The gallery's current exhibition theme is "Under Construction" and his piece titled "House Of Cards" is the on the front the exhibition postcard. Vic constructs jewelry box towers and turns wood as well as other materials into hand-crafted fountain pens. "I am happiest in my workshop – making drawers fit perfectly, feeling them slide smoothly," states Vic, "And retaining the beauty of the wood. Wood is beautiful in its own right...".

The opening reception for "Under Construction" is Friday, March 2. 6-9pm. The exhibit continues through March 30.

Here is a link to Gateeay Gallery Online: http://gatewaygalleryonline.com/

"House of Cards," Vic Barr. Photo courtesy of Gateway Gallery.

Next meeting, Thurs, 3/1, 7pm

The past month has flown by and our next meeting is this Thursday March 1st. I was at the St. Louis Artists' Guild board meeting this past week and the board is very excited about our idea for a Completely Different A.R.T. Fair. (Appraise, Restore, Trade) For those of you who could not make it to the last meeting, the Creative Artisans Guild is exploring an idea of an Antique Road show-type expo of local artisans, craft and fine art show probably in the spring of 2013. The vision I have is an indoor and outdoor fair with people bringing in their antiques and objet d'art to be evaluated by experts for restoration, preservation and sale.There would be many dozens of artisans with table or booth space to display and find clients for their special talents. Artisans of all stripes could sell their new work and look for commissions. Ivey Selkirks has already agreed to give their expertise to the appraising process, There could be food and Fine Art to round out the event.

So our next meeting is a planning/brainstorming session to start setting the timetable in place and exploring the possibilities!

I really think this could be a completely different kind of fair.

In preparation for the meeting I would like you to jot down some ideas for:

1. We need you to think of Artist/Artisan names for booth space. Bring a list of names, if you can.

2. Think about ideas for what should be there (i.e. vendors, performances, food ideas, space requirements).

This idea is to benefit the Guild and also you as an artisan, so think of ways to further that goal!

Think outside the normal craft fair/ art fair concept. So if you or someone you know would like to participate, contact me and or come to the meeting this Thursday at 7pm at the St. Louis Artist Guild at 2 Oak Knoll Park, Clayton, MO 63105

Jerry Cox, Artisans' section chair

Penmanship & Calligraphy, European Paper Company

"Do you feel like your handwriting is sloppy? Uneven? Erratic? You’re not alone. With a little practice, and a bit of guidance right here, right now, it will get better."

The European Paper Company is offering lessons on Penmanship & Calligraphy on their blog site. The most recent post in the on going series is about Library Hand,a lettering style once taught to librarians for use in card catalogs and other written communications requiring clear readability. Read more.

Michael Anderson On Painting

This short video created by Joel Anderson shows the process of creating two paintings commissioned by Laclede Gas now on public view in the lobby of their corporate headquarters at 720 Olive in downtown St. Louis.



Mike will discuss this project and updates to other recent projects including the new Chihuly museum now under construction in Seattle at the Artisans' section monthly meeting at the St. Louis Artists' Guild tonight at 7pm, Two Oak Knoll Park, Clayton, MO. All are welcome to attend.