Tribe Report June 7

Martin de Vore

Summer in the City

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Traditionally, summer is a time when the local art scene catches its breath. In years past, shows were fewer in number and many gallery owners and artists took vacations or much-needed breaks.

However, this year just may be the exception to that time-honored practice.

Even with Marie Weichman's recent announcement that her Studio Gallery would be closing as a venue for exhibitions, there are more galleries open this summer than last. More artists have emerged during the past year and more non-traditional venues are hosting art events. The opening of Wayne Gilbert's g Gallery has resulted in a melding with Redbud Gallery, Texas Collaborative and Sharon Kopriva's studio to create an 11th Street tabernacle of art. The studios located at Winter Street and Elder Street are thriving. M2 Gallery opened at the end of last summer and is looking forward to its first anniversary of hosting great shows and openings. Gallery 19 continues to provide artists with much-needed wall space and an opportunity to learn the business side of art by direct involvement in the cooperative. Eastman Gallery has a new director who is friendly to Heights and Inner Corridor artists. Earth Gallery is also now working with local artists in addition to featuring work by established national and international artists. Even the Yale Street Arts Market has made an adjustment to evening hours during the summer to take advantage of both lower temperatures and increased interest in local art, resulting in an expanded, festive atmosphere for artists and their patrons, consumers and supporters. And many other fine galleries such as De Zeta, Square Moon, The Artful Corner, Art Car Museum, Casa Ramirez Folk Art Gallery, Mind Puddles, Bering and James, Lawndale Art Center, Mackey Art Gallery, Project Row Houses, DaVinci Artists Gallery in Tomball and Garden of the Dragonfly in Old Town Spring also provide opportunities for the artists of all our different tribes to have their work displayed.

So, yeah, this summer looks like it could be a good one.

That's not to say that there's not a few negatives. Amy Meyers' Sippora Gallery will be closing after the Kaleidoscope show. Fuel costs have impacted many people's spendable income. Dick Blick has quit carrying my preferred brand of acrylic.

Still, this summer could be one of the best ever.

Oooooooppppssssss

In the last Tribe Report, I said that I would be taking a look at art marketing. That is something I still plan to do. However, that's on hold for a little while longer while I check on a few more things. Soon, though.

Tribe Report Blues

OK, I AM aware that the Tribe Report isn't as frequent as it once was. There's a reason though. At my temporary abode, there is irregular Internet service. Whenever I have planned to write something, Internet access has been down. What's one to do? Here's an idea. If you would like to facilitate the arrival of the Tribe Report on a more frequent basis, invite me over on a Sunday afternoon or Monday evening to use your computer to write it! Wasn't that an easy solution? Seriously. Have me over to write it and I'll make sure you are mentioned! Actually, now that I think about it, it might be better to write it on Wednesday evenings. To let me know if you want to host a Tribe Report night at your place, e-mail me at: mldevore@gmail.com

Tribal Drums

From Sergio Santos: I just wanted to let you know I have a piece in the Houston Center for Photography exhibition. Should be a good show if you get a chance to drop by. Here is the link: http://www.hcponline.org/exhibitions06.html

From David Lindsay: Husband and wife team David and Sara Lindsay have joined together to create a site-specific installation in LHUCA's Studio Gallery that will be on exhibit for First Friday Art Trail through June 30. Entitled Set Boundaries, this installation combines David's structured, three-dimensional figurative drawings with Sara's mixed media sculpture to create a psychological and metaphorical landscape.The installation will engulf the space of the Studio Gallery, creating the impression of a space inhabited by, and sweeping away its own people. This work is an investigation of the stormy and subtle forces of nature and the human mind that influence and mediate the interaction and development of individuals, families and groups. Both artists are from the San Francisco Bay area and have undergraduate degrees from the University of Utah. David also has an MFA from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He taught art at the University of Akron in Ohio before joining the Texas Tech School of Art faculty last fall. David has had gallery representation in California, Oregon and Ohio. Sara is a sculptor and stay-at-home mom. You can see David's work at http://www3.uakron.edu/art/davidlindsay

From Dune Patten: Dune-Micheli Patten's mixed media painting, Paul's Letter to Delphi, was accepted into the juried exbibition Outside the Lines, at the Bath House Cultural Center at 521 E. Lawther Drive in Dallas. The exhibition runs through June 24. Outside the Lines 6 is a juried art exhibition featuring new works by local and regional visual artists. This exhibition celebrates the transcendent, innovative and experimental work of contemporary visual artists. For more information, visit the Web site at: http://www.bathhousecultural.com/otl6.html

From Lacey Crawford: Regarding the art show at Mind Puddles in July (NOT June).... As I'd mentioned, there could be a date change.... and there was. The art show that I will be participating in at Mind Puddles is in July (NOT June). The date will be Thursday, July 13 and typically the show will be from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. If you hadn't received any e-mail to this effect before, here it is. If you had received the previous erroneous e-mail, here's the correction. For more information, visit Mind Puddles' Web site at http://www.mindpuddles.com/current_show.php

From Stäcy Smith: I wanted to put in a plug for Eastman Gallery. I took over as Gallery Director there last month and have been enjoying the fruits of my labor working with fellow artists, so come and see me! We have a show coming up on June 15. If you'd like I'll send you the e-mail version of the invitation. A couple of artists listed on Art Valet have participated in shows with us, including Alissa Fereday (who is also in the upcoming June show). She creates beautifully textured abstract art. We also had the privilege of showing Sharon Worley in last month's show. I hope you all can make it down the freeway sometime to our end of the woods! Looking forward to hearing from you! Visit Eastman gallery's Web site at http://www.eastmangallery.com/

From Mary Ann Lucas: I will be the featured artist at Garden of the Dragonfly Gallery, 318 F. Main Street in Old Town Spring, (281) 528-7779 at the June 24th art walk and continuing through July 28, 2006. The reception is June 24 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Gallery hours are Weds. through Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sun. 12 - 5 p.m. I also welcome visits to my studio and can be contacted via e-mail at: malucasart@hotmail.com or by phone at (281) 583-8408. Please visit my Web site at http://www.malucasart.com

Now, let's see what's going on in our own tribal homelands....

A Painter's Ego

On Friday, June 9, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sippora Gallery focuses on an imporant facet of a painter's pallette –- ego. Or, as Sippora owner Amy Meyers puts it, "A Painter's Ego is a balance between the artist world and the real world....." Amy knows –- she's shown the works of quite a few painters with some pretty huge egos! According to Amy, "Ego. No matter how much they may disclaim it, no artist can leave home without it (or be without it at home either). The simple fact is that in order to be an artist the first prerequisite is to possess that all important ingredient: a fully-blown ego–and one clamorous enough to demand attention. The artist –- to be an artist –- needs to be seen. The painter must exhibit. For without the audience the creation lies unknown, unappreciated, unfulfilled. Ego provides the motivation, the impetus that makes us believe that we have something to offer to the world. So come inside and take a closer look into these painters’ egos."

OK Amy, we'll accept that invitation. In this case, the egos of three painters (Ray Phillips, Pam Knox, and David DuBois) will be the driving force behind the art on exhibit. For more information on A Painter's Ego show or other upcoming events, call (713) 520-1085 or take a peek at the Sippora Web site at http://www.sippora.com

West Coast meets Central Coast

California artist Susan Michael will be joining Houston artists and tribal overlords Carolyn Cohen and Mitch Cohen in West Coast meets Central Coast -- a three-artist exhibition at M2 Gallery. Susan Michael is a San Francisco Bay area artist whose work is developing a national following. As most of us know, Mitch and Carolyn Cohen own Artists At Large and have placed over 375 artists in businesses for Heights 1st Saturday events since 2003 and they promote member artists of Artists At Large. The opening reception for the show will be held at M2 Gallery on Saturday, June 10 from 7 til 10 p.m. The exhibition will run from June 7-18. M2 always has great openings so this is one not to miss. Remember, save the punch for me! The rest of you can have all that wine, beer, food, soft drinks, etc. Better yet, tell Max where you saw the announcement for his show. By doing so, you will increase my fuel supply. M2 Gallery is located at 325 W. 19th Street in The Heights. For more information on this show or other upcoming M2 events, visit the Web site at http://www.m2-houston.com/ or call (713) 861-6070.

G19 Group Show

Also, on Saturday, June 10, join the Gallery 19 folks from 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. for An Evening With The Artists. As always, food and libations will be served. Gallery 19 has consistently provided a venue for cutting-edge, sometimes dangerous, art. I have heard that Eric Salazar will be among those showing at work at this show. If he does, check it out. The buzz is that Eric will be one of the breakout artists of 2006. Also showing art that evening will be fellow tribester Marilyn P. Hemenway and perennial Martin favorites Jill Griffith and Xsemaj. For more information, call (713) 426-2414 or visit the Gallery 19 Web site at http://www.gallery19.org/.

Coming Soon: Overlord Mitch's NEXT Bacchanalian Frenzy

Overlord Mitch Cohen is in need of a tonic. He has been working way too hard on the Yale Street Arts Market and the big White Linen Night coming up in August. Sounds like the perfect time for one of his Wednesday Night Bacchanalian Frenzies to me. On those festive occasions, Mitch holds court at Onion Creek (3106 White Oak in The Heights) on Wednesday at 6 p.m. on the deck. E-mail Mitch at artistsatlarge@gmail.com and let him know that we feel that he needs a little recreation in his life and that we -- his thirsty and hungry subjects -- appreciate it.

Looking into History Back....

Saturday night was one of those nights where it would have been good to be able to fold space or practice bilocation.

Most of Saturday afternoon and evening, I spent at the Yale Street Arts Market, located in the parking lot of Wind Water Gallery. That's no surprise. The surprise was that even though this was a night show scheduled to run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., there were artists arriving to set up as early as 1 p.m. The crowds were great, artists were selling and the evening was excellent. Art under the lights has definitely arrived on 19th Street! Among the various tribe members on hand were Michael-Ann, John, Mitch, Carolyn, Duke, Erica, Chris, Susan, Terrence, Mary and two new tribe members, Jaden and Matt. Popping in for quick visits were Sorange, Carrie, Aimi, Charity, Michelle and Masoud.

About 6:30, I decided to cool off and go to see what was going on at g Gallery, Redbud Gallery, Texas Collaborative and Sharon Kopriva's studio at their complex in the 300 block of 11th Street 11th Street.

At g Gallery, Wayne Gilbert was busy greeting guests and unsuccessfully working on getting his background music going. After being thwarted by digital technology, Wayne struck a quick deal with singer/guitarist/songwriter (and tribe member) Kim Saltzmann who just happened to have her guitar handy. Then, there was music! Great music. Kim is probably one of the few singers whose voice is powerful enough to be heard over the noise of a gallery crowd. To book Kim to play at your event, e-mail her at: ksaltzmann@hotmail.com. After a great set, Kim departed and I headed through the g Gallery door to Redbud Gallery. At Redbud, I got to view Wanda Alexander's series of Houston Paintings, which are on view through July 2. Redbud owner Gus Kopriva was busy so I gave him the thumbs up for a great show and decided to go get something to eat. Waving at Dan Mitchell Allison as I passed the door of Texas Collaborative, I headed for the tables with the soft drinks, brownies and Kopriva cookies. Satiated, I bid my farewells and returned to Yale Street Arts Market.

For more information on g Gallery call (713) 802-9466 while their Web site is under construction. For more information on the Wanda Alexander exhibit or future Redbud events, call (713) 862-2532 or visit Redbud's Web site at http://www.redbudgallery.com. For more information about Texas Collaborative's services or upcoming projects, check out their Web site at http://www.texascollaborative.com or call (832) 618-1845.

Coda

Remember, I am not the Witch of Endor, so if you have a show or event coming up that you want me to mention you have to send it to me at:

mldevore@gmail.com

That's it for now.

Until then, keep creating art, viewing art, buying art and supporting your fellow artists of all tribes.

Martin L. de Vore is an artist and journalist now living in Houston. Martin is a member of the Artists At Large and Post-Diversionist tribes and is drawing his current dark creative motivation from love's agonies.

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