St. Louis Area Fine Arts, Crafts & Performing Arts
Michelle “Mike” Ochonicky, Arts Editor
Please note: As scheduling can be unexpectedly altered in response to COVID-19 concerns, kindly verify all listed events at the provided websites.
Although COVID-19 halted many performances, Karlovsky & Company Dance presents two outdoor performances, to restore live dance to our community as we await healing for the world. On September 4, 6-7 p.m., InTRANSIT is a walk, bike, drive-by migratory performance of dance and live music in various locations throughout Grand Center. Over 20 dancers with musicians deliver a socially-distanced motion and music during this free performance.
On September 18, Dine on Dance Lunchtime Performance (noon-1 p.m.) brings live music and professional dance for a lunchtime break to Strauss Park in Grand Center. Brownbag it to enjoy this free event. Visit www.karlovskydance.org for complete info about these two wonderful opportunities to watch live (don’t we miss it!?!) dance.
Start at Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park to leisurely stroll anytime through September 6 to experience St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s 14 specially installed outdoor artworks along the route. A downloadable map and audio companion piece are available at: https://stlshakes.org /audio/.
Green Door Gallery, 21 N. Gore, presents Figure, Form and Formless, a variety of works by five artists, September 2-October 31. More at www.greendoorartgallery.com
A 2020 Vision of Landscape Painting, 11 works by Ahzad Bogosian, Lesley Richmond and Ken Worley, opens at St. Louis Community College at Wildwood, 2645 Generations Drive, September 8. A virtual tour of the gallery is also accessible through October 16 at www.stlcc.edu/ww.
The St. Louis Art Fair goes virtual this year, so no worries about the weather on September 11-13! Meet 125 artists, view and purchase their work and more at www.SaintLouisArtFair.com.
Through September 15, Art Saint Louis hosts This Moment. According to Robin Hirsch-Steinhoff, Artistic Director, “An unprecedented convergence of crises has marked 2020 as a year of historic significance in the life of our community and our world: The COVID-19 pandemic, the widespread outcry and explosion of awareness of injustice ignited by the murder of George Floyd, and our country’s second economic recession in just over a decade. In this overwhelming set of circumstances, we turn to the essential work of artists to give context, purpose and perspective on the shared framework of our lives.” This juried exhibition is presented exclusively online at www.ArtStLouis.org in a virtual gallery, with highlights from the show featured on Art Saint Louis social media.
Meanwhile, through September 24, The Foundry Art Centre in St. Charles, presents Global Impact: The Wake of COVID, in its main galleries, plus viewable online. From 250 submissions, just 73 pieces by 67 artists representing 16 states, Canada and United Kingdom were selected to best define this current time. A closing reception is scheduled for September 25, 5:30-7 p.m. More info at www.foundryartcentre.org.
Want a party (and a 3-course dinner!) delivered right to your door? Metro Theatre Company’s After Dark gala goes virtual on September 24. The same great folks who have provided artistic activities and programming for your at-home kids since the pandemic struck now ask for your support. Visit www.metroplays.org for details.
Circus Harmony is known for its circus-arts classes that attract all ages to City Museum. However, at this time, Circus Harmony offers online classes so anyone, anywhere in the world, can participate! Check out www.circusharmony.org for more info.
The International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum provides online photography workshops. To sharpen your skills, see what’s scheduled at www.iphf.org.
Regional Arts Commission (RAC), the area’s largest public funder of the arts, recently announced that it distributed more than $500,000 to 586 local artists via its Artist Relief Fund, in partnership with St. Louis Community Foundation. It’s no secret that times are particularly difficult for those who work in the creative industries (artists and performers). According to RAC’s data, “over 73% of the recipients lost more than 75% of their income due to COVID-19. The funds were distributed to a diverse mix of artists representative of the St. Louis community.” Much of that funding was generated by donations given during “Arts United STL,” the May 13th benefit concert organized by Opera Theatre St. Louis and St. Louis Shakespeare Festival, with 16 arts organizations joining to present a free, virtual event. The event’s net was a whopping $350,000 for the Artist Relief Fund, bolstering that safety net for area artists in need. Learn more at www.racstl.org/covid19.
The Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum on Washington University’s campus remains closed through 2020. Please check their website for reopening dates: www.kemperartmuseum.wustl.edu.