It’s back to school time… AND back to autumn ART time!
By Michelle “Mike” Ochonicky,
Healthy Planet Arts Editor
Image: Chris Kahler: Fluid, on view at Bruno David Gallery
Contemporary Art Museum opens new exhibitions with a reception, 7-9 p.m., September 6. View works by Saj Issa, Basil Kincaid, and Ronald Young for Great Rivers Biennial; Shinichi Sawada; Ad Minoliti; Charles Atlas; and in the Education Galleries, glyneisha and students of LEAP and NAN, at 3750 Washington. www.camstl.org
Next door, at 3716 Washington, The Pulitzer also opens its season with Scott Burton: Shape Shift and Brendan Fernandes: In Two. Both remain on view through February 2. www.pulitzerarts.org
Art Saint Louis presents the first-in-its-new-location exhibition, Memento Mori, September 14-October 17, 2801 Locust Street in Midtown Alley. Regional artists honor, remember and celebrate loved ones who have passed, consider mortality and the fragility of life. The opening reception is 5-7 p.m. www.artstlouis.org
Through September 27, see Elegant Metaphors, showcasing 30 paintings by Michael Anderson, at Gretchen Brigham Gallery, Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 N. Union. www.union-avene.org/agua
Green Door Art Gallery, 21 N. Gore, hosts the opening reception, 5-8 p.m. on September 20 of Midwest Moments. Works included are watercolor paintings by Alicia Farris and Kathy Morrison, pastel works by Michelle Spencer, photography by Gary Tetley and mixed media jewelry by Jenniffer Fisher. Mary Martin has now passed the gallery ownership to Leah Merriman, so best wishes to all! www.greendoorartgallery.com
Down the street, Webster Arts Gallery, 2 Summit Avenue, opens Walk This Way, an exhibition of works by national artists, inviting visitors to experience the lives, homes and paths of neighbors, and journeys taken. www.webster-arts.org
Also opening on September 20, 6-8 p.m., is a new exhibition at Bruno David Gallery, 7513 Forsyth. Featured are works by Buzz Spector of New York, Chris Kahler of St. Louis, William Conger of Chicago, Patricia Olynyk of New York/St. Louis in collaboration with Adam Hogan of Arkansas, and Mee Jey of St. Louis. The exhibition highlights diversity and vitality of the contemporary art scene in St. Louis and beyond. www.brunodavidgallery.com
Experience crazy ART fun on September 14 at ArtScope’s annual Wall Ball at the Event Space, 612 N. Second. It’s a wild, wonderful evening to enjoy music, drink and friends, while watching up to 30 artists create their works—then bid on them as they are being made! (I LOVE this event!!). Reserve your ticket now! www.artscopestl.org/wall-ball
Visit Third Degree Glass Factory, 5200 Delmar, noon-4 p.m. on September 15 for its annual Pumpkin Patch, a delightfully vast “patch” of blown-glass pumpkins. (Arrive early for Yoga on the Rooftop, 10:45 a.m., $25). Or attend a Third Friday fall party on September 20, 6-10 p.m. It’s all ARTful fun! www.thirddegreeglassfactory.com
The performing ARTS bring forth plenty of fresh experiences, too:
The Arianna String Quartet performs with renowned cellist Dennis Parker at the Touhill, on UMSL campus, September 13, 7:30 p.m. The ASQ, “promise a chamber music thrill ride like no other!” www.touhilltix@umsl.edu
St. Louis Classical Guitar opens its Guitar Masters concert season with rising-star, classical guitarist Jack Hancher at Salem Methodist Church, 1200 S. Lindbergh, on September 14th at
7:30 p.m. This is his first American tour, so don’t miss the chance to say, “I heard him perform!”
Cathedral Concerts hosts three free 7:30 p.m. Chamber Music Concerts at three different venues: September 16 Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, New Melle; September 17, Little Flower Catholic Church, 1264 Arch Terrace; September 22, St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 243 W. Argonne. No ticket required, so arrive early! www.cathedralconcerts.org
As this goes to press, Powell Hall’s renovation is near completion, expecting to welcome St. Louis Symphony Orchestra back to its beautiful home in September. But evening weather is still lovely as SLSO again hosts its free Community Concert on Art Hill in Forest Park, September 19, 7 p.m. Marking the 56th annual outdoor event, thousands of people enjoy the magical evening of music, local food, and entertainment.
Follow that up at Stifel Theatre, September 21-22 when SLSO performs musical accompaniment to a screening of E.T. the Extraterrestrial. www.slso.org
Jazz St. Louis keeps things lively with fundraising events at both Jazz St. Louis and the Sheldon, respectively, September 18 and 19 with Paquito D’Rivera and Chucho Vlades: Together Again! Artemis performs at 3536 Washington, September 25-29. www.jazzstl.org
Explore the authentic sounds in Harmonies of the Andes on September 21 inside the Sachs Museum at Missouri Botanical Garden. Performances at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. are free with Garden admission, offered on a first-come basis. Hear Sikus (panpipes), Quena and Charango (flutes), and drums, performed by musical ensemble Intillajta. www.mobot.org