Well, it’s arrived: 2025
By Michelle “Mike” Ochonicky,
Healthy Planet Arts Editor
Art Piece: “No,” by Alison Breitbach, in Gasp exhibition at Art St. Louis
Writing this ARTful Living column each month is always a treat for me because I get to tell you about all the great ARTsy things that are going on in our area. Beautiful, exciting, uplifting, thought-provoking, ART.
But I find it hard to be upbeat these days. I’m sad to see hatred thrive in our country, sad for what is to come, sad to realize that people I know actually chose to support that.
So, as these dark days of a bitter January close in on us, I choose to fill the void with ART.
Ongoing at the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, on Washington U’s campus, is Printmaking and the U.S. Political Landscape, 1968-present and Technological Transformations: Experimentations & Photography. www.kemperartmuseum.wustl.edu
Closing on February 2 is Scott Burton: Shape Shift. Burton’s work has been best described as “sculpture in love with furniture.” On January 17-18, in response to Burton’s work, Chicago-based artist Brendan Fernandes (b. 1979, Kenya) presents a new dance performance series, entitled In Two. At the Pulitzer Art Foundation, 3716 Washington. www.camstl.org
Through January 17, Art St. Louis hosts a juried exhibition of works by 61 regional artists, entitled, Gasp. The opening reception, January 11, is 5-7 p.m. at 2801 Locust. www.artstlouis.org
It was my distinct honor to judge The Color of Warmth, opening at Webster Arts Gallery, 2 Summit, on January 10 with a reception 6:30-8 p.m. Selecting works for this juried exhibition, from over 225 entries, was no easy task. Do come see the exhibition. www.webster-arts.org
Pop into any St. Louis Community College this month for a nice diversity of visual works: Work of Nabil Mousa, Painter is on view at Forest Park’s Gallery of Contemporary Art, January 24-February 20. Meramec’s Contemporary Art Gallery presents Alumni Showcase VI, January 23-February 13. See the Annual High School Art Exhibition in Florissant Valley’s Contemporary Art Gallery, January 22-February 13. Wildwood’s third floor hall gallery hosts the Annual Faculty Exhibit, January 27-February 21.
Through February 16, St. Louis Art Museum presents a special exhibit, Narrative Wisdom and African Arts. On view through April 13 is The Work of Art: The Federal Art Project, 1935-1943. www.slam.org.
On view January 17-February 28 at Craft Alliance, 5080 Delmar, is Slow/Make. This exhibition explores making, and concepts about craft at the intersection of the hand and technology. Also on January 17, during Third Friday monthly event, try out “Speed Date an Artist.” Wait…what?? Sample the ARTful style of teaching artists from each of Craft Alliance’s studios, so you can select the right class you to uplift you this winter. www.craftalliance.org
While in the Makers District on January 17, check out Third Degree Glass Factory’s Reignition, 6-10 p.m. for glassblowing demos, food, drinks and more. Guests will be invited to write down whatever they wish to let go of in the new year, and set it afire, Third Degree style! January 7-February 28, glass kiln artist Jim Scheller brings Ancient Rings, an exhibition of now some 70 vessels which invite viewers to connect with past and cycles of life in a contemplative way. Find your zen! www.thirddegreeglassfactory.com
Let music soothe your soul. St. Louis Symphony performs Beethoven and Mahler: Masterful Storytellers, January 25-26, with Stephane Deneve conducting. Violinist James Ehnes said of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, “It’s an incredibly uplifting, optimistic piece of music, one that makes you feel good about mankind.” On January 31, Steve Hackman conducts Beethoven X Beyonce, a new symphonic fusion of Beethoven’s 7th Symphony and Beyonce’s favs, featuring 3 vocalists. Have some fun! Performances at Stifel Theatre, 1400 Market. www.slso.org
Jazz St. Louis always makes things smooth, with Nicholas Payton and Nouveau Standards,
Jan. 15–19; Janet Evra sings Meet Me in Paris, Jan. 24 & 25; and Lakecia Benjamin
Jan. 29 – Feb. 2. All soooo good… www.jazzstl.org
The Legends Singers promise to lift hearts on January 31, 7:30 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica, 4431 Lindell. Founded in 1940 by Dr. Kenneth Billups, this group continues its tradition of powerful vocals. www.cathedralconcerts.org
Upstream Theater performs Pictures from a Revolution by Italian playwright Tino Caspanello, January 24-February 9, at the Marcelle Theatre, 3310 Samuel Shepherd Drive. It’s a deep and darkly comic piece about resistance fighters. www.upstreamtheater.org