ARTul Resolutions for 2026
By Michelle “Mike” Ochonicky,
Healthy Planet Arts Editor
Image: Becoming the Ocean for Gregory Corso, by Anselm Kiefer, at SLAM
Happy New Year! As I say every year, when making New Year’s resolutions, resolve to bring more ART into your life. Here are just a few ways to kick start that plan:
Warm up (figuratively and literally!) at Third Degree Glass Factory, 5200 Delmar, on January 16 for Reignition, the annual ceremonial new-year burning of whatever attendees wish to release. Just jot your thoughts on paper and toss it into the fire! Follow that with glassblowing demos, then celebrate with live music, food and drink. Check out the many faces of Mardi Gras: Glass Works by Teri and Chad Walker of New Orleans in the gallery, January 6-February 27. www.thirddegreeglassfactory.com
Webster Arts, 2 Summit Avenue, opens The Fabric of Life with a January 9th reception, 6:30-8 p.m. Juried by Melshonda Lowe-Dobbins, the works explore “the threads that weave together the human experience.” See it through February 13. www.webster-arts.org/gallery
Starting January 21, 6-7 p.m. Webster Arts hosts Imaginative Storm Writers Workshop, Wednesdays through March 11. This free workshop will encourage any-level writer to explore and develop individual writing skills, with no critique! Give your inner writer a chance! Direct questions to heather@webster-arts.org.
St. Louis Art Museum spoils us all with its outstanding collection, special events and free admission. What a wonderful place to spend a chilly January day! But the current special exhibition of works by Anselm Kiefer, Becoming the Sea, is indescribable. The sheer size of the works is amazing. The textures beg close study and huge swaths of gold leaf glimmer in many of the paintings. The German artist, inspired by the Mississippi and Rhine Rivers, created these works “that evoke the symbolic resonance of the waterways and links explorations of time, geography, and history.” Do not miss this one! It’s on view through January 25. www.slam.org
January 10-11, Stephane Deneve leads St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in Stravinsky and Debussy: Music in Motion, joining forces with Saint Louis Dance Theatre. The dance and ballet-themed program, choreographed by Kirven Douthit-Boyd, is guaranteed to be stunning!
A symphonic happy hour can warm a winter evening, especially if it includes Beethoven’s Seventh, performed by St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Enjoy signature cocktails and mocktails in a casual atmosphere at Powell Hall, January 15, 6:30 p.m. On January 17-18, Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony leads a multimedia journey through Dolly’s life, sharing the stories behind her songs and personal reflections on screen as the Symphony performs “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You,” etc. This salute to an American icon will warm your heart. www.slso.org
It’s still January, but this Powell Hall Presents concert will definitely sell out, so nab tickets now! Experience the sound of a generation with The Simon & Garfunkel Story on February 10, 7:30 p.m. with original film footage and a full band (not SLSO), at Powell Hall. It’s one night of favs such as “Mrs. Robinson,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” and more. www.slso.org
Live at the Pulitzer: Somehow We Can brings SLSO soloists to the Pulitzer for an intimate evening of contemporary music, inside the Pulitzer galleries, 3716 Washington on January 20, 7:30 p.m. www.pulitzerarts.org
Opera Theatre of St. Louis brings its Artists-in-Training Winter Recital to the Touhill stage on January 25, 2 p.m. Tickets are free so arrive early to find a seat! www.opera-stl.org
Upstream Theatre premieres Myth of the Ostrich for U.S. audiences at the Marcelle in Grand Center, January 23-February 8. Described as “an incredibly funny and moving story of three women,” it will chase the winter blues. www.upstreamtheater.org
The Rep’s Studio Series is “adventurous theatre for adventurous theatregoers.” If that describes you, see Mrs. Krishnan’s Party, January 14-February 8. A joyous celebration of life, laughter and community, no two performances at 130 Edgar Road are the same. www.therep.org
For the Whitaker World Music Series, the Sheldon, 3648 Washington, presents The Klezmatics, January 24 at 8 p.m. The Grammy-winning group combines Yiddish with folk, jazz and world influences. www.thesheldon.org
Regular readers of this column may recall that, in addition to being Arts Editor here at The Healthy Planet, I am a visual artist myself. Not to brag, but I simply must share some exciting news: I was voted 2026 Artist of the Year by Missouri Life magazine readers! I’m so humbled, and thrilled! (and if you’re one who voted for me, I thank you!).