Submitted by Melissa Howsam — Correspondent
LOCAL COLOR GALLERY: Something Sweet, 6-9 p.m. Runs through March 31.
“March 4th Local Color Gallery will feature oil paintings, mixed media and digital prints by two artists and art educators, Shawnda Rossi and Tarrah Goforth. This show, titled "Something Sweet" explores what is SWEET in life. Rossi's textural and bold paintings of confectioneries are good enough to eat. Goforth reveals her own sweet family nostalgia through collage, image transfer and new media techniques. Let your eyes feast on this delicious display of art and talent just in time for Mardi Gras!”
— Adrien Montoya, manager, local color Gallery | localcoloraleigh.com
VISUAL ART EXCHANGE: Emulous, 6-9 p.m. Runs through March 24. Triangle.com is the sponsor for this event.
“This exhibition will be filled with the work of famous artists, recreated by local artists. A tradition in formal art training, reproducing the work of masters is a great way to learn their technique. Artists can mimic an existing work or create original work in the style of their favorite master artist.”
— Meredith Burgess, exhibitions director, Visual Art Exchange | visualartexchange.org
ARTISAN: Art by Lauren Pegram and prints from photographers Adrienne Taylor, Andy Gloc and Rodney Boles, 5 p.m. - 2 a.m. Art on display the month of March.
“The Artisan's First Friday experience is more about the atmosphere and connecting with the artists than simply a gallery showing. This month will feature some installation art by Lauren Pegram and prints from three different photographers. We open at 5 p.m. and close at 2 a.m., and our special is 1/2 off select entrees until 8 p.m. There will be live a sculpture and an opportunity for all patrons to meet the artist and photographers. The art and installation will be on sale the entire month of March and will be up until the next First Friday event.”
— Wes Miles, bartender, Artisan | Artist info: Adrienne Taylor; Andy Gloc; Rodney Boles; Lauren Pegram
DESIGNBOX: In Print with featured artists Gretchen Morrissey and Fashion Designers DRC Apparel & Ahpeele, 7-10 p.m. Runs through March 25.
“This exhibit showcases hand-printed textile prints, bold screen printing and wax prints used to make a strong visual statement, be that fashion, personal or political. Vivid colors and combinations paired with tailored silhouettes play with ideas of formality and challenge mainstream trends within an urban, street sensibility. DRC searches the world for beautiful vibrant African patterns. AHPeele designs large multi-colored screen prints based on nature. And Gretchen Morrissey designs intricate organic repeating prints with stunning color and material combinations. The results are striking.”
— Aly Khalifa, co-curator, designbox | designbox.us
BEEHIVE STUDIOS: Gay & Gray, A silent art auction benefiting the Gay & Gray Initiative, 6 - 10 p.m. Runs through March 29.
“Modern art paintings, mixed-media pieces, editorial cartoons, one-of-a-kind jewelry, sculptures, hand-tossed pottery, live music … art-collectors everywhere will find something to love at the Art Auction Benefit for the Gay & Gray Initiative of the LGBT Center of Raleigh. Donations from generous creatives such as Rob Logic, Paul Friedrich, Dwane Powell, Caitlin Cary, Brian Walsby and many more have made this a must-attend show! The Gay & Gray Initiative is a new program established to advocate for and reach out to the members of the local LGBT community age 50 and older. Its mission is to assist lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered seniors with issues that affect them, including working with the health care, legal and housing systems. The Gay & Gray Initiative also strives to facilitate and encourage intergenerational relationships, as well as provide social interaction. The funds raised will help bring the groundbreaking documentary “Gen Silent” to the Galaxy Theater in Cary at 7 p.m. April 1. This moving film shows with humor and heartbreak the lives of a number of mature members of the LGBT community and how they are dealing with a world that is not always sympathetic to them. The Initiative is bringing director Stu Maddux to town to participate in a Q&A after the showing. The social work, healthcare and eldercare community is encouraged to attend, as well as anyone who is concerned about the welfare and happiness of older LGBT citizens. See the Gen Silent trailer at www.lgbtcenterofraleigh.com. For more information, contact Carol Jenkins at caroljen67@hotmail.com.”
— Carol Jenkins, committee member of LGBT of Raleigh via Beehive Studios | lgbtcenterofraleigh.com
THE MAHLER FINE ART: Celebrated Artists ~ Students of Marvin Saltzman, 6-9 p.m. Runs through April 2.
“The exhibition draws from artists from NY to Florida and LA to Wilmington. The show will feature 25 nationally known artists and former students of Marvin Saltzman, professor emeritus at UNC. Having taught painting, drawing and printmaking at UNC from 1967-1996, Marvin has had a wide influence and lasting impact on many students who would later become well known and prominent NC, regional and national artists. All of the artists studied with Marvin either as undergraduate art majors or in the MFA program. Marvin Saltzman, in his own right, is a very well-known and highly regarded artist. This exhibition, as well as a smaller one scheduled for June of just Marvin’s work, is held in recognition and celebration of his career as teacher and artist. He will be 80 in June. Sculptor Thomas Sayre once wrote: ‘What is curious to me about Marvin is I know of other artists whom I respect who were his students, who had vastly different reactions to him. These reactions range from bewilderment and fear, to downright hate, as well as lasting love. Why Marvin has such contrasting affects on people, I am not sure . . . He is secure enough in himself to respond to student work in a very honest way. Marvin gave me almost unlimited freedom to do what I needed to do, but reserved the right to be completely honest in his responses to what I came up with.’”
— Rory Parnell, co-owner, The Mahler Fine Art | themahlerfineart.com
311 GALLERIES AND STUDIOS: Detour: The East Carolina University School of Art and Design MFA Exhibition, 6 p.m. Runs through April 30.
"We are so excited about the ECU MFA exhibition coming over to Raleigh for the first time. They have many fans in this city and amongst the 311 Artists. We are looking forward to the best of Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking, Ceramics and Jewelry. There will be two First Friday Receptions. One on March 4 and the other on April 1."
— Judy Jones, proprietor, 311 Galleries and Studios | 311galleriesandstudios.org
ISAAC HUNTER'S OAK CITY TAVERN: Praha Revisted, 6 p.m. Runs through March.
"Revisit the experiences of five students' perceptions of Praha (Czech for Prague) through their photographs. Graphic design students from NC State, Abdullah, Cannon, Jin, Garrison and Mitchell share a glimpse of their view of Prague, Czech Republic over their six week study abroad session over the summer of 2008."
— Rachel Cole Cannon
