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Thursday, March 31, 2016

First Friday in Calumet April 1 to offer new exhibits, workshops, poetry, more

Art by Robin Rastello will be exhibited at Café Rosetta in April. On First Friday, April 1, the café will also host a Poetry Reading at 6:30 p.m. (Photo courtesy Café Rosetta)

CALUMET -- First Friday in Calumet is NO April Fool. Galleries will be open Friday evening, April 1, to welcome the public to new exhibits, art activities and more.

Vertin Gallery: Youth Arts exhibit

The April exhibition in The Vertin Gallery Art and Antiques celebrates Youth Arts Month with "History in the Making -- An Immigrant Story." The public is invited to a reception from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, April 1.

This collaboration between Keweenaw National Historical Park, CLK Schools, and The Vertin Gallery features the work of the 18 CLK 3rd grade Keweenaw Youth Historians. On display are puppets that represent local members of the area with historic significance, created during national Youth Arts Month by this group of young artists with upcycled materials supplied by The Vertin Gallery.

Fine art, antiques, jewelry, and gifts from local artists and collectors will be featured including vintage, industrial chic, bohemian, mid-century modern and classic retail items available for the style-minded shopper. The Vertin Gallery is located on the corner of 6th and Oak Street in downtown Calumet.

Paige Wiard Gallery: Gallery Artist Show

"Salt and Pepper" by Meredith Krell. (Photo courtesy Paige Wiard Gallery)

For the month of April, the Paige Wiard Gallery, 109 Fifth St., will be showcasing art work by the many artists that make the Paige Wiard Gallery so special. So stop in the gallery for an opening reception from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, April 1, and take the time to view not just the April show but the whole gallery. Please call 906-337-5970 or email paigewiardgallery@gmail.com with any questions.

Calumet Art Center: Clay Whistle Workshop

Calumet Art Center First Friday. (Poster courtesy Calumet Art Center)

Celebrate spring at the Calumet Art Center from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on First Friday, April 1. A Clay Whistle Workshop will be open to all ages from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at a cost of $5 per person. Did you know that you can turn mud into music? Participants will learn how to create a whistle out of clay. Fun for persons of all ages!

Looking for something to do while the snow melts and the mud dries up? Sign up for one or more of the exciting classes the Calumet Art Center has planned for April. Click here for details.

Cross Country Sports: "Watercolors Now and Then"

For the month of April, Cross Country Sports, 507 Oak Street, will host a show titled "Watercolors Now and Then," featuring old favorites and new works by Bob Dawson.

"I love painting watercolors," Dawson writes. "I am often inspired by other peoples’ paintings. Works that appear to be spontaneous, transparent and loosely painted appeal to me most. There’s some mystery connected to viewing paintings made with water on paper. Maybe the viewer wants (subconsciously) to enter into the process and start painting them? I certainly look forward to doing more of these watercolors myself."

From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, April 1, the public is invited to the opening of the show and a chance to talk to Bob about his work. Beverages and light refreshments will be served. For more information, call 337-4520, visit their Web site or find them on Facebook.

Copper Country Associated Artists: Embroidery Workshop

Embroidery stitches. (Photo courtesy Copper Country Associated Artists)

Copper Country Associated Artists (CCAA), 205 Fifth St., will host a mini Embroidery Workshop from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 1. Karen Secor, a gallery artist member, will demonstrate some techniques and help you get started. Learn several basic embroidery stitches and explore ways to incorporate them into a completed work. Materials will be provided or bring your own. Donations appreciated.

Hahn Hammered Copper: "Collections"

Stop by Hahn Hammered Copper, 203 Fifth St., this First Friday to see "Collections" of cool stuff -- Art, Copper Things, Antiques, Nifty Bottles, Brass Hardware, Clothespin Angels, Found Objects, Ornaments, Ancient Rocks, Weird Gizmos, Wooden Balls in Tiny Boxes, and so much more! See you in downtown Calumet this First Friday!

Café Rosetta: Poetry and Art

Paintings such as this one by Robin Rastello are on exhibit through April at Café Rosetta. (Photo courtesy Café Rosetta)

Café Rosetta, 104 Fifth St., will host an exhibit of art by Robin Rastello during April. On First Friday, April 1, the café will also be open for a Poetry Reading at 6:30 p.m.

Artist Robin Rastello says her painting is inspired by her work making soft sculptured dolls.

"I painted the faces on these dolls. And after learning how to do these, I started making my own patterns and dolls, which would often take a month to create," Rastello says. "After a few years I started thinking that if I could paint a face on a doll, why not on canvas. That was probably 10 or so years ago. Once I got started I never looked back. I love mixed media because it allows me more room to experiment and play. I started out just painting angels -- more folk art style at first -- moved to women and children and then to landscapes and a few cityscapes. I love playing around with the different mediums -- feels much like a kid in a candy store. I am not a formally trained artist, but I have taken a few online classes, get info from books, mistakes, happy accidents. And those ahha moments. My painting has evolved into painting more in the whimsical and abstract."

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