Art by Jane Parker at Obelisk Home

        The May First Friday Art Walk is always one of our biggest events, and this year we have more to enjoy than ever before! Experience brand new venues and shows, including live art demonstrations, live theater, live music, food, gift giveaways and more, plus ArtsFiesta on the square, Storm Drain Reveal murals throughout downtown and more, 6-10 p.m. this Friday.  

 

New Venues for May

        Please welcome new member FreshCube, located at Jefferson and Walnut under The Aviary, and new sponsor Mostly Serious, at 315 Park Central East, to the May lineup.  

        FreshCube features Artist Judah Fansler and invites visitors to an artist's reception featuring food, beverages, live music and a giveaway of six $25 Aviary gift certificates during the Art Walk!  

        Mostly Serious, an interactive design studio, invites you to enjoy Art by Illustrator & Graphic Designer Brittany Bilyeu, Photographer & Graphic Designer Jenna E. Garrett and Mostly Serious Illustrator & Graphic Designer Chris Gerringer.

 

ArtsFiesta on Art Walk!

        ArtsFiesta is FREE and on The Square for First Friday May 3! Part early Cinco de Mayo celebration, part cultural exchange with Springfield's Sister City of Tlaquepaque, Mexico, visitors will enjoy traditional Mexican music, dance, art and food, plus Art Walk member Park Central Branch Library welcomes the celebration with Bilingual Storytimes at 7 and 8 p.m., plus Artwork Celebrating ArtsFiesta, presented by Springfield Sister Cities Association.

       Cool weather is predicted, so grab a jacket and head for downtown Springfield! For maps, slideshows and more, visit us online at www.ffaw.org.

Art Inspired, 310 S. Campbell, adjoining Springfield Hot Glass Studio, presents Life Through Photography, featuring a variety of local artists, for the May 3 Art Walk. (417) 868-8077 Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. M-Sat

Canvas, 315 South Avenue, proudly presents Featured Artist Laura Leanne Witt. Originally from Barrington, IL, Laura has made her home in Springfield for the past 11 years. A painter for the last four years, her forte is abstract acrylic canvas and mixed media. Her work can either dazzle the eye and/or evoke strong emotion, making the observer further appreciate the concept. Whether sparking pathways or mystical memories, Laura Leanne definitely has an eye for dramatic sequence and continually leaves a viewer longing for more. Ongoing events at Canvas also include 8X10, an hour of entertainment featuring current local artists reflecting ideas on a monthly chosen word and or phrase. Performed every third Friday of the month, plus enjoy performances of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Star Trek" every third Saturday by Class Act Productions. (417) 869-4138 Open 1-6 p.m. T-F and by appointment

The Creamery Arts Center, 411 N. Sherman Parkway, proudly features The Law Day Poster Contest Exhibit, presented by Husch Blackwell. This special event, hosted by Springfield Regional Arts Council in conjunction with the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association, features artwork by area students in grades 2-5. Enjoy a wine-and-cheese reception, plus an acoustic performance by Alexa Kilgore, as you view and enjoy the exhibit, 6-9 p.m. during Art Walk. www.SpringfieldArts.org  Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. M-F; closed major holidays

DB Design Salon & Art Gallery, 326 S. Campbell, presents The Art of Debbie Sutherland for the May 3 Art Walk, plus Photography and Stained Glass by Nathan Smith and Photography by Carl James. DB Design also offers a unique collection of original pottery by Julia Schaefer, John Ehlers, Katrina Stevens and Duane Bone. (417) 864-4343

Drury Pool Art Center Gallery, 940 N. Clay St., presents its annual Senior Apex Show, featuring the work of Drury's graduating senior art students. The show runs from May 3 to May 18. (417) 873-7263 www.drury.edu/pacgallery Open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. M, T, W, F; 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

The Evangel University Bellwether Gallery, 600 W. College, Ste. 116, presents Artwork by Evangel's Graduating Art Majors for the May 3 First Friday Art Walk.(417) 865-2815, ext. 7258 Open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. W-Sat

Farmers Gastropub, 431 S. Jefferson, Ste. 160, presents Artists Sketching Live during the May 3 Art Walk. Farmers Gastropub is a great place to start or end your First Friday Art Walk with a burger and a pint! Named "Best British Restaurant in the USA" by The Telegraph. (417) 864-6994 www.farmersgastropub.com  Food service 11 a.m.-9 p.m. M-Th, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. F-Sat, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday

What is to Come by Judah Fansler

FreshCube, 400 E.

Walnut, Ste. B100, located just below The Aviary Cafe, joins Art Walk as a member in May with exciting art and live music. Featured Artist Judah Fansler is a surrealistic artist and graphic designer who lives near Branson. His mixed media and digital works express the human experience through fantasy-inspired worlds and characters. Judah owns and operates a full-service graphic design studio, Judah Creative Studio. Judah's artwork, illustration and designs often go hand in hand. To see his work, visit www.judahcreative.com  Enjoy the artist's reception with live music, wine, beer and snacks, plus giveaways of six $25 Aviary gift certificates, all during the May 3 Art Walk! (417) 501-4801 www.freshcube.net 

Fresh Gallery, 400 W. Walnut, is pleased to present its Featured Artists for May: Ann Meese and Elaine Willig. Ann Meese is an incredible two-dimensional artist with fantastic paintings whose rich colors capture breathtaking nature scenes. Her apt use of color imbues her creations with life; you can almost feel the warmth of the sun and smell the fragrance of the blooms. "I work primarily in acrylic or oil and find my inspiration in nature. I work in my studio and in plein aire and enjoy painting landscape and still life subjects. It is one my greatest joys to be able to pursue my love of art through my paintings, and I feel privileged to share my work with others at FRESH. It is always my hope that others find some measure of joy in experiencing my work," Meese says. Elaine Willig is a jewelry

Jewelry by Elaine Willig

artist with an instinctual talent for arranging gems, stones, beads and found objects to create stunning jewelry art. Her pieces are one-of-a-kind and range from whimsical to traditional. She is also our resident repair master and loves to take custom orders for your special events. Take some time to sit with her; you will be amazed at her ability to design exactly what you are looking for! Please stop by during the Art Walk on May 3 to meet Ann and Elaine, and to enjoy Fresh Gallery's plethora of amazing regional talents. www.freshgallery.org (417) 862-9300 Open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. T-Sat, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. during Art Walk

The Gillioz Theatre, a proud Art Walk sponsor, presents First Friday Live! For May, the Gillioz's FREE concert series welcomes Art by Meganne Rosen O'Neal and Music by Kids and Chemicals. Live art starts around 7:30 p.m.; live music starts at 8:30. www.gillioz.org 

Good Girl Art Gallery, 325 E. Walnut St., Ste. 101, presents AGA!NST THE GRA!N, by graffiti artist DejaVu, and Remnants, by Artist Kala Rackley. DejaVu is not just a person ... but an idea. That idea was born in Hirschau, Germany, in the summer of 1991. Becoming official in the "graffiti scene" in 2006, DejaVu didn't want to debut just anywhere. Now living in Springfield, he wants to celebrate the heart of downtown ... "It's just so full of life ... Especially at night, when I come out of hiding". He has a European style mingled with the abstracted "less is more" style. DejaVu uses Montana spray paint, Sharpies, Prismacolor markers, acid free paper and of course... walls. Since it would have been rather difficult to bring any walls to this showcase, all of the pieces in this show were done especially for this show ... fresh, just for Good Girl Art, May 2013 only.

Art by Kala Rackley

Of her show, Kala Rackley says, "I work with a very personal subject matter, and the most appropriate vehicle for me to convey my experiences is through the self-portrait. Perpetuated in children's formative years, widely-accepted conventions and gender stereotypes create unrealistic expectations and maintain harmful myths. In my work, I portray the aftermath of childhood abuse through metaphor: grown women conflicted with identity struggle with little-girl clothes, dolls and adult situations. My depictions of vintage Halloween masks of princesses and superheroes, too, narrate these pervasive gender stereotypes." (417) 865-7055 www.goodgirlartgallery.com Open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. T-Sat   

The History Museum on the Square,155 Park Central Square, presents Woodruff's Dream: The Mother Road Through Springfield, The Route 66 Exhibit. The new exhibit  runs through Aug. 31. FREE admission to first-floor exhibits during Art Walk! (417) 832-1200 www.historymuseumonthesquare.org  

Mostly Serious, a new Art Walk sponsor located at 315 Park Central West, invites you to enjoy Art by Illustrator & Graphic Designer Brittany Bilyeu, Photographer & Graphic Designer Jenna E. Garrett and Mostly Serious Illustrator & Graphic Designer Chris Gerringer. An interactive design studio, Mostly Serious offers branding and marketing as well as the latest breakthroughs for interactive design, development and SEO-ready writing. Their experienced team has the expertise to deliver projects with the staying power to meet their clients' immediate goals and long-term goals as their businesses continue to expand and evolve. (417) 501-6552 http://mostlyserious.io   

MSU Brick City Gallery, 215 W. Mill, invites you to enjoy a pair of student art shows. Experience the work of Graduating Bachelor of Fine Arts candidates in the East Gallery, and see the work of Design Practicum Students in the West Gallery. (417) 829-5092 http://art.missouristate.edu/148370.htm  Open 1-6 p.m. M-Sat, closed Sunday, Monday and University holidays

 MSU Center of International Programs, 301 S. Jefferson, in the Jim D. Morris Center, focuses on The Countries of Latin America in celebration of Cinco de Mayo, plus enjoy Photographs by Kevin Keller. (417) 836-3733 http://international.missouristate.edu  

Park Central Branch Library, 128 Park Central Square, presents an evening of arts-oriented fun May 3. It all begins with the First Friday Art Talk at 6 p.m. Hear Christy Lindgren present "Space and Function in the Early Irish Monastery." Thereafter, enjoy ArtsFiesta Bilingual Storytimes at 7 and 8 p.m. for ages 1-6, and, all evening long, Artwork Celebrating ArtsFiesta, presented by the Springfield Sister Cities Association. (417) 831-1342 www.facebook.com/parkcentrallibrary  Open 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m. M-Th; 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m. F-Sat

Randy Bacon Photography Studio and Art Gallery, , presents The Presidents: An Exhibition of Paintings by Doren Chapman and Springfield Public High Schools Murals. Join Randy Bacon for an evening of amazing student art! Doren Chapman created his President series of paintings last fall and redesigned them early this semester for the Society of Illustrators 2013 Student Scholarship Competition. Each year, roughly 5,000 illustration students enter their best work into the competition, and a jury of professional artists selects 200 pieces to be featured in their gallery and catalog. Four of Doren's Presidents (Washington, Nixon, Roosevelt and Taft) were selected for the show.  "I'm happiest with Nixon because I feel like his expression captures how most people imagine him," Doren says.
See his online portfolio and shop at dorenchapman.com, In addition, enjoy new murals created by Springfield Public Schools in Bacon's outside Main Street Gallery. Free refreshments and live music! (417) 868-8179www.randybacon.com  Open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. T-F; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat

Springfield Hot Glass Studio, 314 S. Campbell Ave., invites you to a Sneak Preview of the new pieces it will introduce at Artsfest on Walnut Street! Among the revelations: gorgeous new bowls, paperweights, platters and perfume bottles. A working hot glass studio/gallery with facilities for furnace, torch and kiln work, Springfield Hot Glass offers live demonstrations on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and First Fridays! (417) 868-8181 www.springfieldhotglass.com  Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. T-Sat

Springfield Pottery, 416 S. Campbell Ave., is a fine craft gallery and community clay center that features examples of fine craft by over 45 local, regional and national artists.  (417) 864-4677 www.springfieldpottery.com Open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. T-Sat

I look forward to seeing you downtown this Friday!