A new downtown New Albany gallery is a collaboration.

The first joint exhibit begins tomorrow; visit the Facebook events page.

Local gallery owners collaborate to form Bourne-Schweitzer Gallery, by Brooke McAfee ('Bune Picayune)

NEW ALBANY — A new collaboration is bringing several changes to New Albany's downtown art scene.

Julie Schweitzer, local artist and owner of ArtSeed in New Albany, is partnering with the James Bourne Gallery, located downtown at 137 E. Main St., to form the Bourne-Schweitzer Gallery. They plan to show Southern Indiana artists and new contemporary artists, she said. The first exhibit under the new partnership opens Friday and runs until Feb. 28, and it features the work of Shawna Khalily, a Louisville artist and printmaker who uses intricate woodcuts she carves herself ...

Who belongs here? It's time for another "Chew On This," a special dinner and discussion at Pints&union on Tuesday, September 24.

Next Tuesday's conversation over a meal and libations takes place all across the state of Indiana. This will be our second such event at Pints&union, and seats are available for $25 (plus fee) at the
Eventbrite link

Local sponsors are ArtSeed and Pints&union. Here's the overview, courtesy of ArtSeed.

Join ArtSeed for “Chew On This: Who Belongs Here?” to share a meal and fun yet in-depth conversation with other curious Hoosiers. Chew On This: Who Belongs Here? is presented as part of Indiana Humanities’ INseparable initiative.

Your ticket price includes your meal and unforgettably rich experience. The menu will be a traditional English Dinner. Scotch eggs, bangers and mash, and chocolate mousse.

In literature and pop culture, Midwesterners are sometimes depicted as friendly and hospitable, while at other times we’re seen as closed-minded and suspicious of newcomers and immigrants. To put it another way, sometimes we’re Leslie Knope, rolling out the welcome wagon, and sometimes we’re the townspeople in Hoosiers, turning a cold shoulder to the new guy and skeptical of his new ideas.

What’s the reality of the community where you live—are you more of a Pawnee or a Hickory? How welcoming is your community to people who come from somewhere else, whether another country or just over the county line? What do we mean when we say someone is or isn’t part of a community? Who decides? Why does openness matter—and how can your community be more welcoming?

ArtSeed Gallery's "Implicit Elements" opening tonight -- and a Mortal Kombat exhibit with an informative surprise.

ArtSeed has an opening tonight and other news to report; scroll down for the descriptions. In the meantime, here's something you may not have known.

Halo Applications owns the building and hosts ArtSeed, and divulges this tidbit of interest:

These machines were moved over to the Halo office for a number of Summer celebrations and have been added as an unofficial exhibit in Halo's ArtSeed Gallery as an exhibit on the cultural impact of Mortal Kombat, which led to a 1993 Senate Committee Hearing on Violence in Video Games. Following that hearing the Entertainment Software Review Board (ESRB) was established in 1994 which started to rate all video games and continues to rate them still today.

Between the two middle machines is something unique that Jim refers to as the centerpiece of the Mortal Kombat collection.

But I'm not giving the game away, so to speak, and you need to see it yourself.

Halo's ArtSeed Gallery is open to the public Wednesday through Friday from 10am-5pm as well as on scheduled evenings for new exhibit opening receptions (check Art Seed for the exhibit schedule), so you are welcome to stop by and see for yourself!

And now for the ArtSeed schedule.

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Implicit Elements
Donna Stallard and Jodie Furbee

5:30-7:30 for the artists reception, Friday, July 12

Art Seed is proud to present the innovative mixed media work of Donna Stallard, and the hyper realistic paintings of Jodie Furbee. Artists reception is free and open to the public, refreshments provided.

Kentuckiana native and IUS graduate, Jodie Furbee is a traditional painter whose love of art is in the process, details and manipulation of the medium to create hyper-representational works that commandeer illusionistic light, luminosity, character and mood of the content.

Donna Stallard began her artistic journey at IUS where she attained her undergraduate degree and went on to get her MFA at the University of Dallas under renowned printmaker Juergen Strunk. After studying in Dallas, Stallard decided to return home to family and community. Stallard has come full circle and is a professor at IUS and a talented printmaker.


Unveiling Celebration

The NEW Platform 22 Art Works
NAFC Secondary Schools Best of Show Winners

6:00 - 8:00pm on August 3, 2019 at Kevin Hammersmith Memorial Park

ArtSeed, in collaboration with the Floyd County Government and a grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs and the Indiana Office of Tourism Development, presents the NEW Platform 22 Artworks. Platform 22 is a public arts initiative designed to bring arts and education to the residents of Floyd County.

Spread across 10 locations, each outdoor wall provides an opportunity to display important pieces of art through history, local art, and community art. Each location provides a unique experience with alternating pieces.

Come celebrate with us as we unveil the NAFC Secondary Schools Best of Show Award Winners at Kevin Hammersmith Memorial Park.

The program name, Platform 22, was chosen as both a homage to the county’s railroad heritage through the local train platforms and as a concept of transporting people to new and exciting places through art.

Platform 22 is designed to use currently underutilized public space and transform it into areas where the community can sit, view, discuss, and interact in a vibrant public space.

An important component of Platform 22 is the collaboration with local partners including: Indiana Office of Community & Rural Affairs, Indiana Office of Tourism Development, Floyd County Commissioners Office, Floyd County Parks Department, Open Door Youth Services, Floyd County 4H, Floyd County Purdue Extension, New Albany Floyd County Public Library, Jacobi Toombs and Lanz Inc. and ArtSeed, LLC.

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ArtSeed Intern Show

5:30 - 7:30 p.m. on August 9, 2019

As a show of appreciation, ArtSeed gives our interns an opportunity to exhibit their work in a professional gallery setting. Please join us in welcoming these new artists into our community.

Participating Artists: Ashton Beaulieu, Gracie Koesters, Marissa Kress, Sydney Nalley, Rebecca West, Tristan Buchanan.

• Tristan Buchanan is a High School student and a graffiti and mixed media artist.
• Ashton Beaulieu is an author and illustrator and is currently creating a comic strip.
• Rebecca West, a BFA student at IUS is a printmaker and illustrator
• Syndey Nalley, an IUS Student is a painter and enjoys working with youth.
• Marissa Kress is an IUS graduate and accomplished Graphic designer and painter.
• Gracie Koesters is a talented fine artist and works in multiple mediums. She is a high school student

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NAFC Secondary Schools Exhibit Best In Show Award Winners.

5:30 - 7:30 p.m. on August 9, 2019

Concurrent with our Intern Show, we are delighted to exhibit more young talent from the Southern Indiana region- the winners of the New Albany Floyd County School Secondary Schools Exhibit, Best in Show Award Winners.

Contact Julie Schweitzer
julie(at)artseed(dot)art
www.artseed.art

Address:
1931 East Spring Street
New Albany, IN, 47150

Hours:
Wednesday - Friday
10:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Also by Appointment

Upcoming events at ArtSeed: Member's Exhibit, Artists Creating, S. Timothy Glasscock Book Signing, and more.

2nd Annual Member's Exhibit

June 7, 2019 ... 5:30 - 9:00 p.m.

Music by Third Street Garage Band, Waitin for Dave, and Jacob McDaniel
Uptown NA Scavenger Hunt

As part of our dedication to supporting and promoting local artists, ArtSeed has a yearly exhibition where our member artists display their work. Featuring sculpture, paintings, prints and more from our talented local and regional artists!

Participating Artists:
Ellen Lucille Allen, Donna Ayers, Chad Balster, David Becker, Larry Beisler, Carl DeGraaf, Bruce Frank, Evelyn Fried, Keith Hampton, Kimberly Dawn Handy, Kenneth Hayden, Bob Hubbuch, David Imbrogno, Brian H. Jones, Shawna Khalily, Trish Korte, David Modica, Sarah Nasr, Lynne Oakes, Dru Pilmer, Paul Schreck, Kevin Rose Schulz, Linda Shoults, Wendi Smith, Donna Stallard, Kimara Wilhite, Kok Chow Yeoh

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Artists Creating Launch Party

June 7, 2019 ... 5:30 - 9:00 p.m.

Concurrent with our member's exhibit, we are delighted to host the launch party for Artists Creating Magazine! This new bi-monthly publication is dedicated to connecting and promoting local artists.

Created by artist Keith Hampton to serve the Southern Indiana art community, Artists Creating aims to promote a sense of community and mutual aid among local artists.

Check out Artists Creating at: www.artistscreating.org

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S. Timothy Glasscock Book Signing

"A Trump Diary"

June 7, 2019 ... 5:30 - 9:00 p.m.

Part self-help, part political commentary, S. Timothy Glasscock's book attempts to answer the question "What does a good person do when confronting behavior that can only be described as evil?" Musician, university professor, and Kentuckiana native S. Timothy Glasscock will be signing books at ArtSeed on June 7.

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June 8-9, 2019 ... St Paul's Episcopal Church 1015 E Main Street, New Albany

After our big day on Friday starts your weekend off, keep it going strong at St. Paul's Episcopalian Church June 8-9th! Art on the Parish Green brings together the best in handmade arts and crafts from Kentuckiana artists. This year over 90 artists will have been juried into this premier regional art festival.

https://artontheparishgreen.org/

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Donna Stallard and Jodie Furbee

Opening reception July 12, 5:30-7:30

Art Seed is proud to present the innovative mixed media work of Donna Stallard, and the beautiful paintings of Jodie Furbee. Opening reception free and open to the public, refreshments provided.

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Contact Julie Schweitzer
www.artseed.art

Address:
1931 East Spring Street
New Albany, IN, 47150

Hours:
Wednesday - Friday
10:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Also by Appointment

"Chew On This" -- a special dinner and discussion at Pints&union on Tuesday, April 23.

It's going to be a unique April evening.

So what’s true? Are we more divided than ever before? If so, why is that? What, exactly, divides us? We’ll dig into these and similar questions on Tuesday, April 23 during a special INseparable-themed Chew On This. Sign up for one of 6 locations around the state, where you’ll share a meal (two courses, dessert and non-alcoholic drinks) and civil yet fun in-depth conversation with other curious Hoosiers. Each table will be led by an expert facilitator, someone who brings special insight into why we do or don’t manage to get along with one another. Your ticket price includes meal and an unforgettably rich experience.

Thanks to Julie Schweitzer and her ArtSeed art collaborative (the evening's host organization), Pints & Union will be one of only seven statewide venues (so far) for Chew On This, an Indiana Humanities dinner and discussion on Tuesday, April 23.

While some might question my expertise, I'll be the discussion facilitator and am looking forward to the experience. We'll be upstairs at the pub, where event seating is limited to 15 persons. You can learn more and purchase your $25 (plus fee) ticket at the Eventbrite link, and although it's a long way off, my guess is these seats will go quickly.

ArtSeed, tonight: "Wood and Clay Art Exhibition Opening Reception."

There's an ArtSeed opening tonight, but first, let's review.

ART SEED

ArtSeed is owned and operated by local artists. Exhibits will feature the work of local, regional and international professional artists, and student artists.

The mission of ArtSeed is to support artists, provide a venue for them to live, work, and collaborate with organizations and businesses in our community in a mutually beneficial relationship.

As part of the ArtSeed citywide exhibit program, we are collaborating with multiple galleries to create Friday night gallery openings. The series of exhibits will feature renowned local artists and students artists.

Thank you to our sponsor Tabitha and Jim Sprigler owners of Halo Dash and Conflux Wellness. Exhibit, receptions and lectures are free and open to the public.

For more information, please contact Julie Schweitzer. Check out our website for more information about membership, events and services.

Tonight's opening at 1931 East Spring Street (5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.) features four artists, some of whom exhibited at the late and lamented Gallery on Pearl.

Wood and Clay Art Exhibition Opening Reception

Please join us for WOOD and CLAY. Meet our new artists and enjoy the different approaches and mediums. This is the perfect show to pick up a wonderful Father’s Day and/or graduation gift. The participating artists include:

Alan Mason is a box crafter, retired English teacher, and native of Floyd County, Indiana. Mason says, “I find myself listening to what the wood wants to become, and letting what I hear guide me in making boxes….Sometimes I tell the wood what it wants to be, and sometimes the wood tells me… So far, both the wood and I are happy with the process.” Mason, with a nod to his literature background, includes notes and stories with each box inspired by his vision the wood and/or current events. For Mason, “the creative impulse is as natural as breathing, and just as necessary. It will always find a way to express itself in art, literature, music, or even boxes.”

Kimara Wilhite is a second generation, self-taught, New Albany-based photographer. She loves to travel and finds great joy in capturing nature and dramatic light. She is always inspired by dramatic light and loves to capture that in scenes of nature. She has a lifelong love of horses; the horses and solitary trees of the beaches have become a favorite subject.

Carl Degraaf is a Floyd County clay artist and retired Indiana University Psychology Professor. He credits his Dutch heritage for the practicality and functionality of his work. However, he says, “Beyond being utilitarian, less than an extravagance, hand crafted pottery is a modest indulgence to be enjoyed as a luxury on a daily basis”. His work is created on his ninety-six-acre farm, and the beautiful boxes and vessels are clearly influenced by his love of nature.

Floyd Cornet is a Jeffersonville, Indiana native and self-taught sculptor. His influence ranges from whimsical to abstract. He creates oversized functional pocketknives, carved barrel tops, and large totem poles- whatever strikes his fancy. They are all crafted with precision and character.

The reception is free and open to the public.

Thanks to Jim for the reminder -- and here's the bonus: "We're unveiling the Little Free Library down at the office that we built out of the reclaimed lumber from the old carriage house. It's been up most of the week and we've needed to top it off a few times already which is pretty awesome."

Schweitzer and the Spriglers enable ArtSeed, a grassroots arts collaborative.

It's always refreshing to follow up on an old story and learn it has a proper ending.

May 17, 2017: What, is Gahan annexing the Arts Council, too? Schweitzer out as Executive Director.

So help me, if Dugout Duggins becomes head of the Arts Council, it's time to start mixing those Molotov cocktails.

Kudos to the Spriglers. The usual suspects in New Albany generally suppress grassroots thinking, and because of this, it makes fruition even more delightful.

New art collaborative ArtSeed taking root in New Albany, by Aprile Rickert (Bill Likes Jeff)

NEW ALBANY — Minutes after learning that Julie Schweitzer had left her position as executive director of the Arts Council of Southern Indiana, Jim and Tabitha Sprigler were ready to help with a new opportunity.

Three months later, Schweitzer, who left the Arts Council after nearly years when the board voted mid-May to not renew her contract, is working with local artists and supporters on a new collaboration.

ArtSeed Gallery, of which Schweitzer is executive director, sprung up in the aftermath of her departure from the Arts Council. Schweitzer said the business — which allows artists to work together on decisions to create a grassroots endeavor everyone takes ownership in — is something the area hasn’t seen before, through collaboration with local artists and neighboring galleries, schools and businesses.

Though its base is in an historic home at 1931 Spring St. in New Albany, which the Spriglers have donated, Schweitzer said she feels its reach will go far.