This weekend, the Strange Folk Festival upgrades the one-stop shopping experience with two days of indie crafts, music and even books from local authors. Shop for handmade soaps, jewelry and a host of other crafts -- but be sure to stop by the petting zoo for a meet-and-greet with an alpaca. Just try to find that at Target. Find more details on this event and lots more in the list below.
Bird's Eye View: Black and white landscape photography by Michael Johnson and ceramic and wire bird sculptures by Jerry Breakstone. Opening reception from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, September 25. Starting Sept. 25, Thursdays-Sundays. Continues through Nov. 6, free. phd gallery, 2300 Cherokee St., St. Louis, 314-664-6644, www.phdstl.com/.
Michael Eastman and Master Artist Series Students: A selection of photographs made by Michael Eastman and the students in his Master class. Opening reception at 6 p.m. Friday, September 24. Sept. 24-Nov. 14, free. Center of Creative Arts (COCA), 524 Trinity Ave., University City, 314-725-6555, www.cocastl.org.
Strange Folk Festival: A fantasy world of DIY craft and culture, with live music, food and alpacas. Sat., Sept. 25; Sun., Sept. 26, free admission. O'Fallon Community Park, 401 E. Fifth St., O'Fallon. www.strangefolkfestival.com
Art in an Instant: Fri., Sept. 24, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Free. Thomas Jefferson School, 4100 S. Lindbergh Blvd., Saint Louis, 314-843-4151, www.tjs.org/.
The Artist and the Capable Observer: A career-spanning survey of the paintings, watercolors and drawings of James Rosen. Opening reception from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, September 26. Starting Sept. 26, Tuesdays-Sundays. Continues through Dec. 12, $1-$5 suggested donation. Saint Louis University-Museum of Contemporary Religious Art (MOCRA), 3700 West Pine Mall, St. Louis, 314-977-7170, http://mocra.slu.edu.
CREATOR/RECORDER: New photographic works by Webster University alumna Sarah Carmody, exploring the dichotomy between a photographer as a documentarian and as an originator. A reception with the artist will take place Friday, September 24, from 5 to 7 p.m. Through Dec. 5, Free. Webster University May Photography Gallery, 8300 Big Bend Blvd. (2nd Fl., Sverdrup Bldg.), Saint Louis, 314-961-2660, www.webster.edu/maygallery.
(dis)Mantle: Site-specific installation by Jill Downen. Opening reception from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25. Starting Sept. 25, Wednesdays-Saturdays. Continues through Oct. 30, free. Luminary Center for the Arts, 4900 Reber Pl., St. Louis, 314-807-5984, www.theluminaryarts.com.
Room With A View: Juried exhibition of art that explores interiors and exteriors. Opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25. Mondays-Saturdays. Continues through Oct. 21, free admission. Art Saint Louis, 555 Washington Ave. #150, St. Louis, 314-241-4810, www.artstlouis.org.
Scapes: Land-scapes, Figure-scapes and City-scapes: Comprehensive exhibit of the recent work by Alvin Horst, focused on the naturalistic forms of still life. An opening reception will be held Friday, September 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Continues through Oct. 30, Free. Norton's Fine Art & Framing, 2025 S. Big Bend Blvd., Richmond Heights, 314-645-4040, www.nortonsfineart.com.
SLU Faculty Art Exhibition: An opening reception will be held Friday, September 24, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, 12-4 p.m. Continues through Oct. 16, Free. Saint Louis University-Boileau Hall, 38 Vandeventer Ave., St. Louis.
Threads of Tradition: Contemporary interpretations of traditional quilt patterns by area quilters. Reception from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 26. Wednesdays-Sundays. Continues through Oct. 3. Saint Louis University-Museum of Art, 3634 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, 314-977-3399, sluma.slu.edu.
Editor's note: If you don't see your show listed, please leave the information in the comments (and drop a note to [email protected] so we can list it in the online calendar). All art openings are free unless noted. For a full list of all ongoing art shows in the St. Louis area, please click here.
