The Southern Graphics Council International Conference (Wednesday, March 16, through Saturday, March 19), is a series of seminars and panel discussions on the artistry and business of fine-art printing. The SGC is also a virtual "bat-signal" to all obsessive fans of print art, summoning them from across the country to St. Louis for four nights of carousing, parties and exhibitions.
And, oh, the exhibits you will see, including offset press wizards, litho stone wielding barbarians, silkscreen sorcerers and woodblock warlocks, all making art that is deeply personal, sincerely handmade and sublimely beautiful. Come celebrate printmaking with the artists -- and maybe buy something while you're having a good time. Visit a sgci2011.samfoxschool.wustl.edu for the full schedule.
More great art openings after the jump!
The Printbanger's Ball: The Printbanger's Ball is a gathering of artists, printers, hoochie-coochie dancers, drunkards, reprobates, merchant seamen and musicians, all presided over by bad man Tom Huck. It's an alcohol-fueled, inky-and-stinky type gathering for people who love the smell of mineral spirits in the morning. Sat., March 19, $5. Atomic Cowboy, 4140 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, 314-775-0775, www.atomic-cowboystl.com.
An Eden: An exhibition from internationally known printmaker Karen Kunc. Wednesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sundays, 12-4 p.m. Continues through May 8, Free. Atrium Gallery, 4728 McPherson Ave., St. Louis, 314-367-1076, www.atriumgallery.net.
Eva Isaksen: Isaksen draws, paints, cuts up, mixes and layers thin papers in her colorful artwork. Opening reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 18. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Continues through April 23, Free, [email protected]. Duane Reed Gallery, 4729 McPherson Ave., St. Louis, 314-361-4100, www.duanereedgallery.com.
Paintings by Cork: Corky Frausto's (a.k.a. Cork) paintings range from contemporary to folk art, and subjects include street scenes from Albuquerque and Hispanic influenced icons. Fri., March 18, 6-9 p.m., Free, [email protected], www.corque.net. Blackberry Cafe, 7351 Forsyth Blvd., Clayton, 314-721-9300, www.theblackberrycafe.com.
Spring Freaquinox! A Benefit for Artica: There will be a giant pinata, barbecue, music and a silent auction for local art and merchandise. Fri., March 18, 7 p.m., Donations accepted. The Archive, 3213 Cherokee St., St. Louis, 314-288-0712, www.archivescribe.com.
The Story on Michael Aaron McAllister: Meet Michael Aaron McAllister, an embroidery and quilting artist whose work is inspired by historical characters. Fri., March 18, 6-8 p.m., Free. Craft Alliance, 6640 Delmar Blvd., University City, 314-725-1177, www.craftalliance.org.
Therman Statom: Therman Statom is an American Studio Glass artist whose primary medium is sheet glass. Opening reception Friday, March 18, 5-8 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Continues through April 23, Free. Duane Reed Gallery, 4729 McPherson Ave., St. Louis, 314-361-4100, www.duanereedgallery.com.
Third Friday Open House: Glass-blowing and flame-working demonstrations, live music, and an art display. Third Friday of every month, 6-10 p.m., Free. Third Degree Glass Factory, 5200 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314-367-4527, www.stlglass.com.
Transitions: A solo exhibit and demonstration with Eric Nichols: Eric Nichols will show a new series of mixed media works, using digital transfer, ink, dye, watercolor, found objects and more. Demonstration and artist talk: Friday, March 18, 5-6 p.m. Opening Reception immediately following until 9 p.m. Mondays-Sundays. Continues through May 14. Chesterfield Arts, 444 Chesterfield Ctr, Chesterfield, 636-519-1955, www.chesterfieldarts.org.
SGC International Conference
SGC Exhibits Already Open
Everybody's Autobiography: Mondays-Saturdays. Continues through April 24, Free. Center of Creative Arts (COCA), 524 Trinity Ave., University City, 314-725-6555, www.cocastl.org.
Let's Talk About Love, Baby: Romance novels as interpreted by print artists. Tuesdays-Sundays. Continues through April 24. Craft Alliance, 6640 Delmar Blvd., University City, 314-725-1177, www.craftalliance.org.
Buckilibrium: Wisconsin Printmakers Attack!: Group show features prints by the students, faculty and almuni of University of Wisconsin. Through March 25, free. St. Louis Community College-Forest Park-Gallery of Art, 5600 Oakland Ave. (Library Bldg), St. Louis, 314-644-9231, www.stlcc.edu.
Ebbs and Flows: The Print Work of Bookwalter, Gellman, Murphy, and Pick Zivkovich: Mondays-Sundays. Continues through March 26. Componere Gallery of Art and Fashion, 6509 Delmar Blvd., University City, 314-721-1181, www.componere.com.
Georges Rouault: Miserere et Guerre, the complete series of etchings: Tuesdays-Sundays. Continues through July 31. Saint Louis University-Museum of Contemporary Religious Art (MOCRA), 3700 West Pine Mall, St. Louis, 314-977-7170, mocra.slu.edu.
Impress(ed): Contemporary letterpress prints. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Continues through April 16, Free. Webster University-Cecille R. Hunt Gallery, 8342 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves, 314-968-7171. Saturday The Birds Fell From The Sky : For their new experiment in altered location, Cameron Fuller and Travis Russell have constructed a "whimsical, yet apocalyptic" setting. Through March 19; Fridays, Saturdays. Continues through April 9, free. Good Citizen Gallery, 2247 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, 314-348-4587, www.goodcitizenstl.com.
Pressing Destiny: Washington University Printmakers Move West!: Through April 11. Subterranean Books, 6275 Delmar Blvd., University City, 314-862-6100, www.subbooks.com.
Varsity Art XV : Group exhibition of work by graduate and undergraduate students at Midwest colleges and universities. Mondays-Saturdays. Continues through March 31, free. Art Saint Louis, 555 Washington Ave. #150, St. Louis, 314-241-4810, www.artstlouis.org.
SGC FRIDAY
All the Colors of the Dark :Prints inspired by and created for the world of heavy metal graphics. Participating artists include Arik Moonhawk Roper, Justin Bartlett and French. Opening reception from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, March 18. Fri., March 18, 5-10 p.m.; Sat., March 19, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Awful Nice Studios, 4066 Juniata St., St. Louis, www.awfulniceart.com.
Cannonball Press: Anything For A Buck: Martin Mazorra and Mike Houston, New York's self-proclaimed "World Kings of scruffy pirate black-and-white hillbilly printmaking," founded Cannonball Press in 1999 to offer affordable prints by like-minded artists to the world at large. Tonight at 8 p.m., Cannonball lands at Mad Art Gallery to sell beautiful and affordable prints by actual working artist. Fri., March 18. Mad Art Gallery, 2727 S. 12th St., St. Louis, 314-771-8230, www.madart.com.
Fine Print: Fine Print showcases the work of Joe Chesla and Amy Firestone Rosen. Opening reception Friday, March 18, 7-10 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays, 12-4 p.m. Continues through April 22, Free. phd gallery, 2300 Cherokee St., St. Louis, 314-664-6644, www.phdstl.com.
House Coat: A fitted spandex garment for a two-story house, created by Leeza Meksin. Opening reception from 3 to 6 p.m. and from 8 p.m. to midnight Friday, March 18. March 18-May 1. Cosign Projects, 2733 Arsenal St., St. Louis, www.cosignprojects.net.
Stencil World: Stencil Art from Around the Globe: Opening reception from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, March 18. Through March 20. Gallery AM-Art Monster, 2617 Cherokee St., St. Louis.
Fresh: Opening reception from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, March 18. March 18-April 30, $10 opening night, free with SGC badge. 2720 Cherokee, 2720 Cherokee St., St. Louis, 314-664-9900, www.2720cherokee.com.
St. Louis Typefoundries: An exhibition of typefaces designed and produced in St. Louis. Fri., March 18, 5-10 p.m. The Firecracker Press, 2838 Cherokee St., St. Louis, 314-776-7271, www.firecrackerpress.com.
Cherokee Printmakers Special: A special meal for SGC attendees, featuring tortillas printed up by Firecracker Press. Fri., March 18, 5-10 p.m. Don Carlos Restaurant, 2800 Cherokee St., St. Louis, 314-773-1707, www.latinoamericanastl.com/restaurant.
Deceased Was the Widow of Henry Mosby: Life-size diorama exploring the myths of everyday life in New Orleans' parishes. Fri., March 18, 5-10 p.m.
Tugboat Printshop: Work by Pittsburgh's Tugboat Printshop artists. Fri., March 18, 5-10 p.m. All Along Press, 2712 Cherokee St., St. Louis, 314-827-6185, www.allalongpress.com.
Funamble: Fri., March 18, 5-8 p.m. Pig Slop Studios, 2700 Cherokee, Saint Louis.
Impractical Labor: An Obsolete Technology Guide for the Citizens of St. Louis: Impractical Labor in Service of the Speculative Arts (ILSSA) and All Along Press join forces to create this letterpress guide to locating obsolete technology while in St. Louis. Fri., March 18, 5-8 p.m.
Uncover: Recycled upholstery from participants in Perennial workshops. Fri., March 18, 5-10 p.m. All Along Press, 2712 Cherokee St., St. Louis, 314-827-6185, www.allalongpress.com. Do The Right Thing: Fri., March 18, 5:30-10 p.m. Los Caminos, 2649 Cherokee St., St. Louis, www.loscaminosart.com.
Blessed Unions Wedding Performance Ceremony: Blake Sanders and Hannah March Campbell will take vows to each other and the printmaking lifestyle, under the officiation of Reverend John S. Hancock, also a printmaker. Fri., March 18, 6:30 p.m. Fort Gondo Compound for the Arts, 3151 Cherokee St., St. Louis, 314-772-3628, www.fortgondo.com.
w/ w/o rds: Fri., March 18, 7-10 p.m. Snowflake/City Stock, 3156 Cherokee St., St. Louis, www.snowflakecitystock.com.
No One Goes Hungry: Work by Jason Potter. Fri., March 18, 7-10 p.m. Cranky Yellow, 2847 Cherokee St., St. Louis, www.crankyyellow.com.
Show Me Your Tax Bracket: Group show features work by Ben Pierce, Eric Nichols and Alica LaChance. Fri., March 18, 7-11 p.m. Aisle 1 Gallery, 2627 Cherokee St., St. Louis.
Printa Kucha: Fri., March 18, 7:30-9 p.m. Casa Loma Ballroom, 3354 Iowa Ave., St. Louis, 314-664-8000, www.casalomaballroom.com.
Manual Feed: Hear the sounds of printing press transformed into more traditional music by Manual Feed, an experimental music group comprising printmakers and print-lovers. Fri., March 18, 8 p.m. The Firecracker Press, 2838 Cherokee St., St. Louis, 314-776-7271, www.firecrackerpress.com.
Print Truck: Like a food truck but for print fans, this mobile letterpress sponsored by Firecracker Press will be roaming St. Louis during the SGC International Conference. Find out where they are by following twitter.com/FirecrackerP. Through March 19. St. Louis, Betwixt the Mississippi & Missouri Rivers, St. Louis.
SGC SATURDAY
Regional Impressions: Prints from St. Louis Metropolitan Universities and Colleges: Reception from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 19. Through March 19; Fridays, Saturdays. Continues through April 2. Saint Louis University-Boileau Hall, 38 Vandeventer Ave., St. Louis.
Hung Liu: Za Zhong Paintings: Photorealistic paintings of women and historical images of China. Reception from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 19. Wednesdays-Sundays. Continues through May 7. Bruno David Gallery, 3721 Washington Blvd., St. Louis, 314-531-3030, www.brunodavidgallery.com.
Blessed Unions: Artwork made by creative couples and prolific partnerships. Opening reception from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, March 18. Fri., March 18; Sat., March 19. Fort Gondo Compound for the Arts, 3151 Cherokee St., St. Louis, 314-772-3628, www.fortgondo.com.
PRINTS + MULTIPLES: Closing reception from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 19. Through March 19. Bruno David Gallery, 3721 Washington Blvd., St. Louis, 314-531-3030, www.brunodavidgallery.com.
Return of the Outlaw (Printmakers): Sat., March 19. Philip Slein Gallery, 1319 Washington Ave., St. Louis, 314-621-4634, www.philipsleingallery.com.
Swoon: Swoon creates a massive mural on the east side of the Bruno David Gallery. Sat., March 19, 3-5 p.m. Bruno David Gallery, 3721 Washington Blvd., St. Louis, 314-531-3030, www.brunodavidgallery.com.
Tempting Equilibrium: SGC International Juried Exhibition: Juried exhibition of art on the topic of equilibrium, the theme of this year's SGC International Conference. Sat., March 19, 4-6 p.m. Des Lee Gallery, 1627 Washington Ave. (University Lofts Bldg.), St. Louis, 314-621-8735.
SGC Closing Party and Awards Ceremony: The SGC says goodbye with help from Pokey LaFarge and a cash bar. Tickets are $30, and include admission to the rest of the City Museum. Sat., March 19, 6-9 p.m. City Museum, 701 N. 15th St., St. Louis, 314-231-2489, www.citymuseum.org.
Return of the Outlaw Printmakers: Underground print superstars Don Colley, Bill Fick, Art Chantry and Tom Huck all have work in this show. Sat., March 19, 6-8 p.m. Philip Slein Gallery, 1319 Washington Ave., St. Louis, 314-621-4634, www.philipsleingallery.com.
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.
