ArtLink: Young Friends of St. Louis Arts

Opening Night at Laumeier - Friday, June 8

ArtLink members should mark your calendars for the 5th Annual Kranzberg Exhibition Series opening at Laumeier on June 8 at 6 p.m.  Bring your friends and join us on the Museum Terrace for a summer evening of culture and complimentary drinks and appetizers that will jump start your weekend.

The annual  exhibition series that profiles local artists will feature the work of Thad Duhigg. Currently professor of sculpture and the Chair of the Art and Design department at Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville, Duhigg will fill the indoor galleries at Laumeier with his bold, probing and provocative work. The exhibition, Assumptions Mediated, includes sculpture, installations, prints and drawings. Duhigg’s most recent work questions and provokes as it focus on issues of identity, race and current events.

The Kranzberg Exhibition Series featuring Thad Duhigg will open Friday, June 8, 2007 with a free public reception at Laumeier Sculpture Park from 6-8 p.m.  The exhibition will continue through September 2, 2007.

Opening Reception
Friday, June 8, 6-8 p.m.
Laumeier Sculpture Park, Museum Terrace
12580 Rott Road
St. Louis, MO 63127
www.laumeier.org

It's not too late...

...to sign up to volunteer at the 2007 Shakespeare Festival!  ArtLink members are invited to help out this Sunday, June 3rd for the annual Young Friends Volunteer Night at the Festival.  There are many ways to get involved such as greeting theatre lovers and handing out programs, working the chair rental booths, assisting with parking and helping at the hospitality tent.

If you're interested in volunteering, please email us at youngfriends_sfstl@yahoo.com by noon on Friday for more information.

Gallery Hop with Paul Ha

Friday, May 25
6:00pm, Free for ArtLink Members

ArtLink is getting a special treat during the Grand Center Gallery Walk this Friday.  Paul Ha will be leading a group of ArtLinkers through the process of collecting contemporary art (you can do it!), starting with a brief visit at the Contemporary and then followed by a gallery hop through the contemporary art galleries in Grand Center. ArtLink is getting the chance to meet the gallery directors and get the behind-the-scenes scoop on the contemporary art world.  The ArtLink Gallery Hop with Paul Ha is exclusive to ArtLink members (and of course, you can join or renew online). There is no admission fee, but an RSVP is required. 

Call for Board Members!

ArtLink is still accepting board nominations (deadline is June 1) for the at-large members of our Board of Directors.  Don’t worry if you have a commitment phobia – the term is only one year, and it’s a great opportunity to be a part of the arts growth in St. Louis. 

If you want to fight the perception that St. Louis is challenged and lacking things to do and you love the arts organizations in St. Louis, you just might be the perfect person to join the leaders of ArtLink. And by joining the board, you get to rock it with other people that share your passion for the arts.

Nominating yourself is easy.  Just send an email to jen@artlinkstl.org with your persuasive statement of intent. The ArtLink Board of Directors will elect up to four at-large board members in June. Board members attend monthly ArtLink Board meetings while also attending as many ArtLink events that your schedule allows. Candidates must be current ArtLink members (and yes, you can join or renew today if you are not currently a member). We ask that you have a great attitude regarding the arts in St. Louis and share your mental, physical and emotional support. Get involved!

Opening Night at the Contemporary

Opening Nights at the Contemporary are not to be missed! This Friday, May 18, join us for a chance to be among the first to see new work by Irish Artist Katie Holten who has built a tree-with roots and all-made out of recycled materials from the museum.  Environmentalists be sure to come. Also, you can view a phenomenal exhibition of photography entitled Shoot the Family, which welcomes 15 international artists exploring their role as photographer of the “family photo”.  These are not snapshots! 

ArtLink members are welcome during the Members’ Preview. The preview runs from 6-7pm and features an open bar, complimentary valet, and a chance to mingle with Katie Holten.  The public reception starts at 7pm and is open to all.

Then after you recover from the excitement, you can join us at the Contemporary for a brunch with Director Paul Ha and a walkthrough with artist Katie Holten and Paul at 1:00pm.  The brunch opens at 11:00 am and features a delicious Wolfgang Puck menu. Reservations for the brunch can be made by contacting Erinn Gavaghan via email.

The Factory - This Saturday

Okay, the Factory is THE party of the year at the Contemporary. Simply said: you have to be there.

Saturday, May 12
9:00 pm-12:00 midnight

DJ Andrew will play the beats, and you'll enjoy complimentary Bud Select and delicious food by by Mihalas, Savor, and Mike Shannon’s. There will be some other special treats in store for you that evening.  Of course, we have a VIP level as well - which includes a full open bar as well as access to the VIP lounge.  Prices are: $25 for ArtLink tickets ($35 for everyone else), $65 for ArtLink VIPs ($75 for everyone else). Tickets are limited; get yours now online.

P.S. Don't forget the two other ArtLink events this week: Much A-Brew About Something (on Thursday), and Art of the Vine (on Friday).

Art Fair and Art of the Vine at Laumeier next weekend

Laumeier Sculpture Park welcomes ArtLink members and guests to its annual Art Fair at Laumeier from Friday, May 11 through Sunday, May 13, 2007. This year marks Laumeier’s 30th anniversary and the 20th installment of St. Louis’ popular Mother's Day weekend tradition. Join the crowd of more than 18,000 who are expected for this three-day event, which features a record number of artists selling their work, a student art exhibition, music and entertainment, hands-on art activities for children, and a wide variety of food and drink. Admission is $8 for ages 12 and up (or two for $15), children 6-11 are $5, and children under 6 and members are free for this rain or shine event.  ArtLink members can become Laumeier members on-site and get free admission to Laumeier Art Fair and a host of other benefits.

For a twist on the wine and cheese experience, join us for opening night of Laumeier Art Fair and come to Art of the Vine - a wine tasting experience paired with music and art. The Farshid Etniko Trio will perform on the Wine Garden Stage throughout the evening. Art of the Vine tickets are $10 for ArtLink and Laumeier members and $12 for non-members and include unlimited tastes from three area wineries (Stone Hill, Crown Valley and Mount Pleasant). Art of the Vine requires a Laumeier Art Fair admission and will run concurrent with Art Fair on Friday from 6:00-9:00 p.m. 

If Jazz is more your style, come celebrate the 50th Birthday of the City of Sunset Hills on Saturday evening at the Sunset Hills Jazz Festival on the Main Stage. The Lindbergh High School Jazz Band opens at 4:00 p.m., followed by Kim Massie at 5:30 p.m. and The Wild, Cool & Swingin’ Orchestra at 7:00 p.m.

Art Fair at Laumeier is sponsored by Emerson, the City of Sunset Hills, Dave Mungenast Lexus, Maritz, Enterprise Bank, Sachs Properties, the Aronson Endowed Chair for Modern+Contemporary Art at UM-St. Louis and St. Louis County Parks. Other sponsors include: The Regional Arts Commission, the Arts and Education Council, the Missouri Arts Council, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis Homes and Lifestyles, ALIVE Magazine, Fox 2-KTVI, Radio Disney AM 1260, Classic 99.

Art Fair at Laumeier
Friday, May 11, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 12, 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 13, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Laumeier Sculpture Park
12580 Rott Road
St. Louis, MO 63127
www.laumeier.org

What's all the "brewhaha"?

It's the buzz surrounding the Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis!  Join us for Much A-Brew About Something on Thursday, May 10 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Schlafly Tap Room.  Help us kick off the upcoming season of the Festival, featuring Much Ado About Nothing.  Mingle with the actors while enjoying complimentary Schlafly beer and hors d'oeuvres.  Cash bar for mixed drinks.  $10 admission for ArtLink members; $15 for everyone else. 

Music sponsored by The Law Offices of Edward K. Fehlig, Jr. and #1DJs.