Finally, It's Summer!
“Inner Conflicts,” 30 x 40 acrylic, paper on canvas.
Art-a-Whirl is over and finally it’s summer! Thanks to all who braved the crowds and traffic (and rain) to visit studios throughout Northeast Minneapolis during Art-a-Whirl last month. I have no statistics but it seemed that we had another overflow crowd, more participating artists, and a lot of first-timers just discovering the treasures of the Arts District and the nation’s biggest art crawl. There’s still a lot of art to see and support right now, right down the street. In June, check out open studios, diverse exhibits, art fairs, and maybe a visit to your favorite art supply shop!
What Is Art Good For?
Every time I decide to not renew my subscription to Art in America (a glossy fat magazine about current ”inside” trends in modern American art), there’s an article or image that sends me back to renewal mode. The Summer 2025 issue includes an article surveying a handful of contemporary artists answering the question, “What Is Art Good For?” (Note, not the ubiquitous “what is art,” but more “why?”) The article’s author posed this question to 7 artists whose opinions ranged from accessible philosophies to circling the core question with vague allusions to politics and history. I didn’t really expect to have a Eureka moment, but at least some of the commentaries were thought-provoking, if not definitive.
Particularly intriguing was the response from Christine Sun Kim: “[Art] encourages people to come up with creative solutions, allows them to ask themselves what they want, and asks them to think through different options…. Leonardo da Vinci thought up the helicopter because he was an artist. I’m sick of seeing art and accessibility as the first things to go when there are budget cuts. It makes me wonder about the future. Will we be less creative and unable to come up with new medicine and new technology?”
After reading the last commentary, I turned the page. It was a glossy ad for the upcoming Art Basel exhibition, with a simple text: “Art Is Potential.” Yes. And then I flipped the magazine closed to reveal the back-page promo for a show at the famed Gagosian gallery in New York, titled “William de Kooning: Endless Painting.” (The answer to “What is Art?”)
Regardless of whether you are a creator, collector, teacher or patron, art feeds the brain and the soul, and that’s a meal we surely need more often.
June Open Studios: Second Saturday at Casket Arts, June 14, 11 am – 4 pm. Sometimes June is a really slow time as everyone takes a break following Art-a-Whirl. Sometimes June draws more heavily, as those who avoided the crowds come back to enjoy new art in a more relaxed situation. Whatever our draw on June 14th, Studio 218 will be open and I am happy to team up with two special guests. My friend Kathy Johnston returns with a selection of her beautiful and functional ceramics. And closing out the afternoon from 2:30 -4, pianist Patrick Adkins returns with original compositions and solo arrangements of ear-appealing jazz. I expect to have a few new paintings (see “Inner Conflicts above) and more small prints. 681 17th Av NE; www.casketarts.com
Ceramics by Kathy Johnston.
Art and the 27th Annual Twin Cities Jazz Festival, June 20-21. Before my studio and my spine seriously interfered with my photography, I was the staff photographer for the Twin Cities Jazz Festival for about 15 years. I still help out as much as possible during this annual weekend in June that centers around Mears Park in Lowertown St Paul. Each year the festival seems to add more venues to the point that it definitely lives up to its name as the prime jazz event of the “Twin Cities.” This year, in addition to bringing my camera to Mears Park, I am involved in two other aspects of the festival, now as a visual artist.
I was asked this winter to donate a painting to the festival’s March 2025 fundraiser, and created “Jazz Party” for the occasion, an 18 x 24 mixed media work. Soon after, festival director Dayna Martinez asked if the festival could use “Jazz Party” for the 2025 t-shirt design. Hard to get better PR than that! (The t-shirt is only available at the festival, so there is one more good reason to plan to attend. The fest is free and proceeds from merch help support the festival.)
Throughout the month of June, the Dow Art Gallery in St Paul is hosting a new visual component of the jazz festival, the inaugural “Art of Jazz” exhibit. This is a juried show of visual art inspired by jazz. I am happy to have four works accepted for this show, including an acrylic painting, a mixed media work, a black and white photograph, and a composite digital image that combines a straight photo and the image of an abstract painting. See information about the reception etc below.
Do plan to come to one or more of the festival venues to enjoy the music at jazzfest. It encompasses all aspects and styles of jazz, international headliners, local talents, and student musicians. And the “art of jazz.”
On Exhibit
“Art of Jazz” at the Dow Art Gallery, St Paul, through July 19; reception June 12, 4-7 pm. Officially a venue for the annual Twin Cities Jazz Festival, this juried exhibit of visual arts reflects jazz-inspired work. My works included in this inaugural show include “Contrafact” (mixed media), “Phantazzo” (an acrylic work created in real time with a flute performance by Bobb Fantauzzo), “Synesthesia” (a digital composite of an abstract photo of musical notes and an abstract painting), and “Dave Hagedorn” (a black and white photo of vibes master Dave in action). The Dow is a frame and art gallery representing a number of Twin Cities artists. The exhibit is open during Dow business hours (Monday-Saturday). 2242 University Av W, St Paul; www.dowartgallery.com
“Synesthesia,” digital composite print.
“Kaleidoscope III” at the Burl Gallery, St Paul, through August 9; reception August 2, 5-8 pm. This is the third installment of four for 2025. Using a rather vague theme, Burl Gallery’s juried exhibition series presents 65-70 works from primarily Twin Cities artists in all genres. My 30 x 30 mixed media work “Defiance” is included in this show. Located across Prince Street from CHS Field, the Burl is open Saturday and Sunday 10 am – 4 pm. 308 Prince Street, St Paul; https://burlartgallery.org
“Defiance,” 30 x 30 mixed media on canvas.
Summer at the Studio
I hope to spend significant studio time “experimenting” this summer. I have some new ideas about collage materials to test out. I think I have come up with a good plan for mounting multiple sheets of duralar (clear plastic) onto wood panels to create abstract works with more depth. And at the end of June I am taking a workshop in the use of oil/cold wax. This medium has become popular in recent years and is yet another approach to creating depth and texture on canvas and panels. While I doubt that I will switch to oils, there are alternative materials using acrylics that should yield similar effects. Stay tuned.
Meanwhile this summer offers a great time to visit the studio, either during Second Saturdays or throughout the season by appointment. The studio is air conditioned! If you missed Art-a-Whirl, here is a chance to leisurely explore my work, talk about a commission, or just hang out and catch up. (andreacanterartworks@gmail.com; 612-501-8812).
Please note I will be open for Second Saturdays in June and August. I will be closed July 12.
Andrea
612-501-8812
andreacanterartworks@gmail.com
Andrea Canter
Artist and Owner
andreacanterartworks.com
Andrea Canter Artworks
The Casket Arts Building
681 17th Ave NE, Studio 218
Minneapolis, MN 55413