SLIDESHOW: A Sneak Peak at Some of the Art Featured This Month
February is a time to open your heart -- to art. Several new art exhibits open next Friday in downtown Ogden, each showcasing artists who are passionate about their work.
Ogden's First Friday Art Stroll starts at 6 p.m. Feb. 5, with many galleries hosting receptions until 9 p.m. -- offering visitors the opportunity to meet the artists.
Participating galleries and shops can be found along Historic 25th Street from Wall Avenue to Jefferson Avenue. There are also a few galleries in surrounding neighborhoods. Admission is free.
For more information on the stroll, call (801) 393-3866 or visit www.artsogden.org.
* Gallery at the Station is displaying the work of painter Daren Wilding of Willard and gourd artist Marilyn Sunderland of Riverton.
Wilding usually sells his paintings through outdoor shows in Colorado, Wyoming and Utah, or does commission work. He's been invited to show his work in respected galleries before, but always shared the wall space with another painter.
"This is the first time that, as a two-dimensional artist, I get the entire gallery to fill," he said. "I want to make sure it's the best artwork I have, too."
Wilding teaches art at Weber High School, but lately he's been challenging his own skills. One of the changes he's making is working more with a palette knife, to apply thicker paint. He's also widened his focus.
"In the past, I've done kind of a lot of wildlife, but I started to do a little more of just the landscapes," he said, noting that he paints outdoors, from Southern Utah to Montana. "I've got Willard Peak and Ben Lomond Peak behind my house, and the views I get are incredible. Anytime I have to go out, it's just a great thing for me."
Sunderland provides the three-dimensional art for this show. She carves gourds with a high-speed engraving tool, then uses paints to enhance her relief work.
"I love the versatility of the gourd," she states on her Web site. "I enjoy the excitement of each day with what my imagination can bring forth in each gourd."
Reception, 6-8 p.m. Feb. 5; the show continues 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, through March 2. Gallery at the Station is inside Ogden's Union Station, 2501 Wall Ave. (801) 393-9890. Free.
* Universe City celebrates Mardi Gras with its February exhibit, "Arté Gras VI: Costumes for Theatre and Life." The show includes costumes made for plays at Weber State University, as well as artistic costumes and clothing created by local designers.
WSU's designers are displaying the Captain Hook and crocodile costumes from a production of "Peter Pan." The crocodile costume was made using upholstery samples and gold sparkles. The university's costume department is also showing Phillip Lowe's renderings for an upcoming production of "The Light in the Piazza," and leather breastplates by student David Powell, who worked on "Sleepy Hollow."
McGrew Studio in Salt Lake City, representing more than 20 local designers, has rounded up a variety of custom costumes and artistic fashions for the show. Renaissance festival clothing, and costumes for performance artists -- as well as masks, jewelry and corsets -- will be on display. There will also be photos of extreme special-effects movie makeup and body paint.
"One of the costumes on display is a version of the 'Queen of the Damned' costume from film," said studio owner Jennifer McGrew. "One of my business partners, Mel B. Jones, made it in a style that looks like one in the film, but it's all made of kitchen appliances and found metals."
Reception, 5-8 p.m. Feb. 5, at 2556 Washington Blvd., Ogden. The exhibit continues through Feb. 20, with new gallery hours: 5-8 p.m. Fridays, 1-6 p.m. Saturdays, and by appointment. (801) 458-8959. Free.
* Eccles Community Art Center hosts its 12th Black & White Statewide Competition during February and March. The exhibit includes paintings, prints, drawings, graphics, photos, pottery, sculpture and textiles, all done in black and white, or shades of gray.
Also, the center's Carriage House gallery is showing Conrad Bowen's colorful "Flowers in Bloom." Bowen, of Bountiful, captures his photographic images in gardens throughout the Wasatch Front.
Exhibits open with a reception and awards ceremony, 6-9 p.m. Feb. 5, and continue 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays, through March 27, at 2580 Jefferson Ave., Ogden. (801) 392-6935. Free.
* Ogden Arts is featuring the work of Alta artist LeAnn Galloway. A self-taught artist, Galloway creates colorful multimedia abstract art using ink, watercolor and acrylic paint. Ogden Arts is also showing paintings by Ogden Palette Club member LaVera Parris of Roy, and photos by members of the Ogden Camera Club.
Exhibit opens with a reception, 6-9 p.m. Feb. 5, and continues 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, through Feb. 26, in the street-level suites at 2484 Washington Blvd., Ogden. (801) 393-3866. Free.
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