Birds & Brews, arts markets and your ‘Ideal Home’ on exhibit this weekend
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- “Cronk” the resident raven at Ogden Nature Center. Look for him at Birds & Brews!
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- Artwork from “Ideal Home” exhibit.
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- Artist booths at last year’s Summer Art Fair on the Eccles mansion grounds.
Birds & Brews
On Friday, Ogden Nature Center hosts its 7th annual night of spirits (the kind you drink) and “nerdy nature knowledge.” It’s a popular night for feather-loving friends to have a delicious dinner, sip on local brews and spirits, and see live birds (including Cronk, the ONC raven!), cool artifacts, and mini trivia. El Changaroo Loco will provide the tasty taco supper, and samples of all your favorite local breweries and distilleries will be there, including Talisman Brewing, New World Distillery, Roosters Brewing Co., and UTOG. Tickets include dinner, drink samples, and a one-of-a-kind souvenir pub glass. This event is for ages 21+ only. Guests must show ID at the door.
Friday, Aug. 12, 5:30-9 p.m., Ogden Nature Center’s Backyard Glen, 966 W. 12th St., $43 members/$48 non- members, 21+, ogdennaturecenter.org
Exhibit Opening: ‘Ideal Home’
A new art exhibit at Ogden Contemporary Arts explores notions of the ideal home in America through time. Two mixed-media artists, Elizabeth Alexander (Winston-Salem, North Carolina) and Kasey Lou Lindley (Salt Lake City), come together from different sides of the country to present ideas about domestic life, from the inside out. Alexander’s installation — “Objects of Desire” — addresses domestic perfectionism through nostalgic, once-coveted material goods that served to symbolize success in homes across America: “Contrary to the idyllic image of the unblemished American home, I ask if a space that holds financial stress, trauma, chronic pain, or mental illness can still carry love, magic, and joy,” Alexander said. Lindley’s “Future Gardens” reflects an ideal future for American gardens and landscapes amid ongoing drought in Utah and the West through watercolor paintings, digital collages, and immersive video installation. “I think it’s an interesting time to talk about home,” said OCA guest curator Kelly Carper. “We’ve spent a lot of time in our personal spaces over the past few years, which have held dueling emotions and activities such as stress and joy, work and play, safety and confinement, stagnation and transition. It’s caused us to consider what our ideal home really looks like, what we value in our homes and why. These ideas bring up interesting and layered conversations that the artists speak to in the show.” An opening reception on Friday will include Art Talk with artist Elizabeth Alexander at 6 and 7:30 p.m. The exhibit will run from Aug. 12 to Oct. 16.
Friday, Aug. 12, 6-9 p.m., Ogden Contemporary Arts, 455 25th St., free, ogdencontemporaryarts.org
Dog Days of Summer Market
Get your pooch picture perfect – this month’s market at The Monarch is all about the pups. After the farmers market, head over to cool off indoors with exclusive dog-themed vendors, a Strut Your Mutt contest (2 p.m.), pet-themed Make and Take art workshops, a professional photo booth ($10), live music, and more. Those who want to get crafty can Paint a Pup with MACS ARTS Studio ($10-$20, pre-register: form.jotform.com/222086611262045) or paint a 3-D print with My Happy Viking (no registration required/while supplies last). The Monarch hosts the “After Market” market every second Saturday of the month, and hopes to see you and your fur baby on the runway.
Saturday, Aug. 13, 12-4 p.m., The Monarch, 455 25th St., free, themonarchogden.com/happenings
Summer Art Fair
For its third season, the beautiful grounds of the historic Eccles Mansion become an outdoor-style arts market every Saturday in August. The Summer Art Fair at Eccles Art Center, located in the Nine Rails District, features over 20 artists and family art projects, with more to see inside the Victorian-era mansion. Ogden String Theory provides the live music this Saturday. While there, explore the 48th Annual Statewide Competition exhibit and inquire about the many art classes and other events hosted by the center.
Saturday, Aug. 13, 20, & 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Eccles Art Center, 2580 Jefferson Ave., free, ogden4arts.org