Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v04n10)
Residents come out for spring gallery tour - By Heidi Huff
posted: May 18, 2007
By Heidi Huff
The sidewalks of Broad Ripple transformed into a crosshatching of art seekers from every corner of the canvas. That evening - Friday, May 11th, 2007 - presented the Spring edition of the Broad Ripple Village Gallery Tour, where art novices and afficionados came together to discuss, critique and purchase the showcased views of the village.
First up for my tour of trades was The Bungalow, featuring Jennifer Velasco. When I initially read the description in the Gallery Tour guide, I couldn't envision what her artwork might be like. The guide reads, "pop-up 3-D multimedia works with a comic book style." I of course know what each of those terms would produce individually, but to see them together was quite intriguing. I walked into The Bungalow and instantly understood the description. The artwork was everything the guide had said it would be. Distinctly comic book style with its bright solid colors and geometric shapes, the works took on a whole new dimension (literally and figuratively) by adding the pop-up elements. The Gazette would like to extend special recognition to The Bungalow, without whom there would be no pictures of the Tour. Thanks for the back-up batteries!
gingko...Where Art Dwells, featured Sugarboo Designs of Georgia. Here I found large wooden frames painted in pastel colors, adorned with classic quotes, and housing a black and white photo in the center. These photo boxes would make great gifts for a wedding, baby's room, or just because. Also on display at gingko, though not listed in the guide, were Carolbilt Clocks. Artist Carol Mayer caught my eye with her intensely funky clocks. She constructed these timeless timekeepers with nontraditional parts and pieces. One in particular used an antique camera, feathers, and sprung sprockets.
There was something for everyone on the tour - all different styles of artwork, and even something for the kids. On my way to Chelsea's I nearly walked into a set of black and white pillars that seemed to reach the sky. After removing my nose from my Gallery guide however, I discovered the legs to be attached to a man on stilts with kids flocking to him from all directions. After marveling at the sight I continued into Chelsea's, where jewelry from Charissa Brannen of ChaRissa! Designs was on display. Her work made use of brightly colored stones and eclectic findings; the turquoise pieces were my personal favorite.
The always-unique Artifacts showcased porcelain pieces by artist Scott Frankenberger. His teapots and serving pieces, though functionally designed, were anything but ordinary. The porcelain pieces were craftily assembled and then textured by impressing objects into the piece. Swirled with colors like clay red and vibrant turquoise, the works would be an eclectic, yet functional, addition to any home.
After hitting the main strip of shops, I wandered a bit north to the off-the-beaten-path places. I double-checked the information on my guide: yes, in fact, Urbane Optical Village was listed as being part of the Gallery Tour. "Isn't that an eyeglass place?" Eyeglass store by day, hip gallery by night. Even more impressive than the space was the art that filled it. Artist Laura LaForge was giving tours of her work and explaining each of their underlying inspirations and meanings. Her featured paintings were part of a series created to tell her story. Visually, the paintings were vibrantly colored and boldly lined. But for LaForge, they were spiritually so much more.
Editions Limited Gallery of Fine Art housed the art of not one, but two guest artists. Both Amy Cannady and Carol Stock-Wasson were on site to meet and greet gallery goers. Cannady's Indiana-scapes guided viewers through every season, time, and place, while Stock-Wasson's abstracts left more to the imagination. I was also very impressed to find works from the likes of Dali, Picasso, Calder, and Warhol, amongst others.
Last but not least of my tour was the Hoosier Salon Fine Art Gallery. The "First Brush of Spring" exhibit displayed award-winning, open-air artists with scenes from New Harmony, Indiana. Also showcased were a variety of mostly-functional ceramic teapots. Here is where I found my favorite piece for the night: a dragon teapot created by Yvonne Mansfield. The teapot itself was a large-bellied, friendly-looking lizard, and the cups that completed the set were its eggs. This piece was functional and crafty, but also flawlessly creative and unique, much like the sum of the Gallery Tour parts.
Here are all of the pictures from the evening....
Sigman's Gallery
Honeysuckle Home
Marigold
Artifacts
Chelsea's
gingko
The shuttle bus
The Bungalow - 3-D art of Jennifer Velasco
Turandot
Urbane Optical
Ruth Stoner's
Editions Limited - Fiddle players
Potter's House
Hoosier Salon
Dragon Teapot by Yvonne Mansfield
Re/Max
Michael Freeland at the shuttle stop
Indianapolis Art Center
Daniel Feltman stiltwaker
Jump!: Visitors enjoy Daniel Feltman on stilts, one of the entertainers present at the Spring Gallery Tour.