This weekend is the beginning of Unveil South Main, where 20 artists will display work for 20 days in various shops and businesses on South Main. There was the Unveil Downtown early this year. I wonder if they will be doing an Unveil Pinch District or an Unveil Raleigh. (Being from Raleigh, I support this idea fully. Raleigh Springs Mall would be perfect.) The kick-off event is at Jack Robinson Gallery, 44 Huling, Friday, November 30th, 5-7 p.m. Then the openings at the assigned locations happen from 7-9pm.

There are a couple of artists that has some interesting work on view for this event.

• Howard Paine — Botryoid

Howard Paine’s work for the past decade has been an investigation on the way technology can affect organisms. On his daily walks, Paine collects botanicals, leaves, seed pods, flowers as well as insects. He then photographs or digitally scans in the objects, prints these out then manipulates the objects with drawings, etchings, ink washes, and other mark-making processes. A recent development that came from working this way is the mortality of the individual. He has become interested in what remains after death both physically and as a source for memory.

Howard Paine’s work will be on view at SOB|South of Beale, 361 S. Main Street.

• Chloe York — The Decorator VIII

Chloe York, a recent graduate from the Memphis College of Art, is interested in all things colorful and oceanic. She is particularly interested it was is deemed ugly by society and what is the standard for what is considered beautiful. This led making a statement about the manner in which we decorate ourselves, covering up what is already there. Her use of pattern and decoration explore this idea of what is beautiful and pleasing to the eye.

Her work can be seen at Muse Inspired Fashion, 546 S Main.

• Justin Bowles — Boys Are So Stupid

Also on South Main Friday night but not as a part of the Unveil South Main is work by Justin Bowles, current MFA candidate at MCA, at Ameriprise Financial, 465 S. Main Street #101.

“Making fun of boys is fun,” Bowles states. Her exhibition "Boys Are Stupid," is about exactly that, making fun of her ex-boyfriends. These text-based works came about partly to memorialize the relationships and the rest is simply a purging. The exes are represented as animals that are based on the boyfriends personality. One is a cat because, “that guy was a self-involved sybarite.”

Other animals are more of a representation of the type of boyfriend she viewed them as, for example, a way younger boyfriend is “a super cute baby bunny” makes an appearance in one of the works. Most of that work lives in that liminal space between disappointment and the ridiculous, exploring the point when one stops viewing the failed relationship as tragic and accept the lameness of it all. She is saving the scorned lover material for future projects.

Since you will be downtown to see these three exhibitions, you might as well stop by and see the MFA exhibition at the Memphis College of Art. “Hysterics” features the work of Raquel Adams, Rebecca Coleman, Shirin Shahin, and Lindsey Gwaltney Todd. The opening is Friday 6-9 p.m. and runs through December 15th at the Nesin Graduate Center, 477 S. Main.

Since you have seen the MFA show at MCA, why not be sure to check out the BFA show as well. The exhibition at MCA’s main campus in Overton Park features the work of 15 BFA candidates and includes a variety of media. The opening is Friday 5-7 p.m. and runs through December 12th.

Since you are in the mood to see student exhibitions, see the previous post about the work at Marshall Arts, why not visit the University of Memphis’s MFA exhibition at the Art Museum at the University of Memphis. “Corner” features the work of Katie Maish, Jennifer Burton, Brian Bundren and Kathleen Murray. The opening is Friday 5-7:30PM and runs through January 12, 2013.

I always like it when there are some many simultaneous exhibitions of student work. I like to think of it as a battle royale where the students and the institutions battle it out for Memphis Art World supremacy. I think I may be the only one that thinks this way.

Is there such a thing as too many art openings? I would never have thought this would be the case, especially for Memphis. Sure, New York City can have 514 art opening on a particular night. There are enough people interested in art, at least feign interest, to have a good turnout for most of the galleries. Besides, they can simply go back and see the other shows during the rest of the month.


This is not the case in Memphis. People really only ever attend the opening and that is it. They usually do not go to a gallery the next day or during the month of the exhibitions run because they missed the opening. Unless it is a friend or lover, have you? I do, but this is because that is what I do, go to art exhibitions.

Friday night is one of those nights in Memphis where just about every gallery, museum, and art space is having an opening. There are more than twenty additional openings in banks, restaurants, bars, clothing stores, and coffee shops tomorrow night. Let’s not forget the South Main Trolley Tour.

And people say Memphis is not an art city.

It would be impossible, in one post, to talk about every art show that needs to be mentioned. You would not be able to see half of the exhibitions tomorrow night, even if you tried really hard. It is more impossible to write reviews for these shows, even for just a couple of them. I think I need to try to perfect the 140 character art review for twitter (@dwaynebutcher if you want to follow and see my attempts in defining a future for art criticism)

With all that is going on, there is one thing I think you should be sure to see.

That is “Flat Mates,” the University of Memphis BFA exhibition at Marshall Arts Friday, November 30, 2012 6-9PM. When you go, be sure to get there at exactly 6PM or wait until 8:30. They, for some reason, always do their student awards during the middle of this exhibition and it takes roughly an hour, during which time no one can walk around and see the art.

And you should see the art.

• Anna Roach — Bill

Anna Roach has a salon-style exhibition of 20 oil and graphite on panel paintings of various sizes. Roach’s subject matter is children, and, despite all of us once being innocent children, our future is undetermined and this innocence will inevitably disappear. There are paintings of a baby Bill Clinton, Ted Kaczynski, and Sarah Palin. While finishing up the pieces for this exhibition, Roach was afraid that the Sarah Palin piece would not be dry in time. So, she took it to the tanning bed and let the UV rays speed up the drying time. A perfect metaphor for Sarah Palin, I believe.

• Ashley Watts — Fry 02

Ashley Watts has a slight obsession with food. Specifically, Chick-fil-A waffle-cut french fries. She prefers the term "slight," as a complete and unregulated obsession would leave her penniless and overweight. She has created 25 mixed-media pieces that examine the simplistic beauty by trying to capture the “glistening, rolling hills connected by deep, almost crimson valleys” that is found in every waffle-cut fry. Watts will even be serving freshly fried fries at the opening (even more of a reason to get there at 6PM sharp.)

• Kelly Baldwin — Grid 02

Kelly Baldwin has three large grids of photographs printed on silk that are suspended from the ceiling. Each of the silk pieces contains a series of nine photos shown in a grid that offer private glimpses into the artist’s life. The silk pieces are then hung in a circle to provide an intimate setting in which to view and contemplate the photographs.

• Paul Eade — Effero Extuli Elatum

As a U.S. Army Combat Illustrator during the Gulf War, Paul Eade was inspired by the landscape of the Middle East. Through abstract painting that is influenced on the colors and shapes of the patterned textiles of the ancient churches, mosques, and temples of this region, Eade is attempting to bridge the gap between Western and near Eastern cultures. This offering works best in Effero Extuli Elatum, a 72” x 96” oil on canvas painting.

• Philip Johnson — Chair

Phillip Johnson’s watercolor pieces are about manipulation — how an object can change from one form to another, in this case the object is a chair. He is interested in trying to create as many different forms as possible by experimenting and altering the positive and negative shapes of the chair. In the end the pieces are not about an utilitarian object but the abstract forms that result from process.

• Cameron Showalter — This Looks Like a Good Spot

Cameron Showalter uses a mannequin as a stand-in for himself. Showalter has a tendency to be uncomfortable around people and in social settings. The mannequin is a way to try to deal with these anxieties. The installation is in the back of Marshall Arts in a seldom-used room, a fortuitous location for these prints and their intention.

This is really a nice exhibition and gives me hope for the future of the Memphis art scene. The only problem is that the exhibition is one night only. The art administration has to find a way to have these exhibitions be on view longer. It is a disservice to the students, who have spent the last four years and an ungodly amount of money pursing a degree to only be given one night for an exhibition.

But, we only ever go to the openings anyway, right?

Those of you who know me know that I am not above self-promotion. Those of you who know me really well know that I love putting together art exhibitions anywhere and everywhere. Tomorrow night, I am once again putting together an exhibition called “The Car Show.” All the work in the show will be based on automobiles (and in one case, boats) either literally or conceptually. There will even be a Lamborghini Gallardo and an Aerial Atom at the exhibition. If you do not know what an Aerial Atom is, google it. Now. They are truly fascinating automobiles.

• Cat Pena

• Dwayne Butcher

This event will bring together two groups that usually do not coexist anywhere, the car people and the art people. Their works definitely do not get many chances in Memphis to share the same space. So, we will see what happens when we all get together. In the end, it may just be about having a good time and making what each of these groups do more accessible. I am all for that.

"The Car Show" will run for one night only Friday, November 16th, 6-9 p.m. The exhibition will be held at Word of Mouth Detailing 7585 Highway 64 Suite 100 Memphis, TN 38133. Word of Mouth Detailing is located on Hwy 64 between Kate Bond and Appling Rd.

Speaking of things that are truly fascinating, I have always been very fond of quilts, especially those from the Gee’s Bend Quiltmakers of Alabama. Several years ago, the Brooks Museum of Art held an exhibition of these quilts. It was the best painting exhibition I have ever seen. Yes, that is correct, these quilts are like paintings. Currently at the Brooks is another exhibition “Early Quilts from Southern Collections” through January 6th, 2013.

• Greely Myatt

Saturday, November 17th at 1 p.m., Greely Myatt will be giving a talk at the Brooks. Myatt will be discussing his work that is based on these historic patchwork quilts. He makes these quilts from recycled and reclaimed street signs.

• Rob and Melissa Hart's Curtsy at MCA

Are we really already in the holiday spirit of giving? Should I bring my Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa aluminum pole down from the attic and install it next to my cat condo tower? It seems people are already being nice to each other, doing nice things for each other, with little or no benefit expected. This is the case with the Memphis College of Art and Beth Edwards, painting professor at the University of Memphis. Edwards has curated the 2012 Alumni Invitation Exhibition opening at the Memphis College of Art Thursday, October 11th, 5-7 p.m.

Is it a good thing that these two competing institutions work together for the common good of an art exhibition? Perhaps. There is precedent for such a collaboration. Last year's "Impressionistic Summer" between the Dixon and Brooks Museum seemed to work. Kevin Sharp and Cam Kitchin, the museums' respective directors, were not fighting in the streets. (Though, I would give anything to see that.) I do hope that MCA alumni Emily Jacir made the cut for this invitational. That would be spectacular.

• Mark Nowell's The Wave

UrbanArt Commission will be dedicating a new public work Friday, October 12th, 3-5 p.m. Mark Nowell’s The Wave was recently installed at the Skate Park in Tobey Park at 2617 Avery. The Uptown Hotdogs food truck will be there and there will be a performance by ARTISTIK APPROACH. My broken left foot is doing much better now. I think I will go and give this “wave” a try. At least dance and eat a hotdog.

• From Niki Johnson's installation "Behind Closed Doors"

If you can find it and if you are in the mood, The Wrong Again Gallery is having its third exhibition of its second season Saturday evening 7-9 p.m. Niki Johnson will not be present for the opening of her exhibition "Behind Closed Doors: An Evening of Rockwellian Taboo." Instead, she will be skyping in from an, as of yet, undisclosed location. But do not worry yourself with that. Just make sure you can find the Wrong Again Gallery at 648 (W) Marshall Avenue. It will be the right place to be.

Go see some art.

If you like to go to art openings for the free wine, beer, and cheese cubes, then this Friday night is the one for you. But, you may want to leave the house early to be able to attend all the art openings Friday night. Actually, it may almost be impossible to go to every opening. It will be even more impossible to be able to enjoy the free wine, beer, and cheese cubes at each event. So, be prepared to drive like mad to see the exhibitions.

Here is a likely plan for your night of free drinks and snacks and art.

Start at the University of Memphis’ PLA(I)N(E) Gallery in the Art and Communication Building, room 100, for M. Foster’s "The Bee House". The exhibition examines loneliness, hermit-hood, memory, and decay through the recreation of a Long Island woman's home. There will be no free wine or beer here, as it is a university. However, it will still be a good place to start as the opening begins at 4:30 p.m.

• Keiko Gonzales

• Lisa Jennings

Then head to Poplar and take your pick from these three exhibitions: Keiko Gonzalez at Lisa Kurts or Lisa Jennings and Carolyne Morrison at L Ross Gallery or Tad Lauritzen Wright at David Lusk Gallery.

There will be plenty to drink at these openings. But you will run out of time attempting to visit all three. The most interesting of the exhibitions will be Lauritzen Wright’s "Garden & Gun" show at DLG. This will also have the most people. Go here to see all the cool art kids in town and make fun of the hipsters.

After you take a taxi back to Laurelwood Shopping Center to pick up your car Saturday morning, grab your dull knives and head down to the National Ornamental Metal Museum, between 10 a.m.-5 p.m. for their annual Repair Days. There will be plenty to do and the museum grounds has, without a doubt, the best view of the Mississippi River in the city.

I broke my left foot last weekend after crashing my bike whilst attempting to traverse the trolley tracks. After I posted the before and after images of my foot on Twitter and Facebook, in a blatant attempt to garner sympathy and gifts from my friends and followers, it seems many many bicycle enthusiasts have also taken a tumble on those trolley tracks. I think I am going to make a video art piece about my tragic accident to better understand why those tracks are so dangerous. Until my unscientific work is complete and as long as you do not ride your bike down South Main, be sure to check out the "Art of Science" exhibition that opens Friday night at the Memphis College of Art’s Nesin Graduate School.