First Sunday goes Fourth

Correction: Because of an editing error, this story previously listed the wrong number for Saper Galleries. The story was updated on July 7 with the correct phone number.  

Most of the galleries for Julys First Sunday Gallery Walk have been bumped to the second Sunday because of the holiday weekend. (For a list of those activities, see page 20.) But the culturally inclined haven’t been completely left to their own devices — there will still be a couple of options this Sunday for those who prefer wine and cheese over beer and hot dogs.

Opening at Old Town’s MICA Gallery this Sunday is “NEXT: Anamnesis,” a continuation of the NEXT series that launched in January. “Anamnesis,” refers to learning knowledge from a past life from within, often used in a philosophical context. The show features the work of recent Michigan State University fine arts graduates Kaitlin Mae Thomas and Kathleen Matkovic.

Henry Brimmer, MSU professor of advertising and public relations, started NEXT to bring fresh faces and works to Lansing’s gallery district.

“My feeling is whenever I go to Old Town, I see the same group of people with similar art exhibits,” Brimmer said. “I’m hoping to become a catalyst for the kids to make it a place that they want to make theirs.”

Both exhibitors recently earned their bachelor’s of fine arts degrees, and bring different mediums to the show. Thomas is a sculptor who transforms old books with her craft; tiny shapes and figures occupy the vicinity of the books, constructed from the very pages they used to hold. Matkovic is a photographer who captures dreamlike landscapes.

If you step into EagleMonk Pub and Brewery on Sunday for one of its handcrafted beers, you’ll find artistry on the walls as well as in your mug. EagleMonk’s artist of the month for July is Justin Troisi; his exhibit premieres Sunday. Troisi work consists of oil on canvas and faux bois concrete sculpture.

Faux bois is a technique with roots that date back to the Renaissance, where artists imitate wood or wood grain with their preferred media. Notable examples include the bridge crossing the moat at the Chateau Chazelet in France and the Torii Gate at Brackenridge Park in San Antonio, Texas.

Rounding out the weekend gallery walks, Saper Galleries has an array of original works by 150 artists from 15 countries. The spacious East Lansing space will exhibit paintings by Michigan artist Kathleen Chaney Fritz, acrylic works by Persian-born artist Hessam Abrishami and works by famed children’s author extraordinaire, Dr. Seuss.

Saper is also home to the largest collection of Hebron glass in the world, outside of the West Bank. The technique utilized to create the pieces is almost 2,000 years old. The results are pieces displaying a fine swirl of shapes and colors and are rarely seen outside Palestine.

“NEXT: Anamnesis”

Opening reception: Noon- 4 p.m. Sunday, July 6 MICA Gallery 1210 Turner St., Lansing (517) 371-4600, micharts.org

Artwork by Justin Troisi

Opening reception: 3-5 p.m., Sunday July 6 EagleMonk Pub and Brewery 4906 W. Mt. Hope Highway, Lansing. (517) 708-7350, eaglemonkbrewing.com

Mixed artist exhibition

1-4 p.m. Sunday July 6 Saper Galleries and Custom Framing 433 Albert Ave., East Lansing. (517) 351- 0815, sapergalleries.com