SWING ON...

Summer fests are always so welcome after being 'cooped up' heren in the End of the Rainbow Valley during those inclimate winter months and our city does itself proud by Artspire in June filled with whatever includes the arts.

This year I was sad there was no street dance to kick off the 2 day festival but the Ho Chunk dancers did invite the public to join them in a couples's dance. The participants followed the lead dancers as the line starting in the center and snaked around the crowd as the drum players and singers led them in song. 

Here are some photos below of the participatory dance.

More later on some of what we learned and saw from the first two performing groups. But while the head liner group Cloud Cult set up we decided to take a walk with friends. 

Lo and behold we came upon a group of folks dancing with recorded music on the cement landing pier along Riverside Park. About 40 folks were participating in a Swing Dance gathering. Apparently the group meets often and FB has its schedule. Anyone can join them as did the two couples I was with on this walk. 

Guy and Joan cutting the rug/ should I say the cement

Joan's college roommate and hubby to Joan's right
were visiting from the Twin Cities (no video)

How fun a walk was that? Stay tuned for more on our evening tomorrow.

AS CLEAR AS GLASS...

La Crosse 2017, the free public arts program returns this weekend June 9th & 10th  Unfortunately, I won't be in town but if you are, put ARTSPIRE  on your list of things to do. You won't be disappointed.  Area visual, literary and performing arts will be both in the Arts District and Downtown. Cultural experiences for all ages. You can click on past blog entries below.

Today, meet Laurel Grey, one of the glass artists who will also have a booth again at ARTSPIRE this year. It was indeed a treat visiting her home studio where her fur babies keep her company while she hones her glass craft. 

Laurel attributes her interest in glass to her early years living in Japan as a military child. Obviously the intense glow of those hot ovens where the glass was fired in the glass district left a lifelong impression and imprint for a lifelong hobby and labor of love.

Originally I was introduced to Laurel's work at another artist's home show where I bought an engagement/wedding gift of Laurel's embellished wine glasses. Even the packaging had a special glass touch.  

Since then Laurel has continued to expand her glass techniques and knowledge through the internet, other glass artists's workshops and their experiences. And my, has her work transformed.

Below Laurel is removing a grouping of leaves from the kiln each has been hand painted with layers of paint before being baked. Now, each will need to be washed and polished before they will become part of one of the many projects for this summer's upcoming shows/custom orders.

An ongoing transformation with her leaves are called Falling Leaf Strands with interwoven silver beads from Bali. Sometimes you might even spot Lake Michigan finds such as beach glass/ driftwood/ stone with the strands varying in length. These would add a special touch to any window/wall. Each combination makes quite a statement.  

If you'd like something smaller there are also glass birds for your flower pots. Colored odd glass pieces were the inspiration for these bird/fish pot ornaments.  

The fusion of layers create an interesting multidimensional aspect. Laurel is playing with incorporating photography into some of her projects and the results are impressive.

This is the type of fly I'd rather have on my wall...

Laurel's use of copper adds interest whether as framing / a branch of a tree. 



And now she's even playing around with lighting for those stained glass panels... 




So go see for yourself. And as I always say, go support your local artists. 

*Check out Laurel Grey Glassworks on FaceBook.

Links to previous ARTSPIRE blog entries :

 ARTSPIRE2014

ARTSPIRE 2016