"First Friday" Art Walk To Feature Pottery, Live Music, Wine & Cheese

June 2012 - Plans are underway for downtown Fairbury’s art galleries and specialty shops, open once again for "First Friday" coming up Friday, July 6th, 2012. Venues will be opening their doors to visitors from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. as part of the “First Friday Art Walk” in historic downtown Fairbury. Some cities hold "art walks", in which a number of the town's art galleries or artists' studios will open their doors into Friday evening. The idea is that galleries will attract people to the downtown and enrich the art community by pooling their openings together into one monthly evening.

The July Art Walk will include 3 stops and participants in the walk will be given punch cards which can be picked up at any of the participating Art Walk locations. Punch cards can also be downloaded by clicking on the coupons link on Fairbury.com. With punch cards in hand, visitors are encouraged to visit each stop on the Art Walk to have their card stamped. Completed cards for July can then be turned in at the Jefferson County Art Guild to receive a special gift. All completed cards will then be placed in a drawing for a grand prize.

The winner of the June Art Walk Grand Prize, a cheese tray crafted from a wine bottle courtesy of Crete Glass Creations was Connie Dux of Fairbury.   

This month’s featured artist – Tom Harnack of Omaha, NE

The July Art Walk at New Earth Clay Pottery will feature the works of artist, Tom Harnack of Omaha, NE. Tom, along with Dan Toberer, started Omaha Omaha ClayWorks in April of 2000, located in the Old Market. Harnack has over 15 years of clay experience both professionally and academically. He received his BA from Midland College in 1992 and M.F.A. from the University of Iowa in 1995.

In 1998, Tom studied and worked in Shigaraki, Japan - the sixth oldest ceramic center in Japan dating from the end of the twelfth century. There he experienced firing an anagama wood kiln, one of 53 in the town in Shigaraki. When he returned to Omaha, he designed and built his own 250 cu. ft. anagama kiln located near Fort Calhoun, Nebraska in the summer of 1998.

Visitors to New Earth Clay Pottery during the July Art Walk will have an opportunity to meet Harnack and learn first-hand about his work. Harnack’s pottery pieces will be on display and for sale at New Earth Clay Pottery throughout the month of July.

Located at 515 4th Street, New Earth Clay Pottery features locally made stoneware pottery by Bill Robbins of Fairbury and is Fairbury's only working pottery. The gallery regularly features (for viewing and for sale) functional stoneware pottery, ceramic art, handmade tiles, jewelry, porcelain, paintings, hand-made paper, photography, sculpture and art glass pieces produced by local & regional artists.

Located at 508 E Street, Stagecoach Mall Antiques and Tasting Room will feature a photography exhibit unveiling the clues for the 2nd Annual Architectural Elements Contest, sponsored by Fairbury.com. According to contest organizer Julie Katz, "the contest is designed to call attention to the beautiful architectural details of Fairbury’s downtown historic district." Art Walk participants are encouraged to pick up an entry form and identify as many architectural elements possible during their visit downtown and around the square.

The Jefferson County Art Guild is located at 511 5th Street, across the street from the Campbell Bros Circus Mural. On display for show and sale will be works created by members of the Guild, which meets each Monday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for “paint-ins”.

The Art Guild will be the final stop for the punch card promotion during July's Art Walk. The Guild has entitled the evening, "Christmas in July" and visitors who turn in completed punch cards will pick a handmade surprise from the Christmas tree. Completed cards turned in at the Art Guild will also be eligible for the grand prize, a handcrafted item by Guild member Cheryl McAtee of Endicott.  

At 7 p.m. Depke Andres, with the assistance of Lois Welch and LaVeda Fry, will be presenting a painting demonstration entitled, "Christmas Trees and Birds." Viewers may try a hand at the special technique. Refreshments will be served by Guild members, which may be enjoyed while strolling and viewing the many works of art on display.

Live Music, Wine & Cheese

Visitors to Stagecoach Mall Antiques and Tasting Room can view the "century-old" brick wall and massive limestone fireplace made entirely of sculpted concrete, created by artist Thom Hunt of BB Studios of Fairbury. For the July Art Walk, Hunt’s work of art will provide the perfect backdrop for a wine-tasting event featuring Superior Estates Winery of Superior, NE, one of Nebraska’s premier wineries. Superior Estates will be offering wines from its hugely popular Tornado Alley series – a selection of hand-crafted, Nebraska-made wines, available for sampling and for sale (must be 21).

To compliment the selection of wines, a sampling of gourmet cheeses from the Saucy Cook Gourmet Food and Cheese Shop in Lincoln has been specially selected to be paired with wines offered by Superior Estates Winery. Carol Wells, owner of the Saucy Cook, will travel to Fairbury Friday evening to give attendees an opportunity to learn about and sample a variety of cheeses from around the world. An expanded selection of gourmet food items and spices from The Saucy Cook will also be available at Stagecoach Mall, including a proprietary line of spices, many of which are hard to find.

The Tasting Room will also feature the live blues music featuring Jared & Chris’ Good Time Blues, a duo from Lincoln who, according to guitar player Jared Alberico, is dedicated to playing "real deal blues." According to Alberico, "we play blues like it was taught – in the old time style." The guitar/harmonica combo will be entertaining First Friday attendees from 6 – 9 p.m.

Tickets for the event are available for $5 in advance or $7 at the door by calling Julie Katz at (402) 613-2063 or by email at Julie@Fairbury.com. Tickets can also be purchased online.
(Click Here To Purchase) Proceeds from the wine tasting event will benefit local art projects and future First Friday Art Walk events.

Each month, new artists, new locations and new events are featured for the Fairbury First Friday Art Walk. Organizers are hoping to grow this event and feature more art, artists, live music and events in the coming months as a tool to promote downtown Fairbury. Everyone is encouraged to come downtown this Friday beginning at 5 p.m. Enjoy the art, meet the artists and help support the arts in Fairbury!

If you are an artist and would like to participate in future Art Walks, please contact Fairbury.com by calling (402) 613-2063 or by email: Julie@Fairbury.com. Art Walks for every month, July thru December, are scheduled.  Artists and downtown Fairbury retailers are encouraged to participate at no cost.