Bit to Do

The bi-annual LOOK gallery guide was released Monday night with a small show and reception, which brought artists, performers, and art collectors to Gallery M of the Mellwood Arts and Entertainment Center. The show had art ranging from assemblage, sculpture, and paintings to jewelry and flame worked glass.

The show displayed pieces from the 33 galleries listed in the guide while proceeds from the pieces sold were split between the artists, the galleries, and the LOOK guide. I found most of the prices to be fair or even surprisingly affordable while a few shocked me and seemed a bit high. 

I was glad to see work by one of my favorite local artists, Mark Peyton, representing Glassworks. While his flame worked fairies have always held my fascination, his flame worked monster captured my son's heart. 

Glasswork Artist Poses in front of his work with

Vintage Viv (left) and Jailbreak Jenny (right) of the Derby City Roller Girls

A sophisticated ambience was maintained by the beautiful vocals and marvelous guitar skills of Tristan Brooke. I've never heard anyone do a live acoustic cover of Portishead, but she nailed it. Son of the Widow followed her performance, bringing a touch of world music to the party. Kudos to their new guitar player Matt Thomasson for so masterfully picking up 7 of their songs within a month.

"Son of a Widow" brought some world sounds. 

I have to say that I found the free refreshments a bit strange. Upon walking into the sophisticated and artistic setting and being immediately met with artistic nudes, I turned to the right to see a Chik-Fil-A table set up. I stopped dead in my tracks. I don't know if the organizers were aware of the political chaos surrounding the conservative company, but it certainly struck me as very odd - and left me very hungry, since I long ago decided to boycott Chik-Fil-A. 

I find it a bit strange that an anti-gay organization that pours money into "charities" that are against homosexuals and try to "cure" homosexuality would be set up at an artistic event with many liberal themes and bi-sexual or homosexuals in attendance. I also found it strange that an event centered around local artists and local galleries would opt for a national chain restaurant.  I'm sure a locally owned restaurant or caterer would have loved to cater this event. 

*Correction - I was notified after the release of this article that there was also food there by locally owned restaurant The Bristol, which I missed. They  did not have a huge banner that stuck out, like

Chik-Fil-A

did. 

The overall experience was enjoyable, and I saw some tremendous work. Aside from Mark Peyton, some of my favorites were by Joe Mays, Gayle Cerlan (

Cerlan/Parsley Gallery and Studio

), Tracey Ippolito, (Blue Heron Gallery) and  Damon Westenhofer. My son's favorites were the hobbit houses by T. Crecelius (Blue Heron Gallery).

Hobbit House Castles by T Crecelius

Hobbit House Castle photo by Cody Mathis. Other Photos by Joe Mays of Alien Twilight Photography