Up until moments ago, I’d avoid going to places I thought where everyone stretched their ego to the limits like a spandex jumpsuit from American Apparel, but recently I’ve had those few helping hands pull me out from under the covers and remove the worn and overplayed discs of Roseanne from out of my dvd player to bring me out into the real world (see below)

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Wednesday, August 6, 2008 6-8 PM at Intermedia Arts 2822 Lyndale Ave. S, Minneapolis MN 55408 $2 suggested donation for pizza This monthly gathering is the spot for creative young voices! A place for young writers (ages 19 and under) to meet other youth writers, workshop their writing, work with local artists, participate in public literary readings and have fun! Grab your notebook and head over to Intermedia Arts to find out what Young Writers! is all about.

Round-a-bout Opening reception Saturday, August 9; 6-8pm
Join MCBA in celebrating the work of their teen artist co-op! Round-a-bout features the work of advanced By Design artists Angela Elizabeth Bandoli, Abby Kallas, Aubree Mease and Shannon Lee Turner, plus the recipient of the inaugural By Design Teen Fellowship Anna Renken. Each artist explores a circular pattern: some in format, like a scroll that reads in either direction; others in theme, like lessons learned in vicious cycles. Round-a-bout will be on display from August 9 through September 9, in Open Book’s Cowles Literary Commons.

Super Person You : August 4th - 14th
Days & Time: Monday thru Thursday 10am - 12 pm
Ages: 8 - 21
Have you ever imagined yourself at a superhero? Do you want to learn how to draw an anime or manga character? In this class you will learn how to develop the character of a superperson and express that character on paper using anime manga and comic techniques.

Free Wall Fundamental : August 4th - 15th
Days & Time: Monday thru Friday 4 - 7pm
Ages: 13 - 21
Do you want to have the freedom to paint on outdoor wall? This will allow you to independently practice your craft of aerosol art.

All interested students must attend an entrance interview with the lead program instructor. Call 612-588-1148 to schedule your 1/2 hour appointment on one of the following days.

Registration Dates:
Tuesday, July 22nd(4:00 - 7 pm)
Wednesday, July 23rd (4:00 - 7 pm)
Thursday, July 24th (4:00 - 7 pm)

Check out http://www.juxtaposition.org for more info or call (612) 588-1148

Eric Luken, WACTAC 1999-2000

Shannon Joyce, 2005-2006 WACTAC member.

Blue Delliquanti, WACTAC 2006-2007 (you can see Blue’s full application here)

Laura Gantebein, WACTAC 2005-2006

There are a ton of art related projects/protests scheduled for the Republican National Convention in Saint Paul on September 1st through the 4th. A bunch of activities are being planned at theunconvention.com

One project is being organized by artist Sharon Hayes. Hayes is asking for 100 volunteer performers to recite (as a chorus) a 10-15 minute text about love, politics, gay power, and gay liberation (written by Hayes) over a period of approximately two hours. The performance will take place in a public space in proximity to the Convention.

If you are interested, submit the following information by email to rnc@creativetime.org:
1. Contact information: Phone (home/cell) & e-mail address
2. Do you have any additional resources that you would like to bring to the project?
3. Are you affiliated with any organizations that would be interested in spreading the
word?
4. Do you have any technical or stage management skills?

For more information about the project, click here.

Next week, we get the pleasure of meeting artist Tomas Saraceno. This will be the first of several visits to Minneapolis for Tomas. During his residency, he hopes to work on his ongoing Museo Aero Solar project, a solar-energy balloon made of reused plastic bags. Check out the video below and if you want to get more info click here.

Guidelines can also be found here.

Soo Visual Arts Center is looking for committed and focused artists between the ages of 15-19 for a new exhibition program we will be starting in early 2009. This is an opportunity to exhibit your artwork in the Toomer Gallery at SooVAC. We are interested in artists working in all mediums: sculpture, painting, drawing, mixed media, photography, etc.

HOW TO APPLY:
Please email the following to info@soovac.org:

1. 5-10 JPEG images of your work, details can be included (NO larger than 500k per image). Please contact us if you are interested in sending video pieces.

2. Image list including title, medium, date and dimensions in .doc or .rtf format.

3. Contact information including your full name, age, address, phone and email.

If you have any questions please call 612.871.2263 or email info@soovac.org.
*If you do not have access to email we will accept all the above information on a CD by mail, please include a SASE (Self Addressed Stamped Envelope/make sure you have enough postage) if you want the CD returned:

Soo Visual Arts Center // 2640 Lyndale Ave. South

are befuddled by new fashions. That whole uproar over sagging pants totally lost me. I just saw boys growing their hair out, riding skateboards, sagging, and starting to look fine. It just seemed like another indicator of adolescent rebellion, not an indicator of the health of the stock market, as The New York Times Bill Cunningham (known for those street style spreads that embarrass people wearing the same thing) postulates. (If thats true Bill, why did the trend start in the prosperous 90s?)

Check out the clip, and revel in the feeling of cool when you think, this guy just doesn’t get it. Plus, you can pick up on some pretty fly fashions at the same time (two belts? glittery goth/street belts? boxer briefs?)

Click here for the video.

P.S. His over pronunciation of graffiti is an especially nice touch.