So for some reason I have never been to Dirty Frank’s. I have no idea why. This sounds like the perfect bar for me; dive-y and has art on the wall, cheap beer and fun bar activities, reasonable stumbling location. It’s probably because I work all the time, and it’s in a direction I don’t usually head it – that Antique Row area.¬† Maybe next Monday. But Mike Smith (yes, THE Mike Smith) informed me of their upcoming group show, so I stopped by to introduce myself. Mid-afternoon the place already had a couple of drinkers, a good sign, and the bartender was super psyched to hear about Art in Bars, because, alas, Dirty Franks has no website.
I stopped in again around 10pm on a Tuesday and the place was packed – apparently the rock paper scissors competition was about to start and people had their game faces on – and introduced myself to Jody Sweitzer, the curator of the Off the Wall gallery at Frank’s, and to find out a little about the GROW! Show.
The Grow! Show is the 4th annual community juried exhibition at Off the Wall, continuing a rich tradition of involving the neighborhood, local artists, and an alternative venue for art. The theme this year trends towards buzz words like “green art” and “eco-art” but Sweitzer and the artists are passionate about pushing the boundaries, exploring concepts such as re-purposing, what is environment, how do people fit in, as well as trying to find deeper meaning on trash night. With unusual materials, a push for sustainability in art, and always an eye towards aesthetics and humor, GROW! promises to challenge both the artist and the viewer.
I’m really excited about this show. Check it out it will be up most of the summer. Have a drink, enjoy the art, maybe even take some home. There will be an artists opening reception this Thursday June 18th 7 to 10.¬† GROW!, will run through Friday, August 7. Dirty Frank’s is located at the NE corner of 13th & Pine streets.
All the artists listed after the jump. (more…)