It’s an artistic night on Saturday, Nov. 11, with two fun events happening – the fourth annual Upcycled Art Party at the Moab Arts and Recreation Center, 111 E. 100 North; and the self-guided Moab ArtWalk tour of various participating downtown venues.
WabiSabi and the Resiliency Hub of Moab are co-hosting the Upcycled Art Party from 5 to 10 p.m. It will include a unique art exhibit of pieces created from recycled materials. The evening also includes live music from the Fiery Furnace Marching Band. The band will also perform downtown during ArtWalk.
Interactive art activities that evening include a “spin art bicycle,” where someone pedals a bike to spin an attached turntable, while another person pours paint on the turning record or CD.
“They walk away with a piece of art,” and prevent an old, scratched record from ending up in the landfill, said Serah Mead, a volunteer for the event.
Other interactive art exhibits include a giant collage that visitors can add to, as well as a textile piece that involves making yarn from T-shirts and then “arm knitting” the fabric.
Like last year, the event includes a “toast bar” where people can enjoy a slice of toast topped with any of an array of toppings – both sweet and savory. Mead said she got the idea from big city restaurants where the menus revolved around toast.
“I thought it would be funny if we had one; people love toast,” Mead said. “A local baker extraordinaire has donated several of her sourdough breads,” in the past.
For the art submissions, prizes will be awarded in four different categories: best use of reused materials; most avant-garde; most useful; and, overall best in show.
Both professional and amateur artists have submitted works for the show. Select pieces will be for sale.
Liz Donkersloot, WabiSabi’s community engagement coordinator and sustainability coordinator, teaches workshops at WabiSabi’s Community Engagement Center, where people can come to make art out of donated objects.
In September, participants made coasters and wall hangings out of donated tiles that weren’t selling, Donkersloot said.
WabiSabi also works with the BEACON Afterschool Program’s Wabi Hobby Upcycled club. Some of those students will have artwork displayed at the Upcycled Art Party, Donkersloot said.
ArtWalk
With the approaching holidays, it’s a good time to participate in Moab’s final ArtWalk of the season on Nov. 11, from 5 to 9 p.m. The monthly self-guided tour of various galleries and other art venues starts up again in the spring.
Postcards with a map of each of the 11 venues are available at any ArtWalk destination, or the Moab Arts and Recreation Center, 111 E. 100 North. Visit each location and get your card punched for a chance to win a prize from the MARC. Just turn in your postcard at the last venue you visit.
This month’s ArtWalk includes Imagination Station Art and Craft Supplies; It’s Sew Moab; Desert Thread; and Bike Fiend – a shop showcasing hand-painted bikes by local artists, as well as artwork by Grand County High School students.
The restaurant 98 Center will feature the artwork of its staff, including that of Meghan Kennard. The Museum of Moab is showing the work of Blanding artist Kelly Pugh. His realist oil paintings often feature pioneer Western themes and landscapes.
Moab Made will showcase a collection of artisan Christmas decorations, as well as the work of Grand County Middle School BEACON students. Gallery Moab will host guest artist Margi Lucena, a pastel painter from New Mexico.
ArtWalk also includes Tom Till Gallery; Moonflower Community Cooperative – featuring the work of painter Greg MacDonald; and the MARC – displaying close-up views of lichen photos from Moab Charter School’s sixth-grade class.
The Fiery Furnace Marching Band will entertain gallery-goers – before the band heads over to the Upcycled Party – performing their marching band version of various pop songs from different generations.
“These guys are awesome,” MARC Arts and Special Events Assistant Liz Holland said. “People follow them. It’s a lot of fun.”
At the MARC, there will be a reception with food and beverages, as well as a kids’ craft activity throughout the evening.
Head downtown on Nov. 11 for Upcycled Art Party, ArtWalk
“With the approaching holidays, it’s a good time to participate in Moab’s final ArtWalk of the season on Nov. 11, from 5 to 9 p.m. The monthly self-guided tour of various galleries and other art venues starts up again in the spring.”
When: Saturday, Nov. 11, from 5 to 10 p.m.
Cost: Free; Donations accepted
Where: Moab Arts and Recreation Center, 111 E. 100 North
Information: resiliencyhub@gmail.com
When: Saturday, Nov. 11, from 5 to 9 p.m.
Where: Eleven different venues
Information: 435-259-6272; moabartwalk.com
For more information about the Upcycled Art Party, email resiliencyhub@gmail.com. To learn more about Moab ArtWalk, call 435-259-6272, or go to: moabartwalk.com.
