Art Shows

In the Show-Me State,  the Gray Wolf (Canis  lupus) is an endangered species that wanders into Missouri from adjacent northern regions. Known as the timber wolf, about 50 of these four-legged creatures may transiently inhabit our woodlands and prairie at any given time, but there are around 200 residing in captivity breeding programs. The Red Wolf (Canis rufus) is extinct in Missouri, as the last one to be identified here was in 1950. As it is estimated that only 20 red wolves remain in the continental back country, the St. Louis Zoo has an ambitious captive breeding program on a wildlife preserve in Franklin County to restore this dwindling species. Some of the animals produced by this program have already been reintroduced into the hinterland of northeast North Carolina.

For the annual 62nd Boone County Art Show sponsored by a local bank, the BRC craftsman fashioned a banjo entitled “The Wolf.” To invoke the wilderness, the installed inlays are made of laser cut wood, mostly birch, instead of the usual mother of pearl materials. On the peg head, a solitary wolf howls at the moon.

The truss rod cover and fretboard are tracked with paw prints among a wolf pack baying at the night sky. Is this the model for the “High Lonesome Sound” that we  strive for in our Bluegrass music?

On the heel of the neck, a BRC signature inlay site for the eyes only of the musician, is  laser cut wooden wolf crying at the distant lunar glow.

Visiting the 2021 Boone County Art Show, the BRC grandkids study Grandpa Doc`s 5-stringer and learn about the challenges of this species that struggles to survive in a world of shrinking natural habitat.

From the BRC: Be well, be safe, protect the environment.

Last month, our Chicago grandkids stayed at the BRC domicile for a week in order to attend a horseback riding camp at a nearby ranch. One morning on the drive to the countryside venue, they thrilled to witness a magnificent bald eagle swoop down in front of their vehicle to seize some roadside carrion with its spikey talons.

On the weekend, the youngsters visited the Veteran`s Pavilion op-up art exhibit on display in the lobby gallery of the Central Bank of Missouri to see their grandfather`s Sky Rover banjo (for details please enter “rover” in the homepage search engine to visit the “Sky Rover & Happy 4th” posting of July 4, 2021). They studied the mother of pearl eagles on the fretboard and learned that all BRC banjos have a signature inlay on the heel of the neck for the eyes only of the musician.

The BRC craftsman is a student of military history and has an extensive collection of original vintage and contemporary posters, and many of them depict striking images of our National Bird- the bald eagle.

The Veteran`s Pavilion art show concluded at the end of July with an evening reception to honor its participating Show-Me State former members of the US Armed Forces.

From the BRC: Eat healthily, exercise regularly, get the vax.

The local community art league has an annual mid-summer extravaganza referred to as the Food Show. The title and theme of the juried competition this July was “Snack Time.” The opening reception was the first in-person event since early 2020 and was conducted with masks-up and social distancing. In mid-August, the art league plans to host its yearly gala evening called “Let Them Eat Art” where local chefs and bartenders offer food and drink inspired by the works in the gallery, and the guests vote on their favorite dish and beverage. For the Snack Time exhibit, the BRC craftsman submitted an “Herbal Tea” banjo that was accepted into the show.

Mother of pearl tea leaves of gold, green, and black flutter down the peg head and onto the fretboard. The heel of each BRC banjo is a signature location for a unique mother of pearl inlay, and a green tea leaf is situated there on this 5-stringer (below right) for the eyes only of the musician.

The entries were adjucated by a university Visual Studies faculty member who provided the Juror`s Statement:

It was a pleasure to jury the Snack show! Fortunately, artists provided me with a broad range of media and subject matter. From felting to banjos and handmade paper with blueberries, the artists in the Snack Show create a visual experience for us that ranges from quirky to gorgeous and well-crafted.

 

At the art league`s opening event pictured below, two BRC grandkids pose by their Grandpa Doc`s snack time 5-stringer. By serendipity, the BRC craftsman has exhibited 3 banjos in various art shows during this past month of July: Baroque Bur Oak, Sky Rover, and now the Herbal Tea.

During the opening ceremony, a mysterious gallery visitor apparently familiar with tea leaf readings, closely studied the mother of pearl inlays on the Herbal Tea banjo and reportedly predicted, “Better days are ahead.” Good news is always welcome.

From the BRC: Be safe, be well, be vaxed.