Story and Photos by Irene Sperner

	Artist Angela Christina Helwig with her staged still life photo images “Novel Images,” on display at MCPA

An August Gallery Walk is a scary possibility, but a reasonably interesting reality.

Ever a diverse landscape, the dregs of summer offer up some surprises---not all thrilling, but let’s stick with the word diverse.

Finding open venues is the first trick. My carload of art patrons were getting quite proficient at hopping in and out of my vehicle by night’s end, as the term “Gallery Walk” needs to be amended to “Gallery Hunt.”  Maybe a master list of open participants wouldn’t be the worst thought of the evening.

	Screen printed handbag by R. Grimes, on display at Antikulture

Clearly far afield from Wynwood, we started with an early opening of the new Miami Center for the Photographic Arts, (1601 1st St Miami , 305-649-9575 mcpagallery.com.)  Featuring six master graduates in photography, the selected works were thoughtful and well executed.  Many incorporated mixed media with the photographic process.  This new MCPA addition for the long respected Borders Framing family is a welcome idea to the world of Miami photography as they add a darkroom teaching and rental facility to their repertoire.

	“Offerings” by Charo Oquet, on display at Edge Zones Contemporary Art

Approaching Wynwood, we opted for Antikulture Gallery, (169 NW 36th St., 305-573-3133. antikulture.com.)  Antikulture features an art exhibition by R.Grimes  (thru August 31).  R. Grimes’ style evolved from early involvement in the  punk/rock hardcore music scene of South Florida. Screen prints on handbags, ties and T-shirts may not be your cup of tea---and if you use terms like “cup of tea” or even drink it,  you may want to move on---but it is part of Miami’s young and exuberant relative milieu.

	“Self Portrait as Eve,” carbon pigment on clear film, by Lamia Endara at MCPA

The Lurie Fine Art Galleries, (3900 NE 1st Avenue, in the Design District, 305-573-7373, luriegalleries.com) exhibits various artists.  I took time to discuss several large sculptures by Oriano Galloni.  His works, many over seven feet tall, include Lindenwood (some over 300 years old) and Carrara Marble for an arresting effect exploring the definition between soul and body.

	“Legato” silver gelatin by Marina Font at MCPA

Finishing this eclectic evening, we swung by the always intriguing Edge Zones Contemporary Art, (2214 N. Miami Ave, Miami, 305-303-8852, edgezones.org) featuring Chocolatero’s Experience in the USA: A collective of performance artists who took over an abandoned chocolate factory in Puerto Piata and it turned into the most dynamic scene in the Dominican arts, and yes, I did basically quote their P.R. piece for that explanation.  Saturday’s exhibition also included two performers from Tampa, as well as a Miami band for a synergistic mélange.  It was fun, as well as a great opportunity to bump into several of Miami’s more creative individuals, a spur of the moment “salon” if you will.

Interesting Little Factoid (I.L.F.):
Miami artist Charo Oquet, founding director in this venue, is organizing the Zones Contemporary Art Fair Miami 2007, issuing a call to artists for their curated fair during Art Basel.   Interested parties may go to their website to download an application. Zones stages a series of fundraisers throughout the year to ensure their vision of a continuing venue for worthy unsung  (and sung) artists in our community.

	The lady in red at Edge Zones

Remember Second Saturdays:  Wynwood Gallery Walks also including the Design District and Gawd  knows who else may be open.  Generally, the times will be 7 p.m. til 10 or 11 p.m.

New York Heads Up
Museum of Modern Art:  Do not miss “Lost Vanguard: Soviet Moderist Architecture, 1922-1932” Soviet avant-garde architectural photographs by Richard Pare.  A trusted friend highly recommended this exhibition and it does not disappoint Through October 29.  MoMA.org