New York art visits Fountain Street again

The New York art world will visit Cape Girardeau once again today for First Friday. Vernita Nemec, director of the Viridian Artists cooperative in New York's Chelsea district, is in Cape Girardeau to display her piece "The Endless Junkmail Scroll" at Fountain Street Gallery.

The basic pieces of Nemec's scroll are the patterned privacy envelopes sent by financial institutions and others sending sensitive personal information through the mail. What comes out is a 150-foot-long collage that is a statement on the information overload of modern life.

Nemec says she has to display the scroll differently in each gallery space, making the gallery space part of the presentation.

The reception, from 6 to 9 p.m., will feature both Nemec and the regular Fountain Street artists.

Nemec also gave a talk Thursday to Southeast Missouri State University students called "Surviving as an Artist." As someone who's worked in the art world for years now, she know a little about that.

For more information, call Sarah Riley at (573) 275-3194.

Other First Friday openings:

Edward Bernard Gallery, 107 West Drive

The Edward Bernard Gallery will celebrate its one-year anniversary with a First Friday opening reception from 5 to 9 p.m. Glass art by Karen Naylor of Minneapolis, Minn., Jude Rose of New Holstein, Wisc., and Sam Stang of Augusta, Mo., will be featured. Live music will be provided by Nick Mayberry and Tim DePriest from 7 to 9 p.m. For more information, call 332-7733.

Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, 32 N. Main St.

In addition to the work of Dr. Jean Chapman, the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri will play host to an exhibition by renowned plein air landscape artist Billyo O'Donnell in its galleries. Reception will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Call 334-9233 for more information.

Garden Gallery, 833 Broadway

The Garden Gallery will play host to the work of portrait artist Catherine Camden of Sikeston. Camden will give demonstrations and create portraits for purchase. A reception will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call 332-7123.

The Artist Studio, 38 N. Main St.

The Artist Studio will hold a First Friday reception from 5 to 9 p.m. showcasing weavings created by Nona Nan Chapman, Duane Foster, Virginia McCormack, Vicki Outman and Donna Strup. Sign ups will also be taken for workshops on watercolor and papermaking to be held this month. For more information, call 651-4464 or 334-8779.

Gallery 1.2.5

Gallery 1.2.5 will hold a First Friday reception featuring its collection of original oil paintings from 5 to 9 p.m. For more information, call 335-2699.

-- From staff reports