Come check out what the art community has been up to in Norman this past month at the 2nd Friday Circuit of Art on September 9 from 6-9 p.m. Brought to you by the Norman Arts Council, guests are invited to walk throughout the City of Norman and the Downtown Arts District, experiencing the community, the refreshments, and of course- the art!

Lots of events are going on this Friday that you won’t want to miss! Visit Studio 360 to see the GIRL POWER Photo Voice interactive exhibit. Eleven of Norman’s seventh and eight grade girls, involved with the Center for Children and Families, Inc. Girl Power group, took photos representing their community or point of view, discussed them together, and developed narratives to go with their photos over the last three months. Come see the significant health disparities and negative social and health outcomes impacting women and girls through the lens of these local girls.

Also contributing to the local feel of the art circuit this month, the Firehouse Art Center will be featuring the Recourse for Discourse exhibition highlighting seven up and coming Norman artist, and includes work from Kate Babb, Kendall Brown, Marina Crawford, Erin Elise, Jessica Joy, Hershel Self, and Craig Swan. 

It’s STASH’s first birthday! Come enjoy the trifecta of goodness that will include a community-based art project, original art by members of “Lifestyles” art program for alter-able adults, and the celebration of STASH’s first birthday.

And don’t forget to take the Campus Area Art Challenge! Visit at least three campus area art locations on 2nd Friday, participate in a scavenger hunt and turn in your completed form to be eligible to win a $50 gift certificate to Muse, the museum store at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. Participating institutions include OU’s Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, Firehouse Art Center, Jacobson House Native Art Center and OU’s Fine Arts Library. Forms can be picked up and turned in at any of the four locations.

To help you with this contest, be sure to stop by the Fred J. Jones Art Museum for live music by Angela Xing, an OU graduate student violinist, and to watch three short films in the Orientation Room presented by the deadCENTER Film Festival.

After viewing the films, stop by The Santa Fe Depot as The Performing Arts Studio hosts nature photos by Randy Jones while Arabesque performs their unique blend of Irish and world folk music from 7-9 p.m. Miranda Arana and Steve Vanlandingham present a mixture of Celtic, Arabic, Judeo-Spanish, Turkish and other world folk traditions through flutes, whistles, guitar, bouzouki, mandolin, banjo, oud and a wooden slit drum.

Between music sets, listen to J. Don Cook read from his book, Shooting from the Hip: Photographs and Essays. A photographer for the Oklahoman and now a fine artist, Cook will have books to sell and sign from 6:30-9 p.m. 

For hands on fun this Friday check out the Jacobson House as they feature “Timeless Traditions”- Legacy of the Kiowa Five. Join in for an evening filled with clothing, dance styles, leatherwork, beadwork and cloth work as we celebrate the legacy of the Kiowa Five. The event will feature utilitarian works of art and photos, and speak with photographer Lester Harragarra at 6:30 p.m.

If it’s dancing that you’re into, then you won’t want to miss Sonder Music, Dance & Art as they host the Hill Irish Dancers. Enjoy the irresistible music, colorful costumes, and fast-moving feet of these award-winning step dancers as they showcase both traditional and modern dances of the Emerald Isle.

Satisfy all your senses this month at Merrybelle’s as they feature the artwork of Christopher McDaniel and Patrick Gabrish.  Christopher’s Sharpie drawings bring function out of chaos and please to the senses while Patrick’s colorful mixed media images are eye candy for all.  Snacks and drinks are sure to satisfy your taste buds, while Scissortail School of Art will let you feel crafty in the back working with different mediums. To top it all off, live music will be performed all night so you’re ears don’t feel left out!

Lastly, you have to be sure you view the wearable art at Dreamer Concepts as they host the debut of Dreamer 37: “Before the Fall,” a fashion presentation by Parsons, the New School of Design graduate, Jamie McCarty. The idea for the collection comes from McCarty’s initial inspiration, found in 1920s silhouettes, and the opulence in living styles before the stock market crash. McCarty will exhibit her work through a fashion presentation, which consists of clothing shown both on mannequins and on live, still-standing models.

These and many other events take place during the 2nd Friday Circuit of Art only in Norman, Oklahoma.

2nd Friday Circuit of Art – a monthly, citywide celebration of art – is a collaboration between artists, art organizations, and businesses, brought to you by the Norman Arts Council. Whether you like dance, painting, photography, or music, there will be something for you to see and hear during the 2nd Friday of this month in Norman. All events are free and open to the public from 6:00 p.m. until at least 9:00 p.m. 

More information is available online at www.2ndFridayNorman.com. For information on other Norman Arts Council events, please visit www.NormanArts.org, or call the NAC office at 405-360-1162. 

EVENTS FOR 2ND FRIDAY CIRCUIT OF ART SEPTEMBER 9, 2011:

PARTICIPATING NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS:

Center for Children and Families Inc (Studio 360: 109 N Crawford) presents GIRL POWER Photo Voice Exhibition. Eleven of Norman’s seventh and eight grade girls, involved with the Center for Children and Families, Inc. Girl Power group, took photos representing their community or point of view, discussed them together, and developed narratives to go with their photos over the last three months. Come see the significant health disparities and negative social and health outcomes impacting women and girls through the lens of these local girls at our interactive exhibit from 6- 10 p.m.

Firehouse Art Center (444 S Flood) introduces The Recourse for Discourse exhibition featuring seven up and coming Norman artist, and includes work from Kate Babb, Kendall Brown, Marina Crawford, Erin Elise, Jessica Joy, Hershel Self, and Craig Swan. A reception will be held from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Jacobson House (609 Chautauqua Ave) features “Timeless Traditions” – Legacy of the Kiowa Five. Join us for an evening filled with clothing, dance styles, leather work, bead work and cloth work. We will feature utilitarian works of art and photos, and photographer Lester Harragarra at 6:30 p.m.

Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (555 Elm Ave) Live Music; Ann and Hugh Roff Gallery Angela Xing, OU graduate student – Violin, Short Films: Orientation Room presented by deadCENTER Film Festival, There’s Something Wrong with Steve (12 min., USA), The Birds Upstairs (9 min., USA), RSVP (5 min., USA).

This fall, take the Campus Area Art Challenge! Visit at least three campus area art locations on 2nd Friday, participate in a scavenger hunt & turn in your completed form to be eligible to win a $50 gift certificate to Muse, the museum store at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. Participating institutions include OU’s Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, Firehouse Art Center, Jacobson House Native Art Center & OU’s Fine Arts Library. Forms can be picked up & turned in at any of the four locations.

The Performing Arts Studio (200 S Jones Avenue) invites visitors to view nature photos by Randy Jones while Arabesque performs their unique blend of Irish and world folk music from 7-9 p.m. Miranda Arana and Steve Vanlandingham present a mixture of Celtic, Arabig, Judeo-Spanish, Turkish and other world folk traditions. Between music sets, listen to J. Don Cook read from his book, Shooting from the Hip: Photographs and Essays. 

Dreamer Concepts (324 E Main St.) will host the debut of Dreamer 37: “Before the Fall,” a fashion presentation by Parsons, the New School of Design graduate, Jamie McCarty. The idea for the collection comes from McCarty’s initial inspiration, found in 1920s silhouettes, and the opulence in living styles before the stock market crash. 

MAINSITE Contemporary Art: Home of the Norman Arts Council (122 E Main St) presents the Inventory Show: A Special Selection of the Artists of MAINSITE Contemporary Art.

NORMAN ARTS COUNCIL COMMUNITY PARTNERS:

STASH (412 E Main St) It’s STASH’s 1st birthday! Come enjoy the trifecta of goodness that will include a community-based art project, original art by members of “Lifestyles” art program for alter-able adults, & the celebration of STASH’s 1st birthday.

Gallery123 & Form+Function Lab (123 E. Main St, above Forward Foods) welcomes visitors to view new work by participating artists. Summer hours for Gallery 123 are Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 4:30 - 7:30, during 2nd Friday Circuit of Art or by appointment.

Sonder Music, Dance & Art (225 E Gray St) Hill Irish Dancers will set your toes to tapping and hands to clapping when they perform at 7:30 p.m. Enjoy the irresistible music, colorful costumes, and fast-moving feet of these award-winning step dancers as they showcase both traditional and modern dances of the Emerald Isle.

Third Eye Gallery (120 E. Tonhawa) features the closing reception for “Progressions,” an exhibition of recent work by Sarah Capshaw featuring mixed media paintings that layer text, scraps of dried flowers, silk, paper, and recycled paint. Take the opportunity to check out the new home of Ashtanga Yoga! 

MerryBelle’s Gifts, Art & Tea (230 E. Main St.) presents September Senses!  Featuring the artwork of Christopher McDaniel and Patrick Gabrish.  Christopher’s Sharpie drawings bring function out of chaos and are pleasing to the senses while Patrick’s colorful mixed media images are eye candy for all.  

Maggy’s Thread Designs & Bill Williams’ Studio (122 E Main St) will be open for guests! 

Sandalwood & Sage (322 E Main St) will be open for visitors and will be providing refreshments!

LWPB Architects (1ss E Main St) will be featuring the work of Ali Aryan with a selection of many mediums including needlepoint etching, linoleum cuts, lithography, drawings/sketched, tempera and water colors. Sheri Stubblefield will be showing jewelry made with glass beads in a variety of colors and designs.  Each item is handcrafted and unique.

Downtown Art & Frame (115 S Santa Fe Ave) opens its doors to visitors for an exhibit of work by Brad Price with live demonstration during the evening.

For more information on the 2nd Friday Circuit of Art, visit www.2ndFridayNorman.com

or follow us on Twitter @2ndFridayNorman or find us on Facebook!