SLHL: Can you describe the setting of the St. Charles Riverfront Arts (SCRA) 2011 Spring ArtWalk?
NB: The 6th Spring ArtWalk will be inside storefronts on North Main Street between First Capitol (100 block) and Clark Street at the Foundry Art Centre at 500 N. Main Center. Art enthusiasts and friends can stroll along historic Main Street with map and program in hand, listening to music and sampling wine while appreciating various works of art. The Spring ArtWalk features over 70 painters, sculptors, potters, photographers, jewelers, glass workers and fiber artists, whose work will be for sale. The event is FREE and open to the public. The Opening Reception is Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Foundry Art Centre, 520 N. Main Center. The ZONTA Club St. Charles is sponsoring the Opening Reception. The music of the Keough Classical String Trio will enhance the art experience! Foundry artists’ studios will be open during the reception. Food is provided by Tony’s on Main, Big A’s, Llwellyn’s and SCRA. Wines will be provided by Glazer’s Midwest.

SLHL: What would you say are the benefits of attending a juried art fair?
NB: The Spring ArtWalk jurors select only fine art and one can be assured of quality! Artists will exhibit pottery, metal and natural sculpture, watercolors, oil, abstract and pastel paintings, jewelry and beautiful photography that offers the community a great value for original art.

SLHL: Will there be entertainment during the ArtWalk?
NB: Yes, there is a wide variety of music and entertainment this year, ranging from classical string trios, violinists, acoustic guitar, jazz guitars, old time instrumental music, classical pianists to soft rock. Classes for “Cartooning for Kids” and “Make Believe Theatre” are doing a concert. Garland Wines will host a wine tasting at Remington’s on Friday evening, and wine will also be at various locations during the ArtWalk. Also, new to the ArtWalk this year is Hide N Chic at 205 N. Main, which will have western artists on Friday and Saturday. SCRA is very excited about this!

More entertainment options:
Friday, 6 to 8 p.m. — Ron Houser, Cowboy/Western artists from St. Charles, Missouri
Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. — John Womack, Leather Indian Art & Ernie Harris, Western Leather Art of horses, mules, eagle, cowboys, from Gary, Indiana
Saturday, 1 to 1:30 p.m., 2 to 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. — Cowboy Poetry from Nationally known Martin Bergin from Overland, Missouri

SLHL: Is the ArtWalk intended for people of all ages?
NB: This event is family-friendly and free! It’s good for all ages five to 85!

SLHL: Can you give us a few examples that illustrate the variety of artwork that will be available for purchase at the ArtWalk?
NB: The ArtWalk has a variety of unique art. Betty Shew makes hand made cast paper art; Adam Long creates sculpture from all natural twigs, bark and leaves; Fraser Leonard creates bold acrylic abstract paintings, as well as welded metal sculptures; Perla Segovia is a master of woven fused glass, to name a few. We also have digital paintings, digital photography and excellent jewelry.

SLHL: Is there any other information you’d like our readers to know about the event?
NB: Patron’s Preference is a program whereby tickets are sold for $100 each and will be put into a drawing for a piece of art valued at $250 or more. Tickets sold are limited to the number of pieces of art; therefore, each ticket holder is guaranteed a piece of fine art.  The drawing is Sunday afternoon, May 1, at 3 p.m. at Denninger’s Gallery, 115 N. Main Street. Tickets are available now at Denninger’s, Framation’s and online at www.saintcharlesriverfrontarts.com. The map and program will be at each venue throughout the Spring ArtWalk; therefore, art patrons may begin at any of the locations of N. Main and stroll the ArtWalk, visit with the artists, listen to music and enjoy! Saint Charles Riverfront Arts is a 501 (c)(3) not for profit charitable organization.

(Photos courtesy of www.branchhome.com)

1. Gothic Arched Console Table from Wisteria. (Photo courtesy of www.wisteria.com)

2. Hickory Chair Gothick Bench, available through Edwin Pepper Interiors. (Photo courtesy of www.hickorychair.com)

3. Gothic Quatrefoil Mirror from Restoration Hardware. (Photo courtesy of www.restorationhardware.com)

4. David Yurman 18K Yellow Gold Link Necklace from The Quatrefoil Collection, available through Saks Fifth Avenue. (Photo courtesy of www.saksfifthavenue.com)

5. Quatrefoil Planter from Ballard Designs. (Photo courtesy of www.ballarddesigns.com)

6. Quatrefoil Lamp from Horchow. (Photo courtesy of www.horchow.com)

7. Alexandra Side Chair by Suzanne Kasler for Hickory Chair, available through Edwin Pepper Interiors. (Photo courtesy of www.hickorychair.com)

* Before you visit one of these locations to purchase an item on this list, please call the store to make sure the product you are interested in is still in stock and available in-store.

September 25
4th Annual Dancing in the Street Festival
This annual event, which marks the opening of Grand Center’s fall arts season, is celebrated with a street festival featuring more than 75 performances and 700 dancers, who will perform a variety of dance styles. There will also be live music, an open dance floor, food and beverage booths and a museum and gallery walk. The Grand Center Arts & Entertainment District is located on Grand Blvd. between Lindell Blvd. and Delmar Blvd. 1 to 9 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call 314-533-1884 or visit www.grandcenter.org.

September 25
Coffee with the Presidents
Meet and mingle with Dr. Peter Wyse Jackson, incoming Missouri Botanical Garden president, and Dr. Peter H. Raven, Garden president emeritus. Enjoy light refreshments and remarks by Dr. Wyse Jackson, Dr. Raven and Arnold Donald, president of the Board of Trustees. This event takes place at the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Spoehrer Plaza from 9 to 10:30 a.m., with remarks at 9:30 and 10:15 a.m. For more information, visit www.mobot.org.

September 25
EarthWays Green Homes Festival
Informative exhibitors, more than 90 vendors showcasing “green innovations,” and children’s activities will fill the 3600 block of Grandel Square (between Grand Blvd. and Spring Ave.), home to the Missouri Botanical Garden’s EarthWays Center. Local, healthy and sustainable treats will be served in a shaded food court, with live entertainment throughout the day, at this free event. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.greenhomesstl.org.

September 25-26
St. Louis Wine Festival
Sample from more than 150 wines from around the world. Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door and include a souvenir wine glass, ten tastings, a festival program, food and wine seminars, cooking demonstrations, musical entertainment and the opportunity to purchase wine at a discount. Designated driver tickets are $10. This event takes place at Art Hill at the Grand Basin from noon to 6 p.m. on both days. For more information, visit www.stlouiswinefestival.com.

September 25-26
Faust Historic Village Folk & Fine Art Festival
Enjoy tours, traditional demonstrations of blacksmithing, rope-making, pottery firing and other historical arts and crafts. A juried fine arts sale will also take place, with premier regional artists showcasing their finest work. This event will also include live music, food vendors and children’s activities, as well as unlimited rides on the St. Louis Carousel with a $5 admission fee. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 314-615-8328.

Nearly 100 buildings are considered of such importance that they have been designated as National Historic Landmarks. This impressive architectural collection includes pioneering works by such notable architects as William Strickland, Frank Furness, Daniel Burnham, George Howe, Louis I. Kahn, Robert Venturi, I.M. Pei and Frank Lloyd Wright.

The city is also blooming with parks and gardens, many of which grace the city’s historic homes and art museums.

One unique museum that is a gem in the art-rich city – and is sure to live a full (maybe even historic) life – is Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, located on South Street in Center City. The “garden” is a mosaiced folk art environment, created by award-winning mosaic artist Isaiah Zagar.  His work is included in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art, and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C.

On your next trip to the City of Brotherly Love, be sure to add Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens to your walking trip through the city.  It’s history in the making! ~  Vicki

Fortunately, the beauty of "things past" never goes out of style. For me, researching and preparing our September issue was an opportunity to embrace extraordinary eras where elegant, decorative design was stylishly stated and exquisitely represented.

Turn the pages of our September issue to take in the stunning styles that wove their way through the decades with impressive movement, shape and design. Our Obsession department is filled with spectacular examples of treasures to easily enhance even the most modern décor. In our local shops, we discovered art and antiques that are breathtaking and nostalgic at the same time. While chatting with Robert Morrissey of Clark Graves Antiques about the issue, we were both impressed with the idea that the South German walnut chest of drawers, circa 1790-1800 (on page 24), with its striking details and strong architectural presence, anticipates Art Deco by a century. It¹s paired with cherry wood Directoire-style chairs, circa 1890-1910, and their Art Nouveau style radiates the look of fashion for the home. It¹s all simply gorgeous.

We invite you to take a blast to the past in this memorable issue, with a modern loft in the historic Motor Parts Warehouse (now the Motor Lofts building). Our featured suburban home is a new residence in historic Webster Groves, where homes with age and history sit aside newer residences ­ the historic homes of the future. And you¹ll love the overflowing beauty of our suburban garden ­ a rejuvenated space ­ with touches of history and magical charm. And did you know? In the garden, games are back in fashion! Be sure to see our wonderful Garden Gotta Have It products.

Enjoy what¹s new and remember the past. And even better, mix them together to create a home and garden that transcend time.

Vicki Pickle, Editor-in-Chief
vpickle@stlouishomesmag.com

"Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can.” This colorful advice, from the late comedian Danny Kaye, one of the most popular entertainers of the 1940s and ‘50s, has come to mind on so many occasions. I especially think of it when I see the work of talented artists, from the most acclaimed in their genre to the youngest, most-aspiring artist, expressing him- or herself with little fear and endearing innocence. I find it thought-provoking, yet freeing – the idea of filling your blank canvas with all the zest you can gather and making a statement – because even if it is just for the moment – it is your own.

In this issue, we invite you to indulge in our magnificent feature stories. Let the collective passion for art that fills these homes, and the pages of our magazine, exhilarate you. Favorite artists and works of art are represented with distinctive and intuitive flair. In each home, the appreciation of artistic beauty shines brilliantly and makes a dynamic statement. Feel free to catch the enthusiasm and gather inspiration from the artful surroundings and the homeowners’ art-centered lifestyles.

And congratulations to our 2008 St. Louis Homes & Lifestyles Homes of the Year award winners. This year’s award-winning homes exemplify the best in building, interior, and architectural design in the St. Louis area. We hope you visit these stellar properties and consider building, designing or redesigning your own home, and we are happy to bring you the professionals and resources to do just that. Our Blueprint is your guide to your dream home.

I hope it is a happy, fulfilling process. Whether you are building and starting with a blank canvas or bringing new life to your existing home, bring as much paint as you can and make it your own.

Vicki Pickle, Editor-in-Chief
vpickle@stlouishomesmag.com