Heaven Hell and whatever's In Between

Visitors to the fantastic American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, MD are well aware of the orgy of creativity that can be sparked by the death of someone close to even the most non-artistic person. [Oh, okay...you caught me. You might know this even if you haven’t made the pilgrimage to the AVAM yet. But you’ve got to get down there...promise me!] That same pulsing energy in the hands of a lifelong artist can sometimes generate work that pushes out beyond the norm. It sounds as if Highwire Gallery has some of this work on display in their upcoming exhibition: Heaven, Hell and Original Sin.

Fiber artists may find the work of Philly-based fiber artist Melissa Maddonni Haims (creator of the Heaven and Hell portions of the show) especially interesting. She’s been working feverishly with yarn (knitting, crocheting, stitching) since her mother died 2 years ago, creating a personal version of heaven and hell. Much of her “Heaven” is specific – organic, unconventional sculptures memorializing people who have died. Her backroom Hell apparently evokes Dante-esque imagery including damned inhabitants and towering terrains. The middle gallery (Original Sin?) represents a visual dialogue between The Grimm Sisters, aka artists Rochelle Marcus Dinkin and Rachel Isaac, are on display.

The Opening Reception takes place during Philadelphia’s next First Friday event: November 6, from 5 – 9 pm and runs through November 29. Highwire Gallery is located at 2040 Frankford Avenue in Philadelphia.

Fiber Arts from the Past

Art is all over -- and in my book, art takes a lot of different forms and shapes. The art of living, truly living, is just one example; and there's always room for checking in with our recent past for some examples of how to pursue that particular art a little more - well ----- artfully! This Sunday, June 14, folks in the Mercer County area can step back a couple of hundred years with a free visit to the Schenck House in Zaitz Park, 50 Southfield Rd., West Windsor, NJ. The house is open 1 to 4 p.m. for self-guided tours of this beautifully restored 1790-1830 farmhouse and its out-buildings. The museum rooms include an exhibit on West Windsor history and a special display of "Women's Handi-crafts" a fiber arts exhibit featuring quilts, weaving, tatting, crocheting and embroidery of all types. This is the last day of this show. Donations are always appreciated. For additional information contact Mary Schenck at 609-799-1230

And while we're talking history options, you history buffs may want to note down that New Jersey Day—an observance of New Jersey’s 345th founding as a British proprietary colony—is taking place at the State Museum, 205 West State Street, Trenton, on June 24 at 2:00 p.m.   It's free & open to the public.

Special tours will be offered of the State Museum, the State House, the State Archives, and the World War II memorial, outstanding students and teachers will be saluted for their achievements in the field of history, and two priceless historical documents will be on display:

• the June 24, 1664 royal grant that established New Jersey

• a rare, original copy of the Declaration of Independence printed July 4, 1776.

I also hear that there's going to be fife and drums (thanks to the Old Barracks Museum) and CAKE!

RSVP by calling 609-777-0881. For directions visit 

www.nj.gov/state/museum/index.htm or www.trentonparking.com