Adventures in Everyday Living: Shorelines, Thursday, February 9th

Romantic adventures are in the air with NISO's concert of requited (Schumann) and unrequited (Tchaikovsky) love featuring Pianist Di Wu tomorrow night and a collaborative work about George Mallory's life of frustration with Mt. Everest in Benton Harbor; then on Saturday an exhibition of work of inspiring artist couples.  

A Romantic Concert at The Auditorium at Bethel Church Tomorrow: NISO Maestro Kirk Muspratt, a connoisseur in such matters says, that, "Unlucky in love, Tchaikovsky poured all of his desire into his music and in return he is loved for the ages." Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony was dedicated to his patroness whom he admired from afar. On the other hand, Schumann's legendary love for his wife Clara is imbued throughout the piano concerto he wrote for her. Both pieces are on the program "A Valentine's Tradition," featuring Concert Pianist Di Wu on Friday night. Doors open at 6, pre-concert lecture starts at 6:30 and the music at 7:30 in the Auditorium at Bethel in Crown Point. Ticket prices from $25 can be purchased over the phone at 219-836-0525 ext. 200 or are available at the door.

Saturday Night Reception at the Indiana Welcome Center for Artists-Partners: The Lubeznik Center has put together an exhibition of the work of couples who are also artists called "Under One Roof." Married and partnered artists are just fascinating to me. They take the notion of a work in progress and make it their lives. I have admired the art of both Andrea Peterson (paper-making) and Jon Hook (pottery) for many years, but glimpses of their relationship and family life has been startling and wonderful as well. There are fourteen couples in all with work on display at this unique exhibit at the Indiana Welcome Center right off I-80-94. Other artists included are Julie and Bill Tourtillotte, Valerie Taglieri and Ron Wennekes, Amanda Freymann and Joel DeGrand, Sandi and Aaron Ginter, Jane Cooperman and Tom Mapp, Suzanne Cohan-Lange and Richard Lange, Krista and Jason Hoefle, Connie and George Kassal, Carol Stodder and Tom Brand, Janet Bloch and Bobby Talamine, Laurel Izard and Edwin Shelton, Kate Wall and Danny Bronny. The reception is from 6-8 on Saturday, central time. For more information phone 219-989-7979.

Not Exactly Love But It is Unattainable: Water Street Glassworks will be hosting an opening reception for the exhibit "Unattainable" on Friday, February 10, 5 - 7pm. Featured artists Jonas Sebura and Alex Gartelmann will be talk about their exhibit and their experience working the studios at Water Street Glassworks. Water Street Glassworks is located at 140 Water Street in the Benton Harbor Arts District. Jonas and Alex are both students of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Jonas having received his MFA and Alex currently enrolled for his MFA. The artists met at the SAIC and have been working collaboratively on installation exhibits throughout the country. Both Jonas and Alex spent time in the studios at Water Street Glassworks to create pieces for the exhibit, creating a physical component to their process of "site specific" installation work. "Unattainable", an exhibit formed upon Explorer George Mallory's failed attempts to master Mount Everest is a familiar theme with the artists' recent work in the perception of loss. Jonas says, "My conceptual practice often starts at a point of loss, and evolves through a search for a renewed purpose". "Unattainable" will be on display from February 10, until April 14th in the Dorris Aker's Gallery at Water Street Glassworks.