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Artifacts - Feb. 3, 2010
*February is Black History Month, and a few St. Louis organizations are highlighting the achievements of African Americans throughout the month. The St. Louis Public Library is hosting a slew of events at its 17 branches, which kicked off with an all-day, all-branch read-in of books by black authors on Feb. 1. Other events include an exhibition of Cbabi Bayoc’s artwork, also at the Schlafly Branch; various kid-friendly events at each branch; and a keynote speech by Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, at 2 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Central Branch, 1301 Olive St. For a full schedule, visit www.slpl.org.
The St. Louis Art Museum is also getting in on the monthlong celebration with its Family Sundays, which will focus on African artists and those inspired by Africa. The weekly events take place from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sundays and feature all-ages art projects, as well as a tour of the museum’s African collection. For more information visit www.slam.org.
*It’s a big year for Mark Twain, and the annual Big Read festival is plugging in to that, focusing on Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. The citywide event, which continues through the end of February, includes an exhibit at Washington University’s Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum; regular public book discussions at the University City Public Library, 6701 Delmar Blvd.; and theatrical performances by CWE resident Joan Lipkin’s DisAbility Project. The shows take place at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 18 and 25 at Washington University’s music center, 560 Trinity Ave.
*Contining in the book vein, Virginia Publishing (parent company of the Word) has a new one out, From New Madrid to Claverach: How an Earthquake Spawned a St. Louis Suburb, by James Sherby. The book details how the earthquakes of 1811 and 1812 altered the course of the Mississippi River and started Clayton down its path to the upscale suburb it is today.
* St. Louis is once again one of the most literate cities in America. In an annual study by Central Connecticut State University, the Arch city ranked 11th in overall literacy, boosted, no doubt, by St. Louis Public Library’s ranking as the second best in the nation (Cleveland’s library grabbed the top spot). It’s the sixth straight year the library system has ranked in the top five.
*He may be gone from Left Bank Books, but Barry Liebman is still in town. The Mahler Suite, an exhibit of his abstract paintings inspired by a Mozart clarinet concerto and the music of Erik Satie, opens Feb. 19 at the Sheldon Art Galleries, 3648 Washington Blvd. Liebman, a former Left Bank co-owner, left the store at the end of 2009 and plans to move to Washington state later this year.
*Speaking of the Sheldon, The Friends of the Sheldon will host their second annual trivia night at 7 p.m. Feb. 19. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Sheldon Educational Programs, which introduce jazz, folk, classical and blues music to 20,000 kids a year. For reservations call Lauren Schwartz at 533-9900, ext. 17.
*The artists of Maplewood are banding together for an Artwalk Feb. 12. The event, which includes exhibit openings and closings, live art demonstrations, music, theater and open houses, takes place along Manchester and Sutton avenues between 6 and 10 p.m. For more information visit www.cityofmaplewood.com.
*Cinema St. Louis would like to thank the Academy. The producer of the St. Louis International Film Festival received a $15,000 grant from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the producer of the Oscars. The grant will support the 19th annual film festival, which will be held in November. Well before that, however, Cinema St. Louis will be hosting its annual Oscar Night America party from 6 to 10:30 p.m. March 7 at the Crown Plaza Clayton. The swanky soiree is St. Louis’ only Academy-sanctioned Oscar-watching party. For reservations call 289-4153.
*In other Cinema St. Louis news, the organiztion is now accepting screenplays for its 2010 CinemaSpoke screenwriting competition and workshop. St. Louis-area screenwriters should submit their finished screenplays to Cinema St. Louis by Feb. 19. Judges will then read the first 30 pages and, by March 29, select five screenplays to receive public readings. The best of those five will receive a full reading at SLIFF in November. For information visit www.cinemastlouis.org.
*Know an outstanding woman in the arts? Grand Center Inc. is now accepting nominations for its annual Visionary Awards, which honor women who are major contributors to the arts, outstanding arts professionals, successful working artists, outstanding arts educators or emerging artists. Nomination forms are available at www.grandcenter.org/shows_events/, and nominations are due by 5 p.m. Feb. 12.
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