They say time heals all wounds, which may be true for some, but, for others, the pain doesn’t go away.
Days from now, we will mark four years since the world lost a friend and inspiration, a teacher, a caring human being, an artist of renown and a folk hero. On Aug. 21, 2017, Mechanicsburg-born Dan Kalbach died in an auto accident that still deeply affects a large community of friends. I never personally met Dan but our son, Beau, spoke highly of him and his God-given gifts, mostly in the realm of art, of which Dan was a master. It was his special talent to create and to inspire others and to share those gifts.
Zeroday Brewing Co. mounted this exhibit of artwork by Dan Kalbach at its original taproom on Reily Street. Photo: Beau MacGinnes
The pews were packed that Friday morning at Daybreak Church in Mechanicsburg to pay tribute to a young man who touched so many lives through his art. Family, friends and those who knew his art paid their respects in words and memories, offering condolences to his family. Our family attended the service, as did what seemed like the entire art community. Charlie Feathers, Dan’s long time friend and collaborator in the “Speedee” and “Bootleg” projects, had this to share regarding Dan and his legacy:
“Dan lived by the phrase, wabi sabi, ‘perfectly imperfect,’ realizing that, in his way, we are all flawed beings striving towards perfection but never able to attain it, and that’s OK if, in that, a passion exists.”
Dan embraced this Japanese philosophy, the acceptance of imperfection and transience. It is an aesthetic that appreciates beauty that is imperfect, impermanent and incomplete in nature. Dan believed in the importance of savoring the moment as being present and centered in revealing a greater depth of learning and to find beauty in the simplest measures. Most of all, we must embrace who we are and our journey in the discovery of our passions, our talents and the struggles we face.
August 3rd in the Burg Preview
This Friday, 3rd in the Burg provides a time to reflect on Abbot and Costello’s zany baseball skit, “Whose on First”?
It included the line “I Don’t Know on third,” but after covering these events for three years, I do know what is on 3rd Street. For this August preview, 3rd Street is where you’ll find five of the 25 participating venues. This special enclave of 3rd Street may be where the action is on Aug. 20, with neighbor helping neighbor, spreading good will door to door.
On first, before the game starts, you may Knead a slice or two to get you in the swing of things, and the batter will be up or, at least, the dough will rise. Stop by 937 N. 3rd at Boas for more than scrumptious pizza, including summer salads, garlic knots and even “craft your own pizza” by choosing the ingredients. You can catch a different style of Knead pizza (wood-fired) by visiting another 3rd in the Burg location–the Broad Street Market.
Then walk that off to 1401 for the main event beginning at 5 p.m., with free admission to the Susquehanna Art Museum (SAM). In collaboration with Robinson’s Rare Books & Fine Prints, located at Midtown Scholar Bookstore, SAM reveals a revolutionary printmaker, Isabel Bishop, who through her work in that medium, advanced the methodology and meaning of movement for over 50 years.
The lobby gallery exhibit, “Mobility in Movement, Isabel Bishop Etchings, 1930-1982” opened Friday the 13th, a sure indication that SAM is not in the least bit superstitious but, in fact, serendipitous in the timing of this show. Printmaking, an oft-overlooked art form, is experiencing a revival, and there is no better example of the three stages involved in the process than the body of Bishop’s critically acclaimed portfolio. The exhibit sponsored by Highmark, runs through Oct. 17.
“Students Outdoors” by Isabel Bishop. Photo: Jana MacGinnes
In a complementary exhibit, Hershey resident Valerie Dillon, who is a teaching artist from Denver, Colo., presents “Meanderings,” a study in collagraphs. The artist states that her multi-layered color process in printmaking is not only intuitive but “knows there is a degree of anticipated risk and discovery.” This enlightening exhibit can be found in SAM’s DeSoto Family Fault also through Oct. 17.
Variable collagraphs by Valerie Dillon. Photo: Jana MacGinnes
From there, cross the street to 1404, and you will find the headquarters/showroom of Modern Rugs. Owners Zachary Nitzan and Tahirih Alia may be there to greet you and give you the grand tour of what are the latest designs in one-of-a-kind creations at Modern Rugs. They elevate rug-making to a fine art. Back to the SAM side of the street, doors away at 1423, be sure to visit the Nyianga Store and enter a world of art and vision from owner Chantal Nga Eloundou of Cameroon. Describing her store, she states it is “where fashion meets nature.” The eclectic mix features men’s, women’s and children’s unique clothing, beauty products, jewelry, leather goods and art all from her native land. Nyianga is open till 9 p.m. for this event.
You don’t need to leave the building because Elvis just may be practicing yoga within at commUNITY Yoga Space. You can experience “sharing, soothing live music and tea” with proprietress, Erika Malorzo. She sticks to the original philosophy, pay what you can, at this new location. For the novice to the advanced yogi, the invitation to drop in is an open call to center yourself through meditative maneuverings led by experienced practitioners of the discipline. CommUnity Yoga closes at 8:30 p.m. for 3rd in the Burg events. Namaste.
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