Part I — “Nothing Pretty” A surreal revisionist “Western” art exhibit

Take One: “All quiet on the set. ACTION!”

Renegades all, the four gunslingers rode into town on steeds snorting fire, seeking a corral that might, just might, be able to contain their own brand of art. Theirs is a movement that started out west in the late 1960s in the territory known today as Los Angeles, borne out of a culture found only in the underground strata of comics, punk music, graffiti, hot rods and everything but the kitchen sink. An amalgamation of art meeting street culture colliding head on at the intersection of imagination and immolation. Those roots establish the genre known as lowbrow art, a surrealism stampede.

Artwork by Ted Walke

The Art Association of Harrisburg (AAH) is excited to share this exhibit that opened Friday and runs through Nov. 24. Visitors to the gallery may be surprised by this latest offering in a setting that has built its reputation on classicism in its representation of art.

Carrie Wissler-Thomas, CEO and sheriff of the AAH, called to deputize her gallery curator, Rachel O’Connor, who mounted this guns-blazing show. It’s a brave new world as “Nothing Pretty’s” desperadoes demonstrate in their visual redefining of the parameters for open-ended art. If they can dream it, draw it or paint it, it helps to establish their brand of surrealism run wild. And that is the whole point of lowbrow art. It appeals to an audience looking for a “beyond the norm experience” in a gallery setting. It takes thinking way outside the box and lets the inner child take over as the imagination runs wild on both sides of the aisle.

It helps to have a sense of humor, as do these art outlaws. They are led by Ted Walke, owner/proprietor of Gallery@2nd, whose calling card in pen and ink depicts human forms that sometimes border on the fine line of what one would recognize as human—something you don’t want to run into in a dark alley. Walke’s “characters” are poster children for the adage, “beauty lies in the eye of the beholder,” faces and images only a mother could love.

Artwork by Krissy Whiski

Joining Ted in his impish imagination and dry humor is Tina Berrier, whose paintings occupy a space all their own and are instantly recognizable. Employing mixed media allows her to bridge street art to a painterly point of view considering “life, death and the theme of temporality.”

Sean Arce, a featured artist of Gallery@2nd along with Ted, draws from his imagination by illustrating creatures of all sizes and shapes. Using digital formatting and two-dimensional media, Arce creates organisms, otherworldly original. Last but not least, with a western surname if ever there was one, when this artist sidles up to the saloon’s bar, “Whiski, Krissy.” Like a passage from Stephen King’s “Gunslinger” series, “The Dark Tower,” Whiski’s art “paints the spaces that exist between dreams, death and delusions,” states the artist, who uses themes as “fringe science, hallucinations and fairy tales as inspiration.” This is an exhibit that begs to be seen.

“Nothing Pretty” plays exclusively in the main gallery at the AAH through Nov. 24.

Part II — Market Places Market Faces at Doggie Delights

“Give a dog a bone,” a line from a child’s nursery rhyme, could easily be the catchphrase for Doggie Delights at the Broad Street Market and the flagship store at the West Shore Farmer’s Market in Lemoyne. The front man, or in this case, the face at the Broad Street Market location is Aubrey McNaughton. now in her sixth month with the dog snack and treat purveyor.

Brielle Glumac and Aubrey McNaughton

Aubrey is a cheerleader for Doggie Delights and everything market-related. She loves educating owners who have concerns regarding pups with sensitive tummies who may have to go without goodies, as Doggie Delights offers “gentle on the stomach,” handmade biscuits and soft chews for older dogs. They hand-cut and hand-dip all the baked goods for our four-legged friends with all natural, fresh ingredients and no preservatives added with all other treats being sourced from U.S. companies.

Donnie and Kelly Farner are the heart and soul of the company with daughter Brielle Glumac playing a vital role able to work both sides of the river. The company had a setback when their barn suffered a major fire in January, which housed the inventory and equipment used in their business. Through the generosity of customers and friends with a GoFundMe fundraiser, a sizeable amount was raised to help offset their drastic loss. Rebounding for 10 months now, the Farners are happy to announce the opening of a new outpost at The Fresh Market at Town Square in Hershey later this fall. Brielle will be managing the new location.

Meanwhile, the Broad Street Market is in good stead as Aubrey is the person you see Thursday through Saturday. A dog lover since she was a little girl, she now owns a cane corso mastiff. “Baby Tonka” weighs 110 pounds and loves the long-lasting Yak chew. Aubrey takes great joy in greeting the customers at 3rd and Verbeke market weekly. During the summer season, both Aubrey and her protege-helper-daughter assisted her at the stand. Their smiles for miles brought a steadily growing clientele.

So, if you need a special birthday cake for the diva dog in your life, they offer customized peanut butter cakes with yogurt icing or “pup cakes” cupcakes. In addition, they have natural chews, snacks and smoked bones. Aubrey and Brielle will ensure they are downright dog-delicious, no matter which Doggie Delight you visit.

Part III — Calling Art in the Wild Adventurers

This special announcement goes out to “budding” artists. Learn to create landscape art from AITW award-winning instructors Saturday, Nov. 6 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon with $20 registration fee for the workshop (all materials provided). Bring a friend and learn together in a preparatory class for spring 2022 of the 10th edition of “Art in the Wild.” Visit https://dauphincountyparksandrecreation.ticketleap.com/art-in-the-wild-workshop2021/

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