Arts Briefs: April 12-19

First Friday & Stutz

The theme to April’s First Friday was what’s fresh and new on the Indianapolis arts scene. A visit to the Stutz “First Look” exhibition, featuring a preview of the works of some of the 70 artists who will be part of the Stutz Open House 20th Anniversary April 26-27, featured breathtaking and inspirational works in metalwork, photography, painting, and sculpture. The sweet perfection of Rita Spalding’s still life of cherries, “First Dance (It Was a Tango)” and much more was on display, whetting the appetite for the big show. The Stutz is always a wonderfully crazy maze of art and artists for one weekend in April.
Speaking of wonderful crazy mazes, the Harrison Center for the Arts had spectacular pieces in Gallery 2 with “Contents May Have Shifted” and the superb glass work of Matt Kenyon in the Harrison Gallery. Shannon Hinkle and Elizabeth Smith shared the gallery with some fascinating pieces. Matt has a retail space at the Harrison — as does Shannon. Upstairs, Kyle Ragsdale was showing some intriguing new pieces in his studio, and it is always wonderful to wander in and out of artist’s studios to get a glimpse of creativity in process.
Dewclaw at South in the Circle City Industrial Center on Brookside had its final showing, featuring paintings by Blythe Hager. However, the center itself is going strong, filled with the beautiful jewelry of Nancy Lee Designs, glassworkers, and much more.
The First Friday Art Tours in May are slated for May 3 throughout the city.


The Importance of Being Ernest by Eclectic Pond

INDIANAPOLIS — Wilde’s classic gets a pop art/rock makeover! Two bored bachelors, Jack and Algernon, enjoy pretending to be people they are not. Their hobby gets the best of them when Gwendolen and Cecily both fall in love with their shared fictional alter ego, “Earnest.”
Shows will be April 19, 20, 26, 27, May 3, 4 at 7:30 p.m; and April 28 at 5:30 p.m. Performances will be held at the Irvington Lodge, 5515 E. Washington St.
Tickets are $14 online for adults, or $18 at the door. To order tickets online, visit http://beingearnest.bpt.me/
Discount tickets for $10 include students, educators, military, and seniors, with a valid ID