‘Merica.
Because the author of this blog is a mild slave to the service industry, she can regretfully not make the opening of this exhibition. Let the sadness ensue. 
But! That doesn’t mean that you have to.
Don’t miss the opening of Merican-Tastic at Bucktown Center for the Arts, featuring the collaborative works of Steve Banks and Heidi Hernandez.
Veterans of the River Cities Art Scene, Steve and Heidi’s work has been familiar in the area, exhibiting at venues such as St. Ambrose University, The Figge Art Museum, The Quad Cities Airport, Bucktown Center for the Arts, among others.
The majority of the works on display are completely collaborative: started by one artist, and finished by the other. The content that is each artist’s specialty: icons of pop culture, high-contrast composition, innovative mixed media, and found or recycled objects, compliment one another as well as stimulate a dynamic dialogue within each piece, and among the audience that views it.
Audience participation in the gallery opening is welcome and encouraged. Exhibition-goers are encouraged to print off a dollar bill, redeemable the night of the opening for a piece of….wait a minute…WHAT?!
FREE SWAG?! Oh my goodness. This is too much.
- Print off this dollar bill to exchange for Merican-Tastic SWAG at the opening.
These artists were kind enough to give [starpower]* a sneek peek of the show, which will up until the end of September. What’s not to like? What’s to love? Take a look below.
- House sculpture made of Golden Children’s books. How many hours have we spent with these in our hands? House constructed by Miss Heidi Hernandez, Base constructed by Sir Steve Banks.
- Golden Book House Sculpture Detail
- A Glimpse of the ‘Teaser Show’ portion of Merican-Tastic, situated just outside the entrance of the collaborative exhibition.
- What’s this? It looks like a hidden gem of…swag? Maybe you could get your hands on one of these at the opening…
- Sculptures rest on the case floor of the ‘teaser’ exhibit of Merican-Tastic.
- A piece in the ‘Teaser’ showcase, right outside of the Merican-Tastic exhibit on the 2nd floor of Bucktown Center for the Arts.
- Another peek of a piece from the ‘teaser’ display right outside of the gallery.
