In preparation for the February Trolley Hop, one of our brave maintenance men climbed to the ceiling and fixed our broken lights!

Art lovers visiting the gallery can rest assured that they will be able to view pieces in good lighting.

Check back for updates on the artists who will for-sure be in their studios for Trolley Hop next weekend!  We hope to see you there

We hope you’re gathering your warmest attire and practicing your trolley boarding skills, because we’re ready to see you at this month’s F.A.T. Friday Trolley Hop!  We’ve been getting ready with new exhibitions, fun crafts, and great drink special in hopes you’ll join us on February 24th.  Bring your sweetie or someone special and give them the gift of art!  This month’s hop is to raise awareness for the Red Cross, so be sure to wear your best red dress or sweater in support.

Mellwood will be opening and closing two shows this month: Elements in The Pigment Gallery and Made The Cut in The Bridge Gallery.  We want to know what you think of the work.  Post a picture of your favorite piece on our Facebook Page with a reason as to why you like the piece and you will be entered into a drawing for a special Mellwood prize!

In other Mellwood news, the latest edition of The Mellwoodian is available both online and in the galleries!  Should you be in the Frankfort or Bardstown area, you can also pick up your copy at your nearest Heine Bros. (courtesy of awesome new intern Kayla!).

Due to the inhospitable weather, the F.A.T. Friday Trolley Hop takes the month of January off.  However, in true Mellwood spirit, Mellwood Art Center will still be open late January 27th!  Come view artist studios, grab a hot bite to eat in the café, and stop by the Louisville Wedding Network Wedding Show being held in our Event Room 1 from 5 – 8PM.  All of our event spaces will be open for viewing as well – a great opportunity for a late-night sneak-peek at your potential wedding and event venue!  The Mellwood Galleries will also be open for visitors, showing work by Mellwood tenants André Foreman, Uneena Jackson, Spike Frederick, Karen David, Tracy Pennington, Don Cartwright, and Billy Twymon.

In other Mellwood news, the latest edition of The Mellwoodian is available!  You can pick up your copy at the Mellwood Café, Gallery M, or your local Heine Bros.  Should you be wary of the cold, you can download a copy from our website as well as view past month’s issues.

Last night was the opening reception for “Places and Spaces Tucked Away” by Ashley Brossart in the Bridge Gallery, “Reflecting On People and Places in My Life.” by Frederica Diane Huff in the Pigment Gallery, and “Ode to Woman: The Poetics of Movement” by 2012 Kentucky Derby poster artist, and Mellwood Tenant, André Foreman in Gallery M, as well as the one night only, Black Friday Pop-Up Exhibit in Studio 117.  If you missed any of the exhibitions (besides the Black Friday pop-up) please feel free to stop by and check them out before they’re gone in January.

While you’re here don’t forget to check out the artists working in their studios, the Canadian Invasion in Studio 181, the shops, and cafe in the courtyard, or just come by to enjoy the mild weather in the courtyard while it lasts.

Normally, this would be the time where we would post all kinds of pictures of the gallery openings and happenings from the trolley hop, but guess who forgot their camera?  Did you get any great shots from the trolley hop, or any events from Mellwood that you would like to share?  “Like” us on Facebook, and tag Mellwood Art Center in any photos you post to share with the rest of the Mellwood community!

Also, don’t forget to come by Saturday December 10th to finish up your shopping at the Forget the Mall Shop the Mell! event where Mellwood Tenants will be selling local art and gifts in a variety of styles, and be on the lookout for the new issue of the Mellwoodian in the beginning of December!

You can check out a physical copy of The Mellwoodian in the Mellwood Cafe, Gallery M, and the Pigment Gallery, or you can read it online by going to  www.mellwoodartcenter.com and clicking on the bar that says “The Mellwoodian”.  While you’re there you can check out all the other links like the “Featured Artist”, links to our Facebook, and the directory of Mellwood Tenants.

No, not getting up at 3am to hit the malls, it means its time for the F.A.T. Friday Holiday Hop!

The trolley will be running from 11am to 10:30pm, taking you to see the latest gallery openings, local restaurants, and stores that offer unique gifts that you just can’t find at the mall!

Speaking of gallery openings, Gallery M is currently in the process of hanging work from our next artist André Foreman, and the show is looking amazing!  The opening reception is Black Friday in Gallery M.

Then, on December 10th from 11a, to 6pm we will be hosting Forget the Mall, Shop the Mell: An Artsy Holiday Mall-ternative at the Mellwood Art Center!  This is yet another occasion for you to knock people off your holiday shopping lists by shopping locally, and giving a special unique gift from local artists.

So, mark your calenders, grab your lists, check them twice, and come down to the Mellwood Art Center!!

And unless you missed it last time, here is the previous issue of the Mellwoodian in all its digital glory!  Just click one of the three images below to read more.

If you are unfamiliar with the Frankfort Ave. Trolley Hop or, F.A.T. Friday Hop, or if you were here, and want to relieve the memories, then here are some pictures from the August F.A.T. Friday Trolley Hop including photos from the opening of “Through My Viewfinder” in gallery M and the “Go Figure” art show in Gallery A and B, as well as all the other artists working in their spaces.

Here are the photos from the July F.A.T. Friday Trolley Hop.

Through My Viewfinder by George Barnett

The August F.A.T. Friday trolley hop is TOMORROW!!!!  Can you believe it?  We at the Mellwood Art Center are pretty excited for all of our artists to be working in their studios, the Mellwood Cafe to be buzzing with people enjoying their amazing food and drink, and all the stores to be showing off their goods!  In addition to all the usual stuff going on, Gallery M will have a new exhibition that we are pretty excited about.

“Through My Viewfinder” by George Barnett is a collection of instant camera photographs using a technology that became obsolete in the digital revolution.  In these images we have a collaboration between the compositional skills of the artist, and the unpredictable eye of the camera lens.  These photos capture everyday moments the way a Polaroid Camera would, but because of the nature of the expired film, it looks more like tiny experiments in alternative photographic processes.

Speaking with George Barnett only confirms the science, and process behind the photos.  If you come out to this show ask him questions, and you will learn that just because you can’t get instant cameras and film from your local Wal-mart does not mean it is a dead art form, but it is instead a photographic sub-culture.

Spread the word, ride the trolley, and come out to the show tomorrow night!

So, what did you miss at the Mellwood Art Center during the F.A.T. Friday Trolley Hop?  Free popcorn, a band in the courtyard playing some great tunes, and lots of artists in their studios.  Without further delay, here are the photos from the June 2011 F.A.T. Friday at the Mellwood Art Center.Click to view slideshow.

It’s almost that time again, so don’t forget to stop by the Frankfort Ave. Trolley Hop and see us!