Inside Crosell & Co

More on Crosell & Co. in tomorrow's Pipeline eNewsletter. Owned by Dianne Crosell, the store is located at 1922 N. Damen.

Here are a few images, along with a recent splurge from Crosell's attic super sale, which I think is still going on, though best to check first. These green placemats, now located on my kitchen table, were 75% off.

One in a Million, or 22 Gathered Together

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Vanessa Georg
(773) 834-0159 day
(773) 752-2658 eve
vanessavargas773@hotmail.com

22 in a Million – Chicago Artists’ Month featured exhibition

On Friday, October 2, 2009 from 5:30 to 8:30pm, Coalition Gallery will celebrate Chicago Artists’ Month with an opening reception for 22 in a Million, a group show featuring all 22 of the gallery artists. The reception and the gallery are free and open to the public.

The Coalition Gallery is located at 2010 West Pierce Street, Suite 101 (One block south of the Damen, Milwaukee, North Ave. intersection), in Chicago’s bustling Wicker Park neighborhood. Just a few steps around the corner from the CTA Blue Line Damen stop, visitors will find the gallery on a tree lined, welcoming street with nearby restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues.

Coalition Gallery is the latest venture of The Chicago Artists’ Coalition. Dan Addington, Byron Roche, and Ann Wiens served as jurors to select the 22 artists whose high quality work represents a diversity of media, subject, and working styles.

The curator for Coalition Gallery Susan Aurinko (most recently of FLATFILE galleries) is presenting 22 in a Million, a show based on each artist’s own personal connection to Chicago and their identity as Chicago artists. Aurinko has planned the gallery’s exhibition schedule for the year to emphasize the diversity of the group and to promise visitors combinations of artists’ work that heighten the visual interplay and overall experience of the artwork. The October group show, 22 in a
Million, an otherwise daunting task of finding cohesiveness in such diversity, in the capable hands of Susan Aurinko will be a cornerstone of Chicago Artists’ Month.

The Coalition Gallery artists are:

Anthony Adcock
Jennifer Bisbing
Robert Brasher
Meredith Dytch
Julian Gordon
Juliette Herwitt
Diane Huff
Barbara (Basia) Krol
Kathleen Letts
Lucy Mueller
Jonah Ortiz
Maricarmen Pizano
Loren Robare
Richard Shipps
Michael E. Smith
Jun-Jun C. Sta.Ana
Jeff Stevenson
Allison Svoboda
Darren Thompson
Vanessa Vargas
Erin Waser
Serene Wise

The exhibition will run through Saturday, October 31st.
Gallery Hours: Wednesday – Friday from Noon to 7pm,
Saturday from noon to 5pm, or by appointment. Ph (773) 772-2386.
(open until 8pm on the first Friday of each month)

22 in a Million – Part 2 (also curated by Susan Aurinko)
The Coalition Gallery Artists are also featured in a group exhibition in
the River East Art Center:
River East Art Center
435 East Illinois Street • Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 321-1001

Division Street ETC.

Beer and Wine are now being served at Milk, and Honey at 1920 W. Division.
Flip flops are 50% off at Pour Vous at 1750 W. Division.
Noir at 1726 W. Division is looking for part-time help.
There are two different ways of saying "Love Hurts" via Alliance Bakery at 1736 W. Division, and at Thr3ee at 1632 W. Division, the latter of which I did not photograph.
A pretty-in-pink painted squirrel in the window of Anastasia Chatzka's boutique will always look cuter, and less scary than this video of a real squirrel devouring an apple spotted near Division, and Paulina.
There's also a soul food restaurant preparing to open soon on Division, and, per its sign, it could use some employees.
The flowers are from Milk, and Honey's outdoor patio.
And, last but not least, an image of an artist from Seattle whom participated in a live in-window installation at the Renegade store this past weekend. Learn more at www.papervspencil.com

Inside Thr3ee

My visit to Thr3ee Boutique at 1632 W. Division was long overdue.

Though I usually don't shop much these days, I was in the market for a few new t-shirts, and ended up purchasing two, both on sale, for a combined total of under $30.

This "Help" shirt only seems to be in Large, and XL, but I love it. Just like wearing poetry... Also pictured is Annalisa, who's name is easy enough for me to remember. She is a junior at Columbia College, majoring in fashion marketing.

Trees of Bucktown

About a dozen people participated in a tree tour yesterday, led by naturalist Janet Mrowka, pictured, of the Bucktown Community Organization, whom used living examples combined with facts, and anecdotal asides to provide a truly informative, and fun experience.

We learned 1) Which tree bears fruit that Janet believes tastes better than cheeries
(serviceberry), 2) The tree who's bark, and leaves provided a precursor to modern day aspirin (salix willow), 3) The tree that is the bees knees for architects because of its dappled light and aesthetic beauty (honey locust), 4) Which tree seems to be planted in a lot of graveyards (catalpa), 5) Which tree's leaves are great for pressing (gingko) and 6) The difference between an unhealthy shingle oak, and a healthy shingle oak. Click here to view the album, along with captions.

Anne Sportun Trunk Show @ Virtu

Apologies to my beloved, sole follower, Jennifer, for merely posting a press release, I'm swamped... and can't read the letters on my computer screen anymore.... Next week the Pipeline's spotlight will focus on the diverse, eclectic, and unified group that is the North Damen Merchants, so perhaps I will pop by Virtu, though for now, here's info on an upcoming trunk show slated for October 9th.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Julie Horowitz Jackson 773.235.3790, virtuchicago@sbcglobal.net
Anne Sportun Trunk Show at Virtu, October 9-11.
Opening Reception Friday, October 9th from 4 to 8pm.

Bucktown boutique Virtu (2034 N Damen Avenue, www.virtuchicago.com) teams up with Toronto based jeweler Anne Sportun for a weekend trunk show Friday, October 9 through Sunday, October 11. Please join us as we unveil the complete collection of Anne Sportun • Experimetal Jewellery ™. Represented exclusively in Chicago by Virtu, Anne Sportun’s work is recognized the world over by her simple settings sparkling with white and cognac diamond, spectacular stones set in 14kt white and 18kt yellow golds or solid platinum. Based in Toronto, you’ll now have the opportunity of learning locally why Anne’s hands were so highly skilled as to be featured on a 2003 Canadian stamp.

Our trunk show will be an impressive opportunity to witness firsthand the sheer magnitude of the Anne Sportun • Experimetal Jewellery ™ collection. Possessing technical perfection and intimate grace, each detail is hand crafted to be worn as Precious Everyday ™. Whether it is a simple pair of earrings or a magnificent engagement ring you are considering, we invite you to experience the brilliance of one of today’s finest goldsmiths. Stunning for the bride, just as lovely for any occasion, now is the perfect time to place an order for the upcoming holiday season.

Opening reception will be held Friday, October 9th from 4 to 8 pm at Virtu, 2034 N Damen Avenue in Bucktown. RSVP kindly requested at info@virtuchicago.com or 773.235.3790. We will offer 15% off the Anne Sportun • Experimetal Jewellery ™ collection during the trunk show event only.

This celebration will be marked by the return of Moonstuck Chocolates to the shelves of Virtu. Carried only through the cooler months, Moonstruck truffles live up to the standard of artisanal quality that Virtu strives to put forth. A variety of seasonal truffles will be served throughout the evening.

For more information on Anne Sportun, please visit www.experimetal.com.

Hi resolution images will happily be furnished upon request.

Please contact Julie Horowitz Jackson at Virtu with any image requests.

Free Tree Walk This Weekend in Bucktown

In the book Happiness Sold Separately, its main character develops an unusual attachment to a tree on her front lawn, among other plot lines.

Though not emotionally attached to a particular tree, I do happen to notice when trees in the area look sick, like this one, pictured.

Janet is a member of the Bucktown Community Organization, and conducts self guided trees walks like one taking place this weekend. Following is a cut, and pasted description of the tour. Though it's too late to include this information in Monday's issue of the Pipeline eNewsletter, I'm going to post it here, and then see if Janet can identify what is ailing this tree, spotted in West Bucktown near Diego School.

As a follow up to the 2009 Bucktown Self-Guided Tree Tour made available during this year’s garden walk, Bucktown Community Organization member, Naturalist and Tree Keeper –Janet Mrowka will lead the second in a series of year round guided tree walks.

Sunday September 13, 2009 at 1:30 p.m.

Join us at Floyd’s 1944 N. Oakley Ave (Corner of Oakley and Armitage)

This event is open to all and free.

Introductions between 1:30 -1:40 p.m.

Guided walk till 3:00 p.m.

For more information (312)927-6618

A limited quantity of the 2009 Bucktown Garden Walk/Self Guided Tree Books will be available for $5.00 each.