(Above: Art by Jeff Hess is part of a show at the Emerald Art Center)

By Randi Bjornstad

Artist Aunia Kahn, whose Wikipedia page says she began her art career not for art’s sake but as therapy for “a difficult upbringing,” brings her artistic perspective to downtown Springfield as she hosts this month’s Second Friday Art Walk, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Artist Aunia Kahn, who will host the July guided tour at the downtown Springfield Second Friday Art Walk, also has work on display at the Emerald Art Center

A native of Detroit, the self-taught Kahn first showed her work in 2005 at the urging of a friend, as part of a show called “Voices Within: Surviving Through the Arts,” sponsored by the St. Louis Artists’ Guild. Since then, her work has been shown publicly more than 300 times. Much of her work, which incorporates photography, digital painting and collage, depicts aspects of self-portraiture.

Several years ago, Kahn, who also is interested in tarot, collaborated with author Russell J. Moon on the Silver Era Tarot deck, which was published by Schiffer Publishing. One of her designs also appeared on the label of a Missouri winery’s 2005 Syrah.

Ginny McVickar’s art also is on exhibit at the Emerald Art Center

Kahn will meet up with art walk “tourists” at 5:30 p.m. at the Emerald Art Center at 500 Main St., where the featured artist for July is Don Gustavson’s show, “The Body Canvas,” featuring bodypaint and tattoo. The gallery also has an exhibit of photographs in the form of the 29th annual Juried PhotoZone show.

From there, the tour moves to Hearts for Hospice at 444 Main St., where jewelry by sisters Donna Zepeda and Debbie Land, who create under the name Big Divas Design, is on display. Their work includes handmade necklaces, bracelets and earrings that incorporate semi-precious stones, freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals and metals. There will be live entertainment by pianist Judi Barnhart and other local performers, including Paco Scheraldi.

Next up is The Smith Factory at 326-C Main St., followed by a stop at the Malerische Gallery at 236 Main St., where oil and acrylic paintings by Pauline Hauder are on exhibit.

The guided tour continues at 331 Mosaic at 331 Main St., where the featured artist for July is Jason Fernandez, a local glassblower who sells his creations at the Saturday Market in Eugene. Fernandez, who is only 16 years old, will talk about his art and show the various steps in creating it. Refreshments will be available, and local musician Ryan Bartling will perform.

At the covered parking area of the Booth Kelly Makers Market at 303 S. Fifth St., there will be a showcase of Springfield-made items.

The tour ends at Memento Ink at 525 Main St., which is celebrating its sixth anniversary with refreshments, door prizes and art by Memento Ink staff members, including paintings by April Slater, David Mann, Mikal Hansen, and Roxy Allen, etchings by Samantha Houston and tiny art by Meredith Mae. Live performance will be by Cullen and Mia Vance, in the form of live looping and belly dance.

As usual, other downtown galleries and shops will also be open for the evening:

  • Springfield Museum (590 Main St.) — Opening reception for “Covered Bridges of Lane County, an exhibit exploring the history, art and architecture of existing and lost bridges in the area, including paintings, photographs, drawings, designs and models — and light refreshments.
  • Tronson Gallery of Contemporary Art (740 Main St.) — Artwork by Justin Boggs; refreshments.
  • Cascade Center for Spiritual Living (741 Main St.) — “One Way Street,” art by Gayle Macy.
  • Celeste Watch Company (335 Main St.) — Hand-crafted watch dials and straps by Celeste, one of only a few women dial artists in the United States; refreshments.
  • Haven (349 Main St.) — Soap artisan Cara Horgorvorst presents her Feisty Wren soaps, including Dutch Licorice and Double Mint and soaps made with beer; refreshments include wine, beer and tasty treats.

Second Friday Art Walk sponsored by the Emerald Art Center, 541-726-8595 or emeraldartcenter.org/