Wonder Fair Hits All Time Sales High

Wonder Fair's Art Selection is Gift Worthy

Our beloved gallery Wonder Fair is THE place to go for last minute holiday shopping for original works from artists such as Leslie Kay and Patrick Giroux.  And, it appears that Wonder Fair is in full swing with holiday spirit. 

Here is Wonder Fair's Facebook post from Saturday

Today we hit our all-time daily sales record for Holiday shopping. Two things: 1.) I met and conversed with 100+ kindly Wonder Folks, none of whom were ever grumpy, even though I come from the Rowan-Atkinson-in-Love-Actually School of Torturously Slow Package Preparation. 2.) Extended shoppe hours now come with secret in-store refreshments.

In a related story: the leftover whiskey stash at Wonder Fair has mysteriously vanished, pending investigation... investigation will recommence during Sunday's extended shoppe hours.

It is nice to live and work in Lawrence, Kansas.

Stop by Wonder Fair if you are Downtown today.  

Buzz Surrounds Current Show at LAC

Part of the Chronic City Series

Karen Matheis

The "must see" art show in Lawrence right now is the current exhibition in the front gallery of the Lawrence Arts Center Chronic City. Artist Karen Matheis, usually known for her tranquil landscapes, has a series of cityscapes with think black lines and undaunted energy.

We chatted with Matheis about her work.  She explained the work is site specific. "The show is meant to be seen from the street as well as up close in the gallery.  I took fragments of the infrastructure of the hotel that is being built next store to the Arts Center.  I put these in my paintings."

The paintings work as a group and were influenced by punk music of the late 1970's and a commentary on post-modern architecture.

This Saturday and Sunday is the last weekend to see the show Chronic City at the Lawrence Arts Center.  According the Lawrence Arts Center Calendar, the Arts Center will be closed from December 23 through January 3, ( the show closes on January 3).

See the article about this show that was in the University Daily Kansan earlier this month here: http://www.kansan.com/arts_and_features/alumna-karen-matheis-exhibit-downtown-integrates-art-and-surroundings/article_375e1324-741a-11e4-b0d0-1b099db842db.html#.VHU2XbRkkfA.facebook

Exterior View of Chronic City from New Hampshire Street

Hot Chocolate and Pacha Closure

Familiar gift wrapping scene

Annonymous home in LFK

The holiday spirit is abundant at the offices of Larryville Artists.  The staff bulletin board is overflowing with Chirstmas cards,  people are humming familiar carols, and snow is on the ground.  However, underlying this cheer is hint of irritability. We've observed some ill-tempered reporters snip about last minute Chirstmas shopping. And, just between you and me, we've spotted more than one employee putting a little something extra in their hot chocolate to "take the edge off."

Pachamamas announces closure

Pachamamas recently announced that it will be shutting its doors in a few months.  This is a loss for our community.  The owners and management of Pacha have been generous to the arts by providing events space for monthly artists exhibits, holiday sale events including Sip 'n' Shop, and Nerd Nite presentations. Additionally, we've enjoyed the friendly Pacha bartenders and staff. 

Nerd Nite organizers have announced that they are actively seeking another venue for meetings after February. 

Furthermore, Nerd Nite wrote Tuesday via twitter: 

ICYMI @pachamamas announced it will close after Valentine's Day. We love them and all the support they have given us the past 3 years #nnlfk

Gift Ideas: Best Books of 2014

Book Tree at the Lawrence Public Library

photo by @larryvilleLife

Looking for that last minute gift for that book lover in your life? We can help you with your shopping.  Books make an excellent gift.  We believe there is a the perfect book out there for everyone. 

We chatted with Rachel Smalter Hall and Allison Puderbaugh of LFK's PBR Book Club. They are experts at recommending exceptional books. Here are their top pics for 2014. 

Rachel's Picks: 

1. STATION ELEVEN by Emily St. John Mandel

2. THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS by M.R. Carey

3. BAD FEMINIST by Roxane Gay

4. WE WERE LIARS by e. lockhart

5. THE BOOK OF STRANGE NEW THINGS by Michel Faber

Allison's Picks ( In No Order)

1. Long Division by Kiese Laymon
2. Silence Once Begun by Jesse Ball
3. An Untamed State, by Roxane Gay
4. Hill William by Scott McClanahan
5. The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell
Allison's honorable mentions:
Which Piss by Sam Pink & Not for Nothing by Stephen G

Rachel Smalter Hall is a hip Lawrence mom who writes for Book Riot.  She picks a favorite read each month for The Riot Round-Up, writing about audiobook culture and the best new audiobook listens.

Allioson Puderbaugh is an avid reader. She tells us "The books that I recommend will change how you see the world. Either through the language or the ideas presented. Nothing is endorsed without considerable thought."

LFK Overrun with Santas and Other News

Larryville Artists prides itself on spotting the latest trends and fashions in LFK.
The current sartorial vogue in Larryville is Santa garb. We are seeing St. Nicholas everywhere!

Kent Smith models for  December's Thieves Guild Drawing Session

Santa and Mrs. Claus spotted on Mass Street (Photo via @Larryvillelife)

Jason Barr's Santa Shirt

Jasan Barr not only dressed as Santa, but augmented by printing a self portrait as Santa on a sweatshirt. His post says "Made a limited run of these on white and gray.".... "Give it to your mom. Message me.  https://www.etsy.com/listing/215397937/saint-barrr" 

Ben Ahlvers with Santa spirit

A classic pic of Dennis taken on a nice September day in 2013 (photo credit unkown)

___________________________________________

Other News: 

This delightful coffee drink made by the staff at Decade. 

And finally, who wouldn't want this gift card in their stocking?.

Yule Nog and Percolator News

Sign of  current drink specials at La Prima Tazza

Holidays are a busy time for our staff at Larryville Artists. Many are using lunch breaks to sneak in last minute holiday shopping or mail Christmas cards. Our team is also gearing up for the notoriously rambunctious holiday staff party.  At the top our list of things to do this season is to try a current drink special, the Yule Nog,  at La Prima Tazza.  Named for the famed @LarryvilleLife of the noteworthy blog Larryville Chronicles, this drink is sure to be great!  

Percolator News

The Second Sunday Sketching with Smitty was at The Percolator Gallery yesterday.  Much is always happening at the Percolator; amazing considering The Percolator functions with a volunteer personnel. Our reporters took many notes. 

What we learned: 

The Percolator has expanded activities to include an arts focus not only visual arts, but also writing and theater. 

Gallery supporters are in discussion about how to develop the green space in front of the Percolator. 

The Percolator's neighbor,  The Social Service League, will re-open in the Rhode Island location very soon.  

The alley ( the closest route to the front door) is still closed due to construction of a large hotel. Attendees must look for a sign on Rhode Island Street and sneak between two houses to find the Percolator entrance.

Parking on Rhode Island is confusing to some of our reporters.  Good to know that folks have a place to park by their house, but we weren't sure where we were sopposed to park.  Look closely at the signs (below). 

This sign on Rhode Island Street shows the current entrance to The Percolator

Christmas Time: Shopping and Letter Writing

Fun Chirstmas Shopping! We were with @Larryville Life when we saw this Santa gem at Hobb's

Wonder Fair's Letter Writing Club

Equipped with pens, paper, cards, stamps and hot drinks, letter writers met for the third meeting of Wonder Fair’s Letter Writing Club at a local coffee shop today.  We observed that members appeared to be very serious about their composing.  After a small amount of chit chat, members got down to the business of corresponding.  

Wonder Fair’s Meredith Moore explained The Letter Writing Club to us.  “Wonder Fair is community minded.  This club is one of many of our wonderful Wonder Fair clubs.   I personally wanted to build time in for more letter writing. It's sort of a therapy club. "   She added,  “Letter writing is a dying art.  As that trend continues, each letter we produce is archival.”

Club Member Allison selcting cards

Indeed, many club members archive letters received.  We talked with Karly who keeps a book of letters. She and a friend send the book back and forth to each other. “When my friend moved to Alaska, we started the book.  We keep the letters in the book as a reference of what we have written to each other. “

Some members were writing letters in Christmas cards.  Many of the cards were handmade or locally printed.  Club member Allison showed us her cards that feature a pair of underwear with the inscription “I have the worst job in the world. “ 

Each new session of the Letter Writer’s Club has a new letterhead design on paper that is passed out to members.  Our staff had to admit, we fell victim to the charms of the Letter Writing Club. And, generally, penmanship for members is exceptional!

Club Member Karly