What if I told you there was a place in Grand Rapids that used to not only be a place for the neighbors to have a drink, but also where art almost magically appeared.
And while this business is no longer here as new owners have moved in and the jazz that used to flow on Sunday afternoons has been replaced with a dynamite jukebox, the art appearing on a regular basis over the past year has, in many ways, recreated some of that energy at the watering hole that is now The Meanwhile Bar.
The Meanwhile recently launched a new art program under the curation of 1111 Godfrey artist Reuben Garcia to create a non-traditional gallery space where art and patrons can intermingle freely in this relaxed neighborhood venue.
For the next exhibition, Garcia has invited artists Nick Nortier and David Peters to showcase their latest creations in the exhibition, Licensed To Illustrate.
Nortier will have on display his poetically charged works on wood employing elements of wood burning, oil, ink and water color to achieve his dreamy imagery.
Peters' work also on a wood substrate, often choosing skateboard decks as his preferred surface renders colorful and often comic-flavored imagery to capture his playful subject matter, which is a mix and match display of hand drawn images with a collage-like effect.
It is no surprise the two of these young artists play off each other well since they share a house together and are, as Nortier said via a phone call, “best friends.”
And while Nortier these days is busy perfecting his first children’s book, he enjoys the opportunity to take a break to work with Peters on this show, which seeks to reveal a story in its presentation.
And Garcia is very happy with how the past shows have performed at The Meanwhile Bar, saying, “Lots of our artists are making sales here as it is a great space to meet new artists.”
The opening reception begins Friday night at 7:30 p.m. and will run, as most events do at The Meanwhile, until the 2 a.m. close if the creative spirits are flowing in the room.
Both artists have invited two groups that they strongly support to be a part of their opening, DecriminalizeGR and LetsBanFracking.org, to answer questions as well as garner signatures.
It is also worth noting that the title is a play on the Beastie Boys' debut release Licensed To Ill.
Admission: Free
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