May 14, 2024

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The art of “Everyday Prophets”

a red sign on a brick building for the Outsider Art Fair

The Outsider Art Museum is free to the public. | Photo by LOUtoday

The term “outsider art” was coined in 1972 by French artist Jean Dubuffet, and has come to describe art created by people outside the traditional bounds of fine art. That’s exactly what you’ll find at the Outsider Art Museum + Gallery — aka OMG — in Louisville’s Portland neighborhood.

The museum opened in November 2023 at 2510 Portland Ave. with an exhibition for the late Mark Anthony Mulligan, a Louisville artist known for his paintings of company signage and logos. This exhibit was followed by an exhibition of work by Tad DeSanto, another self-taught Louisville artist, entitled “Look/Hear” — and the latest OMG exhibit is “Everyday Prophets,” which features folk artists from all over Appalachia

What you’ll see

“Everyday Prophets” is a mixed-medium exhibition, featuring carved wooden figures, a quilt, a painted briefcase, and more. The colors are bright and the themes are in-your-face.

The devil appears as a common motif and enemy throughout the exhibit. In a sculpture by Ronald and Jessie Cooper, a pack of labled sinners is sent to hell in a brightly painted handbasket. North Carolinian James Harold Jennings shows powerful women defeating the devil, often by sitting on him.

A wooden carving of a fox with bared teeth — Minnie Adkins’ “Red Fox” shows off her penchant for stylized representations of Appalachian wildlife.
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Photo by LOUtoday

Folk artist Minnie Adkins’ work is decidedly less devilish, but no less striking. The image of a bright orange fox recurs in several of her pieces, including a large wooden statue, a quilt of Appalachian animals, and a briefcase proclaiming “folk art is fun art.” The 90-year-old Kentucky artist has been featured in the Smithsonian, the National Gallery of Art, the KMAC Museum, and the private collections of Oprah Winfrey and Barbra Streisand.

Through the end of June, see work by Adkins and 17 other artists in OMG’s gallery space, along with several permanent pieces. The museum’s shop offers pieces for sale, along with books collecting images of the artists’ work.

Asked

What’s your favorite piece in “Everyday Prophets?”

A. Wooden figures by Carl McKenzie
B. Wooden figures by Carolyn hall
C. “Red Fox” by Minnie Adkins
D. The Folk Art is Fun Art briefcase by Minnie Adkins

Carve out your answer

Events

Wednesday, May 15

Business Blast with LIBA | Wednesday, May 15 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Goodbounce Pickleball Yard, 1515 River Shore Dr., Louisville | Free | Join the Louisville Independent Business Alliance and the Jeffersontown Chamber for a joint networking event for business owners + employees.
“Beetlejuice” | Wednesday, May 15-Sunday, May 19 | Times vary | Whitney Hall, The Kentucky Center, 501 W. Main St., Louisville | $46-$156 | Don’t say his name three times — catch the touring performance of this movie-turned-musical.

Thursday, May 16

America Uncorked: A Spirited Revolt | Thursday, May 16 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Locust Grove, 561 Blankenbaker Ln., Louisville | $22-$25 | Learn about the history of the Whiskey Rebellion and how it affected the burgeoning US from author Brady Crytzer.

Friday, May 17

Jerry Seinfeld | Friday, May 17 | 7 p.m. + 9:30 p.m. | Louisville Palace, 625 S. 4th St., Louisville | $70-$400 | See the 1990s sitcom icon perform stand-up live — think he’ll wear the puffy shirt?

Saturday, May 18

Paristown Flea | Saturday, May 18 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Paristown, 720 Brent St., Louisville | Free | Shop vintage jewlery, collectibles, vinyl, and clothing while you listen to live bluegrass music + eat at the Village Market food hall.

Sunday, May 19

Paint Your Pet | Sunday, May 19 | 12:30-2:30 p.m. | Paristown, 712 Brent St., Louisville | $58.51 | Paint a presketched canvas of your pet while you snack on cupcakes — be sure to send in a photo in advance.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Closed

The Back Door has closed all its doors. The Highlands bar, known for having painted portraits of locals covering its walls, announced yesterday that it called it quits, after almost 40 years in business. Owner John Dant died in October and his family said “he was the glue that held the Back Door together.

Watch

Ethan Hawke’s “Wildcat,” a biopic about writer Flannery O’Conner shot partially in Louisville, will screen at the Speed Museum starting this Thursday, May 16 through Sunday, May 26. Tickets are available now.

Drink

Blackberry Ale-8-One is back on the shelves. The popular soda flavor was teased back in early April, but a Facebook post yesterday confirmed blackberry is back-berry. This year marks the 98th anniversary of the trademark Kentucky soda.

Community

This Friday is National Bike to Work Day, and Cyclouvia is hosting four group rides to celebrate. Bike groups will leave from George Rogers Clark Park, Shawnee Park, Iroquois Park + Seneca Park at 7:30 a.m. and meet at 4th Street Live! for donuts, coffee, and door prizes.

Eat

World of Beer Louisville (9850 Von Allmen Ct.) is offering free mac + cheese bites this weekend for each hole-in-one shot during the PGA tournament. Fans must order within 24 hours of the shot and mention the promotion to receive their free eats. The offer starts Thursday and ends Sunday.

Wellness

The mental health community festival MindFEST will come to the Roots 101 African American Museum (124 N. 1st St.) next Sunday, May 26. The “community mind strengthening event” will feature music, art, food, entertainment, and panel discussions on mental health.

Arts

The Louisville Metro Office of Arts + Creative Industries is seeking proposals for several public art projects in the Parkland neighborhood, including one large street mural on 28th Street. More artwork on sidewalk bump-outs will help enhance safety for pedestrians + cyclists.

Gallery

Due to a large solar storm, the Northern Lights were visible across Kentuckiana over the weekend. In case you missed it, check out a gallery of aurora borealis images. Unlike eclipses and meteor showers, the solar activity that leads to auroras are difficult to predict. (WDRB)

Sports

With the Cardinals men’s basketball team roster almost filled out, football prospects are starting to line up. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews and more from local experts of the Cards with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Kids

Summer is right around the corner, Louisville. Take a look at three water safety tips to help keep your child safe while having fun in the sun this season.*

Biz

Baker Boy Hot Donuts for sale

The Baker Boy Hot Donuts sign is listed as an attraction with Roadside America. | Photo by Tommy Clark

The property at 3922 Shelbyville Rd. has been the location of Dutch’s Tavern, a Mellow Mushroom, a taco shop, and more. Now, it’s on the market.

The 6,579-sqft building contains a bar with 40+ taps, a patio, a dining room, a stage, and a walk-in fridge and freezer, all included in the $2.6 million price tag. Listing agent Kimberly Dattilo said it would be the ideal location for a new music venue.

The interior of a restaurant building in Louisville — The interior still has the bright color scheme of former tenants.
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Photo by Tommy Clark

Perhaps the most iconic feature of the building is the Baker Boy Hot Donuts sign, which was uncovered when the property was renovated in 2012. But no records of a Baker Boy business in Louisville exist. Some theorize a soda fountain in the building once sold doughnuts, while listing agent Tommy Clark hypothesized the overly-wholesome sign was put up as a joke by a bar or gambling den.

The Buy

Clinique’s Take The Day Off cleansing balm makeup remover. This balm’s silky, buttery formula dissolves long-wearing makeup and sunscreens — and it’s one of the brand’s best sellers.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Declan

From the editor

In just a few weeks, on Saturday, June 1, the Outsider Art Museum will be hosting an exhibition for the “Printed” zine. It has the work of over 60 local artists — including my best friend, Joey Basil. Check it out between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. and say hello if you see me.

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