Crossroads Carnegie Art Center is proud to announce the whimsical and playful exhibition, "The Alchemy of Glee," featuring Merrijo Wheaton and Amber Day.  Please, join us Friday, October 4th, 2019 from 5:30-8pm, to enjoy folk music and the guitar talents of Nancy Ames, light refreshments, and this imaginative exhibition. Joining us at Crossroads in the Morrison Family Student Gallery downstairs is Keating Elementary.

            There will also be story time in the downstairs auditorium at 6pm for First Friday, inspired by art in the gallery "The Bug's Journey," illustrated and written by Merrijo and George Wheaton. In recognition for their artwork in the student gallery, Keating Elementary will join Crossroads for a tour of the art center as well as to enjoy this book for all ages. Other readings will also include Eastern Oregon Head Start Preschool in Baker City and at the Baker County Library catch "The Bug's Journey" for Story Time on Friday, October 11th at 10am to hear this endearing story of Boswell the Bug, a ladybug searching for happiness.  

            This month in lieu of a gift certificate we are having a drawing for a chance to win an equivalent of $25 for a Taste of Baker Tokens. Our drawing will take place promptly at 7:30pm that evening and must be picked up as soon as possible to enjoy and redeem the tokens. Taste of Baker takes place only on Saturday from 4pm-7pm in downtown Baker City. Also, to kick off October, be sure to grab your Open Studio Tours map to enjoy the brief opportunity to check out the work spaces of the many talented artists. Crossroads will be hosting several of these artists here in our wonderful ballet studio and downstairs auditorium. We would like to thank Lew Brothers of Les Schwab Tires for their generous sponsorship and support of the arts.

             Merrijo Wheaton began her "Scissor Art" journey as a young girl exploring the art world with paper, glue, scissors, and paint. This exploration of her art skills gained her recognition throughout her school years. Her animation blossomed imagination. These vibrant scissor drawings tell the wonderful inspiration of Wheaton's experience from living in the Arizona desert, with many of the scenes depicted in her art reflecting the southwest desert and the people who live there.

            Amber Day has been a full time potter since 2011 and creates functional mid-range stoneware, pottery that has been fired at high temperatures. These nonporous bowls, cups, and jars are wonderful for everyday use or decorative purposes. With Day's passion for animals her pots have evolved into various creatures that have personality! You can see the character in their faces, the swish of their tails, paws that have explored, the stomping of their hooves, claws that slash, and the flapping of their wings. Pottery has never been more alive! Although, Day's main focus  is animal coin banks, you can find many of her bowls, cups, and jars not only at Crossroads Carnegie Art Center, but at several locations in Idaho, including Idaho Made boutique and Mixed Greens gift shop in Boise, and Boise's original farmers' market Capital City Public Market.

            "The Alchemy of Glee" is a perfect opportunity to choose early Christmas presents, especially those younger and those that are young at heart! Be sure to stop at Crossroads Carnegie Art Center 2020 Auburn Avenue in Baker City, Monday through Saturdays from 10am-5pm. For questions please call 541-523-5369 or email info@crossroads-arts.org for more information or to join our mailing list. And be sure to check out www.crossroads-arts.org to view our classes scheduled and upcoming events.