WIAC Coffee House Cabaret series begins in January

The Walk In Art Center is unveiling its new “Coffee House Cabaret” series featuring new and visiting art exhibitions and acoustic musicians in a coffee house setting. The first cabaret is scheduled for Jan. 6 from 6 to 9 p.m.

“The layout of the Main Gallery of the Walk In is perfect for this kind of event,” said Jacquie Engel, Executive Director at the Walk In Art Center.

“People will arrive around 6 p.m. to enjoy some great art from visiting artists, have some refreshments, wine, etc., and chat with the artist(s) in the gallery part of the room,” Engel said. “Then they’ll move on in and grab a seat at a table for some great music in the large open area around 7 p.m..”

While folks are enjoying the music, they can grab a handmade mug and some complimentary coffees, teas and desserts.

On Jan. 6, the Walk In will welcome well-known local artists Bob McCormick and Mike McCord in an exhibition they are calling “The Two McC’s.” They have been working on some new pieces and are ready to show them to the world.

McCormick calls his style “modern primitive.”

“I like to use vivid colors and simple shapes, and focus on familiar local landscapes,” he said. “Lately, I’ve been attempting more figures in my recent landscapes, and that’s a worthy challenge for me.”

McCord has a very loose style and says he’s “more about the process than the final result.” He paints what inspires him at the moment. McCord recently held an open house at his home studio and featured works he completed during the pandemic, featuring many scenes from St. Clair.

“Many works feature buildings from my childhood that aren’t there anymore, or place I remember fondly,” says McCord.

The musical part of the evening will feature acoustic duo the Front Porch Strippers, Rich Mextorf and Terry McLaughlin. Mextorf describes them as, “the kind you might sing as you gather with friends on the porch, but stripped down into raw and touching tributes to the originals.”

The duo will mix in fun stories and tales.

Visitors also can stroll through the lobby and studio row to view the photography of Amber Fink and Golden Finch Photography. Fink’s pieces have been seen all around the area lately, and some of her newest pieces are on display at the WIAC throughout January and February.

Engel says she hopes people start to think of First Fridays at the Walk In as the place to be.

“There really isn’t anything like this in the area,” she said. “A nice, relaxing evening with friends after a long week of work where you can mellow out with some great coffee or wine, view some beautiful art, and relax to some great music.”

The Coffee House Cabaret will have a new visual artist and music act every other month, so look forward to new cabarets in March. and May.

Tickets for the musical performance are $10 and can be purchase ahead of time or paid at door. Coffee, refreshments and beverages are included.

Find out about the show and other Walk In Art Center guilds, events and expos, art classes, vendor opportunities, and family events by visiting facebook.com/walkinartcenter.