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I think summer has arrived, it seemed like a long
winter but now we're having lovely sunny days and the
snow in the mountains is melting away. We're getting
lots of new fun stuff for summer, so do stop by.
| Artist Spotlight - Mimi Werner |
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Our featured artist this month is Finley Point ceramic
artist Mimi Werner. Mimi's new work takes on two
divergent paths. In the 30 years Mimi has worked as a
ceramic artist, she has primarily focused on high fired,
functional porcelain wares. Due partly to economic
times and the ecological crisis facing the planet Mimi
is experimenting with electric fired porcelain using
discarded auto parts to stamp relief into functional
plates and baking dishes.
The covered vessels in this show are a theme that
Mimi keeps returning to in her work. These pieces are
fired in a kiln using wood as fuel. The mark of the
flame is left directly on the clay. By using copper wire,
masking tape and other combustibles, unpredictable,
smoky patterns are burned onto the clay. These
pieces reflect Mimi's continued fascination with the
chemistry of flame and clay as well as the ritualized
act of incorporating these pieces into our daily lives.
Meet Mimi during Whitefish Gallery Night, Thursday,
June 4, 2009 from 6-9 PM. Mimi's work will be
displayed during the opening and throughout the
month of June.
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| Carin's Corner - Common Pollutants |
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This month's column will be the last of four to look at
the common pollutants in our homes.
Formaldehyde is a colorless, acrid smelling gas that
is very noticeable. Unfortunately it is widely used in
building materials and household products. It is in
the adhesive for pressed wood products like
particle board and medium density fiberboard, which
are often used for cabinets and sub floors in homes.
Ask about the formaldehyde content of wood products
before you purchase them. Buy carpet and under pad
that doesn't have formaldehyde. If you bring in a
source of formaldehyde, increase the ventilation to
help mitigate the gas.
Organic Pollutants include all household products as
well as the ones usually kept in the garage like paint
strippers, fuels, and wood preservatives. Pesticides
include insecticides and products used on lawns and
gardens that can be tracked inside the house by pets
and people.
Many of these products are toxic. Follow instructions
carefully and always use in well-ventilated spaces or
outside. Purchase quantities you will use soon and
dispose of unused products safely. Take a look at the
products in your laundry room and garage. By
replacing them with less toxic or organic alternatives
you will be able reduce the cumulative effect of
pollutants in your home.
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| Joke of the Month |
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Feeling listless, Sue bought some expensive "brain-
stimulating" pills at the health food store. But it wasn't
until she got home that she read the label.
"This is just rosemary extract," Sue complained to her
husband. "I can't believe I spent all that money for
something that I have growing like wild in the yard!"
"See?" he said. "You're smarter already."
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Ruth's Ramblings |
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Gallery Nights is this Thursday from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.
Don't miss out on all the fun. You can check out the
Gallery Nights blog here
. The blog gets updated each month so you can
see which artist is being featured at the different
galleries. Do try and attend as it is such a fun event
and the attendance keeps growing from year to year.
Don't forget Father's Day this month. Doesn't your dad
deserve a nice hand crafted gift? We have lots of
wonderful items that your father might enjoy, such as
a hand bound leather golf log, a wooden
kaleidoscope, an ever changing sand art picture,
journals, key chains, business card holders and more.
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