'A Midsummer Night's Dreambar' Opens Tonight

Tonight, July 9, 2015 from 5pm to 9pm, The artists of Spring Street Studios invite the public to experience the world of dreams and visions at an open studio event called "A Midsummer Night's Dreambar". Why Dreambar? The first 150 visitors to this FREE event will receive a free orange-and-vanilla ice cream bar. It is a Throwback Thursday nod to the joy of frozen treats from the ice cream man on a hot, summer evening, but the REAL treat of the evening for visitors will be meeting a community of working visual and performing artists and purchasing incredible artworks directly from their creators.

Dreams and visions fuel the creative engines of artists, and in a community of artists like Spring Street Studios, dreams and visions are realized every day in the form of canvases, photographs, designs, and performances.

On view on the first floor during the event will be a building-wide exhibition called "Dreams and Visions: the Artist's Perspective," organized by photographer Cheri Randolph and curated by recent University of Houston graduate Chelsea Shannon who received her master's in art history this spring with an emphasis on contemporary photography.

In celebration of the new seasons at Stark Naked Theatre and Mildred's Umbrella Theater Company, who share the black box theatre at Studio 101, there will be music, dancing and FREE Saint Arnold's beer.

Beverly Fritsch, an established abstract expressionist painter, recently occupied one of the studios at Spring Street Studios. "I'm working to live my dream and produce the art that's who I am," she explains. She reflects that working in isolation affected her work negatively, but working at Spring Street Studios increased her creativity.

Painter Michael Golden is one of the original artists of Spring Street Studios and he says the creative community is a great source of critiques, inspiration, and perspective. "There's a great sense of supporting and rooting for each other."

"Part of the value of Spring Street Studios is the opportunity to share our art with the general public," said event committee member and painter Page Piland. "The Second Saturday Open Studios and the ongoing exhibitions provide a low key, low pressure atmosphere that is appreciated by both the visitors AND the artists."

In addition to these delights, photographer and event coordinator Gary Watson says visitors will be treated to complimentary light bites from Prego, Torchy's Tacos, Les Givral's and Beavers as well as live music by Leslie Krafka, the Houston Songwriters Association 2010 Songwriter of the Year, who will be performing her original songs. Come out and join us for a fun and creative evening of art and mingling!

Spring Street Studios is located at 1824 Spring Street, Houston 77007 in the heart of the Washington Avenue Arts District.