art by Jon Recker

Five years ago, the Fort Wayne Derby Girls undertook an ambitious project, and it has grown into one of the most popular fundraisers in our area. Partnering with Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana, the Fort Wayne Derby Girls will host the 5th Annual Bust a Move, a live art auction, to support the programs and services for women with breast cancer at Cancer Services.

So what is Bust a Move? While it culminates in an event, which will take place on Friday, October 5 at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, it began much earlier in the year when breast cancer survivors and derby girls volunteered their bodies to be cast. The casts were distributed to local artists, who created unique, inspiring artistic representations of the female bust and the emotions associated with breast cancer. The art pieces will be auctioned at the event on October 5. The event also includes food, entertainment and a cash bar.

Every year, the artwork gets better and better, and this year, event organizers are hopeful they will break their record for highest selling piece- $2,375.

The project has touched so many lives, from breast cancer survivors to artists to the community as a whole, and it has raised over $35,000 for Cancer Services since its inception. Tickets are just $15 in advance, or $20 at the door the day of the event.

To view artwork from previous years, visit the gallery. To find out more about the event, visit the event website. To purchase tickets online, visit the ticket page. Tickets are also available at Cancer Services, 6316 Mutual Drive, or from any Derby Girl.

Bust A Move unites us, even if for a brief moment, in the cancer experience, and helps us celebrate life before, during and after cancer.

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Consider it the smorgasbord of the local art world.

The annual Fort Wayne Museum of Art Trolley Tour, on Sept. 21 from 6-10 p.m., is an opportunity to take in some good art in a an eclectic atmosphere. While the event has been a favorite for some time, new to this year is the timing. It has been traditionally held on a Thursday; while this year it will take place on Friday.

Take in the sights of 13 galleries-three new-while eating food from 16 caterers. Patrons can enjoy a new “Southwest Route” that includes: Castle Gallery; Terry Ratliff’s gallery(RatArt); University of Saint Francis; Orchard Gallery and B. Mitchell Fine Jewelry. The Main Library will, for the first time, have a cash bar this year provided by Flanagan’s.

A mix of art and good food, it truly is a sensory experience! More trolleys and buses will be available than in years past, which will add to the experience. Tickets (also called passports) are on sale Aug. 28. 

Insider’s Note: The museum sold out the night of the event last years, so you might want to get your tickets early! You can also pick them up at the Paradigm Gallery (Museum Store), the Orchard Gallery, online, or by calling 422-6467.

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What more can you ask for than an evening paired with local art, edibles and transportation? Enter the Fort Wayne Museum of Art (FWMoA) 2012 Trolley Tour.

This annual event takes place Friday, September 21 from 5:30 to 10 p.m. The tour starts with an unique pre-party at the Orchard Gallery section of the museum at 5 p.m. The actual trolley tour starts one hour later.

Galleries showcased on this year’s tour include: the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Artlink, Lotus Yoga, Wellness & Gallery, Potter’s Wife Gallery, RataRt, Castle Gallery, Northside Galleries, Allen County Public Library: Jeffery R. Krull Gallery, First Presbyterian Church Gallery, The Orchard Gallery at the FWMoA, University of Saint Francis: School of Creative Arts;, B. Mitchel Fine Jewelry and Ryan Hadley Studio.

At each stop, local caterers will offer light snacks. Participating eateries this year include: The Oyster Bar, Vanilla Bean Cupcakery, Flanagan’s, Club Soda, DeBrand Fine Chocolates, Firefly Coffee House, Nutcracker Sweet Shoppe, Calhoun Street Soups, Salads and Spirits, Chop’s, Mad Anthony Brewing Co, Casa and AVI.

Keep in mind, the after-party continues at the museum after the tour ends. Live music by Sugar Shot and sweet treats from the Vanilla Bean will be on-site. This is the 13th year for the trolley tour, with this year being new take with a Friday night excursion. Book your ride today!

Passports for this year’s event are on sale now at the FWMoA Paradigm Gallery and Orchard Gallery and online. Or call, 260.422.6467 to arrange your passport. Passports are $25 each for FWMoA members and $30 each for non-members.

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One of the best free venues for shock and awe in Fort Wayne is the Karpeles Museum on Fort Wayne’s south side.

Upon visiting this place for the first time a year ago, I was thrilled. As an author, I like to view old documents when possible. Inside the Karpeles Museum I saw documents written by Abraham Lincoln, Mark Twain, and Clara Barton. The theme at that time was ‘Transportation’. The items on display reflected some connection with transportation and were written by the individual’s own hand.

My jaw hung open for much of the time I was in the converted church where the Karpeles exhibits have been housed since it opened in 2008. How cool to see what Mark Twain’s thoughts looked like on paper without benefit of the “delete” button!

The Fort Wayne Karpeles Museum is one of only twelve such museums in the United States.

There are only 12 Karpeles Museums in the US (Rock Island, Illinois is the next closest after Fort Wayne). Every three months the exhibit inside the Karpeles Museum changes. The current exhibit, Theories of Darwin, runs through August. An exhibit on Freud is planned for fall.

There are usually 25-30 items in each exhibit. The Darwin exhibit consists of documents written by Darwin from the time of the Civil War to the end of the 20th century.

It’s inspiring to think how far we’ve come in compiling research. It might have taken Darwin months or even years to write letters, expounding a single theory, with another philosopher. Today it could all be done in a matter of minutes via email or Skype.

No matter the temporary exhibit, the museum’s permanent exhibit is just as cool – authentic Egyptian pieces!

Celebrate the fact that Fort Wayne was chosen as a city with a high interest in education, several cultural events, and museums, making it worthy to host a Karpeles Museum. Check it out!

Hours:
Tues- Sat
10a-4pm

3039 Piqua Avenue
260.456.6929
KMuseumFtW@aol.com

www.Karpeles.com

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What better way to explore Fort Wayne than for FREE?

This year’s annual “Be A Tourist In Your Own Hometown!” event takes place Sunday, September 9 from noon to 5 p.m. in the heart of the city. This event is not to be missed. Both visitors and locals alike will enjoy exploring the many museums and attractions Fort Wayne has to offer at no cost.

Participation is easy. Simply pick up a free passport now at any local Fort Wayne Scott’s, Kroger or Tower Bank locations. From out of town? Simply download a printable passport online here. Please note that only one passport is needed for your group or family, making access to these attractions quick and easy.

With your passport in tow, you will have five hours to explore any of the 12 participating attractions and museums on this year’s route, which features locations all close to one another, downtown. Participants this year for Fort Wayne’s event include:

African/African-American Historical Museum
Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory
Artlink
The Embassy Theatre
Fort Wayne Museum of Art
History Center
Parkview Field
Allen County Courthouse
Historic Fort Wayne (Fort)
The Lincoln Tower
Science Central
Fort Wayne Visitor’s Center

Questions? Feel free to call the Fort Wayne Visitor’s Center at 800.767.7752 or email visitorinfo@visitfortwayne.com.

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