It's the end of the month, which means that rotating exhibits around town will shift into new imagery to get ready for the upcoming ARTWALK from 5pm to 8pm on Friday, July 13, 2012.

Along with a group of artists, Lisa Bisbee enhances the walls of New Bern establishments, MJ's Raw Bar and The Next Chapter Bookstore. 

On Saturday, Michaelé Rose Watson and Blaine Kruger embellished the walls at MJs with brightly vivid colored canvases painted by Blaine Kruger. Lisa says,"With all the different sizes and colors, we could build consistency by aligning the top edge  of the artworks and space each out evenly."

Hanging a show is harder than it looks. Moving the pieces little to the left and then a little to the right, Lisa is grateful that Mike Lentz, owner of MJs Raw Bar, invested into a professional hanging system. The system is wired along the ceiling and dangles a hanging clip which slides as the composition of the wall unfolds.

Later Saturday afternoon, Lisa Bisbee meets up with a group of artists at The Next Chapter Bookstore to hang a group show for summertime 2012. Big thanks to Patti & Tom Reeves for providing local artists the opportunity to showcase their talents. More about this group exhibit to come in the next blog post.

Blaine began his creative career up north and brought his talents of art and design to New Bern several years ago. Blaine's work was accepted into the Bank of the Arts Annual Juried Show several times. 

Blaine exhibited during previous Bohemian Nights in New Bern at Michaele Rose Watson's Studio 413B and will be in attendance July 13th, 2012 to enjoy the company of artists and performers from 5pm to 9pm.   

In a group show for Summer 2012, Blaine's work is also being exhibited in a group show at the Next Chapter Bookstore in New Bern. Visit 320 S Front St., to see the artworks of Curt Wright, Michaele' Rose Watson, James Herring, Lee Hood, Dillon Gunn, Bridget Swayne, Gail Bisbee and Lisa Bisbee.

Blaine says, "As a new resident to the area and surrounded by such a rich history, I began learning about the New Bern. My reading led me to create a novel item showcasing New Bern’s heritage, 'New Bern A to Z – Well Known, Little Known and Just Plain Interesting Facts.' " To purchase Blaine's unique New Bern souvenir, please visit The Vault, a unique giftstore in the Bank of the Arts, 317 Middle Street.