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From MPR News, Art Hounds are members of the Minnesota arts community who look beyond their own work to highlight what’s exciting in local art. Their recommendations are lightly edited from the original submission.

Celebrating the work of Duluth artist Oddio Nib

Jeff Schmidt, owner of Lizzards Art Gallery & Framing in Duluth, recommends visiting 

 Nib is a prolific artist whose work includes still lifes as well as abstract and narrative paintings.

Over 100 of Nib’s paintings spanning more than 40 years of work will be in the exhibit, which opened this week at Zeitgeist’s Gallery Cafe and runs through July 30. The exhibit will expand to the Zeitgeist’s Atrium July 2–30, where some of Nib’s larger works will be hung. The paintings are for sale as well.

Amanda Helling is an improviser from Minneapolis, and she appreciates the musical improv abilities of Hannah Wydeven. Her ability to make up engaging songs on the spot is on full display in her show 

 which runs Fridays in May at 9:30 p.m. at Bryant Lake Bowl in Minneapolis. 

It’s part of The Residency at the venue that pairs two 25-minute improv shows in an evening; Darth Hogbeef is the partnering act.

“Sad Songs” will also help kick off the 

 which runs June 5–8 at the Phoenix Theater in Minneapolis.

 Hannah is an engaging musical improviser, and her show is very interactive. I'm always blown away by people who can improvise songs that sound almost preplanned, and Hannah is at the top of that game. Between the total 4th-wall break and the music that, despite being called “sad songs,” is often riotously funny.

Hannah's show is a tour de force. “Sad Songs” would be at the top of my list of suggested shows to introduce someone to long-form improvisational theater.

Peter Bretl of Minneapolis calls himself an enthusiastic amateur storyteller, and he’s really been enjoying taking classes and attending open mic nights at the 

He appreciates the coaching to help him tell stories more comfortably before a crowd, and he recommends that anyone who is interested show up at an open mic night and add their name to the list of speakers for an opportunity to tell a story of up to 10 minutes in length.

 are the third Monday of the month (next event: Monday, May 19 at 7 p.m.) and 

 are every fourth Monday (next event: Monday, May 26 at 7 p.m.)

 The venue itself is delightful. I think seating capacity is 36, so you feel almost surrounded by friends. There's an intimacy to it that I really, really like. And the crowds there are very supportive. Everyone wants you to succeed.

Author

Art Hounds recommend a retrospective show for Duluth painter Oddio Nib, “Sad Songs for Happy People,” and the American School for Storytelling.

Art Hounds: Duluth retrospective, musical improv and open mic storytelling

A painting with strands of pink, purple and yellow colors

Art Hounds: Duluth retrospective, musical improv and open mic storytelling

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