First Friday Art After Dark returns to Frames & Things

By PAMELA GRANT

Cove Leader-Press

Frames and Things in Copperas Cove held their first Art After Dark in more than two years, since they stopped holding them in 2020 due to Covid.

As had been traditional for the frame shop and art gallery in Cove Terrace Shopping Center, they held the event on the first Friday of the month from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Debra Friddle, co-owner of Frames and Things, said that they are excited to be able to hold the Art After Dark events again. The frame shop had hosted Art After Dark for more than 20 years prior to Covid putting a temporary stop to it. Friddle said that the event is a great way to invite the community out and for the various artists to get to enjoy and appreciate the variety of art that is out there.

“It’s a way for artists to display their art, talk to each other, and pick their brains,” said Joe Friddle, co-owner of Frames and Things and Debra Friddle’s husband. “It benefits everybody in all different kinds of ways.”

Joe Friddle, an artist himself, said that even if another person’s art isn’t their cup of tea, they can still appreciate it and maybe even learn something from what the other artist has done.

“We have a lot of talented artists in the area,” said Debra Friddle.

Inside Frames and Things, a number of art pieces by local artist Jutta Mack, were on display in the gallery. The shop also offered music, food and drinks, door prizes, and the chance to meet and connect with other local artists.

Mack creates her art with a variety of mediums with a special emphasis on using recycled items.

In addition to traditional paints, Mack affixes her canvases with things like broken jewelry, satellite dishes, cut-outs from older paintings, broken glass, and more.

One of her works featured broken glass put back together representing how the lives of many were shattered by Covid only for our resilience to help pull us back together.

Another was an armadillo with its back adorned in gorgeous patterns of broken jewelry and a little guitar in front of it, representing musician Willie Nelson.

“I’d describe myself as a weird person who makes weird art and I love it,” said Mack with a laugh.

Mack said that she loves Art After Dark as it gives her the chance to reconnect with friends and fellow artists.

Kristin Wright said that she absolutely loves Mack’s art.

“The colors are very exciting and vibrant,” said Wright. “I especially love that she uses found objects and creates something very new and different.”

Wright added that she loves how Mack isn’t confined to the frames of her pictures with the colors and items often spilling out of and over their frames.

Mack’s work will be on display – and for sale – at Frames and Things for the rest of the month of September.

The Friddles plan to continue to hold Art After Dark on the first Friday of each month from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. They have artists scheduled already through the end of the year.