photo by: Contributed

Lawrence artist Dave Loewenstein, who may be best known locally for his community murals, will be hosting an opening of a new showing, "Unless," at downtown Lawrence bar Bourgeois Pig, 6 E. Ninth St., on Friday night from 5 to 8 p.m. He told the Journal-World this is a great chance for fans of his work to see some of his more "personal" pieces.

The last time Lawrence artist Dave Loewenstein debuted a show at the Bourgeois Pig was likely more than 20 years ago, as he recalls.

But though it may have been “years and years ago” that he last showed at the downtown Lawrence bar and coffee shop, he will host an opening at the Bourgeois Pig, 6 E. Ninth St., on Friday night for a new show called “Unless,” and he’s looking forward to showcasing the art that features his more personal touches.

“It’s a thrill to get to do it again,” Loewenstein said.

The longtime Lawrence artist is often known for his murals that dot the city. His most recent community mural was one painted on the street at Seventh and Alabama in Old West Lawrence, depicting box turtles — the state reptile of Kansas – and using designs from the community. But the show on Friday night will feature eight or nine different pieces he created from a variety of media as well as a zine he created that features ink drawings he has made throughout the years.

Friday’s opening also coincides with the last Final Friday Art Walk of the year in downtown Lawrence. Various businesses in downtown and in the East Lawrence Warehouse Arts District are expected to have a post-Christmas display of art for free viewing.

photo by: Contributed

Dave Loewenstein, muralist, printmaker and writer based in Lawrence best known for his community murals. He will be hosting an opening of a new showing, “Unless,” at downtown Lawrence bar Bourgeois Pig, 6 E. Ninth St., on Friday night from 5 to 8 p.m.

Loewenstein said if there is a theme to this show, it’s about “ideas of destruction and restoration” — fitting for the end of the year, when many people “reflect on challenges and look forward to possibilities.”

Loewenstein’s new show will feature one of his more frequent and unique methods: homemade spray paint, stencil prints. He said he likes the feel of creating those works the best, but the gallery will also have some acrylic paintings and one watercolor.

Loewenstein also said there are a couple of works on display from a series called “The Erratics,” which is partially inspired by the Sacred Red Rock Project that returned a 28-ton red quartzite boulder from the City of Lawrence to the Kaw Nation. Loewenstein went in search of similar boulders — known as glacial erratic boulders — across Kansas that had been turned into monuments and depicted many in that series. Other pieces from the series are located at the Spencer Museum of Art, 1301 Mississippi St., but he said this is a different chance for people to see this series.

While he acknowledges that many Lawrence residents may be more familiar with his mural work, Loewenstein is excited that the show could introduce those people to his more “personal” works of art that are not quite as rooted in place as murals.

“I hope it’s a good chance for people to see the other things I make that often leave Lawrence,” Loewenstein said.

The showing will take place on Friday, Dec. 26, from 5 to 8 p.m.

Another show set for Friday is “The Kaw: Field Notes,” from 5 to 9 p.m. inside the Edward Jones office at 888 New Hampshire St. The show is a collection of photos and items assembled by architectural historian and photographer Matthew Holtkamp as he has traveled the Kansas River. Local businessman John Gascon is serving as the curator of the show.

Multiple other businesses and galleries in downtown and the Warehouse Arts District are expected to have a variety of art pieces on display on Friday evening.

photo by: Contributed

A piece called “No Kings But Me!” made of spraypaint stencil by Lawrence artist Dave Loewenstein. It is one of the works that will be on display during his opening Friday night for an exhibition called “Unless.”