Check out these top 9 arts events in November

Thursday, November 5, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
LACA Projects, 1429 Bryant Street

We’be been looking forward to the opening of this exhibition since we saw Vicente Hernández’s work in early September at the McColl Center for Art + Innovation. To cap off his fall residency at McColl, the internationally acclaimed Cuban painter will show work in his first solo exhibition in Charlotte, showcasing his highly detailed, dreamlike paintings.

Vicente Hernández, The Tower and the Utophy, 2013. Oil on canvas, 31 1/4 x 39 1/4 inches.

(2) Reception for Kent Williams: Native Bone and Far to Home

Thursday, November 5, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Van Every/Smith Galleries at Davidson College

The dynamic paintings of Kent Williams contain both abstract and representational elements and are chock full of rich, lovely brushstrokes. This exhibition, containing work from 2007 to the present by the Lose Angeles artist, is sure to turn us all into painting lovers.

Kent Williams, Romantique, 2014. Oil on canvas, 48 x 48 inches.

(3) Artist lecture by Brian Rutenberg

Saturday, November 7, 2015, 11 a.m.
Jerald Melberg Gallery, 625 South Sharon Amity Road

Painter Brian Rutenberg opens his next solo exhibition in Charlotte with a morning lecture with coffee and light breakfast snacks. The New York artist has deep roots in the coastal Carolinas and references those humid, thick vistas in his large scale abstract landscape paintings. Rutenberg has garnered a reputation as an engaging, conversational, and knowledgeable speaker, so this artist talk is not to be missed.

Brian Rutenberg, Reeds Rise, 2015. Oil on Linen, 48 x 82 inches.

(4) Reception and Book Signing for Xavier Gaurdans: Traveling Lights

Wednesday, November 11, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
SOCO Gallery, 421 Providence Road

Charlotte’s newest gallery presents their third exhibition, which is the first solo exhibition in the United States for Spanish born artist Xavier Guardans. There will be 14 photographs on view from his newly published monograph, Traveling Lights, which will be available for purchase and signing during the reception. The photographs are mysterious and anonymous landscapes that could be tied to many different times and places.

Xavier Guardans, Giza Desert, Egypt, 2004.

(5) Moulin Mint: Fall Ball 2015

Friday, November 13, 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Mint Museum Uptown, 500 South Tryon Street

This annual black tie fundraiser, hosted by the Young Affiliates of the Mint, will celebrate the golden age of France, when cabarets were cool and Eiffel was just a guy with a crazy idea for a tower. Highlights: Open Bar, dancing, and french cuisine. All proceeds from the event will be used to help offset the cost of providing Charlotte-Mecklenburg Students with tours of the Mint Museum.

Get your tickets soon: $100 for members, $120 for non-members

The main galleries at the museum will be open during the event. Check out one of our favorites: Julie Heffernan, Self Portrait as Wunderkabinett, 2003. Oil on canvas, 82 x 58 inches. 

(6) Reception for Hex Party Art Exhibit

Friday, November 13, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
C3 Lab, 2525 Distribution Street

How will we be facing the unluckiest day ever? We’re going to an art show supporting emerging artists in our own community: Avery Rose Glen (painter), Christine Rebich (fibers), & Taylor Williams (illustrator). It takes place in one of Charlotte’s newest and hippest coworking spaces and will not disappoint. Music will be provided by DJ Matt Helton and alcohol sales will benefit Charlotte Community Toolbank.

Illustration by Taylor Williams

(7) An Evening of Earth & Fire

Saturday, November 14, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Elder Gallery, 1520 South Tryon Street.

Clayworks, Charlotte’s best option for ceramics classes and workshops, will host its annual auction supporting their organization. A silent auction will showcase the best work produced by students and instructors of the studio as well as a selection of North Carolina’s finest artists (and there are many).

Ceramic work by Rohnan Peterson

(8) The Light Factory’s 33rd Annual Auction

Saturday, November 14 at 6:30 p.m.
The Light Factory, 1817 Central Avenue

Arguably the season’s most fun and rowdy art event, The Light Factory’s annual auction proves that photographers really do know how to have fun. This event is for anybody who wants to add a gorgeous artwork to their home; with auction items ranging the spectrum of prices there is truly something for everyone.

Silent auction begins at 6:30 p.m. and the live auction begins at 8 p.m.

Ahmer Inam, Crabtree Falls, 2013 Archival Digital C-Print, 16 x 20 inches, Edition 7 of 10.

(9) McColl Center Open House + Jewelry Jubilee

Friday, November 20, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
McColl Center for Art + Innovation, 721 North Tryon Street

If you haven’t been to a McColl Center Open House in a while (or ever), this is the one we recommend you attend. This fall event is a revamp of what used to be “Palate to Palette,” a ticketed event where artists’ studios would be paired with a wine tasting. This year they’ve made it free and added a cool jewelry market curated by the fantastic metals artists Eli Arenas O’Neilland Claudia Griffin.

Eliana Arenas O’Neill, Day Two, 2012. Mixed media brooch, 10 x 3 x 1/2 inches. 

(Photo credit: Cover image via Jerald Melberg Gallery Facebook page)