Art Hounds: The Kirkbride, TuckUnder and two songstresses forge new paths

The hounds talk up a former insane asylum with a new lease on life, artists daydreaming on the job and two throwback singer songwriters who've updated their sounds.

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Artist, curator and arts writer Nathaniel Smith has been impressed by the exhibitions at TuckUnder Projects, which is based in the south Minneapolis home of artist and Art Hound Pete Driessen.

TuckUnder's latest show, "If We Could," asks six artists to make work, inspired by their daydreams at work. All the artists work in the art scene in some capacity, but don't necessarily have a chance to apply their creativity on the job.

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Erin Hanafin Berg says saving the Kirkbride, a majestic, turn-of-the-century former mental hospital in Fergus Falls, helps Minnesota hold on to an important part of its heritage.

Erin, who works for the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota, says the Kirkbride is being redeveloped into a hotel complex with restaurants and other housing. Springboard for the Arts is employing artists in a campaign to help re-envision the Kirkbride and the surrounding community. A kickoff event will be held this Saturday in front of the Kirkbride, with music, tours of the facility, and other arts activities.

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Artist and arts advocate Carl Atiya Swanson has his eye on two shows on two consecutive nights by two artists who have, to varying degrees, musically re-made themselves. Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles will hold court at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts on Thursday, Sept. 26.

With the help of local stalwarts John Munson and Chan Polling, Lucy just released a solo album which highlights her singing. Songwriter Caroline Smith has re-tooled and expanded her sound to encompass more of an R&B flavor. Caroline will be at First Avenue's Main Room on Friday, Sept. 27.

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