HAIR APPARENT: "You might think you’ve seen [printmaking] before, but this is showing it in a different light,” says Blue Spiral 1 director Michael Manes. The gallery’s ‘Ink + Imagery’ invitational includes boundary-pushing work in the print genre such as Knoxville, Tenn.-based artist Althea Murphy-Price’s piece “More Please,” a lithograph with screen printed collage and flocking.

Blue Spiral 1 launches its printmakin­g invitation­al and an updated image

Posted on by Alli Marshall

There are familiar formats such as linoleum block prints and silk screens, but also laser-cut plexiglass, shadow boxes, colored etchings, weavings and photogravure, among other mediums. “We’re selecting the artists based on the diversity we’re looking for,” says Blue Spiral 1 director Michael Manes. “It’s an exciting time: We can show off the best of the best.”

PURE POP FOR LOWE PEOPLE: Mexican wrestling mask-clad foursome Los Straitjackets apply muscular instrumental power to backing singer-songwriter Nick Lowe, far right, during his Quality Rock & Roll Revue.

Nick Lowe teams up with Los Straitjack­ets for a tour with an Asheville date

Posted on by Bill Kopp

Lowe released his first solo album, Jesus of Cool, in 1978 (in deference to delicate American sensibilities, his U.S. label re-titled the LP Pure Pop for Now People). Nashville-based Los Straitjackets debuted with the 1995 record The Utterly Fantastic and Totally Unbelievable Sound of Los Straitjackets. Though their music was somewhat dissimilar, both acts have long shared an irreverent and warmly humorous approach.