For local artist Craig Firsdon, Brooklyn’s Daily Grind is more than just a place where he can pass the time while thinking about his next project; it is a home away from home. Firsdon’s work will soon feel at home too, after his debut art exhibition opens at the café on July 24.

Firsdon, who graduated from Springfield High School in 1998, is a man of many talents. A prolific poet and songwriter, he started drawing and sketching a few years ago.

“I was in the hospital like 10 times over a short period, with each visit lasting like a week, and I would get bored, and that’s when I started sketching, which led to painting,” Firsdon said. “I’ve actually been in and out of the hospital since I was 4. That’s when I contracted juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The main reason I write and paint now is to deal with the constant pain and stress from it and everything else. The brush and pen has been a life saver to me.”

In addition to his education at Springfield, Firsdon briefly attended UT, majoring in psychology. He is attending Baker College, where he is working toward an associate degree in computer science with an emphasis on Web design.

“I’ve been planning this show for a few months now. The whole thing got started because I arrived at Brooklyn’s Daily Grind early one night for a poetry reading, and the owner Larry noticed me sketching and asked what I was working on. The whole exhibit is something like 15 to 20 pieces. I am completely self taught as an artist, in all my years in college, I’ve never taken a fine art class,” Firsdon said.

While the complete exhibit will be up for one night only, many of the pieces will continue to be rotated on the café’s walls. The opening is free and open to the public. Reception hours are 8 to 10 p.m. Refreshments will be available. Artwork will be available for purchase.

Brooklyn’s Daily Grind is located at 7723 Airport Hwy. In addition to Firsdon’s exhibition, the café  hosts regular musical events, poetry readings and a host of other activities. For a full calendar of upcoming events, visit www.brooklynscafe.com.

For more information, call (419) 724-1433.

Tags: Brooklyn’s Daily Grind, Craig Firsdon

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 20th, 2010 at 11:01 am and is filed under Arts and Life, Exhibits, Star.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Both comments and pings are currently closed.