Part of artist Cathey Miller's inspiration for her latest show, Prepared Americans, came from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's "Are You Ready? A Guide to Citizen Preparedness." Can't say I'm not freaked out by that since the series depicts women in gas masks, ski masks and other protective gear in rooms of monitors and hideouts...kinda like if Sliver went all-out warfare and Sharon Stone was the voyeur. Then again, given TV, movies and the news (Miller's other inspirations), Stone and the rest of us here already are voyeurs to a great amount of paranoia-inducing violence. Well-played, Miller. Well-played. Though the images are inherently bleak, Miller does use a wide range of bright colors and light-hearted additions to the scenarios to balance out the what-could-bes and the what-ifs. Prepare yourself at Kettle Art Gallery, 2714 Elm St., through July 12. The show opens Saturday with a reception from 7 to 10 p.m. Gallery hours are 7 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and by appointment. Call 214-573-7622 or visit kettleart.com.
Fridays, Saturdays, 7-10 p.m. Starts: June 14. Continues through July 12, 2008