DoNArTNeWs

Shag Tapestries, $100,00 @ Arts Street Textile Studio: handmade by the homeless,  Art on South Street initiative master-minded by visionary artist Isaiah Zagar of the Magic Garden.  Fantastic galleries have opened up along South Street including the Art Street Textile Studio, an ongoing weaving project begun in a homeless shelter where people were taught to weave on a loom as well as crochet, knit, sew and embroider; the administrators found the activity therapeutic and many of the weavers have followed the program even after the shelter project was complete.  Now on South Street the team has a beautiful storefront where people can come in and see the looms and the fabulous results.

Arts Street Textile Studio: handmade by the homeless, 6th & South Streets, Philly.  Hours of operation are Wednesday through Sunday from  3:00 to 8:00PM. For more information please contact: Kathryn Pannepacker via email: kpannepacker@gmail.com or phone 215.769.1016. Leslie Sudock via email: la.sudock@verizon.net or phone  215.735.3978.

This guy isn’t homeless but he was being instructed by Robert,”the only homeless guy left in the group.”  Sparkles, one of the artists, was out front encouraging people into the packed gallery on the hot Autumn night to see the cool looms and good folks.  When DoN got home from the event, the beautiful hand-loomed scarf he bought for only $20.00 is signed,”Robert.”

Even when the project was homeless itself, for a while they were a living installation in the Free Library, this simple loom was placed near food distribution points for homeless people and weavers would continue making the fabric, the device was never damaged by vandals, simply chained to a bike rack.

Hand loomed winter scarves @ Arts Street Textile Studio: handmade by the homeless. Hours of operation are Wednesday through Sunday from  3:00 to 8:00PM. For more information please contact: Kathryn Pannepacker via email: kpannepacker@gmail.com or phone 215.769.1016. Leslie Sudock via email: la.sudock@verizon.net or phone  215.735.3978.

Amie Potsic’s photo series - Made in China: Poor Working Conditions, Poverty, Tainted Exports & Made in China @ Lightroom Salon in the Fairmount neighborhood.  Potsic’s Asian motif pairs exquisitely with Julia Blaukopf’s print of a collage made from her own photographic source material.  The photography takes the visitor on a trip to the Far East with a finely honed American gaze, like the Impressionists, DoN is still attracted to the shapes and color of the East.

Julia Blaukopf, digital print on fabric @ Lightroom Salon.  Julia is a fellow of the Center of Emerging Visual Artists, it it so cool to see how the relationship building and social networking of the artist development team at CFEVA creates a great merger of styles, personalities and techniques; the synergy of the exhibit feels so personal and memorable with the vibe real friendship and cooperation.

Genevieve Coutroubis &  John Karpinski, photograph with drawing and Julia Blaukopf prints lined along the mantle.  The gallery on Wallace Street is elegant and welcoming, it’s really fun to get to see the old world architecture.

Genevieve Coutroubis &  John Karpinski - the turtle is a symbol of long life, the dream of all artists if not for themselves then their art.  The art team involves trust, understanding and strength in creating powerful narrative and clear composition; viewing a successful collaboration makes DoN remember working in teams is still possible.

Jill Katz, Yamdrok Yso Lake en route to Gyantse, Tibet and Everest Base Camp (elevation 17,060 ft.), archyval pigment print.  The colorful scarves emanate prayers into the wind, a transcendent thought to merge with the images.

Julia Blaukopf is experimenting with photography and tile - cool-hunting tip!

Photos by DoN.

Charles Cushing @ Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Festival, mid September 2010.

The Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Festival attracts artists and collectors to the famous park in Center City, the perimeter lined with white tents each artist displaying their collection in the late Summer heat.  DoN talked with Philly favorite, fine artist Charles Cushing about the large scale painting attracting crowds to his booth - he worked on the oil painting over several months creating a nose-bleed view of the ball park all the way down town.

The Philly Fall art scene explodes this weekend with Philadelphia Open Studio Tours, Photography 2010 @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia Images @ The Plastic Club and DoN Brewer’s one-person show, Dark Matter, @ Bonte’s Cafe, 17th & Sansom Sts., a Photographic Society of Philadelphia event- this is the weekend to plan your art crawl carefully to experience the unique, open, accessible art world embedded in Philadelphia culture.  And the Phillies clinch fourth straight playoff berth - Go Phillies!

Photo by DoN, 2010.

Kodak Digital Cameras

Lilliana Didovic, Boat House Row, mixed media with crystals @ The Perkins Center for the Arts presents Through My Window, a Da Vinci Art Alliance Event.  Lilliana is one of the artists who painted the Philly Phanatics which were waving to us from all over the city last summer - Lilliana Didovic & writer Ronnie Norpel’s piece sold at a charity auction for a bundle, Congratulations!

Lilliana’s painting with crystals representing the iconic lights outlining the architecture of the houses glitters in the huge, open gallery at the The Perkins Center for the Arts in Collingswood, NJ.  Didovic’s window on the world finds glamor and glitz among the darkness of the night and the intimidating rushing river; the crystals as LEDs is genius, both forms will send us light far longer than the old incandescent bulbs stretched across the boat houses.  DoN misses the old lights, though, with the hidden narrative of guys climbing high ladders and walking along rooftops to replace light bulbs but the new lights are totally groovy.

Through My Window @ Perkins Center for the Arts.  DoN is honored to have his drawing featured in the catalog for this exciting art venture, the adjunct to the more famous Moorestown art center, is riding the renaissance wave of artistic and cultured lifestyle that is washing down Haddon Avenue with plush restaurants and historic architecture.

Executive Director, Alan Willoughby told DoN that the town has been very supportive offering the building to be renovated into an art space with workshops, galleries and vitality.  As the center goes through it’s first round of renovation, Willoughby sees a positive potential for growth in a small town with a lot of character.  Watch for a review in this week’s Philadelphia Inquirer, Da Vinci Art Alliance board members Dave Foss & Alden Cole were interviewed about their perspective on this unique exhibition.

Perkins Center for the Arts, Collingswood, NJ.

Michael DiPrinzio, mixed media @ Perkins Center for the Arts, Through My Window, A Da Vinci Art Alliance traveling exhibition through November 11th, 2010 with a special event today called Creating the Poem- 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM.  Hurry up, get over there!

Photos by DoN.

DoN posted as donbrewer for almost 10 years on QBN.com, the design social network website formerly known as Newstoday.com.  DoN occasionally posted links in the public forum on QBN to DoNArTNeWs stories that he felt were of interest to not just the Philly art scene but the global art, design & culture community.  donbrewer participated in many Friday Photoshop Battles and two Newstoday Print Exchanges, sharing art with friends around the world and participating in the broad discussion about design and art.

QBN has blocked donbrewer from posting on the website and deleted his contribution to the history of the network.  DoN appeals to QBN to restore his cyber-identity; if you are on QBN and you appreciated links to DoNArTNeWs stories, please let QBN know donbrewer’s posts belong in the public forum.

The photo is a closeup of a David Foss sculpture currently on display at LGTripp Gallery in Old City, Philadelphia.  Censorship sucks.

Photo by DoNBrewerPhotography, 2010.

Bobbie Adams. Annette Alessi, Roz Bloom, DoN Brewer, Pat Burns, Lois Allen Charles, Piety Choi, Rachel Christy, Rachel Citrino, Alden Cole, Francesca Costanzo, Lilliana Didovic, Gerard Di Falco, Judy Engle, Linda Dubin, Laura Guzzo, Louise Herring, Ona Kalstein, Maria J. Keane, Gary Koenitzer, Sandi Neiman, Marlon Majette, Lee Muslin, Liz Nicklus, Arthur Ostroff, Anna Pizzoli, Peter Seidel, Rex Sexton, Francine Strauss, Anna Vosburgh, Ted Warchal, Carol Wisker, Wendelyn Anderson, Karen McDonnell, Anthony Cortosi.

Noyes Museum of Art- Hammonton
5 S. Second St.
Hammonton, NJ 08037
(609)561-8006

The DaVinci Art Alliance: “7″ Deadly Sins

Exhibit Dates: October 1 - November 24, 2010
Opening Reception: October 1: 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Artist Lecture with Marlon Majette: October 6: 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

Da Vinci Art Alliance is a non-profit artists’ organization located in South Philadelphia.  The organization was founded in 1931 to serve the needs of professional artists and artisans in the Delaware Valley.  Da Vinci Art Alliance currently has over 150 members and is supported through membership dues, gallery rentals, sales commissions, grants, and donations.  Da Vinci Art Alliance holds exhibitions of members’ and non-members’ artwork as well as special events, workshops, performances, poetry readings, and lectures.

DoN is thrilled about his museum debut with the Seven Deadly Sins exhibit in the Noyes Museum of Art, Hammonton, NJ for some wack-a-doodle time-tripping reasons; DoN has a history with Hammonton, showing in the Noyes is kind of cosmic.  DoN hung out with GadFly, an early radical blogger who stirred local political shit in a way that not many people have the balls to do today even in our social networked world.  GadFly posted blogs that ended up getting him interviewed by the FBI, radio talk show hosts and the town council, who he called nasty names which ultimately ended up being quoted in his obituary, a final insult to his political enemies.  Before the internet GadFly wrote letters to the editor in papers locally and nationally, ranting endlessly about corruption, when he discovered blogging there was no stopping his vitriolic sarcastic wit.  GadFly’s blog was the inspiration for DoNArTNeWs. 

GadFly is now known as Dead Larry, a former life guard, since drowning ironically in a gym pool a few years ago.  DoN adopted, his now geriatric, Lady Doofus, the St. Bernard/Chihuahua mix who lived on Dead Larry’s farm but is now an urbane canine retiree in Marion Anderson Historical Village; Lady Doofus may make a surprise appearance at the art gala in her former home town, along with KaTy the ArT DoG who also enjoyed romps in the Pine Barrens swamps.  GadFly would LoVe that DoN is presenting his art in Hammonton, New Jersey, his home state (DoN was named most artistic, Deptford High School, Class of ‘71), especially the 7 Deadly Sins part - gossip with DoN at the opening party, 10/01/10, to get the real dirt on Dead Larry aka GadFly.

Hammonton, NJ, once a vital town in South Jersey, is recovering from being hit by the Walmart Bomb, the downtown became a bit shabby but now is truly quaint like a Hopper painting, the Noyes Museum Gallery is a revitalizing force - art to the rescue!

David Foss has a resume as long as your arm, participating in art shows all across the country and leading the venerable Da Vinci Art Alliance with grace and calm.  But, Foss’ current one-person show at LGTripp Gallery in Old City, Philly is a tour de force incorporating his recognizable style and exciting new direction in his paintings and sculpture.  The gallery is enormous and Foss activates every corner with exciting, bold abstractions from teetering constructions to heroically scaled fluid, drippy paintings to small, introspective pieces.  Louella Tripp told DoN, “I’m really excited about presenting Dave’s new work, representing a transition period.  He has been developing new work over the past two or three years in an exciting new direction with more structure including elements of formal work in terms of process; mixing solvents, chemicals and paint included in a measured way, the merging is brilliant!”

Throughout the gallery are a series of mono-chromatic sculptures made from found objects resembling alien habitats.  DoN can imagine climbing the ladders to find hidden technology or stored food of the gods.

David Foss @ LGTripp Gallery in Old City.

This sculpture occupies the far end of the main gallery like a hybrid house/ship/helicopter ready to start lumbering through the room.

Detail of the above sculpture - organic, anatomical, gross and beautiful, the large sculpture attracts attention like a fire alarm.

In the back room gallery space this sculpture is reminiscent of Howl’s Moving Castle with the hanging ladder to safety swiftly moving just out of reach as it lurches to take off.

Exits & Entrances is an appropriate title for the show as David Foss gradually moves into a stylistic new realm that is more translucent, poetic and free.  Now instead of his work being dense and compact, his paintings are loose, watery and transcendent.  As Foss exits his past, he enters a future as entrancing as a dream; this painting marks a point in the exhibit where Dave begins a new exploration sure to inspire, illuminate and elucidate.

Photos by DoN.

Morris Klein, Giovanni’s Room, photograph.

Mina Smith-Segal, Giovanni’s Room, watercolor.

Inspired by an art show at the William Way Gay Community Center of gay hang-outs which are no longer around - remember the Allegro?  The art power couple, Mina leads a workshop at the Philadelphia Sketch Club and Morris is VP of the Photographic Society of Philadelphia, decided to create an art show of 12 locations in the modern day Gayborhood of Philly with Mina creating paintings and Morris shooting photos of the same location such as Woodies, Sisters, Giovanni’s Room and more.  Mina’s liquidy paintings paired with Morris’ filter-ific watercolor-like photos capture the essence of the famous gay district.  Bet you didn’t know there’s along history of Philly being in the forefront of the gay civil rights movement - the first gay civil rights march was held in Philly and an historic marker is at Independence Mall to prove it.

The HIV Clinic, Mina Smith-Segal & Morris Klein.

Woodies Bar, Mina Smith-Segal, watercolor.

Woodies Bar, Morris Klein, photograph.

The staff at 12th Street Coffee told DoN this is the best art show they’ve had to date, with 24 images this is truly an historic exhibit commemorating Philly’s famous gay neighborhood.  Located next to the 12th Street Gym it’s a great spot to take in the art, sip some coffee and check out the hot boys coming and going from the gym.  Thanks Mina & Morris, your idea is inspiring, brave and beautiful.

Morning Sun, Darrel Van Mastrigt, acrylic on canvas, courtesy of SCI Graterford.

Inside/Outside @ Art in City Hall is a juried exhibition of art created by Philadelphia prisoners and ex-offenders in cooperation with the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program.  Jurors Ona Kalstein and Michele Marcuse traveled to Graterford Prison several times to evaluate and select art created within the high walls of the prison system.  DoN was immediately drawn to the immediacy and sense of detail many of the pieces incorporated as if every little bit of the world around us is so important it must be memorialized.  The painting above is a typical street scene to any Philadelphian, just close your eyes and think about how much we ignore on your own street and what you would remember if you were not allowed to go home.

Mayor Michael Nutter explained how over the years prisoners have gifted him with portraits as thanks for visiting the prisons on New Years Day each year.  After the collection grew the Mayor suggested the Art in City Hall team take on the challenge of displaying the work resulting in an emotional, beautiful, historic and unique exhibition of art.

Bugs, Thomas Schilk, melted plastic spoons.  Using found objects, prison artists must glean materials from their environment, Schilk’s Bugs are fun, fantastic and subtle with realism and wit.

E. Sherman Hayman, Inside/Outside, Art by Prison Inmates & Ex-offenders @ Art in City Hall.

Glamorous guns depict the emotional reliance on weapons and the signification of the silhouettes is contemporary and on trend with embellished frames.  Showing images of guns in the show is a display of courage by the Art in City Hall team; guns are glamorized in pop & rap culture from Lady Gaga & Beyonce’s Video Phone music video to Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal to movies, TV and games - guns are sexy and scary.  By not editing content, the show offers a glimpse into the psyche of those attracted to weapons and violence.

A simple thing like watching a dog play at the beach is a pleasure lost when you’re incarcerated.  DoN can’t imagine being kept away from watching KaTy the ArT DoG & Lady Doofus play in the water.  DoN believes this  painting is by Bernardo Ruiz, the label slipped - if incorrect, please comment.

J. Johndi Harrell, Young Weezy, anyone who knows rapper Lil Wayne knows this portrait is superb with a hard look at a pop culture hero who’s spent time in jail yet is super-successful in the entertainment world creating a conundrum for young people who worship pop heroes.

Thanks so much to Tu Huynh, Art in City Hall Program Manager, the art shows in City Hall put a spotlight on the creative talent in Philly both Inside & Outside.  Kudos to Jane Golden and The Mural Arts Program for their outreach into the Philadelphia prison system and Mayor Nutter for connecting the dots in a way that helps prisoners and ex-offenders as well as the citizenry at large.  The show is free through October 29th, 2010 - go see some great art today.

Pat Wilson-Schmid works at being an artist full time, a tireless volunteer, and art advocate; the Philadelphia Sketch Club relies on Pat because she always makes the extra effort to keep the team on task.

Edna Santiago told DoN the painting is an uncle who moved to Philly to raise his family, she said he would be proud to know his visage is being shown in City Hall.  The acrylic on plastic painting is unique, confounding and bold, the narrative takes us to a time and place that is old Philadelphia yet very contemporary and urban, the passages of dark and light are deeply moving.  Chicken Louis, acrylic on plexiglass, Edna Santiago.

Piety Choi, Manna, mixed media on canvas.  The splashy painting paired with the intensely decorative tile work mixes time lines, metaphors and ideas on what is beautiful in contemporary culture.  Choi continues to surprise, inspire and challenge the Philly art-erati to step up their game, her works continuously win awards and draw people together to talk.

 P.J. Foster, Unexpected Journey, acrylic & egg shell @ The Philadelphia Sketch Club Member Exhibition @ Art in City Hall.

Art in City Hall featuring the Philadelphia Sketch Club’s 150 Anniversary members show is the oldest art club in America’s first show at the world famous City Hall and it’s 20 year old public art in City Hall program.  The shown is immense with hundreds of art works by many of Philly’s best artists.

Photos by DoN.