Category Archives: Art Spaces Philadelphia

Art galleries, shops, showrooms, lobbies, hallways, studios, warehouses, lofts, workshops, restaurants, coffee shops, schools, and any space where art is displayed in and around Philadelphia.

Tales of the Beginning @ CFEVA

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The Center for Emerging Visual Artists continues to match up artists with complementary sensibilities as with the current exhibit Tales of the Beginning featuring Julia Blaukopf and Elizabeth Crisman. Each artist uses photographic techniques in intense and intriguing methodologies which exude mystery, artistry and skill. Beth Crisman’s The Fossil Series are based on actual x-rays which she digitally photographed on a light table then printed on six foot high fabric panels in rich inky black. Crisman is interested in representing future fossils and how bits of information are usually all an archeologist would find at a dig; one panel only depicts a single tooth. Beth told DoN that teeth are often the only things found at a dig and the scientist must extrapolate information from minimal resources. Even today dental records are used to resolve mysteries which may otherwise go unsolved.

Elizabeth Crisman‘s The Fossil Series @ CFEVA.

Julia Blaukopf‘s Cape Girl @ CFEVA.

Blaukopf surprised DoN when she explained that the astonishing images were not created in Photoshop but in the wet darkroom by photographing and re-photographing the images then having the resulting compositions printed on fabric. DoN was particularly impressed by the decision to hang the fabric from wood branches giving the images a feel of naturalness despite the obvious amount of technical work going into each collaged image. The exhibit is open through 1/15 at the beautiful Felicity R. “Bebe” Benoliel Gallery in the Barclay building on Rittenhouse Square.

Julia Blaukopf’s Melody Maker, Gifty 2’x2′ and Melody of Place, Gifty, 2’x2′, photographic collages printed on fabric hanging from tree branches.

The art parties at CFEVA are always fun and fascinating with fine wine and tasty treats; DoN was happy to see Donald Carter, Jean-Paul, Bob Wallner, Brooke Hine, Faith Corman, Andrew Pirie, Holly Kleeman (CFEVA director), Charlene Nolten (office manager) and Robert Smith (development director).

New Members Exhibit @ The Plastic Club

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Sunday DoN attended the New Members exhibit at The Plastic Club on Camac Street, the historic art club formally women only but now an exciting studio, meeting place and gallery for artists of every stripe. New members include John Baccile, Donna Blichasz, DoN Brewer, Patrick Crofton, Joann Doneen, J.D. Gibson, Katelyn Greth, Susanna Habecker, Karen Hagen, Dorothy Kajani, Jerry Katzenstein, Bob Makoid, Janice R. Moore, Victoria Nevins, Colleen O’Brien, Samantha Stella Reis, Kathryn Russo, Lois Schlachter, Susan A. Stromquist, Debora Miller, Mike Roberson, Patricia Wilson-Schmid and Tristan Wright.In order to become a member of the club one must prove their artistic mettle by submitting several pieces to be considered by the board, not all are immediately approved including DoN who had to submit work completed outside of the club’s workshops in order to join the ranks. The rewards of membership are tremendous including guaranteed exhibitions throughout the year, terrific parties including Bob Jackson’s delicious last Friday workshop dinners and a great group of artists that DoN now considers friends.

Susan Stromquist and Debora Weber @ The Plastic Club.

John Baccile‘s American Graffiti.

Donald Meyer of the Philadelphia Sketch Club and former Plastic Club president Mike Guinn.

Joann Doneen’s Inseparable, oil/encaustic.

Lois Schlachter’s Stadium Line.

Donna Blichasz‘ Fairy Tale Land.

Works of art @ The Plastic Club’s New Members exhibit.

DoN Brewer with his drawing @ The Plastic Club’s New Members exhibit.

Mike Robertson’s Plastic Palette and DoN Brewer’s Camp #9.

The Plastic Club’s New Members Exhibition runs through January 24th, 2009.

Patricia X 2 @ Da Vinci Art Alliance

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Two different artists named Patricia installed a fabulous collection of atmospheric naturalistic paintings by Trish O’Halloran and abstract expressionist works by Pat Burns creating a wonderfully stimulating atmosphere in Da Vinci Art Alliances gallery. This was not the first time the two Patricias teamed up to put on a show; their palettes, technique and compositions complement and accent each other’s ouvre.

Trish O’Halloran‘s odalisque perfectly complements Pat Burns abstract canvas; the two paintings hanging together vibrate with the intensity of similar color and brushwork. This grouping is a good example of the point of the show – that abstract and naturalistic art both evoke emotional responses in the viewer.

Pat Burns‘ small abstracts at Da Vinci Art Alliance.

Trish O’Halloran before one of her paintings at Da Vince Art Alliance’s Particia’s Times Two. Apologies to Pat Burns, the photo DoN took has you with your eyes closed, my bad.

Painting by Trish O’Halloran. O’Halloran teaches art at the Main Line Art Center.

Art by Rwandan artists was also on display and for sale as a fundraiser and consciousness-raiser. The exuberant paintings are poignant and emotional depicting life in war-torn Africa – there must be something we can do to help? Da Vinci is selling the works to raise funds to send back to the artists in Rwanda.

The Plastic Club Members Exhibit

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The Plastic Club’s annual member’s exhibit brought out the best in the historic art club’s world class creations; from oils, to drawings, to watercolors to digital media, the Plastic Club allows each member to enter two pieces which were then juried and honored with awards. The receptions at the Plastic Club are always fun and with the new six burner stove in the basement kitchen Bob Jackson’s monthly dinners are extra special.

The Winners of the Plastic Club’s annual Members Exhibit.

Members works at the Plastic Club’s Members Exhibit (that’s DoN‘s oil painting of Bartram’s Garden on the right)

Panoramic shot of the Plastic Club’s gallery/studio on the second floor of the historic space.

Watercolor by Anders Hansen @ Plastic Club Members exhibit.

The Plastic Club offers free membership to several student artists each year. John Baccile, an undergrad at the University of the Arts, won first prize for one of his digital compositions (not this one). The digital collages are printed on canvas and truly stood out from the crowd with vivid color, original compositions and masterful computer manipulation. UArts is DoN‘s alma mater, it’s gratifying to see wonderful new talent continuing to thrive on the Avenue of the Arts.

Plastic Club’s members exhibit (that’s another one of DoN‘s painting upper right).

Hobo Orona @ The Beauty Shop Cafe

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The Beauty Shop Café consistently displays forward thinking art, curator Jon has transformed this formerly dingy corner to a really nice hangout for locals. The recent art opening for hobo orona, two art girls going to PAFA, each with their own distinct point of view, is quirky and deep. The happening was fun and thoughtful, bringing out friends and neighbors to hear a local musician (whose name escapes me Ill get it soon.) The journals by Jamie with the repurposed book covers with lovely papers inside are cleverly displayed. Her mom told me how a potential customer asked her to create wedding invitations from the pages of a love story, sadly the project was too big but is a wonderful meme. The drawings and collages by Tate O are clever and thoughtful.