Envisioning Henry IV, Part 1 – Da Vinci Art Alliance @ St. Stephen’s Theater
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Category Archives: Da Vinci Art Alliance
Dr. Debra Miller – The Art Doctor Is In @ Da Vinci Art Alliance
This year DoN got to know Dr. Deb Miller of the Da Vinci Art Alliance; Miller is a driving force behind the production of themed art shows for the gallery at the Da Vinci Art Alliance, Smile Gallery, Bartram’s Garden Gallery, the Black Box Gallery @ The Lantern Theater and more. This year art exhibits included Envisioning Hamlet, Darwin & Carnivorous Plants, Windows on the World, Heroines & Harlots.. collaborations with The Lantern Theater, Bartrams Garden, Smile Gallery & more. As a result of these concept shows DoN won more awards for art this year than in all previous years of entering shows. Dr. Deb always takes an extra moment to praise the artist when presenting awards, tells an anecdote about the work, shares tidbits about her life in Andy Warhol’s circle and makes sure all the artists even though they may not win anything, feel special, that it’s worth all the time & effort to produce art. Twice, Dr. Deb has whispered in DoN’s ear during award ceremonies that she thought he should have won first prize instead of honorable mention – DoN bets Dr. Debbie says that to all the boys.
On the move – Dr. Miller makes sure the audience moves through the gallery and presents awards by the art work instead of from a fixed spot as many other juried shows do. Her gregarious banter and knowledgeable comments always are educational, informative and frank.
Dr. Deb Miller @ Bartram’s Garden Gallery.
DoN in awe of Dr. Deb‘s comments on his “Botanical Print” @ Bartram’s Garden Gallery. Actually, Dr. Deb always makes sure DoN say a few words about his work and she always gets jurors to speak about their decisions.
Dr. Debra Miller, Liz Niklus, Alden Cole, David Foss & Ona Kalstein @ Da Vinci Art Alliance. The board at the Da Vinci Art Alliance performs an essential function in the Philly art community, providing a creative outlet, a great social network and a vibrant array of shows, lectures and parties.
Dr. Deb Miller presenting DoN with an award for his digital photograph called, Denmark, for the Envisioning Hamlet Show @ The Black Box Gallery in the Lantern Theater. DoN recently eves-dropped David Foss and heard there will be continuing collaborations with the Lantern Theater and the International Opera Theater – coolness!
Dr. Debra Miller gives a great lecture about Andy Warhol, here she’s presenting her talk @ The Fleisher Art Memorial.
Philly Art Stars @ the Windows on the World opening @ Smile Gallery. That’s the back of Liz Niklus‘ head, Dr. Deb, Lilliana Didovic & Betsy Alexander, that was a great show, in fact the three winners are having their show at the gallery next month.
Photographer Jon Naar with Dr. Debra @ Photosynthesis 2008 @ Da Vinci Art Alliance.
Thanks to Dr. Debra Miller and the entire board of the Da Vinci Art Alliance for providing such an outstanding platform for artists to exercise their creative muscles. DoN can’t wait to see what 2010 has in store at the venerable art alliance.
Bob Makoid @ Da Vinci Art Alliance
Bob Makoid @ Nouns: people places things
In November, the Da Vinci Art Alliance hosted a group show called NOUNS: people places things, including the work of 6 artists – black and white photography by Carolyn Harper Cohen, watercolors by Diane Lachman, acrylics by Sandi Neiman Lovitz, pastels by Bob Makoid, photography by Ligia Richter and pastels by Liora Seltzer. The exhibit, curated by Bobbie Adams, member of Da Vinci Art Alliance, is organized by Linda Dubin Garfield, president of smART business consulting and member of Da Vinci Art Alliance.
DoN only saw the show on the closing day – time flies! – but the show is memorable still for the variety and quality of art which Bobbie Adams gathered together, creating groupings of each artist so that the art work really shined. DoN could tell Bob (who was gallery sitting) was happy with the show even though artists (like DoN) were delivering work for the next/current show.
Bob Makoid, pastel @ Da Vinci Art Alliance
DoN recognized Bob from the evening drawing workshops at the Plastic Club, it was a nice surprise to get to spend some face time with him in the gallery @ Da Vinci Art Alliance where he exhibited several pastels in a group show. Makoid’s loose style captures the vacation vibe of a lakeside cabin, the sunny aura of a palm tree or the scale of a high mountain cliff in clear color, simple shapes and spare composition – less is more and more color is better.
Pastels by Bob Makoid @ Da Vinci Art Alliance’s Nouns: people places things.
Bob Makoid @ Da Vinci Art Alliance.
Da Vinci Art Alliance – Under $200.00
Judy Engle @ Da Vinci Art Alliance. If Eileen Tognini says packing tape art is in – then DoN says listen to her! If you can’t afford a Mark Khaisman before his packing tape drawings increase in value, then buy Engles layered clear tape collage @ Da Vinci Art Alliance for under $200.00 – in real life this small piece is 3D and deep, with layers and layers of tiny bits of color. Another great steal-able idea.
Judy Engles, photograph.
DoN LoVeS how DVAA displays art – Judy Engle’s photo paired with DoN’s digital print is so elegant and thoughtful, the pieces really work together. DoN was inspired to print “Autum Oak“, a digital photograph from a few years ago after seeing Amie Potsic‘s tree photos @ Area 919 – the most expensive of DoN‘s Under $200.00 entries is $129.00.
Lilliana Didovic, Alden Cole & Karl Johnson @ Da Vinci Art Alliance’s Under $200 show. The DVAA always has such terrific, fun events, even though it was a snowy night, plenty of artists showed up to party – the board is to be commended on their careful attention to detail and making everyone comfortable and welcome.
Francine Strauss @ Da Vinci Art Alliance’s Under $200.00
Gerard Di Falco, etching @ Da Vinci Art Alliance.
Leon Rainbow @ DVAA – he not only produces these funky paintings, Rainbow provides web design services to the esteemed organization. DoN is grateful for the publicity the links provide, the slide-show of member’s art on the website is cool.
Karen McDonnell & Tony Cortosi collaborate on these stencil & spray-paint images replete with peeling paint, drippy spray, coarse edges and mashed up cultural icons – the Carmen has such a skate punk sneer mixed with Hollywood glamor – Grrrl!.
Karen McDonnell, Tony Cortosi & Ray Costello @ Da Vinci Art Alliance’s Under $200.00 opening party.
Photographer, Bill Myers @ Da Vinci Art Alliance. Bill is also an active member of the Photographic Society of Philadelphia; Myers creates photo montage with clashing images mushed into contextual morphs – incredible.There are some really great art bargains for sale at the Da Vinci Art Alliance’s Under $200.00 show. You can own a David Foss for $100, an Art Ostroff for a Benjamin or so…the Lee Muslin prints are gorgeous, an incredible Dexiang Qian for exactly $200.00!?! The art show itself is amazing – all the participating members really put in memorable, desirable pieces and James Warhola signed his book Uncle Andy’s Cats; he took a moment with each autograph to draw a kitty in the front pages and engaged everyone in a personal way – Warhola signed books for 3 hours! He was still signing books when DoN left.
40,000 Feet – UpDate – Ice Box show extended through 11/29/09
Su Tomesen‘s extraordinary video installation, 40,000 Feet, in the Ice Box Gallery @ The Crane Arts Center has been extended through 11/29/09. The multi-screen movie is a visual and sensory exploration of the sky as viewed from above, take time to visit the show which originally was to close yesterday due to the upcoming holiday. Photos courtesy of Su Tomesen.