Category Archives: Philadelphia Art Alliances

Philadelphia groups of artists working together to dreate opportunities for exhibitions, information sharing and support.

Da Vinci Art Alliance – Under $200.00

Judy Engle @ Da Vinci Art Alliance

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 Engle @ Da Vinci Art Alliance

Judy Engles, photograph.

Judy Engle & DoN Brewer @ Da Vinci Art Alliance

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.

Da Vinci Art Alliance - Under $200.00

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

Francine Strauss @ Da Vinci Art Alliance’s Under $200.00

Gerard DiFalco

Gerard Di Falco, etching @ Da Vinci Art Alliance.

Leon Rainbow

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

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

 Karen McDonnell, Tony Cortosi & Ray Costello @ Da Vinci Art Alliance’s Under $200.00 opening party.

Bill Myers

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.

American Color Print Society – 70th Exhibition

The American Color Print Society is celebrating their 70th anniversary with their 70th member exhibition at The Plastic Club which is coincidentally 70 years old.  The exhibition includes not just color prints (the group came together because many galleries only allowed black and white prints) but many excellent examples of black and white prints.  Like many other art forms, the boundaries have expanded to include mixed media, collage, textile and more.  With works submitted by artists from all over the country this show is a mixture of styles, tastes, techniques and ideas from abstract expressionism to atmospheric naturalism to impressionism to pop incorporating every type of printmaking imaginable.

American Color Print Society - 70th Exhibition

Marlene Grolnic, Ancestral Headgear, collagraph/collage.

American Color Print Society - 70th Exhibition

Elaine B. Rothwell, Poker Cross. 4 plate color etching.

American Color Print Society - 70th Exhibition

Ron Wyffels, Untitled, etching/drypoint/drawing.

American Color Print Society - 70th Exhibition

Carole J. Meyers, Check It Out, monotype.  Meyers explained to DoN how she paints an image on thin plastic sheets with water-based inks then pulls them through a roller to produce her expressionistic prints.

 American Color Print Society - 70th Exhibition

American Color Print Society 70th exhibition @ The Plastic Club on the Avenue of the Artists.

American Color Print Society - 70th Exhibition

Carole J. Meyers, Holding Court, monotype.

American Color Print Society - 70th Exhibition

Thelma Grobes, Acrobat And Horses, etching.

Lois M. Johnson American Color Print Society - 70th Exhibition

Lois M. Johnson, (The Cowgirl in the City), was awarded the lifetime achievement award by The American Color Print Society.  Johnson has taught printmaking at The University of the Arts for 40 years and is preparing to retire.  A native of North Dakota she has made a great impact on the art scene in Philadelphia by helping aspiring print-makers realize their potential.  DoN asked Lois how she reacts to the popular skate-punk esthetic so prominent with today’s youth and she responds that she doesn’t judge but reacts to what is put before her, helping her students improve technique and style, the substance is up to the artist.  The American Color Print Society sponsors a printmaking scholarship for students attending UArts, DoN‘s sure the school is going to miss Lois Johnson’s influence and tenacity.

Lois M. Johnson American Color Print Society - 70th Exhibition

Lois M. Johnson was honored with a solo exhibition in the Board Room of the Plastic Club; Johnson’s prints mix photography, drawing, scribbles and metaphorical references to her western roots and metropolitan style.

American Color Print Society - 70th Exhibition

The American Color Print Society was awarded with a certificate of appreciation from Philadelphia City Council on their 70th anniversary and exhibition.  Congratulations!

Energy & Matter – Diane Podolsky & Bonnie Schorske @ Gallery 22

Energy & Matter - Diane Podolsky & Bonnie Schorske @ Gallery 22

Gallery 22 in Center City West is an artist collective under the direction of Shawn Murray with rotating exhibits of member artists as well as an ongoing group exhibit.  The space is lovely with wonderful light and excellent presentation – the current show Energy & Matter was installed by Shawn and member artist Diane Podolsky, pairing the expressive paintings by Podolsky with photographer Bonnie Schorske.  Before last Sunday’s meet & greet DoN had the opportunity for some quiet conversation with Diane Podolsky while Katy the ArT DoG & Lady Doofie (the St. Bernard/Chihuahua mix) lounged on the sidewalk on 22nd Street.

Over the Summer Podolsky held a teaching fellowship with the Center for Emerging Visual Artists to work on an inter-generational art project bringing together young people and residents of a nursing home.  The gist of the program was to get older people to pass along stories of their lives to the youngsters, incorporating the tales of their lives into an upcoming art installation.  The kids were captivated by the stories told by an ex-professional baseball player from the Negro Baseball League in Philly, a former jazz club singer and folks who lived in simpler times in Germantown.  The project involves cut out paper flowers & leaves and paper clothes to be hung on a clothes line in a nine foot long installation with the stories written on the elements.  Diane was surprised at how much the kids enjoyed hearing the stories and sewing the paper clothes – many of them had never threaded a needle let alone actually sewing.  DoN will keep you posted as to when the completed work with be displayed.

Energy & Matter - Diane Podolsky & Bonnie Schorske @ Gallery 22

Olea Europaea Biceps Popeyi, Bonnie Schorske, digital capture archival print and Thorns, Diane Podolsky, oil & graphite.

Energy & Matter - Diane Podolsky & Bonnie Schorske @ Gallery 22

Make a Wish, Diane Podolsky, oil & graphite and Olea Europaea Deja II, Bonnie Schorske, digital capture archival pigment print.

Energy & Matter - Diane Podolsky & Bonnie Schorske @ Gallery 22

Bonnie Schorske @ Gallery 22.

Diane is quite self effacing about her work even though the bold works are expressive, intriguing and vibrant.  Her style is abstract yet naturalistic, combining brushy strokes of muted color with recognizable objects such as chicken wishbones, woody tree shapes and animal forms.  Matched with Bonnie Schorske’s impeccable black and white photographs of Majorica, the overall effect is transcendent as if following Alice down the rabbit hole.  Bonnie told DoN there is a hidden narrative in the installation which is fun to investigate – kind of like “Where’s Waldo” on an highly sophisticated level.  The skill and beauty of the artists’ work is perfectly complementary with dreamy photo realism aligned with neo-geo paintings; Energy & Matter is on display through November 8th to be followed by a one person show of paintings by the incomparable Ed Bronstein, Explorations…..in the Neighborhood featuring paintings created in Katy & Lady Doofie’s favorite place, the dog park!

Gallery 22

The group show @ Gallery 22.

Heroines and Harlots: Women in History Annual Juried Exhibition 9-27 September 2009 – Da Vinci Art Alliance

Heroines and Harlots:  Women in History  Annual Juried Exhibition  9-27 September 2009 - Karen McDonnell & Tony Cortosi

 Foxy Brown, Karen McDonnell & Tony Cortosi @ Heroines and Harlots:  Women in History  Annual Juried Exhibition  9-27 September 2009.

Heroines and Harlots:  Women in History  Annual Juried Exhibition  9-27 September 2009 - Alden Cole

Alden Cole, The Charge of the Goddess, drawing.  Cole won honorable mention for this enigmatic mixed media drawing; drawing is the root of all design and communication.

 Heroines and Harlots:  Women in History  Annual Juried Exhibition  9-27 September 2009 - Liz Niklus & Regina Barthmaier

 Da Vinci Art Alliance member artists Liz Nicklus & Regina Barthmaier with their entries to Heroines & Harlots.  DoN LoVeS Regina’s Industrial Barbie print with hand-pressed type collaged onto the frame – really beautiful, decorative and slyly subversive.  Liz’s Pandora’s Box is such a fantastic meme – DoN really wants to know what’s inside?

Heroines and Harlots:  Women in History  Annual Juried Exhibition  9-27 September 2009 - Liz Niklus

Liz Nicklus, Pandora’s Box, mixed media.

Heroines and Harlots:  Women in History  Annual Juried Exhibition  9-27 September 2009

Heroines and Harlots:  Women in History  Annual Juried Exhibition  9-27 September 2009 – Da Vinci Art Alliance

Heroines and Harlots:  Women in History  Annual Juried Exhibition  9-27 September 2009

First Prize, Jason Scuilla, Pallazzo with Spirits, Dance of Salome, etching.  As Dr. Deb Miller and H & H judge Kathryn McFadden of Fleisher Art Memorial pointed out, there are no women in the image, only the results of decisions made by women are portrayed in the etching.  DoN heard a statistic the other day that highlighted if more women were in positions of power there would be less conflict in the world.

Heroines and Harlots:  Women in History  Annual Juried Exhibition  9-27 September 2009

Little Red Riding Hood Avenging Grandma, Anna Volburgh.  Grrrl!!! Continue reading

Philadelphia Open Studio Tours – Center City West

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: ANN KOIVUNEN

The Center for Emerging Visual Artists

Studio Tours and Exhibitions  Manager

215-546-7775 x 13, ann@cfeva.org

 

 

POST

 

This October,

 

Find the Visual Artists


in Center City West!

 

DoN Brewer

 

Kevin Broad 

Artwork by Don Brewer and Kevin Broad (L to R)

 

Philadelphia Open Studio Tours 2009

 

Featuring:

 

24 Artists in Center City West

 

Studio Tours on October 10-11, 2009

…

 

Blowout Birthday Party on Friday September 25

 

Friends of CFEVA Guided Tour on Sunday October 4

 

Selections from The Studio Opening Reception on Thursday October 8

 

Citywide Studio Tours during the first two weekends in October

Over 300 participating artists and community partners

…

 

Philadelphia, PA – This October, The Center for Emerging Visual Artists™ is pleased to bring you the 10th Annual Philadelphia Open Studio Tours. Join over 300 professional visual artists, local businesses, arts organizations and galleries to celebrate 10 years of studio art!  Artists and event partners in every neighborhood from Chestnut Hill to South Philly will open their doors free to public in the largest event of its kind in Philadelphia.

 

This year, the Open Studio Tours is happy to feature the following artists in the Center City West neighborhood:

Madeline Adams

Betsy Alexander

DoN Brewer

Kevin Broad

Mark Bullen

Estelle Carraz-Bernabei                                                                                                                                           Carraz-Bernabei

Elizabeth Core

Deborah Deery

Jerry-Gerard Di Falco

Eric Frantz

Katherine Fraser

Carolyn George / CRG Studios                                                                                                                                George / CRG Studios

Thomas Kohlmann

Melanie Miller

Ted Mosher

Maria Nevelson

Nicole Pellegrini

Paul Rider

Carlo Russo

Jane Steinsnyder

Lauren Sweeney

Aleksandra Vasic-Lalovic

Angela Victor

Ernest Villareal

Burnell Yow!


In addition, we are working with Heavy Bubble, Icon Magazine, PhillySide Arts, The Center for Emerging Visual Artists, Tsirkus Fotografika, and Utrecht
as Community Partners to provide support and information about the event. Visit philaopenstudios.org for detailed information about participating artists and community partners.

 

The 10th Anniversary Festivities are just around the corner! For details on the comprehensive schedule of POST-related activities, including artist workshops, receptions, exhibitions, neighborhood parties, and more, visit philaopenstudios.com/Events.aspx. Following is a schedule of this year’s official events:

 

Blowout Birthday Party
Friday September 25, 5 – 10pm

The Institute of Contemporary Art at 36th and Sansom

Kick off the POST season with a party at  the ICA: Cake, candles, drinks, entertainment by Jasa Li, Tsirkus Fotografika, and projected video installation of and by participating artists. This is one you don’t’ want to miss!

Artist Studios EAST of Broad Street
The weekend of October 3-4, 2009, noon-6pm
All tours are self-guided and free

Visit artists working in South Philly, Bella Vista, Queen Village, South Street, Center City, Old City, Northern Liberties, Kensington, Fishtown, and Port Richmond

Artist Studios West of Broad Street
The weekend of
October 10-11, 2009, noon-6pm
All tours are self-guided and free

Visit artists working in Germantown, Mt. Airy, Chestnut Hill, East Falls, Manayunk, Roxborough, West Philly,  North Philly, Fairmount, Center City, and Graduate Hospital
 

POST Guided Tour
Sunday October 4, 1 – 4 pm
Meet at 1521 Locust Street
Want to visit artist studios, but not sure where to start? Join us for the Friends of CFEVA Guided Tour, and enjoy select artist studios with transportation and refreshments provided. Tickets are $75 each; reservations required. To reserve a space or for more information, contact the Center for Emerging Visual Artists at 215-546-7775 x16 or holly@cfeva.org.

Selections From The Studio
Opening Reception, Thursday October 8, 5 – 7 pm
Exhibition runs from Monday September 28 to Friday October 16, 2009
Group exhibition featuring POST artists selected by Julien Robson, PAFA Curator of Contemporary Art. The Gallery at the Center for Emerging Visual Artists is located at 1521 Locust Street, Lower Level, and the Gallery Hours are noon to 4pm M-F.

…

For a full list of artists; high resolution images; profiles of specific artists;
or more details on events, promotions or sponsorship,
please contact Ann at 215-546-7775 x13 or ann@cfeva.org