Category Archives: Prints

Art prints by Philadeelphia area artists

Download the pdf for the upcoming exhibit of the Photographic Society of Philadelphia @ City Hall.

Eli VandenBerg @ The William Way Art Gallery

The William Way Gay Community Center for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Community seeks to encourage, support, and advocate for the well-being and acceptance of sexual and gender minorities through service, recreational, educational, and cultural programming. The lobby of the center at 1315 Spruce Street is an art gallery currently hosting an outstanding one-person show of drawings in pen and ink and woodcut prints by Eli VandenBerg. The art is contemporary in style with topical themes of gender identity, cultural confusion and urban isolation. The strong, expressive lines impressed DoN, the dark, sloppy drips serving to express the emotional context of the exhibit, which runs through 2/27.

The staff at the center is very friendly and helpful and provides important services not just to the gay community but also to the benefit of all who need help, guidance and support. The Barbara Gittings library is a unique source of information relating to gay history.

VandenBerg has shown in international and national exhibitions including the National Queer Arts Festival. His work has also appeared in books and magazines including the anthology Self-Organizing Men: Conscious Masculinities in Time and Space. VandenBerg will exhibit drawings from two series: Passing which explores gender transition and Place and Home which focuses on discovering and rediscovering origins. (WayGay website)

“When You’re Sitting, Spread Your Legs. Take Up Space.” Eli VandenBerg @ William Way Gallery.

“New Body, Pholio“, woodcut, Eli VandenBerg.

Eli VandenBerg @ William Way Community Center Art Gallery.

It’s A small World After All

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The Plastic Club @ 247 South Camac Street is hosting a new art show small WORLDS exhibition. All works in the show must be less than 16 in any direction including 2D and 3D works by hundreds of artists; there are 182 artworks in the show, no small feat to install. But, the committee performed wonders in creating groupings, tableau and mise en seine drawing the visitor into tiny spaces packed with authenticity, superior craftsmanship and creativity. Karl Olsens A is a masterful painting of his ubiquitous hat, Alden Cole entered a wildly erotic fantasy, Doris Peltzmans “Portrait of Amber” is haunting and masterful

small WORLDS opens February 1^st heres a sneak peek.

DoN Brewer‘s “light being (Chink)“, Ellen Grenwell‘s “4:12 AM, Please Kitty“, Rob Willis‘ “Ichibano” & Hugo Hsu‘s “Tenguska“.

small Worlds @ The Plastic Club.

Alden Cole‘s “Embrace No. 2“.

The opening reception and awards is Sunday, February 1st, 2009, 2 – 5:00 PM.

Sarah Kolker @ The 10th Street Laundromat

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The 10^th Street Laundromat is the coolest laundromat in Philly. Owner Lisa Budnick lets artists install a show in the maze of rooms and then hosts a party. DoN showed up early since it was about 19 degrees outside and he knew if he went home after Jim Blooms show @ Vivant in Old City he wouldnt go back out. Being early at the South Philly corner of 10th & Elsworth allowed DoN to get some face time with self taught artist Sarah Kolker about the work she installed throughout the laundry. While we chatted Lisa and Sarah set up party supplies while customers washed and folded clothes and DJ Under set up the sound system.

Sarah is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, was born and raised in Philly and studied in Jamaica, Philadelphia and NYC. Sarah has worked with well-known mosaic tile artist Isaiah Zagar, the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, Groundswell Community Mural Project and completed a Create Change Artist in Residency with The Laundromat Project in New York thus the connection with 10^th Street Laundromat. She also participated in HOAST (Harlem Open Artist Studio Tours) cool, huh?

And speaking of cool the monthly art party is so much fun with food and drink, hipsters and regular folk, art on clothes-lines and spinning dryers with DJ Under spinning old school music from DoNs youth (Blondie, Devo, Bob Marley). Sarahs friends from Philly and NYC were dancing and mingling, laughing and hugging, kissing and giggling at the kids ogling the weirdos DoN insists you get on the 10^th Street Laundromat mailing list and you, too, can be cool!