Through My Window at Smile Gallery @ 22nd & Chestnut Streets is a concept show involving repurposing old window frames donated by Lantern Theater Companys Charles McMahon. Member artists of Da Vinci Art Alliance were asked to take a window and create a work of art instead of the frames ending up in a dump. Each artist presented art as diverse as drawings, paintings, photos, weaving and collage, creating a conundrum for jurors Brenda and Matt Lyons. Each piece is desirable and delightful in theyre own right: Betsy Alexander based her composition on science fiction, Burnell Yow! created an homage to Buddha, Mike Sweeny dressed his frame in gold and silver communicating a comment on Americas current economic situation, Alden Coles ethereal painting draws the viewer into the spiritual realm, Girard DiFalcos photograph of a tree is simple and serene, DoN Brewer recreated the view from the apartment he rented in Paris, Ona Kalstein based her mixed media piece on the fable of the ant and the cicada and Lilliana Didovic designed a mixed media work depicting Phillys famous Boat House Row using, of all things. Swarovski Crystals.
Other artists in the show include Bobbie Adams, Kim Alsbrook, Rachel Citrino, Carl Johnson, Ted Warchal, Nicole Koenitzer, Rikard Larma, Gail Kotel, Tim McKenna, Lee Muslin, Liz Niklus, Michelle Post, Gavid Carrow and Carol Wisker.
Karen McDonnell and Anthony Cortosi’s “Old Woman Looking Out the Window“. The duo currently have work on display at Rodger Lapelle Gallery in Old City through Feb.1, 2009.
Alden Cole @ Smile. Cole is included in a Dumpster Diver show at New Jersey’s Noyes Museum.
Mike Sweeney‘s award winner @ Smile’s “Through My Window.”
Burnell Yow!‘s award winning composition will allow him to be part of a group show @ Smile in January 2010 – get to work Burnell!!
Betsy Alexander‘s sci-fi inspired mixed media collage was a hit with the crowd creating a vibrant conversation about everyone’s fantasy favorites. Betsy’s home was recently featured in the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Design section, you can read the story here. Betsy is also the mom of the famous Nora the Piano Playing Cat – check out Nora’s latest videos on YouTube.
Kathryn Pannepacker’s simple yet elegant mixed media piece incorporates weaving. Pannepacker recently completed an amazing mural @ Broad and Lehigh Streets depicting textile styles of the world for the Mural Arts Program.
DoN Brewer’s “Vue de la Rue Rambuteau, Paris“, colored pencil on paper at Smile Gallery.
Through My Window is on display through February 7th, 2009 and by the by Smiles Thai food restaurant is probably the best in the city BYOB and stay a while.
