DoNArTNeWs – 4/20/08
DoN LoVes Stango; I purchased one his Marilyns when I lived in Manayunk more than a decade ago. Since then Stango has stuck to his guns and continues to produce bold, colorful paintings incorporating iconic images of movie stars, pop icons and famous logos which provoke, amuse and sometimes upset viewers. John Stango has been compared to Warhol and Peter Max but as Picasso said,”Good artists copy;great artists steal.” Lately he has been producing giclee prints which he customizes. Stango is exclusively represented in Philadelphia by Nangellini, 832 South Street; proprietor Nancy (who is a fiber artist creating groovy knit caps and hats, scarves and shawls, even a crocheted wedding dress under which the bride wore a bikini) presides over the colorful collection of Elvis’, Marilyn’s and Chanel’s.
Nancy knitted while chatting with DoN about maintaining a shop on South Street, taking on the job of representing Stango so he could spend time painting and having an outlet for her own creative pursuits as a fiber artist. Nangellini is fun and inspiring to visit and an easy place to shop for sumpin’ funky. 
Knitted hat selection @ Nangellini on South Street.
Painting by John Stango @ Nangellini.
DoN then strolled around the corner to B Square Gallery, 614 South 9th Street to view the fiber art exhibit featuring DoN favorites Francine Strauss, Kathryn Pannepackerand more. B Square is displaying a wide range of fiber based arts including some wonderful pieces incorporating words (which seems to be a trend right now in art). Heather Bryson wanted a space to showcase her talented friends’ art, as well as her own work and B Square has facilitated all of her dreams. The art of business and communicating with her clients has helped her to grow as an artist. (B Square website). The show runs through 4/26. 
Totem dolls by Francine Strauss @ B Square Gallery.
Needlepoint art by Kathryn Pannepacker @ B Square Gallery.
Next, DoN met up with artist Jed Williams to have coffee at Chapterhouse Cafe and Gallery (which is exhibiting super-fun art by Danielle Rizzolo and Lisa Weber – sorry I forgot to take pics but there’s good images on their MySpace page). Jed and DoN talked about his recent works, how it is to be a working artist in Philly, his travels to France and what it’s like dealing with NYC galleries. After coffee we headed over to Jed’s apartment/studio which is crammed with his paintings and drawings; Jed is experimenting with still life paintings which are impressionistic and colorful but DoN prefers the bold abstracts he has built his reputation on.
A new abstract on the easle in Jed Williams studio.
Philadelphia artist Jed Williams.
The Center for Emerging Visual Artists in the Barclay building on Rittenhouse Square has an awesome new show featuring artists Brian Zegeer and Matthew Neff called In Praise of Apathy featuring drawing, paintings, prints and installations. Here again words take center stage; several enigmatic prints with words are in the antechamber. Katy, the ArT DoG especially enjoyed the installation with rolled sod which she nibbled a bit. In CFEVA news: ceramics artist Brooke Hine is now a curatorial assistant to director Amy Potsic and Andrew Pirie has announced he is pursuing his Master’s degree at an undisclosed local university (so he’ll still be around to lend his support). Brooke Hine also has a full page color photo of a ceramics installation in a feature article about Eillen Tognini‘s home in the current issue of American Style magazine.
Print by Matthew Neff @ CFEVA.
One of a series by Brian Zegeer @ CFEVA.
One of the cool things about CFEVA is that they allow the artists to create site specific works like this mandala-like piece painted directly on the wall.
Friday night was the Center City Art Crawl but DoN missed the shows because he was a guest host at the Philadelphia Sketch Club. A continuos stream of art enthusiasts, many of which were first time visitors to the historic space on Camac Street, filled the gallery with lively conversation and snacked on yummo sandwiches, cold beer and fine wine. PSC knows how to throw a party since they’ve been doing it for over 100 years.
Visitors to the 145th Small Oils show at PSC.
Landscape by PSC artist M. Bruce Vieth.
After the PSC doors closed, DoN wandered down the block to wait for friend of DoN, Alden Cole to finish up his drawing workshop with Bob Jackson at the Plastic Club. DoNhad the rare privilege to sit quietly alone and take in the amazing show The Fellowship of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts 110th Annual Exhibition, jurored by Frank Bender. After schmoozing and drinking wine at the Sketch Club it was delightful to just sit and listen to the tick-tock of the grandfather clock and take in this absorbing show by some of Philly’s best artists.
DoN apologized for not taking notes on who the artists are for the two images above from the Plastic Club show but DoN LoVeS them. DoN suggests you mosey on over to Camac Street and check them out for yourself. When DoN figures out who created them, he’ll forward the info to you.
This is the last week for the Touch show at the Da Vinci Club at 704 Catherine Street. TOUCH, AN ART EXPERIENCE FOR THE SENSES, a unique gallery exhibit that invites the viewer into a world of art where touch is encouraged, not forbidden. Trish Maunder, Mary Pat Coyle and Jordan Jacobson, a group of art and museum educators/ consultants have come together to form TOUCH, AN ART EXPERIENCE FOR THE SENSES. Open to everyone, the exhibit and related workshops will be of special interest to artists, art museum educators and docents, classroom teachers, special needs educators, community arts educators, childrens museum staff, professionals involved in the healing arts and people with or who work with those with disabilities. Announcing their Final Workshop and Grand Closing Show: Saturday, April 26th.
Workshop Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
GRAND CLOSING- Explore the art, blindfolds offered, Good Food, Entertainment by Visually Impaired Musicians, and a GOOD TIME Guaranteed!
Photo of 22 blindfolded University of the Arts students at Da Vinci Club’s Touch exhibit. Photo courtesy of Da Vinci Club.
Sunday, April 27th is the Fairmount Art Crawl – The event offers art exhibited in various venues in the Fairmount neighborhood in Philadelphia as well as music and refreshments. Eleanor Day will be displaying some of her older paintings, newer work, as well as painted furniture and boxes, and will have prints and greeting cards for sale. Her venue is Seek Sanctuary–2737 Cambridge St.(1 block below Girard, and between 26th and 27th street). Seek Sanctuary is a space for art, performance, martial arts, yoga, etc. DoN suggests you check out the work by Eleanor Day who just took a Juror’s Prize at the MCOPA show at the Inquirer Building in Conshohocken.
LoVe
DoN
All photos by DoNBrewerMultimedia Photography except where noted.
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