Sunday, March 19, 2023

Galleryphobia

The below post was originally published about 20 years ago... but it is still very pertinent and funny!

A while back I made some comments on the subject of galleryphobia. Other similar experiences by other gallerists soon followed.

Today, as I sit in the gallery, and observe that Bethesda Plaza is once again packed with people awaiting to be called to the Original Pancake House, and yet only a few brave souls dare to enter the gallery, while dozens float back and forth attempting to view the entire exhibition through the glass walls, I am reminded of another gallery phenomenom: Bin Magnetism, also sometimes called Print Rack Magnetism.

I've not only observed Bin Magnetism evidenced at our two galleries, but also at every single gallery that I've visited that has a floor bin (or print rack) loaded with shrink wrapped matted two dimensional work.

You know the kind; nearly every gallery has one (they usually look like 
this)- loaded with art work that can be purchased and (usually) taken away immediately - as opposed to the month-long permanence of the scheduled exhibitions on the walls.

Anyway, what I have observed is that there exists a phase two to galleryphobia.

Once the galleryphobia-afflicted person has received enough counseling and encouragement, and then (after a deep breath), dares to actually enter the art gallery, he or she is often immediately and irresistibly attracted by some invisible and powerful force directly to the art bin, much like a stranded swimmer making his way to a floating log in the middle of the ocean.

This is phase two of galleryphobia, hereafter referred to as Bin Magnetism.

And if the gallery happens to have more than one floor bin, then the person usually contracts a more severe and acute case of Bin Magnetism and then makes his way from art bin to art bin, as if swimming from one safe spot to another. Sometimes they work their way around the gallery that way, breathlessly going through the shrinkwrapped artwork, eyes locked onto those pieces, avoiding any eye contact with anyone else, and unfortunately often not even looking up at the exhibition actually hung on the walls before they make their way out of the gallery.

The Bin Magnetized victim can often be rescued and cured by approaching them, smiling at them and starting a light conversation. Once they get over their startled look at discovering that the gallerist is (sometimes) a human being capable of speech, the disease if usually cured on the spot.

In rare ocassions, the Bin Magnetized victim will be allergic to this proven cure and react by either fainting or running away at an Olympic clip.

Saturday, March 18, 2023

A Conversation with art collectors

Audiences for Art: A Conversation with Private Art Collectors is Monday, March 20 2023, 7- 8:30 pm. Brought to all of us by the Washington Sculptors Group.


Join lifetime art collectors – Juanita and Mel Hardy, Beverly and Chris With, and Joan Weber in a conversation about their approaches to collecting art for their homes and personal lives. The conversation will be held on Monday, March 20th, 7-8:30 PM.

This is a conversation about what’s called “private” collecting, personal work for someone’s home. Frequently, sculpture for personal collections is small in scale but may include larger works. 

Why do people collect art? What motivated them to start? To continue collecting? How to they find the work they acquire? How do they decide what they’re willing to spend for a work?  How do couples who collect make their decisions? 

Join longtime collectors, Juanita and Mel Hardy, business people who focus on work by African-American artists, co-founders of the Millenium Arts Salon; Chris and Beverly With, formerly with National Gallery of Art, currently Board Chair and Program Chair of the Washington Print Club; and business person Joan Weber – who will answer some of these questions and many more. 

Friday, March 17, 2023

Campello at auction

Super cheap starting bid of $100 and the auction at Bakker Auctions in Provincetown ends tomorrow. Bid for it here.



J. Jordan Bruns at the Affordable Art Fair NYC

 

J. Jordan Bruns at the Affordable Art Fair NYC

Thursday, March 16, 2023

The curious case of the "stolen" Rockwells and the White House

Last summer, the White House removed the Rockwells and returned them to William, and a preliminary court hearing is scheduled for April 5. In the meantime, the White House has hung some photos of Joe Biden in their place, according to Politico.

That may be nice for the current president, but it doesn’t compare to having Norman Rockwell sketches on your wall.

Read that article here

An unlikely custody battle has broken out over a stash of Norman Rockwell art allegedly stolen and hidden for decades—in the White House.

Read the original WSJ article here.

Take me to the fair


 





Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

All About the DMV

Calloway Fine Art is having a show titled All About the DMV opening on March 18th.  The opening event will be from 2-5PM and will be  held in conjunction with Georgetown's Spring Art Walk which is happening the same day from 12-4. 



CALLOWAY FINE ART & CONSULTING

1643 Wisconsin Avenue NWWashington, DC 20007T: 202-965-4601callowayart.comgallery@callowayart.com

Monday, March 13, 2023

Art League of Germantown Celebrates 40 Years

“INSPIRED!” Art Show & Sale Celebrates 40 Years of Art 

The Art League of Germantown proudly celebrates its 40th anniversary with a new month-long exhibit and sale, March 18 – April 16, 2023, in the Kay Gallery at the BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown, MD.   

“It all started in 1983 with a few of my art students and several artists who saw an article I wrote for The Gazette. It soon became the Art League of Germantown, and it's been 'igniting inspiration' for hundreds of member artists ever since,” says founder Lynne Oakes. “We never imagined this when we started out together in my basement studio 40 years ago.”  

 

The centerpiece of ALOG’s month-long celebration is the Kay Gallery exhibit of fine original works in a wide range of mediums – paintings, prints and photographs, finely crafted jewelry, mixed media works, ceramics, drawings, and fiber art pieces.  A concurrent online gallery at www.alog.org  willpresent the full Kay Gallery exhibit and many additional online-only pieces. 

 

MEET THE ARTISTS OPENING RECEPTION takes place on Saturday March 18, 2-4 pm. Free. Open to all.  

 

Guest speaker Phil Hutinet, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of East City Art, will present The Vibrant DMV Art Scene – Observations and Predictions. Phil will share insights and ideas of interest to artists and art lovers alike. He brings the perspective of a wide-ranging career in the visual arts, including curating or producing more than 50 group and solo exhibitions and, most recently, launching the new Capital Art Book Fair. In 2010, he founded East City Art, the area’s premier resource for exhibit news, educational opportunities, and other information focused exclusively on the visual arts. Phil is a frequent speaker at regional panels and artist talks, and is often interviewed by national and international media such as the BBC, Capital Community News, Euronews, Washingtonian magazine, the Washington Post, WAMU, WJLA, and WTOP. 


Also at the reception, ALOG member Chris Wikman will demonstrate The Musical FX Machine, his steampunk sculpture that plays music! 

 

SPECIAL EVENTS are planned throughout the month, including WEEKEND SHOWCASES with individual artist stations and demonstrations, as well as a live model drawing and photo session led by acclaimed portrait artist Bill Mapes, a collage workshop with award-winning mixed media artist Jeanne Sullivan, a floral drawing and photo session, a family day featuring kids crafts with ALOG fine craft artists, and a book signing with Amy Lance and Marge Wasson debuting WONDER.  A Meet the Artists Closing Reception will conclude the show on April 16, 2-4 pm. Complete details and a full schedule at alog.org 

 

SHOW HOURS AND LOCATION: BlackRock Center for the Arts | 12901 Town Commons Dr., Germantown, MD, 20874 | 301-528-2260 

Monday – Friday 2-6 pm, Saturday – Sunday 11-5 pm. Closed on Easter Sunday, Apr 9. 

 

ALL EVENTS ARE FREE and open to the public. Some require pre-registration at www.alog.org. Free on-site parking. 

 

COVID SAFETY INFORMATION: Masks are encouraged inside the Kay Gallery 

 LEARN MORE at ALOG and at BlackRock Center for the Arts.  

 About the Art League of Germantown (ALOG) 

The Art League of Germantown (ALOG) is a group of professional and amateur visual artists, fine crafters and art appreciators organized to further the careers of its members and to bring an appreciation of fine art and crafts to the community. The group, founded in 1983, draws members from throughout Montgomery County.  Learn more about ALOG at www.alog.org.  For questions, email artists@alog.org.  


Sunday, March 12, 2023

Saturday, March 11, 2023

Friday, March 10, 2023

You gotta watch this video!

I've been pretty exuberant in my past descriptions of the spectacular, once-in-a-century painting skill that DMV artist Dora Patin has showcased in the very short time (about five years) that she has been painting.

Watch this video and you'll know why.

Thursday, March 09, 2023

Mandy Coelho: Director's Pick at the next Affordable Art Fair!

Congrats to DMV artist Mandy Coelho, whose work was recently selected by the Affordable Art Fair New York director as one of her picks:

It’s been a pleasure to pull together my highlight artworks for the 33rd edition of Affordable Art Fair New York. I can’t wait to welcome you to what is set to be a hugely inspiring fair!

Erin Schuppert, NYC Fair Director

See Erin's picks here.

And here's some of Mandy's works!!!

Art by Amanda Coelho

Art by Amanda Coelho

Art by Amanda Coelho

Art by Amanda Coelho








Wednesday, March 08, 2023

Mention

Appreciate the mention here.

Rare Brueghel the Younger painting found behind door in French home

A rare painting by the 17th-century artist Pieter Brueghel the Younger, described as “exceptional” and one of his largest known works, will be sold by auction in Paris later this month.

Read the article here.

Tuesday, March 07, 2023

Zenith Gallery's 45th Sapphire Anniversary Celebration!

 


Hours: Wed-Sat 12-6 pm, or by appointment | 202-783-2963 | art@zenithgallery.com

Upcoming Exhibition - Save the Date
Zenith Gallery's 45th Sapphire
Anniversary Celebration!
Show dates: March 10 - April 29, 2023
At 1429 Iris Street NW, Washington DC 20012
MEET THE ARTISTS RECEPTIONS:
Friday, March 10, 4-8 pm & Saturday, March 11, 2-6 pm
FEATURED ARTISTS:
Devotion, by Chris Hayman
Alphabet, by Craig Schaffer
Winter Lights, by Ronni Jolles
What is the Color Line,
by Curtis Woody
United We Stand,
by Margery Goldberg
Lotus, by Carol Newmyer
Crab Victor with Cherries,
by Bert Beirne
A Girl Bored ,
by F. Lennox Campello
Ananda, by Joan Konkel
Into the Rich and Strange,
by Gavin Sewell
Rise and Shine,
by Elissa Farrow-Savos
Channeling Guenther,
by Katharine Owens
Open Arms, by Richard Binder
Zhena's Gypsy Tea,
by Donna McCuollough
My Sweet Beloved,
by Ram Brisueno
Clifton's Dream, by Davis Morton
Endless Joy, by Len Harris
Where to start? 45 years in business is an accomplishment! Every year we reach new heights, and every day.I learn something new. I have so many people to thank. All our staff and interns, past and present, and hundreds of artists who take creativity to a new level with each new work of art. To our clients, visitors and followers… we would not be here if it were not for you. And we thank the media, who graciously covers our exhibitions throughout the decades.
Art is forever. Artists tell the emotional history of the times they lived. Artists know how to make much out of little, and the art lasts for centuries, if not millenniums.
It continues to be a privilege to share this enormous center of creativity with all of you.
Throughout the length of this show we will be having meet-and-greets and zoom chats with several of the artists. We will also arrange a series of studio visits to our artists that live in the area. We would like to hear from you about what you would like… so email us at art@zenithgallery.
Margery E. Goldberg

Zenith Gallery Inc. | 1429 Iris Street, NW, Washington, DC 20012