Becoming and Unbecoming: current stages of ongoing process by Jeff Waring
May 7-30, 2010

Exhibit dates: May 7-30, 2010
First Friday reception: May 7, 5-9 pm

Artist talk and reception: Sat May 22nd, 2-5 pm in conjunction with the Trenton Ave Arts Festival and Kinetic Sculpture Derby.

Becoming and Unbecoming describes both the process and product of artist Jeff Waring. Plein air meets plain dirt, with cardboard and acorns mixed in. Waring’s open field recipes include buckets of house paint and tar, handfuls of pollen and berries, and generous splashes of acrylics and inks, sun-dried and rain-soaked. Waring’s work is relational, contextual, and evolving. Two steps forward are followed by at least one step back, as semi-dry layers are washed away to expose underlying elements. Serpentine lines and undulating forms vie for space within layers of imperfect formality. This is a visceral and chthonic offering of homegrown authenticity, inspired first and foremost by the visual potential of the material world at hand. Waring’s small works celebrate the regenerative tenacity of Nature, while larger works grapple with the smallmindedness of our lifestyles and politics. Through his work, Waring posits an acceptance of the sensuous complexity of life in all places, within people, parking lots and plateaus, and sprouting from urban gutters and mountain passes. Becoming and Unbecoming is an acceptance of continuous change, and a call for humility and wonder to transplant greed and ego.

Highwire Gallery
2040 Frankford Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19125
http://www.kenbmiller.com/highwire/
Gallery Hours: Thur, Fri 12-4pm, Sat, Sun 12-5pm

Exhibition: Pergamon Altered – collages and drawings by Jane Steinsnyder

May 7 – June 18, 2010
Opening Reception: May 2nd at 3-6pm

Gallery 51
51 N. 2nd St.
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215.413.3191
www.gallery51.net

Light and Despair
Paintings by Valerie Carroll and Adrienne B. Jenkins

May 14 – June 6
Opening reception: May 14; 6 – 9 pm

The contrasting subject matter of the works of Valerie Carroll and Adrienne B. Jenkins span the concepts of beauty, tragedy, life, death, serenity, despair, and humor. The painterly approach of each artist serves as a vehicle to bring this diverse offering together as a cohesive unit.

Valerie Carroll: My paintings are a reflection of things that interest me. I have a dark fascination with grief and despair which has translated into death and the preservation of the dead. Although, if you look closely, there are humorous and light aspects to my work.

Adrienne B. Jenkins: My focus on portrait and figurative work reflects my interest in people as complex subjects. Additional inspiration comes from film, poetry and dance as art forms rich with movement, rhythm and visual imagery. For me, pushing and placing paint on canvas is the most joyous act! The materials and methods of painting provide endless possibilities for expression through color, light, composition and form. Through the use of these materials and methods I create imagery to express an inherent energy or emotion that speaks to the viewer from a place of common experience.

Twenty-Two Gallery
236 S. 22nd Street
Philadelphia
215-772-1911
www.twenty-twogallery.com

The Arts for All Ages: A Creative Conversation

Thursday, May 20, 2010
5:30 – 8:00 PM
The William Way Community Center
1315 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Hear from artists and professionals about the impact that art has in the lives of older adults. Learn about local organizations that are promoting arts and aging opportunities. Have fun meeting other people and enjoy a lovely spring night immersed in the arts!

Network and enjoy light refreshments and wine at 5:30
Art Panel and Discussion at 6:00
Hear from artists, older artists, storytellers and more . . .!

Bring business cards to swap, along with flyers, postcards, brochures about you or your organization to share on the Creative Conversations Resource Table.

RSVP to Meaghan at 215-665-2456
or RSVP on our Facebook Event Page:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=114156745267950

Sponsored by Creative Arts & Aging Network and William Way Community Center and supported by Generation Appreciation Philadelphia.

Join Philly Side Arts and MUSE Gallery for a special networking event featuring local artists, and arts business owners Thursday, April 22nd at 6-8 pm. Also enjoy a meet and greet with currently showing contemporary painter Pat Burns and live music by Dante Bucci.

MUSE Gallery will be discussing current openings in their roster, details on an upcoming juried show and a continuation of an “Artist Happy Hour” on a more frequent basis. If you are an aspiring artist looking for a great opportunity, then this event should not be missed!

Thursday, April 22nd
Networking and Happy Hour 6-8 pm
MUSE Gallery
52 North 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-627-5310

**Bring your friends, artist and business cards, upcoming show announcements, and other information to share.**

RSVP on our Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=105569482808234&ref=mf

About MUSE Gallery:
The Muse Gallery is an artist-run gallery that has been in existence for over thirty years. MUSE is dedicated to exploring individual visions in shaping the world as we experience it, encompassing a range of styles including abstract, conceptual and representational. Taking its name from the ancient deities of aesthetics, Muse Gallery affirms the role of the arts in the community: to provoke thoughtfulness, stir the senses, awaken awareness of beauty and to lead us beyond ourselves. www.musegalleryphiladelphia.com.

Silicon Fine Art Gallery, 139 N 3rd Street. Philadelphia, PA 19106 announces its next exhibition BEHIND THE SCENE/SEEN: AN ARTISTIC RESPONSE TO THE HOLOCAUST, featuring 21 photomontages by Linda Dubin Garfield, April 27 to May 18, 2010. The Opening Reception is Tuesday, April 27, from 6:30 to 8 PM. Come and see this profound body of work.

The idea for a series of 21 photomontages based on Garfield’s trip was born in the narrow streets of Prague, in the rolling hills of Hungary and in the darkened cells of Terezin.  Who could not know what was happening? Who could not see what was going on? What illusions did people accept to mask the Holocaust that was happening outside their windows? Where did the Jewish people go when they disappeared? The series Behind the Scene/Seen deals with the issues embedded in this landscape: reality/illusion, past/present, and history/future generations.

“The juxtaposition of old with the new provides the viewer with a haunting reminder of what came before and elicits reactions which lie beneath our everyday conscious awareness.” – Christine Stoughton, Artist and Seminar Leader at the Violette De Mazia Foundation.

“This series (of photomontages) is haunting and amazing and the talent and thoughtfulness behind it is impressive. So seemingly simple and so profound!” – Emilie S. Passow, Ph.D., Director, Certificate Program in Medical Humanities, Department of English and Philosophy, and the Judaic Studies Program, Drexel University College of Arts and Sciences.

“This striking series of photographs of Eastern Europe with superimposed historical-Holocaust photographs illustrates graphically the loss of communities and, particularly of communal institutions. The observer was struck by a keen sense of what was lost- individual lives and a culture rich in reality and potential…” – Saul Wachs, Ph.D., Rosaline B. Feinstein Professor of Education and Liturgy and Chair of the Education Department- Gratz College.

For more information, go to www.lindadubingarfield.com

Image:  Terezin- A Walk in the Park, photomontage by Linda Dubin Garfield

smART business consulting and InLiquid invite all visual artists to a Meet and Greet on Monday, April 19, 2011 from 6 to 8 PM at London Grill, 2301 Fairmont Ave in Philadelphia, PA. Rachel Zimmerman, founder and executive director of InLiquid, and Linda Dubin Garfield, founder and president of smART business consulting, will discuss THE ARTIST IN CYBERSPACE: Maximizing Your Web Presence and Using Social Media.

There will be a cash bar and delectable hors d’oeuvres. The cost per person is $10.

RSVP AT smartbusinessconsulting@verizon.net.

Visit www.smartbusinssconsulting.org for more information.

Side Arts welcomes our first guest blogger, Jonathan Slingluff! Jonathan is the founder and co-owner of Slingluff Gallery in Fishtown.

This is a three part interview with three different artist for a three person show for The Slingluff Gallery that opens on April 3rd. The second interview is with Michal C. Hsiung.

Jks. So lets get started with letting the viewers know a little bit more about yourself, your work, where your from, anything that you would like to share really.

Mch. My name is Michael C. Hsiung. I was once the Red Robin mascot, a refrigerator re-stocker, background investigator, special aide assistant, teacher’s assistant, preschool assistant, proofreader, telemarketer (for 3 weeks) and a grant writer’s assistant. I assisted a lot. I was born in Chinatown, Los Angeles at the French Hospital. I graduated with a English degree and am now a full time artist.

I mainly do black and white drawings featuring mystical and magical creatures, but lately it’s been hairy fat men and animals. My work addresses gender roles/gender assignment given to mermen, the fragility of unicorn/panda dynamics, domestic violence between centaurs and unitaurs and the underlying threads of violence and danger that underpin all other-worldly societies. I also contribute to various art blogs and this keeps me out of trouble.

Jks. What inspired you when you first got into art?

Mch. Early on I was inspired by Dungeons & Dragons, mythology, and comics – all that stuff boys (nerds) get into, right? Later when I started drawing and showing, I was inspired by my friends and especially those friends who were artists, like my sister Pearl Hsiung and my friend Mike Stilkey. They really encouraged me to draw and most importantly to have fun drawing. I watched and learned from them. I should watch and learn more though.

Jks. Do you still find inspiration in this?

Mch. I still find them extremely inspirational. To see how they’ve developed, where they’ve gotten too, and the artwork they’ve created is truly inspirational. I mean seriously you gotta see their stuff.

Jks. Any other shows coming up that you would like to let the views know about?

Mch. I do have my first solo show coming up . . sometime around June 2011 at this gallery. . . oh wait, it’s The Slingluff Gallery. I’m very excited and scared.

Jks. Anything else that you would like to add?

Mch. I really like to thank all friends and family. I know that’s pretty boring and standard, but they all contribute to my insanity. Also, thanks to The Human Pyramids Artist Collective for providing new inspiration!! So many rad artists and all so awesome.

More info about The Slingluff Gallery here: www.slingluffgallery.com, and come back next Tuesday for Part 3.

This Wednesday Media Bureau is having an open Jam Session for all professional and amateur musicians looking to try out new music and expose people to new acts.  This is going to be an on going open jam session every Wednesday from now till the end of time. This event starts at 9 p.m. and goes till 12 a.m. This a great chance to network with all types of people from the Philadelphia area.  Anyone is welcome to come and play or enjoy the nights entertainment. Media Bureau is located at 3rd and Brown Street.  There is a full back line setup.  If you have more than one guitarist bring a combo amp.  Hope to see you all there.

Media Bureau is a artist oriented community providing opportunities to all facets of art, from performance art, indie films, painters, sculptures, photographers, and much much more.  Get involved and make a change in Philly.

An exhibition and performance of new work from regional and international artists committed to the form of the book. Books being performed will include sculpture, installation, video projection and animation components. Special books and zines by participating artists will be available for purchase in the Gallery Store that day only. This event is organized by Gallery Store artists Katie Baldwin and Gregory Pizzoli.

Outloud: Artist Books Performed

**THIS SATURDAY** April 3, 2:00pm

Outloud: Artist Books Performed Print – $30
Outloud: Artist Books Performed

Featuring new work by:
Katie Baldwin & Peter Hanley
Michael Deforge
Kay Healy & Ms. Ba
Holly Holly Hobby Hobby
Katie Murken
Tara O’Brien
Greg Pizzoli & Joshua Camerote
Tricia Treacy & Ashley John Pigford

The Print Center
1614 Latimer Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215 735.6090
info@printcenter.org
www.printcenter.org