Posts Tagged ‘Saul Alexander Foundation Gallery’

Saul Alexander Foundation Gallery in Charleston, SC, Features Works by Jennifer Ervin – July 1 – 31, 2011

Wednesday, July 6th, 2011

We didn’t receive any info about this exhibit at Carolina Arts, but on July 3, 2011, I went to the Charleston County Public Library’s Main Branch in Charleston, SC, to pick up our goddaughter, Zelda, for a 4th of July visit here at the headquarters of Shoestring Publishing Company on the shores of Lake Moultrie at Bonneau Beach, SC.

The Library was showing the exhibit, Moving Into Stillness, featuring works by Jennifer Ervin. After viewing the exhibit I wrote in her book for comments that, “this was the best photography exhibit I’ve seen this year in Charleston. The works reminded me of Edward Weston’s photographs.” This was high praise in my book.

In a short statement about the exhibit, Ervin mentioned that she does a lot of walking and picks up a lot of objects along the way. Some of these objects end up in simple, straight forward images, presented wrapped in warm, soft light and printed as such. The images and the exhibit overall gave me and I’m sure most viewing it – a warm, nostalgic feeling. It was also a very well presented exhibition. It was almost like stepping into a little side room of a major art museum.

I didn’t have my camera with me, but it would have been near impossible to get any useful images as the works were under glass and there are always lots of reflections in this small room. I took a few notes on a couple of her business cards.

Zelda, who is also interested in old school photography also like this exhibit. More high praise.

Later when I got home, I checked out Ervin’s website and saw an image there I recognized. Turns out that Carolina Arts featured an article about an exhibit Ervin had at Francis Marion University in Florence, SC, in our Feb. 2011 issue. She was also in the the Pee Dee Regional Photography Exhibit 2011 – Photofabulous! at the Art Trail Gallery in Florence, but I must of missed her works somewhere in the 1,000 + images offered. Ervin’s works definitely grabbed my attention in a solo setting.

And, yes, I do not have a photographic memory or the ability to call up all info that passes our way at Carolina Arts. I have a hard enough time putting the right artist in the right gallery in the right city in the right state at times, but I do better than most.

I contacted Ervin by e-mail to see if she could send me some jpegs of works in the exhibit so you could see some of what I saw. She sent a few which we have here. But, the exhibit as a whole is much better to see.

I found a little statement offered on the website about this exhibit, Moving Into Stillness. There was this quote form Frederick Sommer, “Life itself is not the reality. We are the ones who put life into the stones and pebbles.” And, this quote from Ervin, “This collection explores still life with an emphasis on design, carefully selecting details to create a poetic visual language that transforms objects into sensory experiences.”

But, I think one of my favorite images in the exhibit, broke the rules a little bit – which is OK. The work titled, Figs (in the studio), was like most of the other images – a simple image of some figs, but at the bottom of this image – a ways from the depth of field of the lens (a technical photographic term for the area of sharp focus, front to back) you could see the photographer’s feet. It was a little hint that these images are not a record of Mother Nature’s work. They are images of objects from nature created by a skilled photographer – in order for the viewer to see ordinary objects in a way you will stop and look at them.

I read statements by a lot of photographers who say they are capturing images of everyday objects we all pass by or overlook in our fast-paced lives, but it’s not always true. It just sounds good to say. And, too many photographers use that line for the excuse that they can’t find interesting images to capture, but Ervin in the image, Figs (in the studio), reminds us – she is making these ordinary objects interesting to look at – in her environment. Is that not one of the basics of art in general?

I don’t want to see images of the minutia of life. I get enough of real life minutia – 24/7 as is.

I also found a little bio info on the website, telling me that Ervin studied painting and photography at Francis Marion University, and received her MFA in Graphic Design from Boston University in 2002. Her work has been actively exhibited in the Southeast and she will have two solo shows in 2011 – the one at FMU and this one at the Library. Ervin received the Jo-Ann Fender Scarborough Award (2009) for work from her “Becoming” series. She lives in Charleston, with her husband and three daughters.

Three daughters! I’m amazed she can get any work done. But artists seem to manage. It’s funny, but it seems like artists with families get a lot more work done than those that don’t. Maybe it’s because the ones without families and all that comes with them – have more time to talk about doing art and those with – just have time to do.

I wish we had known about this exhibit for our July 2011 issue, but I would strongly advise anyone in the Charleston area to go see this exhibit. It’s worth the effort. I’m glad I saw it by chance.

You can see more of Ervin’s artworks at (www.jenniferervin.com) or for further info e-mail to (jenervin5@gmail.com).

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Some Articles About Exhibits Taking Place in the Carolinas Which Came In After Our February Deadline

Monday, February 7th, 2011

Some of these came in late – after our Jan. 24 deadline and a few came from folks just discovering us. Some think we should just add them to the paper – after all it’s not printed – it’s electronic, but I say no. That’s what deadlines are for and I don’t want several editions of the paper out there and people hearing about items they missed after they first viewed the paper. And, we might not always give these late articles a second life at Carolina Arts Unleashed. So people need to make that deadline.

If you haven’t seen our Feb. 2011 edition of Carolina Arts, you can find it at this link (Warning – this download can take several minutes) (http://www.carolinaarts.com/211/211carolinaarts.pdf).

Coker College in Hartsville, SC, Features Works by Koichi Yamamoto

An exhibition of prints by Koichi Yamamoto, an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee School of Art, is on view through Feb. 25, 2011, in the Cecelia Coker Bell Gallery located in the Gladys C. Fort Art Building in Hartsville, SC.


Tochika Ni, by Koichi Yamamoto, a 12″ x 24″ intaglio print

Yamamoto’s show, 00 To 10, includes a selection of intaglio prints (a printing process wherein an image is engraved or acid etched into a metal plate, inked then printed) and prints made with a monotype process, a procedure that yields only a single impression from each plate.

Merging traditional and contemporary approaches to printmaking, Yamamoto has worked with meticulous metal engravings, large-scale relief and intaglio prints. His current work is in large-scale monotypes and exemplifies a contemporary, international aesthetic developed from his upbringing in Japan and his education in Europe and North America. His prints explore issues of the sublime, memory, atmosphere, light and history through various representations of landscape.

“Surface only provides a record from recent events,” Yamamoto said. “Making critical judgments requires an understanding of what lies underneath. Addressing the landscape as subject, my work attempts to describe cross sections of history. I seek to slow down and take time for a deep level of investigation.”

Yamamoto is a graduate of the University of Alberta and Pacific Northwest College of Art. He has also studied at the Bratislava Academy of Art and the Poznan Academy of Art. His work has been included in a number of recent juried print competitions including the Boston Printmakers, the 7th Bharat Bhavan International Biennial Print Art in India and the Lujubljana International Printmaking Exhibition in Slovania. Yamamoto’s prints are in the collections of University of Hawaii at Hilo, the Vivian and Gordon Gilkey Graphic Center in the Portland Art Museum and the University of Alberta Museum and Collection.

The Cecelia Coker Bell Gallery is located in the Gladys C. Fort Art Building on the Coker College campus. Gallery hours are from 10am to 4pm, Monday through Friday, while classes are in session.

Coker College upholds and defends the intellectual and artistic freedom of its faculty and students as they study and create art through which they explore the full spectrum of human experience. The college considers such pursuits central to the spirit of inquiry and thoughtful discussion, which are at the heart of a liberal arts education.

For more information, contact Barb Steadman by calling 843/857-4199.

UNC Asheville in Asheville, NC, Features Laura Hope-Gill’s Poetry and Photographs by John Fletcher Jr.

UNC Asheville’s Ramsey Library will present the collaborative work of poet Laura Hope-Gill and photographer John Fletcher Jr., on view in Ramsey Library’s Blowers Gallery from Feb.  1- 28, 2011. Hope-Gill and Fletcher will also present a slideshow and poetry reading at 12:30pm, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011, in the library’s Whitman Room.

Hope-Gill and Fletcher’s book, The Soul Tree, features photographs of uniquely beautiful southern Appalachian landscapes accompanied by lyric poems, which illuminate themes of vision, faith, healing and the sacredness of nature. The Blowers Gallery exhibit will feature some of the images and poems from the book as well as more recent work inspired by The Soul Tree.

The exhibit and the slideshow/poetry reading are free and open to the public.

Hope-Gill is the Poet Laureate of the Blue Ridge Parkway and a recipient of a North Carolina Arts Council fellowship. She is also the founder and director of WordFest Poetry Festival in Asheville, and an instructor in UNC Asheville’s Great Smokies Writing Program. Fletcher is a photographer for the Asheville Citizen-Times. His 20-year career has included clients such as USA Today, The Associated Press, The Washington Post, and The New York Times.

The gallery is free and open to the public daily and most evenings.

For more information, call 828/251-6336 or visit (http://bullpup.lib.unca.edu/library/exhibits/blowers/exhibits.html).

Greenville Technical College in Taylors, SC, Features Works by Faculty of SC Governor’s School

The Department of Visual and Performing Arts at the Greer campus of Greenville Technical College in Taylors, SC, is presenting an exhibit of works by members of the South Carolina Governor’s School of the Arts and Humanities, on view through Feb. 18, 2011.

Impressive for its scope, the show includes works by photographer Carlyn Tucker, sculptor Joseph Thompson, painter Paul Yanko, ceramists Alice Ballard and Sharon Campbell, printer Katya Cohen, metals artist Ben Gilliam, and graphic designer Neil Summerour. We are pleased to showcase the creative excellence that exemplifies the commitment of arts faculty at this unique Upstate program.

For further information check our SC Institutional Gallery listings call Lisa Smith at 864/848-2044 or e-mail to (lisa.smith@gvltec.edu).

Mesh Gallery in Morganton, NC, Features An Exhibit of Iron Works

Mesh Gallery in Morganton, NC, will present an exhibition showcasing the work of Oak Hill Iron that includes both fine art and utilitarian wares titled Ironology. The exhibit will be on view from Feb. 14 through Apr. 8, 2011, with a reception taking place on Friday, Feb. 18, 2011, from 6-9pm.

Oak Hill Iron was born out of necessity and driven by true talent and sheer determination to create beautiful products. Founded over a decade ago by Dean Curfman, Oak Hill Iron produces custom ironwork that meets the needs of countless utilitarian applications as well producing works of fine art that are at home in a gallery space. Both high art and craft are integral parts of a healthy arts community and with this exhibition Oak Hill Iron will demonstrate it’s ability to wear both those hats.

Oak Hill Iron is staffed by a team of highly trained artistic craftsmen and offers a wide selection of ironwork for both residential and commercial projects. There is no job that is considered too big or too small.

As always events at MESH Gallery are free and open to the public. Appetizers (hors d’oeuvres) for this event will be provided by Mountain Burrito of Morganton. Wine will be served by Sour Grapes Wine Distribution.

There will be a free concert starting at 8pm on Feb. 18, during the reception with a performance from Pimalia recording artists Moolah Temple $tringband hailing from Jackson County, NC. The duo of Johnny Favorite & Eden Moor co-pilot their goat-drawn deathcart, trailing the detritus of Old Time, Musique Concrète, Honky Tonk, IDM, Minstrelsy, songs of wounded affection, cautionary tales for our age, and the aesthetics of the Fraternal, Temperance, and Evangelical Movements. Moolah Temple $tringband rarely makes public appearances, but the duo is pleased to be invited by MESH. One clown is merely a clown, but two clowns make a circus.

Mesh Gallery is located at 114-B West Union Street, Morganton, NC.

For further information call 828/437-1957 or e-mail to (eliot@meshgallery.com).

Charleston County Public Library in Charleston, SC, Features Works by Cheryl Baskins Butler

The Charleston County Public Library in Charleston, SC, will present the exhibit, A Day at the Zoo: Impressions of Riverbanks, featuring works by Cheryl Baskins Butler, on view in the Saul Alexander Foundation Gallery, located in the Main Branch of the CCPL system in downtown Charleston, SC, from Feb. 1 – 28, 2011.

Butler began her sketch “safaris” at the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC, when it first opened in the mid 70’s. Throughout the ensuing years, she has returned regularly to observe, sketch, paint and spend personal time with the Riverbanks residents. A Day at the Zoo: Impressions of Riverbanks is a compilation of paintings, collages and site sketches from her visits.
The Main Library is located at 68 Calhoun Street in downtown Charleston.

For further information call Frances Richardson at 843/805-6803 or visit (www.ccpl.org).

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Opportunity is Knocking for Artists Who Want an Exhibit in Charleston, SC in 2011

Friday, October 8th, 2010

I did an entry about this opportunity a few weeks ago and I’ve received a note that the folks at the Charleston County Public Library’s Main Branch in downtown Charleston, SC, have not yet received many applications to show at the Saul Alexander Foundation Gallery – so far.

The deadline for applications is Oct. 15, 2010. Here is a link to the information you need to apply (http://www.ccpl.org/content.asp?id=108084&action=detail&catID=5367&parentID=5368).

If you didn’t see that first notice – here’s the link to it (http://carolinaarts.com/wordpress/2010/08/28/saul-alexander-foundation-gallery-in-charleston-sc-calls-for-exhibit-proposals/).

This is an opportunity open to all artists living in South Carolina who can meet the requirements of the application process.

What are you waiting for?

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Saul Alexander Foundation Gallery in Charleston, SC, Calls for Exhibit Proposals

Saturday, August 28th, 2010

I know I said I wasn’t going to put just general press releases here, but I’m posting this here and at Carolina Arts News because I’m a big supporter of the library. Like life – there are always exceptions.

Attention SC Visual Artist: The first thing you need to know is that you have to get your act together between Sept. 1 – Oct. 15, 2010, to have a shot at an opportunity to have an exhibit at the Saul Alexander Foundation Gallery, located in the Main Branch of the Charleston County Public Library in downtown Charleston, SC.

Those dates are the important thing to remember. Now you can read the rest of the information.

The Saul Alexander Foundation Gallery announces a call for entries for juried art exhibitions, solo or group, for the calendar year 2011 at the Main Library. Preference is given to work reflecting experiences and viewpoints of South Carolina residents. Deadline for completed applications is October 15, 2010. Applications are available at the Administrative Office of the Main Library or on our web at this link. Applications are also available by calling Mallery Manning at 843/805-6949.

The Saul Alexander Foundation Gallery is a small intimate exhibit space – when entering the gallery, the left wall is 17′ 8″, the rear wall is 14′ 6″ and the right wall is 19′ 2″. The room height is slightly more than 8′. But, it is in a location that sees high traffic by people who are knowledge seekers – folks with expanded horizons. These are the kind of people you might like to see your art. Although the space is small, I have seen creative artists use it with unlimited imagination. If you understand that – you know what I mean.

For some reason Charleston’s artists don’t seem to be as interested in this exhibit space as I think they should. How do I know this? By the lack of applications submitted by Charleston area artists. And, the fact that more and more shows presented there are by artists from outside of the Charleston area. I guess they prefer places where they can have receptions – booze. You see, some artists think people will only like and buy their art when they are boozed up. I hope you have more confidence in your art.

What you get out of the space depends on what you put in it – meaning I’ve seen exhibits where the artists didn’t even leave any info about the exhibit or how to get in touch with them – even if someone was interested in learning more, getting them to exhibit somewhere else, much less buy something. While others have placed sign-in books for people’s reactions to the exhibit, price lists, business cards, an artist’s statement about the exhibit, and anything else that will help them make a connection with viewers. These artists also send out press releases by deadline to the media to make sure their exhibit has a chance at being promoted to the public. You get out what you put in.

So, here’s an opportunity for any SC visual artists to show their work in Charleston – the place some people call the cultural capital of the South.

Once More: Applications will only be accepted during the Calls for Submissions period from Sept. 1 until Oct. 15, 2010. The works of each selected artist or group will be exhibited for one month beginning in February of 2011.

For further information, please call 843/805-6949 or visit (www.ccpl.org).

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Charleston County Public Library Offers Another Interesting Exhibit with Works by Jerry Comstock

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

Once again, an exhibit in the Saul Alexander Foundation Gallery at the Main Branch of the Charleston County Public Library in downtown Charleston, SC, has caught my attention. I was delivering the Nov. 09 issue of Carolina Arts to the Library when I got the chance to see an exhibit of mixed media works by Jerry Comstock – on view through Nov. 30, 2009.


Flowers

Here were works of a type that I have not often seen in Charleston. It seems the Library’s exhibit selection committee has really selected a wide variety of work to be presented this year. And, this time I had my camera with me so I can show more of the work without trying to stretch my limited vocabulary in describing them. I don’t speak “art speak” – good thing – it’s hard enough to read it at times while editing some articles for Carolina Arts.

Comstock did not offer much info about himself as an artist – as far as the kind of info you would find on an resume. He didn’t even offer any info as to where he is from, except that his phone number had an 843 area code – which could be anywhere in lower SC. And, you just can’t assume he’s from the Charleston area as the Library has been presenting exhibits by artists from all over South Carolina. Does it matter where he is from? I don’t think so, but it’s always nice to know. I could call – but he didn’t offer this info and it could have been a deliberate decision on his part for some reason.

Comstock did offer an artist’s statement which told about how he was creative early on as a child. And, it said that he is primarily a carpenter and cabinet builder who doesn’t get much time for his creative endeavors – like those shown in the exhibit, but for most of us – anyone who can do carpentry and make cabinets (with doors that align) – is pretty creative. The works on the wall proved that too.

Like some visionary and outsider artists, Comstock uses leftover materials in making art. In this case, various sheets of wood for his canvases. He also uses other materials found in his work area like Liquid Nail – a bonding glue which Comstock uses to add texture and designs to his works. All the works in this exhibit are on a wood background, except one which is painted on glass. That work is untitled and may have been a late minute addition to fill space in the gallery.

The reason I say that is that Comstock offered some unusual tags to identify each individual work – except the one on glass. He made small glass frames with white lettering printed on the glass. They may have looked good in his studio or work area, but because of the tight lighting in the Saul Alexander Foundation Gallery, a shadow was cast along the top half of most of the frames making them hard to read. A different take on titles, but not the best for this venue.

It’s no big deal – just an observation. You have to give Comstock credit for trying something different and in another venue they may have worked fine. The good thing is – they didn’t distract me from the main attraction, but it’s worth mentioning so that artists don’t go overboard in making fancy titles that could distract the eye from the artworks. It’s like the problem too many artists have with putting artwork in frames that are more interesting than the artwork. And, sometimes two to three times the size of the artwork. I may be getting in trouble with some framers, but come on – it’s just supposed to be a frame – not a statement of one’s wealth.

What about the work?


Devil’s Daydream

The piece, Devil’s Daydream, was the most elaborate work of the exhibit, with many things going on in the image. The work is on fiber board (compressed wood chips) which can still be seen through the layers of paint and textured designs. In some places there are layers of colored cartoons or comic strips embedded behind the designs. The two main images offered tell two different stories – in fact the helter skelter designs may indicate that the devil has dreams like the rest of us – bits and pieces of our life being linked together to tell a tale – out of time and out of place. The close-up photo gives a hint of the what is hidden, but cannot show what the human eye can see when peering close into the images details.


Detail of Devil’s Daydream


Jacob’s Ladder

The work, Jacob’s Ladder is also very detailed but more organized with a lot of wood grain being offered as part of the overall image. This work will keep you busy trying to figure out all the meanings behind the images and symbols offered.


Duet to the right

This wide shot of the gallery space is the only way I could get a decent image of the work entitled, Duet. The overall size, its backwards angle and shiny surface prevented me from getting a good close-up image – believe me I tried. Here again, there are patterns and designs layered behind the surface colors and the Liquid Nail glue. The idea of two together comes across plainly, but are the two – unborn, trapped in time and space, or encased in cocoons? It’s the largest work in the exhibit and you can see how it dominates the space. So, I can only assume this image has greater meaning to Comstock than perhaps the message I was receiving.

There was no price sheet offered, so I assume – like most people will, that the works are not for sale, but that could be wrong. I was there early on in this exhibit’s life – perhaps more materials have shown up to provide more info.

I hope you find enough interest here to spark a trip to the main branch of the Charleston County Public Library. You should be going to a library near you on a regular basis anyway – and not just for DVD’s of Star Trek or Sex in the City.

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Excellent Exhibit of Works by Robert Merrill Sweeny at Charleston County Public Library – Sept. 09

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

One of my favorite exhibit spaces offers an excellent exhibit of works by Robert Merrill Sweeny during the month of September, 2009. I’m talking about the Saul Alexander Foundation Gallery at the Main Branch of the Charleston County Public Library in downtown Charleston, SC. The exhibition, Graffiti and the art in neglect, features new works by Sweeny and I have to say – it’s one of the best individual exhibits that I’ve seen in this space.

On Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009, I was waiting in my car in the parking lot of the library – listening to a book on CD – waiting to get into the library at 9am – my last delivery stop in Charleston for the September issue of Carolina Arts. I had been driving around Charleston and North Charleston since 5am. That’s after I had already been up the coast of SC – as far as Calabash, NC, during the night. My day started at 10:30pm Monday evening – Aug. 31, 2009. Driving from state to state – one month to another – that’s my life.

So, I think I was officially the first visitor to Sweeny’s exhibit – other than those who may have seen it while it was being installed. It was a total surprise in that we didn’t receive info about this exhibit in time to be included in our Sept. issue. I was checking out another book on CD and out of the corner of my eye it seemed like a glow was coming from the gallery. So, I went to check it out.


Off the Wall #8


Off the Wall #2

For some reason it seemed like the gallery has never been so bright and colorful. I’m sure it has but that’s the way the exhibit struck me. On first glance I thought, I know this work – I’ve seen the style before. Once I saw the name of the artist – it all sunk in. What threw me at first was the name “Graffiti” – a word I’m not too fond of these days, but in the end – it was all OK. This was the kind of graffiti I could take. This was art imitating life – images of graffiti as an artist saw it. I still view the act of creating real graffiti as an act of vandalism of private and public property and an assault on our greater public view – much the same way I feel about billboards. But, in the last year I have seen how the style can be used in the creation of real art and I’m growing to like it. (See blog entry about City Gallery show).


Boxcar Graffiti #5


Boxcar Graffiti #6

When I got home I contacted Sweeny to see if he could send some of the images for use in this blog and they came that same day. Attention artists: be ready to respond to public interest in your work! So thanks to Sweeny – you can see some of the works here. I also got him to send me a copy of the statement posted at the gallery, which follows:


Off the Wall #7


Off the Wall #5

“For my second show at the Saul Alexander Gallery I have created two new series. The first of the two, Off the Wall, is composed of mixed media works based upon photographs taken in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and Charleston, SC. The primary imagery is that of old buildings, walls and doorways. As with most of my artwork, this series is an attempt to isolate images seldom seen as art and find beauty in the everyday. The second series, Boxcar Graffiti, consists of works on canvas in acrylic and pencil. These pieces are based on photographs taken in the Charleston trainyards. It is my hope that through these works, and those in the first series, a change in our perception of the world will take place and we can all begin to find some grace in the mundane and neglected.”   – Robert Merrill Sweeny

Now first off, what I love about that statement is the first sentence, “For my second show at the Saul Alexander Gallery I have created two new series.” Sweeny has taken this gallery space seriously. He’s had bigger shows, in 2004 he was featured in a solo exhibition at the City Gallery at Waterfront Park – a much larger space where few have had solo exhibits, but he’s still willing to exhibit at a more intimate space such as the Saul Alexander Foundation Gallery. The space is not big, but Sweeny fit 20 new works into the space – 8 in the Boxcar Graffiti Series and 12 in the Off the Wall Series. And, it’s all presented very nicely. Like I said earlier – the space seemed to be glowing with color.

Sweeny’s artworks do help us “find beauty in the everyday”.

He also did something interesting – inviting viewers to help promote the exhibit by providing post cards that visitors could pick up – fill out an address and with a stamp send the word out about this exhibit to others. Now, that’s good marketing.

If you’re in the Charleston area or planning a visit to Charleston this month – I recommend you go check out this exhibit. You can find info about purchasing any of the works at the Library’s front desk. You can learn more about Sweeny on his website at (www.robertmerrillsweeny.com). Graffiti and the art in neglect, will be on view through Sept. 30, 2009 – in the most accessible exhibit space in Charleston – open seven days a week – for a lot of hours.

Great space, great show, great opportunity!

Now, it just so happened that I received an e-mail from Becky Melancon from the CCP Library about the upcoming call for exhibition opportunities at the gallery space the same day I saw this exhibit.

Knock knock – can you hear that, artists? It’s opportunity knocking.

The Saul Alexander Foundation Gallery in the Charleston County Public Library announces a call for entries for juried art exhibitions, solo or group shows, for the calendar year 2010 at the Main Library. Preference is given to work reflecting experiences and viewpoints of South Carolina residents. Deadline for completed applications is October 30, 2009. Applications are available at the Main Library, in the Administrative Office, or can be downloaded from the CCPL website, (www.ccpl.org).  For further information, contact Becky Melancon, 843/805-6951.

So there you go, artists – you’ve got almost two months to get your act together for an opportunity to exhibit in this space. Don’t let it pass you by. And, don’t forget we post other exhibit opportunities on our website at Carolina Arts Online – under Art News.

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A Look At An Exhibit by Peter Scala At Charleston County Public Library

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009

Back in the day, let’s say the mid to late 1980′s, a review of the visual art offerings during Spoleto Festival USA and Piccolo Spoleto Festival would not be complete without mention of the annual exhibit of Francesco Licciardi’s works. Even after his death, his wife would still outfit some space in the downtown area of Charleston – wall to wall – up only during the festivals. Licciardi was our taste of old world modern art.

This year, festival goers looking for visual art offerings will find a taste of that old world or better yet, worldly art, at the Saul Alexander Foundation Gallery at the Main Branch of the Charleston County Public Library on Calhoun Street in downtown Charleston. The exhibit Fantasy, features works by local artist, Peter Scala, on view through June 30, 2009.


Having Fun

Scala declares himself a self taught surrealist painter, who was influenced by Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró. He was raised in Greenwich Village, in New York City, where his father, Victor Scala was a cubist artist. His father shared studio space with the abstract expressionist, Franz Klein. Peter also credits his early interest in art with classes spent with Margot A. Gregor. Between 1981 and 2002, Peter Scala traveled, lived and painted in some of the world’s most exotic locals in Africa and Asia including Zanzibar, Tanzania, Djibouti, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Angola, and Calcutta, India. Now he calls North Charleston, SC, home.

So here’s a warning. If you’re looking for typical scenes of the Lowcountry – you won’t find them in this exhibit. Although, Scala does have a pretty interesting painting of “South of Broad” in this exhibit.


South of Broad Street

I suggest you start your viewing of this exhibit by checking out a sample of some of Scala’s daily sketches from his journal. These are simple images which could later be incorporated into finished paintings. He likes to get his creative juices flowing with a morning sketch. The first pattern you might pick up on is that Scala likes to add images of animals – birds and cats – and sometimes some “what’s that?” creatures. At times you have to look hard, but the animals are there most of the time. And, once you start looking for these animals who knows what you’ll discover that you didn’t see at first glance.

If you’re looking for something different – this show delivers.

Scala’s work can also be viewed at the Lowcountry Artists Gallery in Charleston and the Portfolio Gallery in Columbia, SC.

While at the library there was also an unannounced exhibit, at least unannounced to us at Carolina Arts in the library’s lobby. This happens a lot during the Festivals – exhibits come out of the woodwork. This exhibition of 15 photographs on five text panels is entitled, A People of the Land – Lowcountry Portraits, featuring works by Vennie Deas Moore and will be on view through June 15, 2009. It’s a Traveling Exhibition from the McKissick Museum at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC.

This statement about the exhibit was offered: “This exhibit captures the multigenerational families who live in this coastal region and are stewards of place. Over the past two decades, they have witnessed the rapidly diminishing environment where they live and work.”

There are five panels representing five regions including: Highway 17, McClellanville, Georgetown-Tidewaters, Santee Delta, and Sandy Island – all areas on South Carolina’s coast.

I’m sure these images were part of a larger exhibition at one time – at least I hope there were more images, as it is hard to really get a sense of anything when only three photos represent each of the five regions. But while you’re going to see Peter Scala’s exhibit – why not check-out this show?

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Greg Schmitt’s Exhibit at Charleston Co. Library

Monday, July 28th, 2008

The day we went to Apple Store heaven in downtown Charleston, SC, Linda and I also stopped at the Charleston County Public Library’s Main Branch to restock. Linda headed for the novels and I headed to the selection of books on CD. I’d be hitting the delivery trail again soon so I needed to find some books I haven’t listened to before – which is getting to be a challenge. Not that the Library doesn’t have lots of books on CD to choose from. I just don’t care to listen to many of the subjects. I need authors who can keep me awake in the wee hours of the night and morning.

I picked up a few new Elmore Leonard books there, so it looks like Leonard and James Lee Burke will be doing the job of keeping me awake this month – along with NPR and the BBC.

If I’m at the Library in downtown Charleston, I’m going to be visiting the current exhibit up in the Saul Alexander Foundation Gallery and this time it was an abstract photography exhibition by Greg Schmitt.

I thought I knew who this artist was, but I wasn’t sure as there wasn’t much information being offered on the handout left in the gallery for visitors. It contained three paragraphs – sort of an artist’s statement about the works in the exhibit, a request for visitors to sign the book left in the gallery and tell the artist what you thought of his work, and the name of the artist. There was nothing offered as to how you might get in contact with the artist – if you had a question or might want to purchase a work.

Most of the exhibits shown at this gallery space are always accompanied by lots of info on how to get a hold of the artist for further info or transactions. No one wants to take the chance that someone would try and find someone at the Library for further info – not that you couldn’t get that information – it’s more of how impulsive people are or how much in a hurry they often are.

I got the impression that this artist was offering these works for viewing only and was looking for people’s reactions – almost as an experiment. There were no titles on the images offered, no price list for possible purchases, and the artist didn’t even sign the images. This was not your usual exhibition.

I later learned that this was the photographer who I thought it was and he is a professor of communications at the College of Charleston. So was there more going on here than what this picture of a gallery exhibit presented? I don’t know, but part of the artist’s statement might give a clue.

Schmitt wrote, “I want you to have the opportunity to study the images without being influenced by what they are. Recognition forces you to think of the images as particular objects rather than nameless ones. Even naming these images attempts to force you to see in a particular way. I don’t want that. I want you to enjoy, for instance, the hues just for themselves.”

And, that’s what you get with these 18 images – all about 8″ x 10″ in size. You get extraordinary colors in all kinds of shades and hues – in patterns and textures run wild. I didn’t find myself looking for objects to figure out what the images photographed might have been at all. Digital photography is one of the new wonders of the ever-changing medium of photography in the art world.

Less than 200 years old, photography, unlike other mediums used to create art has never stopped evolving. Technology is wonderful and the possibilities in the hands of a creative person are unlimited. They don’t do me any good. The digital camera and today’s computers with fantastic software can only take a person with no talent into the realm of being creative – so far. These innovations are just tools to the real artists.

Like other abstract works of art there has to be something that grabs the viewer and demands their attention and hold it long enough to keep them looking – just color and patterns won’t always do it. And, I’ve always wondered what it is that attracts me to some abstract works and not others – even works created by the same artist.

I found that many of Schmitt’s works did it for me, but without titles I’m lost in my limited descriptive abilities to tell you which works did. Unfortunately this is another exhibit which I ran into near or at the end of its life.

The exhibit, A State of Mind, which I found on the Library’s website will end on July 30, 2008. Having not known that title until I sat down to write this entry, I’d have to say that maybe the experiment worked – if there was an experiment at hand here, as I was put in a certain state of mind in viewing these images – a state of wonder.

Now that could mean good and bad things, but I would think that this would be a worthy accomplishment for any artist. To have the viewer walk away wondering about what they just viewed. I think I’d be a little concerned if I was an artist and someone saw my works in an exhibit and it left them the minute they walked away – out of sight, out of mind. That does happen at times.

I’ve contacted the artist to see if we can get some of these images to show here. If we don’t, I’m sorry I wasn’t prepared with my digital camera – again.

Other Business Pertaining to the Saul Alexander Foundation Gallery

Back on June 25, 2008, I posted a blog entry about the Library’s call for exhibit proposals for the Dec. 08 through Dec. 09 season. It was called “An Overlooked Opportunity”. I included their call to artists in my entry and it can be found on our Carolina Arts website under the heading Art News – then Dated Opportunities. When I called to inquire about this exhibit and the artist, I also asked if they were getting many proposals and I’m disappointed to say that they are not, at this date. The deadline is Sept. 5, 2008, and I know how artists like to wait until the last minute to respond to such opportunities, but don’t wait too long. If artists act like this space isn’t useful as an exhibition space – I’m sure the Library can find a use for it. Like filling it up with more books on CD for me. I could live with that, but I’d rather see it continue to show art. It’s up to you artists out there.

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An Overlooked Opportunity

Wednesday, June 25th, 2008

As I have mentioned before in a review of exhibits held during the 2008 Piccolo Spoleto Festival, the exhibit space at the Charleston County Public Library’s Main Branch, while small, is an excellent opportunity for any artist in SC to mount a small exhibition. It is located in one of the highest traffic areas in downtown Charleston, SC. This gallery also has the longest open hours for viewing in Charleston. Free parking for the first hour too.

Apparently over the years Charleston’s local visual artists have decided that the space is too small or not suitable – as more and more artists from outside the area are being featured there each month. Folks at the library say they are just not receiving a lot of applications for exhibitions. So, I guess that leaves open another opportunity for artists throughout South Carolina.

I rarely miss an exhibit taking place in this space as I have to visit the library several times a month. I have to – I can’t do without my public library fix.

I have to admit that we don’t always receive info about these exhibits to include in our printed version of the paper – artists do have a habit of dragging their feet in getting info to the library staff for publicity, but even so, the volume at the library provides a very large viewing audience. A high caliber audience too. Well rounded people put libraries on their regular schedules. These are people who will stop and look at art.

So below is the library’s call for application ideas for exhibitions.

The Saul Alexander Foundation Gallery in the Charleston County Public Library’s Main Branch in downtown Charleston, SC, announces a call for entries for monthly exhibitions, solo or group, beginning Dec. 2008 through Dec. 2009. Preference is given to work reflecting experiences and viewpoints of South Carolina residents. Deadline for completed applications is Sept 5, 2008. Applications are available at the Main Library, in the Administrative Office, or on our web page at (www.ccpl.org) under the heading About Us, Saul Alexander Gallery. For further information, contact Becky Melancon at 843/805-6951.

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