The INTANGIBLE al fresco in the Sculpture Garden
THE INTANGIBLE al fresco is a show of abstract outdoor sculptures. Abstract in the sense that the qualities they possess are difficult to define concretely. The sculptures possess an unquantifiable quality, a quality of elusiveness or contradiction, a sense of the intangible. Seen in this way, these works seem to reference something else, something also intangible, a vague feeling, a remote idea, an inconclusive summation. Al fresco simply refers to the works being placed outdoors and somehow integrating with or an insisting from their environment. The show features nine emerging and established sculptors producing very diverse works that are installed in a four-tier sculpture garden as if they are in dialog with each other. The nine sculptors selected for this exhibition are: Judith Steinberg (Connecticut) Vince Schifano (Dobbs Ferry), Jim Llyod (Cortland Manor), Emil Alzamora (Beacon), Dina Bursztyn (Catskill), Ruth Hardinger (Manhattan), Michael Poast (Long Island City), Wilfredo Morel (Peekskill) and Brent Crothers (Maryland).
Paramount Center for the Arts, 108 Brown Street, Peekskill, NY
The Art of Persuasion exhibition of prints organized by The New York Society of Etchers will be traveling over the next two years to several already scheduled destinations. The first of the re-presentations will be at the Paramount Center for the Arts in Peekskill, NY. The exhibit will open Saturday April 21st 2007 and close Saturday June 30, 2007.
The Paramount Center for the Arts is housed in a completely restored early 20th century theatre in the heart of the downtown arts and business district of Peekskill, New York. Locally, the effort was initiated by gallery owner William Maxwell of Maxwell Fine Arts and Mr. Jon Yonofsky, Executive Director of the Paramount Center for the Arts.
The exhibition of original fine art prints was first presented last November at The National Arts Club in New York City where over thirty works of activist and socially engaging works were shown. Building upon the critical success of this show – the format has been expanded to include additional prints accommodated by the larger gallery space at the Paramount Center for the Arts.
Following the extended tour of the exhibition it will return to the National Arts Club for the first two weeks of November 2008 when the show will be presented, in its final recast format, as The Art of Democracy. The Art of Democracy will the be a part of a national coalition of exhibitions lead by organizers Art Hazelwood in San Francisco, California and Stephen A. Fredericks of the New York Society of Etchers. The coalition effort will include prints and a promotional poster exchange between all of the participating artist printmaking groups. Interested artists and print workshops and exhibiting societies should contact info@artofdemocracy.org.
Further information about The Paramount Center for the Arts programs can be found at www.paramountcenter.org or writing info@paramountcenter.org. The center is located at 1008 Brown Street Peekskill, NY 10566 and 914-739-2333. Maxwell Fine Arts is located at 1204 Main Street, Peekskill, NY 10566 and can be reached at www.maxwellfinearts.com . More information about the exhibition and its availability to travel can be obtained by writing info@nysetchers.org.
MFA@121, in association with 121 Restaurant and Bar in North Salem, New York, is pleased to announce its SPRING/SUMMER 2007 art exhibition, “FUN, FUN, AND MORE FUN” multimedia works by ED RADFORD and ROB SHEPPERSON which will be on view from MAY 20 through September 2007. 121 Restaurant has scheduled a catered reception with live music to open this exhibition on Sunday, May 20, 2007 from 1:30-4:30 PM.
In addition to the public reception, you are also invited by 121 Restaurant to an artists' dinner in the gallery at 5:30 PM-reservations for this special dinner celebrating “Fun, Fun and More Fun” are required (only for the dinner--please call 914-669-0121by May 18th for dinner reservations.
ED RADFORD is a contemporary artist who maintains his studio at and lives in Croton-on-Hudson, New York, a town historically known for its independent nature and supreme artists. He is originally from Vancouver, Canada and has had exhibited his work at the Isaacs Gallery in Toronto, the Pelham Arts Center, SUNY Westchester, 12N Gallery in New York City, and MAMIA Gallery in Brooklyn, amongst others. In 2003, Radford founded the collaborative performance group “EYE” which has had numerous performances in Westchester and New York City. ROB SHEPPERSON, originally from the sticky town of Monroe, Louisiana, is a nationally known cartoonist and illustrator who's work has appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal and who has done books for Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, HarperCollins, Front Street Books, and Boyds Mills Press, amongst others. Recently, he illustrated "BUGS Poems About Creeping Things" by David L. Harrison (2007), "THUNDERBOOM! Poems for Everyone" by Charlotte Pomerantz (2006), "THE BIG HOUSE" by Carolyn Coman (2004), and "WILDFIRE!" by Elizabeth Starr Hill (2004). Rob Shepperson is relatively new to the fine art world and has been collaborating with Ed Radford for the past few years. Both Radford and Shepperson recently exhibited their collaborative work at the Rockland Center for the Arts in Nyack, New York.
Ed Radford and Rob Shepperson have created in this present series of artworks, to include paintings, drawings, sculpture, installation and performance, pieces that consistently and un-embarrassingly embrace funky-ness in the purest sense of this constructed word. This is art that is meant to make you giggle, snicker, chuckle and laugh out loud while simultaneously playing the game of mystery and meaning. In an art scene full of intellectual seriousness and, at times, pompous presentation, it is refreshing to see that art can be witty, humorous, mischievous, and full of joie de vivre. You will surely be amused by this unique presentation as you enter in and interact with an environment that cleverly pursues the uncanny aspects of art and art presentation.
“FUN, FUN, FUN, AND MORE FUN” will open with a unique public reception (and an after show dinner for those who RSVP to the restaurant by May 18th-please see the above note) in the gallery at 121 Restaurant (MFA@121) on Sunday, May 20th , between the hours of 1:30 and 4:30 PM. The artist will be present, as well as the co-directors, William C. Maxwell and Dana DeVito, of MAXWELL FINE ARTS. The opening will feature selected hors d'ouevres and enticing wines by Executive Chef and Partner Peter DeVito of 121 Restaurant and Chef Steven Brigante. As well, live music will be provided. The exhibition will be on view to the public daily at MFA@121 through September 2007.
P U L P F I C T I O N S
by Marcy B. Freedman
On Friday, September 7th at 7pm, members of the public are invited to experience a special First Friday event at Maxwell Fine Arts. In conjunction with the current Flat Files Exhibition at the gallery, Marcy B. Freedman will present a one-woman show entitled PULP FICTIONS. This free program consists of several short, spoken-word performances, each of which was inspired by a work on paper – a drawing, collage, print or literary text. Specific examples include an anatomical sketch by Picasso, a contemporary artist’s version of wallpaper, a famous soliloquy by Shakespeare.
Using humor and interactivity, Ms. Freedman will share her enthusiasm for the accomplishments of several visual and literary artists. Her presentation will pay homage to her muses, while showcasing her own idiosyncratic approach to public performance. Additionally, Ms. Freedman will give an autographed packet of images - - and an apple -- to each person who attends PULP FICTIONS.
Marcy B. Freedman is an artist and art historian. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of California at Berkeley and graduate degrees from the University of Michigan and Princeton University. She has taught at local colleges and universities and presented public lectures at various cultural institutions, including the Katonah Museum of Art. Her paintings, collages, drawings and photographs have been shown in more than 175 exhibitions around the country. Recently, she has focused her attention upon video and performance art. Later in September, she will be appearing with a group of writers/performers at the Depot Theatre in Garrison, NY.
A new "Flat File" installation in our gallery, and The Intangible al fresco e.xhibition in our Sculpture Garden. On view for the Fall Season through Sunday, Dec 16, 2007.
MAXWELL FINE ARTS @ 121, North Salem is open daily (www.121restaurant.com).