Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Peter Max in Jacksonville

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Jacksonville, FL (February 1, 2009) — World-renowned artist Peter Max (www.petermax.com) returns to Avondale’s R. Roberts Gallery with his latest exhibit, making two special appearances—Saturday, March 7th, 6-9 PM and Sunday, March 8th, Noon-3 PM. Artwork is available for acquisition and each appearance is open to the public.

Max’s latest retrospective features over 100 pieces of his art, including original paintings, drawings, and limited-edition prints. The subject matter of the work ranges from his famous iconic paintings such as the “Statue of Liberty” and “Flag with Heart,” to his well-known “Cosmic” images. Some of his newer works, such as his piece commemorating Yankee Stadium and his portrait of President Barack Obama, will be included in the exhibit.

Since the late 1960s, Peter Max’s work has been an artistic symbol of American pop culture. His images form a scrapbook illustrating 40 years of Americana. Max’s imagination and vision can be found in over 100 museums and galleries throughout the world and on a variety of canvases, including the Berlin Wall and a Boeing 777 jumbo jet, currently in use by Continental Airlines. Max has painted portraits of numerous world leaders, including the last six U.S. Presidents, the Dalai Lama, and Mikhail Gorbachev. He has also been designated Official Artist of numerous international events, including six Grammy Award broadcasts, three World Fairs, and six Super Bowls.

“We’re thrilled to bring Peter Max and his amazing work back to Jacksonville, where he has been so warmly welcomed in the past,” said Gallery owner, Jennifer R. Jones. “We expect another enthusiastic turn out for this event, especially because the artist will be offering a 12” x 16” signed and individually dedicated ‘LOVE’ poster with each purchase of his work. Buyers will have the opportunity to meet Peter and have their purchase personally signed.”

RSVP’s are requested to attend Peter Max’s appearances. The public is also invited to attend a special “uncrating party” at the Gallery on Friday, February 28th. Appointments to preview the art in the exhibit can be made beginning March 1st. To RSVP or make an appointment for a preview, call the Gallery at (904) 388-1188.

For almost 20 years, R. Roberts Gallery has been one of Florida’s most prominent purveyors of fine art. As cited by the New York Times, “although it is a neighborhood gallery, clients also come from all over the nation and abroad because of the gallery’s reputation for excellence, its extensive selection of art, its superior custom framing, restoration, personal on-site art and framing consultation and portraiture services.” Featuring original paintings, sculpture and limited edition fine art prints in styles ranging from contemporary to traditional masterworks; the Gallery represents acclaimed American and international artists. R. Roberts Gallery is located at 3606 St. Johns Avenue. Hours are Tuesday – Friday, 9am – 6pm, Saturday, 10am – 4pm and Sunday 11am – 3pm. For more information, call 904-388-1188 or visit www.rrobertsgallery.com

Celebrate Art Exhibition – Ponte Vedra, Florida

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Juried artist member exhibition in Ponte Vedra on January 16 – February 21, 2009
Opening Reception January 16 — 6:30 to 8pm
Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl – The Cultural Center is pleased to announce the opening of Celebrate Art 2009, a juried exhibition of artist members of The Cultural Center. This year’s exhibition was juried by Hillary Tuttle, owner of Steller’s Gallery in Ponte Vedra Beach. Mrs. Tuttle viewed over 190 pieces of media and chose 52 of the most outstanding pieces to be exhibited from January 16, 2009 to February 21, 2009. Susan Ober, Jacksonville artist, won Best of Show. Christina Foard won second place and Gordon Meggison followed in third place. Meet the exhibiting artists during our opening reception on January 16 from 6:30 – 8pm. A private reception for our Renaissance Society members will be held from 5:30 to 6:30pm.

Juror’s comments:
It was an honor to be asked to jury the annual members art exhibit for The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach. There were over 190 paintings submitted by both professional and untrained artists. Styles ranged from realism, impressionism, expressionism and abstraction with various subjects and mediums.

My criteria was to assess the works of each artist, narrow it down and choose the best three using my honest opinion based on originality, technique/execution, palette- use of color, and lastly subject.

Interacting with our represented artists each day at Stellar’s Gallery, I sometimes forget the vulnerability of putting ones work “out there” and the heart that lies behind each painting. Each artists should be commended for entering their work into this exhibit and I was impressed with the quality of work.

Rose IV, with evening sun in May, oil on linen, 2004The winner, Susan Ober, stood out because of the use of detail, light and shadow. Her oil painting of the rose had such a brilliant balance of the realism of the flower contrasting against a soft, faded background. Every vein on the leaf was executed with such precision. I am really looking forward to her being awarded a one person show at the CCPVB, so I can follow her work.

Susan Ober’s bio:
Susan Davenport Ober, a native of Virginia, moved to North Florida in 1987. She earned a BS degree in art education at Longwood College in Virginia and did post-graduate study in art education at Virginia Commonwealth University. In 1996, Susan earned a BFA, with an emphasis in drawing, from University of North Florida.

Ober has had a nearly life-long interest in portraiture and figurative representation. In this pursuit, she has used a wide range of media through the years, including pastels, oils, clay, wax and bronze. She is perhaps better recognized for her floral and still life paintings, and for her recent (and on-going) “LEAF project”. But to her, every subject is an opportunity to discover and reveal what it is that has made it special and unique.

She has participated in both solo and group shows in the southeastern states. Her work has received both regional and national recognition and is in a growing list of private, corporate and museum collections across the country.

TESTING LINK

Gallery Talk and Reception at SCAD Museum of Art – Savannah

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SCAD Museum of Art presents gallery talk and reception

SAVANNAH GA—Savannah College of Art and Design art history professor Jeffrey Hamilton will present a gallery talk in conjunction with the exhibition, “Town and Country: British Taste in the Late 18th and Early 19th Centuries,” Sunday, Jan. 18, 1:30 p.m. at SCAD Museum of Art, 227 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. A closing reception for the exhibition is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 21, 5-7 p.m. The gallery talk, closing reception and exhibition are free and open to the public.

“Town and Country: British Taste in the Late 18th and Early 19th Centuries” will be on display through Jan. 23. The exhibition features approximately 30 works by great English masters that exemplify typical British art across a 75-year span. The paintings depict a world of prosperous merchants and their wives, and of the English landed gentry and aristocracy, as they pose for posterity in their finery. Artists represented include Thomas Gainsborough, Sir Joshua Reynolds and John Constable, a trinity of English masters. A masterpiece by John Constable, an oil sketch titled “Noon” depicting an impending storm on Hampstead Heath, is displayed near an almost contemporary mezzotint engraving of the final painting. Glimpses of the English landscape in drawings by Gainsborough or a hunting scene by Francis Sartorius reveal the taste of the times, as do the fashions as they trace the period’s growing sense of realism and romanticism. Five portraits by Joseph Wright of Derby bring together a particularly strong showing of the artist.

The works are drawn from the museum’s permanent collection and from outside lenders. The exhibition is dedicated to H. Thomas Mauldin and Raymond L. Levin.

For more information about the gallery talk, exhibition and to arrange group tours, call 912.525.7191.

China on My Mind – Jekyll Island, GA

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China on My Mind: Inspired by Travels Exhibit of Painting and Pottery

Presented by Jekyll Island Arts Association

The powerful visual inspirations from trips abroad have given us China on My Mind: Inspired by Travels, a collection of new work by two Jekyll Island Arts Association members, painter Linda Wunder and potter Nan Phillips. Wunder’s works of Chinese watercolor on rice paper, colored pencil, acrylic, mixed media and photography alongside Phillips’ high fire stoneware bring the Far East to the Golden Isles.

An Interior Designer by trade with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Linda Wunder enjoys her studio on Jekyll Island.  She wants her painting to reveal her impression of and feelings about a subject. Linda often paints by memory, however, her memory is refined by the feelings the subject is generating.  She truly feels sentiment and mood should prevail in a successful painting. This collection, inspired by her travel to China, has allowed Linda to share her impressions through the integration of traditional Chinese brushwork and contemporary techniques.

Nan Phillips, a Potter since 1957, holds a Bachelor of Arts. She calls the Jekyll Island Pottery Guild in the basement of Goodyear Cottage home.  Nan states, “When I first touched potters clay I knew that I wanted to make beautiful things with this medium for the rest of my life. Everyday, I deal with earth, water, air and fire, each in its proper proportion, all in a rhythm dictated by nature’s science.” Nan’s new collection, inspired by China, is a reminder to her, “My art keeps me connected with all the potters whoever worked in mountain caves, desert canyons and village markets. I think how these pots of mine will outlive me and be passed down from user to user.”

China on My Mind: Inspired by Travels , a collection of new work by these two exceptional artists will be for sale during their show at Goodyear Cottage in Jekyll Island’s Historic District February 1st – March 8th as well as at the artist reception Sunday, February 1st from 1-3 PM. Admission is always free at Goodyear’s gallery and shop, where regular hours are M-F Noon – 4 PM and weekends 10 AM-4 PM. For more information call 635-3920.

First Fridays on Gallery Row – Charleston, SC

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Pic 3The Broad Street Merchants Association will continue with hosting its “First Fridays on Broad” on Friday, January 2nd, from 5pm –7 pm. Bring in the New Year by enjoying the boutiques, fine art galleries and bodegas on Gallery Row – Historic Broad Street. Get in the New Years’s spirit and enjoy fine wine and hors d’oeuvres! “This is one of Charleston’s favorite monthly happenings” said Jerry Spencer of the Spencer Galleries. “Customers can relax while receiving individual and personalized attention as they browse the vast array of fine art, sculpture, jewelry, gifts, art pottery, home accessories, and unique fashions on “Gallery Row”. Each doorway on Galllery Row offers you something special to treasure, be it a painting, a gift, or simply a wonderful memory. As you stroll from one gallery to another, enjoy the Southern charms of colorful flower boxes, twinkling white lights, enchanting hidden courtyards and gardens, and pristinely preserved architecture.

Participating merchants include: Ellis-Nicholson Gallery, Hamlet Fine Art, Edward Dare Gallery, COCO VIVO, Mary Martin Fine Art, UTOPIA , John Carrol Doyl e, Spencer Galleries, Ella Walton Richardson Fine Art, Martin Gallery, Oak Steak House, and JAKES.

For information please contact www.Galleryrow.com or for questions, please call Stephanie Hamlet at 843-722-1944.