Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Pulse Calendar released

In last Sunday's edition of The Post-Standard was a copy of the new Pulse calendar for Spring 2007. Pictured in the calendar were images of art by William Finch (current show), Christina Hurdlockwood (Blodgett Elementary student, March) and Hope Irvine (May/June).

Pulse has been gracious in their outreach to local arts organizations. They seek to bridge the gap between Syracuse University and the community culture. We applaud their efforts!


Below is an excerpt from the Pulse website.

Pulse: Your Cultural Connection to Campus and the Community

Pulse's mission is to provide SU undergraduates and in turn, the Central New York community with out-of-classroom opportunities to attend and participate in programs, performances, exhibitions, and events in the performing and visual arts. Pulse is a model program, recognized for quality, diversity, innovation, and collaboration, while it celebrates and expands the cultural climate of Syracuse University.

Pulse is a collaborative project of the Division of Student Affairs (under the leadership of Senior Vice President and Dean Barry L. Wells) and the College of Visual and Performing Arts (under the leadership of Dean Carole Brzozowski).

For more information about Pulse, visit their website at http://pulse.syr.edu

Friday, January 26, 2007

Last Night's Opening Reception: Review and Photos

The Intern's Review: "The Second Day: An Intern's Experience"

My first day interning I was thrown into the process of selecting, hanging and placing art work around the gallery. Then for my second day I was able to attend the January/February show, "The Human Condition." This would be my first "behind-the-scenes" show and I found it absolutely fascinating. I was able to meet all of the artists who had their artwork out and talk with them not only about their art, but art in general and how they fit into the art scene. It was really interesting to be able to not only view the work myself and form my own opinions, but also get different inputs from everyone else who was attending the show. Not to get too far ahead of myself, but I definitly now have a greater sense of how significant art and the people behind them are which makes me more confident of making a lifestyle out of it. All and all, it was a great night.

-Krysten (SU Junior; Art History and Architecture)


Photos from last night's opening of "The Human Condition"

Artist Stephen Ryan

Artists Virginia Hovendon (left) and James Albertson (right)

Artist William Finch

Artist Joan Carlon

Gallery Manager Caroline Szozda with Gallery Director Bill Delavan in background shaking the hand of Richard Karuzas while Barbara Karuzas looks on

Diane Menzies looks at Stephen Ryan's "Violin Lesson"

General Snapshot

Two ladies read artist statements by Virginia Hovendon and James Albertson

General snapshot

General snapshot

Artist Stephen Ryan with friends

Photographer Michael Moody

Chris and Ken Nichols

Harry Freeman-Jones and Diane Menzies

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Syracuse New Times Review

Molly English-Bowers, the Editor-In-Cheif of the Syracuse New Times, stepped foot in Delavan Art Gallery for the first time on Monday morning this week. When asked what it was about this show in particular that appealed to her, Molly replied that she felt "The Human Condition" was a subject she could write about, as opposed to a show of abstracts.

It seems this exhibit is more accessible to a general audience. "Everyone’s reality is different but for one common thread: We are all human beings, subject to affliction, triumph, love, hunger, oppression and death," Molly writes. What does that mean for us? If you know someone who doesn't know much about art but is interested, this would be a good show to bring them to.

Molly's message comes through loud and clear, "...we must consider the day-to-day existence some of our fellow earth-dwellers endure—it’s not all Starbucks, SUVs and cable television. If The Human Condition achieves one goal (although the exhibit’s power is in its multidimensionality), it is for the middle-class, Central New York viewer to rethink how bad they have it."

Two quick corrections...

1. In the paragraph towards the end that starts "And while it may seem that Ryan’s oils don’t quite fit the show’s theme..." the name "Ryan" should actually be "Finch." Stephen Ryan creates watercolors and William Finch creates oils.

2. The website at the end is incorrectly listed as www.delavancenter.com but the gallery's website is actually www.delavanartgallery.com.

READ THE ARTICLE HERE

...or pick up a copy of the Syracuse New Times now through next Tuesday.


The exhibition "The Human Condition" opens tomorrow with a reception from 5-8 PM. See you there!

Monday, January 22, 2007

It's Scholastics Time...

Well, it's that time of year again and I am posting on this blog for the first time. The Scholastic Art Awards are in town again! I have been fortunate enough to be one of the judges of the students work for three years now. And I do consider myself fortunate to be judging. For those of you who have no idea what the Scholastic Art Awards are, let me fill you in a bit.. For over 60 years CNY has recognized our junior and senior high school art students through Scholastics. Winners on the reginal level can recieve a cash prize, scholarship or have the chance to participate in an exhibition. The top winners on the regional level eventually move on to a national competition with the chance to receive other scholarships and national recognition. (By the way, first place winners are gold keys and second place winners are silver keys).

On the morning of January 9th over 50 individuls participated in the juring of over 5,000 submissions by our local students from Central New York. As a judge for three years now, I look forward to this day with anticipation. All you hear from the judges throughout the day is "a student did this!", "wow these kids are good!" and other "oohs and ahhs".

Last week was the awards ceremony held on January 18th. Numerous students received Gold Key, Silver Key and Honorable mention awards as well as a few special awards. One award in particular is sponsored by Delavan Art Gallery (best painting), which we present to the winner at the awards ceremony. The gallery also received an award from Scholastics for our on-going support called the "Sponsorship Award."

One last thing of note, we are fortuneate to be hosting 20 of the Gold Key Winners here, at the gallery, starting on Thursday, March 8th. Keep an eye open for more information as we get closer.

Caroline from Delavan Art Gallery

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

If you're new to Delavan Art Gallery's blog...

Welcome!

We had a trial run of a blog last summer and have since refocused. This site is becoming a valuable up-to-the-day source for information on Delavan Art Gallery, its artists, and the visual arts in Syracuse! Check back every other day for something new!

For some interested posts to read, we suggest the following...

Scroll down this page and look to the right side bar for links to these "Previous Posts":

Delavan Art Gallery presents "The Human Condition" January 25 - February 24, 2007
"Fashion Fashion" a 2006 "Winner" according to Katherine Rushworth.
"The Warehouse District"
"Art gallery rises from storm's fury"

Enjoy!

-The Folks at Delavan Art Gallery

ART ZINE in Syracuse

The following message came in the email today:

The members of (R) Evolution Studio, Syracuse New York, will be releasing a monthly "art zine" that focuses solely on the Arts in Syracuse and Central New York, as written and reported by CNY locals. This will be a lo-fi monthly publication that we hope to have available in the cultural zones starting in February 2007.

(R) Evolution Studios is looking for articles, photos, reviews and whatever you as an artist or community member feel could make for a quality indy publication. Due to limited space at this time, we will gladly read all submissions, but will choose those submissions that fit with the context of the zine (once again, anything to do with the arts in CNY).

If you are an artist or community member who feels that you could make a positive impact by submitting to (R) Evolution Studios upcoming "Art Zine" or if you are looking for more information, please feel free to contact me:


TyMarshal@hotmail.com

or send your submissions to:
(R) Evolution Studio
200 South Geddes Street
Syracuse, NY 13204
Fifth Floor
ATTN: "ART ZINE"

(submissions sen t to the address above will not be returned)

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Look! There's Bill!



Do you see him?
...at The Agora Gallery opening for Vincent Fitches in NYC...

Read about it at the previous post HERE

Friday, January 12, 2007

Visual Arts Showcase #58 Opening tonight at WCNY

Visual Arts Showcase #58
Cultural Resources Council

Price: Free
WCNY
506 Old Liverpool Rd., Liverpool


The Visual Arts Showcase Committee of the CRC is pleased to present an eclectic offering, featuring work of state and local grant winners since 2000. Special viewing arrangements can be made through the Cultural Resources Council at 315-435-2155.

There will be a public reception this evening from 6:00pm - 8:00pm, at WCNY; there is no charge.

Exhibiting Grant Winners Include*:
Michael Barletta
Eliyahu Benisrael
Ellen Blalock
Art Brangman
Ann Clarke
Denise Cole
Deborah Dahlin
Susan D'Amato
Matthew Davis
John Dobbs
Mary Giehl
Elizabeth Grace
Robert Harris
Richard Karuzas
Mick Mather
Jacquelyn Maye
Michael Moody
Melissa Morgan
Karen Patton
Angelo Puccia
Thea Reidy
Laurie Seamans
Michael Swatt
Tash Taskale
Noelle Uebele
Mardea Warner

*I just typed the names in so I apologize ahead of time if there are any typos. -Courtney

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Artist Michael Lorefice included in December's issue of New American Paintings

Artist Michael Lorefice, who showed at Delavan Art Gallery in June and July of 2006, has been featured in December's Pacific Coast edition of New American Paintings. Lorefice now lives in Seattle, WA, although he was living in CNY when Delavan Art Gallery planned his exhibit last summer. A preview of the issue along with the photo below can be seen on the publication's website: www.newamericanpaintings.com

Below is an image from their preview.


Michael Lorefice Of Mountains and Molehills oil, acrylic, pencil on canvas and wall 60" x 90" (installation view)


For your reference, the below image is an example of the work Lorefice showed at Delavan Art Gallery last summer.


Michael Lorefice, Study for How to Crawl Between Two Points into the Distance and Back, Forever (small), graphite on vellum, 18” x 24”


We currently have three works from Lorefice at Delavan Art Gallery. Two are pictured below.


Michael Lorefice, Black, two panels- each 2' x 2', enamel and mixed media on panel


Michael Lorefice, White, three panels- each 2' x 2', enamel and mixed media on panel

Come in and see them!

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Technology Garden Opening of Student Work

From the Tech Garden website: http://www.growsyracuse.com/techgarden/

"January 10 Open House: We invite you to tour the Syracuse Technology Garen, network and view the beautiful work from local artists.
Incredible artwork will be showcased from students and faculty with Onondaga Community College, Cazenovia College, S.U., ITT Technical Institute and members of the Syracuse Camera Club.
Entertainment will be by professional jazz musicians Mike Lamardo and Colin DeJoseph."

The opening is from 5 - 7 PM tonight.

Also,

The Visual Arts Showcase #58 opens on Friday January 12 from 6 - 8 PM at WCNY. Many artists Delavan Art Gallery knows are included as part of the grant winners from 2000-2006 exhibition.

From cspot.org:
"01/12/2007
Visual Arts Showcase # 58 Opening Reception
WCNY Studios, 506 Old Liverpool Road, Liverpool
315-435-2155
The Visual Arts Showcase Committee of the CRC is pleased to present Showcase # 58, an eclectic offering, featuring work of state and local grant winners since 2000. It opens on January 9th and runs until April 2nd. The gallery is open during regular business hours (Weekdays, 8:30am-5:00pm). Special viewing arrangements can be made through the Cultural Resources Council.
Hours: 6 - 8 pm"

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Delavan Art Gallery presents "The Human Condition" January 25 - February 24, 2007

Syracuse (January 2007)

Delavan Art Gallery presents the exhibit "The Human Condition" featuring photography and wood cut prints of West Africa by James Albertson, drawings on issues of forced emigration by Joan Carlon, oil paintings by William Finch, drawings on canvas and linen of West African women by Viginia Hovendon and watercolor portraits by Stephen Ryan. The exhibit opens on Thursday, January 25 and continues through Saturday, February 24, 2007.

James Albertson- "Portrait of a Humble Woman" photography

James Albertson spent seven years volunteering and working on issues of sustainable development in West Africa through the United States Peace Corps and The Carter Center, Inc. His work is a compilation of photographs of nomadic people from Mali, West Africa. These portraits depict the often harsh reality of their daily lives. Also included in this exhibition are wood cut prints inspired by the series of photographs. Albertson is currently a graduate student in the Creative Arts Therapy Program at Nazareth College in Rochester, NY. He has a studio art background with an emphasis on illustration and graphic design.

Joan Carlon- "About 7 PM" ink and graphite, 24" x 17"

Joan Carlon's desire to create drawings based on stories of forced emigration was first motivated by the power of the stories themselves. Impacted by personal experiences, Joan Carlon explains in her artist statement, "It seemed natural for me to become interested in history and in the stories of civilians whose lives are irrevocably changed by war; the Vietnamese, Cubans, Bosnians and now Africans from Sudan, Somalia and Liberia. It is the stories of these people that I have collected and that have inspired this group of drawings." The stories come from a collection of tales from newspapers and personal narratives told directly to Carlon. The drawings themselves balance the raw subject matter with Carlon's interest in space, rhythm and strong contrast. As she writes, "The drawings string silhouetted black images, areas of grey wash and graphite pencil across the picture plane and empty spaces."

William Finch- "Shepherd 2" oil paint, 60" x 28"

William Finch paints primarily from a warm, vibrant color palette of oil paints. The subject matter of his work is inspired by what the artist describes as "coming from his own Christian world view." In his artist statement, he writes, "It is with that foundation- whether painting rich and textured floral scenes, capturing snapshots of life, showcasing man's present plight for completion and meaning, or making commentary on the persecuted church... his work reflects the redemptive and points to a final culmination where the undesirable and broken can be made whole." Finch is currently a Design Director at Chase Design in Skaneateles and has previously been employed as an art director in several Central New York advertising agencies. He has been involved in the arts since attending Syracuse University's School of Visual and Performing Arts.

Virginia Hovendon- "In the Shadow" charcoal on canvas, 36.5" x 48"

Virginia Hovendon's large charcoal drawings on canvas and linen of West African women are directly inspired by the photographs of James Albertson, who is also exhibiting during January and February at Delavan Art Gallery. Virginia Hovendon explains her fascination with this imagery this way: "I have always loved portraits, faces and especially faces with hands are extremely compelling to me. If you look at these women, with all their lines and wrinkles, some from the sun and some from time, possible worry, I often wonder if their lives are really so different from our own. There are common threads in the human condition that tie us all together." Hovendon attended Wells College for her undergraduate work in Drawing and Painting and received a Master's degree in Education from Syracuse University. She currently lives in Copenhagen, NY where she teaches art at Copenhagen Central School and serves as Director of the Scholastic Art Awards.

Stephen Ryan- "Trumpet Player" watercolor, 15" x 20"

Stephen Ryan enjoys the challenge of impressionistic, wet-to-wet watercolors. "I've always painted people, because," he explains, "what makes us interesting is how different we all are. There is so much more we can read into a person and situation than into a landscape. However, the best part is hearing what people take away, as an impression, when they view my art. It's as different as the subjects I paint." Stephen Ryan has won many awards for his watercolors and runs his own graphic design studio in Skaneateles, NY. Ryan is also an Adjunct Professor of Art at SUNY Onondaga Community College, teaching Computer Graphics and Advanced Graphic Design.

Delavan Art Gallery is a 3,800 square foot showcase and sales venue for fine art created by area artists. Located in a convenient, downtown location at 501 West Fayette Street, Syracuse, the gallery is free and open to the public. Off-street parking is available and the gallery is handicapped accessible. Delavan Art Gallery opens “The Human Condition” from 5 - 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 25, and is open through February 24 on Thursday and Friday afternoons from 12-6 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. and at other times by appointment.

Friday, January 05, 2007

"The Warehouse District"

Post-Standard writer Frank Herron published an article today about the warehouse building on the corner of W. Fayette St. & S. Geddes St. along with the owner's wishes to label this part of West Fayette Street as "The Warehouse District." "That name isn't on any Chamber of Commerce map," Herron writes, "But it is written neatly on two sheets of paper stapled to a telephone pole on Geddes Street, in front of the building." ...and also in a piece of paper stapled yesterday to the handicapped ramp at Delavan Center.

Downtown Syracuse officially ends at West Street, about 250 steps from Delavan Art Gallery. Having this area of West Fayette Street become an official Warehouse District someday would give Delavan Art Gallery's neighborhood a name, and some beneficial attention.

Read the article HERE. The article is titled "Studios: He brings artists and musicians to an old warehouse."

Below is an image of Delavan Art Gallery in Delavan Center looking towards Downtown Syracuse and Armory Square.

Openings for Friday, January 5, 2007

Opening reception tonight from 6-8 PM for:
Grenci Historical "A Connection With Time" Large panoramic photographs of the world of baseball and other sports at the beginning of the 20th century at Edgewood Gallery (216 Tecumseh Rd. Syracuse (315) 445-8111. Show continues through Feb. 9

Opening reception tonight from 6-9PM for:
"John J Fitzsimmons Recent Paintings" The Rome Art Center 308 W. Bloomfield St., Rome NY, 315.336.1040. Show continues through Jan. 26th. Artist talk on January 14th at 2PM. www.romeart.org and www.fitzsimmonsart.com



Also open in January...

Second Annual Redhouse Asian Film Festival starts this Sunday, January 7, at 2 PM, General Admission $6 Last year's had some good films in it. www.theredhouse.org

While you are there, check out the exhibit "Out of India" Paintings by Canadian Artist Michael Matthews at The Redhouse. Open through January 27, 2007 www.theredhouse.org



"Faux Naturel" at The Warehouse Gallery has been extended through January 27, 2007. This is a must-see exhibition. www.thewarehousegallery.org


Thursday, January 04, 2007

Vincent Fitches at Agora Gallery in NYC

Tonight is the opening reception for the exhibition "The Color of Motion" at Agora Gallery in Chelsea, NYC, which features the work of Vincent Fitches, a Syracuse artist who exhibited at Delavan Art Gallery from March 2 - April 1, 2006. Several of his smaller images of objects are here in the gallery.

The below image, "Belly Dance" was shown at Delavan Art Gallery in March of last year and is currently on view at Agora Gallery.



This is from Agora Gallery's press release:



"While an art student at the University of Utah, Vincent Fitches came to appreciate the importance and challenges of the human figure, and has undertaken challenging experiments with the human body ever since. Fitches employs sharp angles and curves to portray people in unusual, uncomfortable, or awkward positions. His subjects might appear slouching, as in “Front End,” or twisted and restrained, as in “Tied Slave.” Thematically, Fitches work is uncanny and unsettling. Most of his topics, as suggested by both his paintings’ titles and their compositions, focus on weakness, captivity, ugliness. Muted or drab colors, such as grays and taupes, add to Fitches’ sullen atmospheres. Such explorations challenge the viewer to think of human emotions in unusual or unfamiliar ways. In “Inside Out,” for example, Fitch shows us a bold and proud young girl, head raised and juxtaposed beside a tiny butterfly which, much like children themselves, is ordinarily an emblem of peace and passivity. Overall, Fitches’ people are complex yet oddly primitive at the same time, in the sense that they are not idealized, but rather raw, vulnerable, or pure. Fitches’ art consists of mixed media projects, often including oil paint and reversed facsimiles of newspaper words and images transferred via gel adhesive. His work has been displayed in Utah and in his current home city of Syracuse, New York."


Visit Vincent Fitches's website at http://www.vincentfitches.com/

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

"Fashion Fashion" a 2006 "Winner" according to Katherine Rushworth.

Delavan Art Gallery is a 2006 "winner" according to Katherine Rushworth, the art reviewer for Syracuse's Post-Standard. She writes, "Winner: The Delavan Art Gallery's "Fashion Fashion" show/event last September spotlighted a variety of designers whose wearable art deserved showcasing. Organizers creatively collaborated with the Partners for Arts Education, orchestrating a fashion show that raised money for the local arts agency. A win for the designers, the Partners and anyone who attended." That includes Katherine herself!

For reference purposes, the Post-Standard review of "Fashion Fashion" was written by a guest writer, Raquel Laneri, a fashion arts journalism student at Syracuse University. She has a blog with the full review posted HERE at rlaneri.blogspot.com

Th3 was also a 2006 "winner" according to Katherine Rushworth. She wrote, "Winner: The three Th3 events, during which more than a dozen visual arts venues opened their doors 5 to 8 p.m. on the third Thursdays of September, October and November, proved to be popular with the community, boosting attendance for many participating venues. There's strength in numbers. Let's hope the event has legs." Does anyone have ideas on how Th3 can grow legs?

These quotes are from the article titled "2006: The Good and The Bad" by Katherine Rushworth, published in The Post-Standard STARS on Sunday, December 31, 2006.

Below are images from the opening of FASHION FASHION in September of 2006.

Some fashionable young ladies


Gallery Manager Caroline Szozda and Artist Leslie Banach


Artist Hilary Gifford


Artist Michelle DaRin


Artist Angela DeVita


Artist Barbara Conte-Gaugel


Artist Ron Goodrich


Artist Jakobine


Artist Amanda Jensen


Artist Lisa Morrill


Artist Laurel Morton