Monday, November 23, 2009

SSG Presents a Member's Show, January 2010



Calling all member-artists! We want to see what you do, what you like & who you are! This will be a fun way to share your work with your peers, the public and to meet, mix and mingle with fellow SSG members. Who knows, you may make a sale, catch the eye of a collector or a curator!

How it works:


Come between 11am and 6pm on January 12th or 13th to hang your artwork. SSG will provide nails, levels, tape measures, ladders and labels. Please bring your own hammer, or any other hanging accoutrements you may need. Staff will be on hand to coordinate hanging.

Criteria:


Work may be in any media but we ask that anything larger than 3 feet x 4 feet be approved by staff. Sculpture and floor pieces are welcome, but must still adhere to above size constraints.

Your name must be presented with the artwork.

All entries must be for sale. SSG retains 40% of sale price.

Submissions must be retrieved Friday January 22 by 6pm.

SSG staff and Board reserve the right to withdraw any entries.

There will be a $15 processing fee for each entry. Members are limited to 2 entries apiece.

The fun part:


There will staff and board awards presented to entries in various categories.

SSG will host a pot-luck opening for the show on “third Friday” Jan 15.

All entrants are asked to contribute to the potluck. SSG will provide beverages.

Second Street Gallery
115 Second Street SE
Charlottesville, VA 22902
434.977.7284
Not a member but want to show? Join online www.secondstreetgallery.org

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Holidaying with SSG



Somehow in the midst of putting up, member previewing, First Fridaying, taking down, workshops, lectures, and running the day to day, three months have flown by and the holiday season is here!
Insert panic button.


There, there fair readers. We're here to help.  If you'd like to gift family and friends while also supporting your favorite non-profit, contemporary art space consider buying them a gallery membership.  Included in these lovely boxes are a gallery t-shirt, coasters, bumper sticker, and, of course, a membership! Remember, members are the first to hear about exciting new exhibits, the first to see them at our exclusive Preview events, and receive news and special invites to all gallery programming!

We are also holding our annual Ornament Workshop at the McGuffey Art Center on Saturday, December 5 and Sunday, December 6 with local glass artist Charles Hall.  Come and blow your own Christmas ornament! Bring a friend!  Make an ornament for a friend or for your whole family! Whatever you do, just make sure your tree is decked with a gorgeous, hand-made, SSG supporting ornament.

It's a fun way to spend your weekend and an original gift idea.  Reserve your space today by calling the gallery at 434-977-7284 or emailing members@secondstreetgallery.org.

p.s. Last plug, I promise.  Have you booked your holiday party space? Call Andrew and mention this post for a 10% discount!!!!






Tuesday, November 10, 2009

John Grant Workshop at Charlottesville High School

October SSG exhibiting artist John Grant was generous to lead an Outreach workshop with fourteen AP Studio Art students at Charlottesville High School. As a prelude the workshop, the CHS students took a field trip to Second Street Gallery a week ahead of time to see the show. They were able to view Grant's sixteen works of art hanging in a gallery setting, and had some quiet, contemplative time with the exhibition.







This collaboration was great for everyone involved, as the students were able to take a field trip to SSG and see the exhibition, and in turn we were able to bring that artist right into their classroom. The class met Grant personally during morning announcements at the high school on October 27th. We had prepared for the workshop by connecting Grant's scanner and laptop computer to the monitor inside of the classroom which projects onto an interactive white board. All the classes have these white boards, which was essential for our project, and a great tool for teachers and artists alike!



Grant opened a discussion with the students to find out who was really interested in making a career as an artist, and almost all the hands in the class raised up, which he was glad to see. Grant opened up and talked about his journey as an artist, and through that story, we learned a lot about his life. He was a member of the United States Navy, a graduate from the University of Virginia, and a partner in a publishing firm here in Charlottesville. Grant mentioned that fine art doesn't necessarily allow him to make a living, but through stock photography he is able to capitalize on images that he has created which publishers and authors can choose for their book covers.







Grant highlighted Lynda.com as a great resource students who are interested in furthering their design, photography, and editing skills via computer software. The interactive videos allowed Grant to gain an in-depth knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, which he uses to layer the compositions of his photographic works.

For the Hands-On portion of the workshop, the AP students hunted around the classroom for creative objects to be scanned into Photoshop. Grant was particularly interested in a cardboard shoe that one of the students had created. It was amazing to see how three-dimensional objects could be scanned onto a computer by simply leaving the top of the scanner open in a darkened room. We were all shocked with Grant showed how he was able to completely change the lighting, mood, and color of one of his landscapes "Cedar and Egg" by accidentally using a dirty scanning surface! The detail and clarity of the shoe, colored pencils, and light bulb that the students collected can be seen in the pictures below.







Thanks go out to AP Studio Art teacher Jennifer Mildonian, who was instrumental to the organization of the workshop. SSG would also like to thank Mary Johnson for photographing the workshop, and Caitlin Clonan for volunteering her time to help as well. Most of all, thank you John Grant for sharing your story, insights, and artistic techniques with our Charlottesville community.

Post by AG.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Installation Madness!

We were a little strapped for time this week so we don't have a full fledged installation post yet but  take a look at that tri-ladder teamwork... and please join us tomorrow for First Fridays!  Opening in the main gallery are a series of paintings on Duralene by Sandeep Mukherjee and in the Dove is Hilary Wilder's installation of High Lonesome. 
 Check out the website for more details!


Andrew, with interns Chelsea, and Kaye hanging Golden Spiral