Thursday, December 24, 2009

EDWARD EVANS: JOURNEYS - January 5- February 13, 2010



Early Lighting, acrylic on linen 2009, 28x34"














Flight of Matta, acrylic on linen 2009, 54x68"







Plight of Odysseus, acrylic on linen 2009, 72x96"






EDWARD EVANS
Journeys: new large paintings
January 5th to February 13, 2010
Reception: Jan. 7th, 6-8p
Gallery Hours: Tues-Sat 11-6p

Franklin 54 Gallery + projects is pleased to present an exhibition of new large paintings by Edward Evans. The scale of these illusionistic acrylic on linen works is breathtaking - they appear dimensional on the slick airbrushed surfaces that heighten the depth and space. Colors of charcoal grays, oranges and indigos softly abound leaving room to rest in the white spaces that enhance the layers of light. There are swooping movements at different speeds in and out throughout the canvas, soft and hard edges – your eye can hardly stop the ricochet effect yet they are also serene and peaceful - there are many places to get lost but you won’t because this artist has complete control of his medium and directs you on your path.

Explosions of color are everywhere and the movements and shadows give forth to rock formations contrasting with pillowy effects, enclosed inferno landscapes, skies and mists. Light comes through each color as there are many layers applied even though they are thinly painted. The works are full of contradictions and surprises, control and chance. They are crisp and clean yet intertwined. Evans strives to simplify the works and make them more painterly and spontaneous this time around and succeeds in doing so. Standing in front of the piece one can step in and passage through this incredible journey for a very long time.

Edward Evans spent his early years in Minnesota and now lives and works in Stroudsburg, PA. He is the curator at the Southwest Minnesota State University Art Museum as well as other venues and owner of Gallery 705 in Stroudsburg, PA. Edward’s works have been exhibited widely in museums and galleries in the United States and internationally including Italy and Switzerland and are included in numerous museums, private and corporate collections. Evans will be having a solo show in Galleria Polid'Arte, Spoleto, Italy from June 25 - July 25, 2010 during the world famous "Festival of Two Worlds", also called the Spoleto Festival.

Monday, November 16, 2009

"The Easels": Side by Side on November 19th, 6-8p



Inside-Out 21, Elisa Pritzker, mixed
















Rosetta Bentz, Landscape #28, oil on linoleum tile














“The Easels”: Side by Side
Curated by Joyce Pommer
Featuring Rosetta Bentz & Elisa Pritzker
November 19th, 6-8P


Guest Moderator: John Goodrich, artist and Independent Critic

Franklin 54 Gallery + projects is pleased to present the second night of the “The Easels” on Thursday November 19th from 6-8P. This month the featured gallery artists’ works will coincide with the solo gallery exhibition by Sharon Bartel-Clements called “The Side of the Road.” As before we hope to continue the conversation and communication between the public, the artists and their work in an informal setting opening up an informative session of dialogue. In this one night only event the gallery can offer another way for our artists to gain exposure. The project also allows us to emphasize the focus of the gallery through the artist’s process with the goal of stimulating emotional attachment to the work.

Approximately 6 small works by each artist will be exhibited on table easels throughout the gallery, for easy viewing by visitors. This Easels project will feature works by Rosetta Bentz an abstract painter of the landscape/seascape and Elisa Pritzker a mixed media artist. Rosetta’s paintings are lush, rich in texture and forever moving. Her simple strokes and use of color enrich her process. Elisa’s work will focus on her Inside-Out series that is about transformation; they are minimal and compelling. Her mixed techniques and photo resin process work well in emphasizing this as the materials themselves are forever changing. Each artist compliments the gallery exhibition by adding to the real and symbolic meanings of the Side of the Road. We hope you will join us to find out more.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

SHARON BARTEL-CLEMENTS: "The Side of the Road"



Red Wave #2, oil/tire tacks on canvas














Horizon's Promise, oil/tire tracks on canvas







Visit our website for additional images @ www.thefranklin54gallery.com


SHARON BARTEL-CLEMENTS
The Side of the Road
November 5-28th, 2009
Reception: Nov. 12th, 6-9P

Franklin 54 Gallery + projects is pleased to present an exhibition of new paintings, drawings and confluent objects by Sharon Bartel-Clements. “The Side of the Road” conjures up many meanings for us whether real or spiritual and leads us down many paths. Sharon has used actual tire tracks in her paintings and drawings to emphasize the imagery and it works well. As always her paintings are strong and lush with color and movement, painting only with her hands, she digs into these with emotional and energetic markings. The tracks take us up and through the pieces as in Spiracle Exchange #1 – a tumultuous piece where the eye moves in and out through waves of the journey meanwhile immersing us within an ocean of deep blue providing a calming balance. The artist’s use of the circle in this piece brings forth the significance of a beginning and end yet continually moving on and starting over. Red is a prominent color in many of the pieces echoing turmoil, bloodshed and hardship along with a tribal energy. As in life we are taking many roads, some good, some bad leading to enlightened experiences if we can let go and be part of them; this artist encourages us to do so with these works – the emotional connection is here.

The drawings in contrast to the dense paintings are light and airy giving the viewer yet another road to travel on through these imaginative landscapes. Confluent objects make up the remainder of the show including a ladder with a mirror for self-reflection, factices filled with objects that can be found by the side of the road and others relating to symbolic meanings. Whether driving by the side of the road, walking and exploring or traveling down one, Sharon gives a chance to contemplate all of these. Sharon Bartel-Clements lives and works in Santa Fe, NM; her works are included in major institutions internationally.

November gallery hours: Tues-Sat, 11-6

Saturday, October 31, 2009

NEW WORKS ON PAPER by TRIPP

These new works on paper by gallery artist Tripp are spontaneous free floating organic shapes of beauty.
Retailing for $200 framed and $185 unframed, these works are very affordable. Size is approx. 11x14" framed. Please contact the gallery for more information or to place an order.



Abstract #5, acrylic on paper



















Abstract #4, acrylic on paper












Abstract #3, acrylic on paper












Abstract #2, acrylic on paper











Abstract #1, acrylic on paper

Saturday, October 17, 2009

"THE EASELS", a huge success



























































Elisa Pritzker, curator for The Easels; Joyce Pommer, Franklin 54 owner; Dominique Nahas, Independent Curator, Critic & Moderator; artist AJ Nadel

Our new project "The Easels" proved to be a huge success in September with works by AJ Nadel and moderator Dominique Nahas. A most interesting dialogue took place between the artist and Mr. Nahas with a captivated audience attending - we had an excellent turnout for the event.

The Easels will continue on November 19th with a new artist and moderator to be announced shortly. We hope you will join us.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

INTRODUCING: "THE EASELS" on September 24th, 6-8P


"Quartet", Polaroid photo emulsion & chemical transfers by AJ Nadel







Guest Moderator: Dominique Nahas, Independent Curator and Critic

“The Easels”
Meet the Art/Meet the Artist
Curated by Elisa Pritzker
Featuring AJ Nadel
September 24th, 6-8P

Franklin 54 Gallery + projects is pleased to present a new project called “The Easels” previewing on Thursday September 24th from 6-8P. This new project will continue the 3rd Thursday of every other month and feature small works by one or two gallery artists whose work will coincide with the gallery exhibition for that month. Curator Elisa Pritzker will be selecting the artist and the works and will also moderate a talk with the artist during the evening. We hope to develop communication between the public, the artist and their work in an informal setting opening up an informative session of dialogue. It is a one night only event and allows the gallery another way to offer our artists exposure and where we can also emphasize the focus of the gallery through the artist’s process and stimulate emotional attachment to the work.

Approximately 15 small works will be exhibited on table easels throughout the gallery, for easy viewing by visitors. Our first Easels project will feature works by AJ Nadel- a mixed media artist whose process of Polaroid photo emulsion transfers come together as intriguing images. His process is an interesting one and we are fortunate to have him share it with us. As in “Quartet”, a new piece consisting of Polaroid photo chemical and emulsion transfers combined with enamel paint on panel is an overlapping of facial images peering through different layers. The faces are dissected, fractioned and powerful, coming together as a mysterious piece; the imagery is sophisticated and complex to be viewed over and over to discover the rich detail below. AJ will be present to discuss his work and available for questions.

The next viewing of “The Easels” will take place in November with a new artist.

"Portraits of a Lady" film screening Sept. 10th


Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, oil on canvas by Laura Duggan














Franklin 54 Gallery + projects will be having a free screening of "Portraits of a Lady" (about painting Justice Sandra Day O'Connor) on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 6:45 with a Q&A to follow. This is the documentary short that was shortlisted for an Academy Award in 2007.
The 25 portraits were a big hit at the National Portrait Gallery.

Laura Duggan was one of the artists involved and her version will be on view in the current show LAURA DUGGAN Faces & Figures.

Please RSVP to franklin54@rcn.com

Monday, August 17, 2009

LAURA DUGGAN "FACES & FIGURES" September 3-26th



"Not Pierced", oil on canvas


Laura Duggan
Faces & Figures
September 3 – 26th, 2009
Reception September 17th, 6-9P









Franklin 54 Gallery + projects is pleased to present in our new space in Chelsea, a solo exhibition of new faces and figures by Laura Duggan. In these oil paintings, Laura continues to capture the essence of the model from which all her portraits and figures arise – from life. Her work thrives on the simplicity of the pose and there is honesty about the pieces; they are delicate and perceptive. “The Music Stand” above is an excellent example of this where the figure reflects an innocence and purity in a white slip dress while sitting quietly with her music stand. In this piece, Duggan has begun to use the background more to become an environment for the figure – she sits well here and fits in. In her past work, Laura’s backgrounds have been flat monotone surfaces that have worked well for her Alex Katz style figures but the incorporated backgrounds now start to tell a different story.

Her faces as always are intriguing – we can easily conjure up circumstances that have caught these portraits in time – it is a moment or glimpse into what they might be thinking. Although the facial expressions appear simple and non-telling we want to know their thoughts and become a part of them.

There is a wonderful stillness and subtlety to Duggan’s work and it will be interesting to see where the artist and her friends bring us next.

Joyce Pommer, Director
September gallery hours:
Thursday 10-8P
Friday/Saturday 10-6P & by appt

Monday, July 27, 2009

"FACES" @ Gallery 705 in Stroudsburg, PA


Chuck Close: Phil/ Silk Tapestry








705 Fulmer Avenue
Stroudsburg, PA
www.Gallery705.com


















Nicola Samori: Apollonaire/mixed media

SHARON FLORIN "ON & OFF THE GRID" (see Gallery News for details)



French Reflections, oil on canvas by Sharon Florin

Sunday, July 19, 2009

EDWARD EVANS EXHIBITING (see Gallery News)



"Almost Romantic", acrylic on linen, Edward Evans

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

LEENDERT VAN DER POOL (see Gallery News)



Panorama, oil on canvas















Adriaen van der Donck, oil on canvas

Monday, June 15, 2009

MORE VACATION VENUES IMAGES



"The Chairs", James LoParo, charcoal & conte on Arches paper














"Smiling", AJ Nadel, Polaroid emulsion transfer







"Pond 2", Pinkney Herbert, oil on canvas, Courtesy of Allen Projects


















"Art Auction 3", Elisa Pritzker, mixed media

Friday, May 22, 2009

FRANKLIN 54 AND ALLEN PROJECTS TEAM UP FOR "SUMMER COCKTAIL"



"Submerged" by Edward Evans, Acrylic on linen, 2005
















ALLEN PROJECTS
FRANKLIN 54 GALLERY + PROJECTS
526 West 26th Street #403
New York, NY 10001

Press Release: May 18, 2009

Allen Projects and Franklin 54 Gallery are pleased to present the first opening of our new space at 526 West 26th Street, Suite 403 in Chelsea.

June 4, 5 and 6th, we will be open 10-6 Thursday - Saturday.
Please join us for the opening reception of our new space on Thursday evening, June 4th from 6 to 9 pm. We continue the festivities with a press reception, Friday, June 5th from 10-6P and an open house on Saturday, June 6th with a reception from 3-6 pm.

Michel Allen of Allen Projects and Joyce Pommer of Franklin 54 Gallery have joined forces and opened a new gallery together in the "Robert Miller building." Our gallery names and companies will remain separate yet we will collaborate as one gallery space alternating exhibitions.

Southern entrepreneur and Allen Gallery director, Michel Allen, has been curating exhibitions in New York since 2000. Originally launching her career in New York in the Fall of 1999, Ms. Allen was recruited to work in sales at artnet.com. Soon thereafter, completed a Masters in Art Management and Business Administration from New York University, where she also received a certificate in appraisals from NYU. Later was then recruited to launch ART+AUCTION's artinfo.com and worked at Sotheby's in trust and estates. While working in art publishing, Michel was consulting and represented several artists, which she works with today.

Joyce Pommer, Franklin 54's director/curator is an artist with 20 years of experience in the artworld and 5 years as the owner of the gallery.

The group show opening Thursday, June 4th from 6 to 9 titled "Summer Cocktail" will feature a mixture of the old and new artists the gallery will introduce for the first time. Allen Projects will feature the work of Pinkney Herbert and Lisa Corrinne Davis, both new to the gallery. Franklin 54 will show the work of Edward Evans.

For future information please contact Joyce Pommer at 917-821-0753
franklin54@rcn.com and/or Michel Allen at 917-202-3206 michelallenconsulting@gmail.com.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

NEW WORK BY ELAINE DEFIBAUGH
(click on image for detailed viewing)



Breakfast at Tiffanys, Acrylic, collage and hand stitchery on canvas, 72x105"




My First Date, Acrylic, collage and hand stitchery on canvas, 72x105"

Friday, April 3, 2009

Prints by Sharon Florin - now available through the gallery

Giclee Prints







Fifth Avenue Reflections II
Arches 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper with archival inks
Image size: 8x10 inches
Matted size: 11x14 inches
Retail price: 100.00
Limited edition of 25

Fifth Avenue Reflections II
Arches 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper with archival inks
Image size: 12x16 inches
Matted size: 17x20 inches
Retail price: 250.00
Limited edition of 25


Alwyn Court
Arches 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper with archival inks
Image size: 8x10 inches
Matted size: 11x14 inches



Retail price: 100.00
Limited edition of 25

Alwyn Court
Arches 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper with archival inks
Image size: 12x16 inches
Matted size: 17x20 inches
Retail price: 250.00
Limited edition of 25



Grand Central Reflections
Arches 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper with archival inks
Image size: 8x10 inches
Matted size: 11x14 inches
Retail price: 100.00
Limited edition of 25









59th Street Bridge Reflections
Arches 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper with archival inks
Image size: 8x10 inches
Matted size: 11x14 inches
Retail price: 100.00
Limited edition of 25

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Gallery artists in the Art.works 4 A.C.E.



Tilted with Persimmon, collage by Ann Woodward








Gallery artists participating in the auction:
Siri Berg
Elaine Defibaugh
Laura Duggan
Joyce Pommer
Elisa Pritzker
Leendert van der Pool
Eleanor Winters
Ann Woodward

Henry Buhl invites you to the 2nd annual
Art.works 4 A.C.E.
Live and Silent Auction
Thursday March 19th, 6-9P
@ Mimi Ferzt Gallery
81 Greene Street in Soho

Preview day is Wednesday March 18th
from 12-6P @ the gallery

RSVP to artworksRSVP@ace4homeless.org
or 212.274.0550 x58

All proceeds from the auction benefit A.C.E.
Association of Community Employment
Programs for the Homeless

Thursday, January 22, 2009

EDWARD EVANS @ NINA BLIESE GALLERY through March 13, 2009



"Fire Dance", acrylic on linen, 36x26"







Nina Bliese Gallery
225 South Sixth Street
Minneapolis MN 55402
612-332-2978

January 15 – March 13, 2009

Gallery Hours:
Monday through Friday, Noon to 5 pm

For more information, contact:
www.ninabliesegallery.com

Monday, January 19, 2009

Leendert van der Pool curates at the Salmagundi Club






"World Trade Center/Ellis Island", oil on canvas by Leendert van der Pool

















"From Trade Pier to Museum Pier", oil on canvas by Leendert van der Pool




For Immediate Release
November 17, 2008

Contact: Kathleen Arffmann or Chris Nunnally
info@salmagundi.org
(212) 255-7740 or 
Leendert van der Pool
(718) 855-7964

Salmagundi Club Celebrates New York's 400th Anniversary

NEW YORK: In conjunction with the year-long 400th anniversary celebration of the Dutch discovery of New York, Wilbert Weber, Director of the MuZEEum of Vlissingen, the Netherlands - an historical maritime museum - has invited the Salmagundi Club to be part of a reciprocal celebration of events between the cities of Amsterdam and New York. Leendert Van der Pool, resident artist member of the Salmagundi Club since 2000, is the guest curator as well as a formally recognized honored Dutch artist.
The Salmagundi Club, located at 47 Fifth Avenue between 11th and 12th Streets, will present one of the earliest celebratory events in New York. The Club has served as a center for fine artists from New York and around the country since 1871, providing exhibitions of paintings, sculpture, and photography, lectures, and other art-related programs.

On Monday, January 26, 2009, the Club will open its exhibition titled History Panorama: Salmagundians Illustrate Manhattan's 400-Year Founding by the Dutch. The Panorama consists of 24 panels, 6 feet in height and 3 feet wide, created by Salmagundi artists that depict 400 years of the history of Manhattan. The exhibition will run through February 13, from 1:00 - 6:00 PM daily and 1:00-5:00 PM weekends. There will be an opening reception on Friday, February 6, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM.
The Salmagundi's History Panorama will then move to the Hudson River Gallery & Conservators, opening on Saturday, February 21 and running through March 14. The Hudson River Gallery is located at 86 Main Street, Yonkers, NY 10701, across from the Metro North Station. Their contact information is as follows: Helmut Zitzwitz at 914 964-0401; e-mail hrivergallery@optonline.net.
The Salmagundi's History Panorama's next venue will be at the prestigious Fraunces Tavern Museum, well-known for its historical importance, starting March 23 through July 31, 2009. Its contact information is Richard Gregory, 54 Pearl St, New York, NY 10004, at 212 425-1778 and email: curator@frauncestavernmuseum.org. After its close, the exhibition will then be shipped overseas to be on exhibit at the MuZEEum in the Netherlands from September 4, 2009, through February 28, 2010. 

Many talented Salmagundians have devoted their time and skills to portray the history of Manhattan: among others, Joseph McGlynn's panel "Henry Hudson's Ship - Half Moon" shows the ship fording the North River (later renamed the Hudson River); Jane Haher's panel - "New Amsterdam" shows Manhattan as a colony of the Netherlands; Karen Loew chose for her panel "The Battle of Fort Washington;" Ann Kullaf recreates the most severe blizzard recorded in the United States - "The Great Blizzard of 1888" and last but not least, the curator Leendert Van der Pool has created a montage titled "Ellis Island, World Trade Centre."
The museum in Vlissingen is planning a catalogue of the History Panorama that will include images of the panels, historical information about the artwork, and biographical sketches of the artists that will be available at the reception at the Salmagundi Club on February 6. Questions should be directed to Kathleen Arffmann at 212 255-7740 or info@salmagundi.org, and/or Wilbert Weber w.weber@muzeeum.nl; his phone number in Holland is 01131-118-41-24-98.
There will be a second exhibition in the Upper Gallery titled The Contemporary Harbor of Manhattan: Salmagundians Celebrate Manhattan's Bustling and Historic Waterways. This exhibition will run the same dates as the History Panorama and will present smaller works by Salmagundi artists depicting the New York harbor and water structures as they are seen today. Guy A. Wiggins, the grandson of J. Carleton Wiggins (1848-1932) and the son of Guy C. Wiggins (1883-1962), will contribute his "Manhattan from the Brooklyn Shore" to the exhibition.
This second exhibition's next venue will be the Fraunces Tavern, February 18 through March 16, after which time, the paintings will be shipped to the MuZEEum and will be on exhibit at the MuZEEum from May 15 to August 30, 2009.
Lastly, there will be a theme exhibition titled "New York-Its History and the Dutch" that will depict any aspect of the 400-year history of Manhattan, the medium and subject to be chosen by each Salmagundi artist, in the Club's Lower Gallery. There is a possibility that some of these paintings may also appear at the other venues.
Many distinguished dignitaries, including Mayor Michael Bloomberg, have been invited to the reception on Friday, February 6 from 6:00-8:00 PM. Do not miss this very special historical occasion.
***
For additional information, please visit www.salmagundi.org

The Salmagundi Club is dedicated primarily to the exhibition of fine art created by living American artists and to nurturing a friendly atmosphere conducive to learning about art with classes in drawing and painting, discussions about art materials and techniques, and a host of social activities.  All exhibitions and most events are open to the public. 
Salmagundi Club
47 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY  10003
(212) 255-7740
info@salmagundi.org
www.salmagundi.org
***