In a perfect world I would spend most of my year indulging my art nomadic tendencies by attending international art fairs and gypseting through life. Life might not be perfect but I strongly believe that when you shoot for the moon you will at least land in the stars.
Read moreChapel Hill + Carrboro North Carolina
The time had come to leave New York. The next stop on my road trip was Chapel Hill, North Carolina. I was only there for a couple nights but I loved stumbling into Fall. Unlike my previous haunts, Pennsylvania, DC and New York, the South hadn’t committed itself to the wintery snow storms of the North East. In late November, most of the trees were still bursting with vibrant colors.
Read moreArt Basel Miami’s Satellite Quick List
Art Basel Miami drives troves of people from across the world to Miami during the course of their art fair this week (Dec. 4th -7th). However, word on the street has always been that the satellite shows are where it is at for contemporary art goers. It doesn’t hurt that they are more affordable, attracting emerging artists, careerist, and young people.
Read moreBreakup at James Gallery
A common deterrent for aspiring art goers is the attitude set by most galleries, where openings take place in stark white boxes looked after by snooty gallery attendants.
One of my favorite Pittsburgh art spaces is James Gallery in the West End. The West End neighborhood quaintly sits right outside the downtown metropolitan area. This gallery is the antithesis to stark and cold. Director Paul Cicozi makes it a point to introduce himself to everyone in the room at an opening. He draws you into the chicly designed space with elaborate and intriguing conversations about each artist. He is usually followed-up by Art Apprentice, Sydney Shoff, who gives in-depth descriptions of the different pieces and processes. They are quite the team.
James Frederick, Owner and Founder along with Visionary Gayle Irwin, are often found offering warm and inviting tales of the space, its renovation and the gallery’s history. The atmosphere is more like a family gathering than an opening. Frankly, that is how it should be.
I recently was there to attend the opening of their exhibition, Breakup. The show featured seven different artists. Click here to learn more.
It is a perfect example of what the folks behind James Gallery do so well. They bring together artists working in many different mediums to produce dynamic, open and aesthetically beautiful exhibitions.
image provided by James Gallery.
The first thing you see as you enter the gallery is artist Scott Draves digital work. His video is programed to play for 6 months without a single repetition. Here’s a peek at some of his earlier work.
To speak to the diversity of mediums, artist Tim Harding is working in textiles in this piece. The work is meticulously planned and executed.
On the other hand, California artist Andrew Myers, coyly introduces industrial elements to the mix.
All the pieces in the show demonstrate a mastery of detail and fluidity. In art and for most artists that combination of aesthetic and experience is difficult to capture, especially in conjunction with one another yet- these artists and the curation of their works pulls it off seamlessly.
Here's a slide show of images from the opening, please feel free to contact the gallery for more information on the artists and to learn about future openings.
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Did anyone see the high school dropout in the room?
Image from an opening at James Gallery in Pittsburgh's West End.
Many people didn’t expect me to go to college, let alone graduate. My family fell apart when I was 15. By 16, I was a high school dropout living on my own in Reno, Nevada. Not exactly a great start for the future I dreamed of.
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