THE INTERSECTION OF ART AND WINE

On Thursday March 1, we hosted the video production and recording session for THE INTERSECTION OF ART AND WINE, a new installment of The Grapes Unwrapped wine program created and hosted by local wine educator Hank Zona, with videography by Michael Calabrese.

This episode is part of a greater collaboration between GAS Gallery And Studio, Hank Zona (The Grapes Unwrapped) and Kevin Lynn (Wine Sisterhood), in which the topics of Art and Wine are discussed and examined within the context of a two-part program comprised of a live panel-discussion and tasting, followed by an exhibit and reception.

The Featured artists taking part in this project are Lyman Dally, Kevin Lynn, André Mack and Tara O'Leary, with an appearance by Felix Sockwell.

During the panel-discussion event, which is designed to engage the artists in a conversation and dialogue of the wines as well as related wine artwork, such as wine labels and other works inspired by wine or containing wine themes, attendees will have the opportunity to sample the same wines that the artists are sampling and discussing, thereby becoming a part of and being connected to the immediate creative process.

The exhibit and reception will contain works which were commissioned, created and/or produced for distribution as the actual wine labels. The Grapes Unwrapped video programs/segments can be seen on YouTube, so check them out.

l-r: Lyman Dally, Tara O'Leary, Hank Zona, Kevin Lynn and Felix Sockwell

l-r: Lyman Dally, Tara O'Leary, Hank Zona, Kevin Lynn and Felix Sockwell

Wine educator and enthusiast Hank Zona with GAS Gallery And Studio owners Rick Hauser and Micha Hamilton.

Wine samples for the tasting.

Wine art. Wine and Ink on paper.

Wine art. Wine and Ink on paper.

l-r: artist Kevin Lynn and Grapes Unwrapped host Hank Zona share a laugh.

Photography Exhibition is "COLLECTOR'S CHOICE"

Last night was the artist reception for our current show COLLECTOR'S CHOICE Selected Photography, and it was a smash! Congratulations to Steven J. King for curating this energetic collection of photography from featured artists Skip Dye, Susan Evans Grove, Rick Hauser, Peter Kolonia, Greg Leshé, Jeremy Moss and Lauren Rutten.

Group exhibitions are like treasure hunts and always generate an electricity of activity and interest as they bring together such a varied and wide demographic of people, personalities and artistic orientations. Familiarity with a particular artist and their work gives way to discovery and intrigue as their selected piece(s) is/are given a new voice and platform to reach out to the viewer by creating a new context in which to view it.

In this setting, the creative monologue typically generated by the exhibition of a singular artist's vision now becomes a group dialogue with multiple discussions occurring simultaneously, filling the room with a stream-of-consciousness buzz and heat like that of a curious and impetuous child. The big question is, "Do the individual works play nice with one another, or are they further isolated by bringing them together?".

Well, this time the sermon was delivered, the choir sang, the congregation said "Amen" and harmony prevailed!

Thank you to the featured artists for accepting the invitation and challenge of the group dynamic. Without your work our walls would be bare.

Thank you again to Steven J. King for spearheading this exhibition. As curator, you are vulnerable to the potential barbs and bullets, but today it's all BRAVO !!

As always, many many thanks to all our attendees and guests for staying out late on a school night. Your presence is always encouraged and appreciated, and your interest and warmth inform our humble space with a life and history of its own!

Don't stay away for too long now, you hear?! See you soon... 

I'm The New Kid On The Block.

I know it's been a few weeks since my debut, but i am still reeling from the amazing energy shared at the Jan. 30th grand opening. It feels so good to have my doors open, and to welcome all the old and new faces who continue to drop by.

If you don't already know, my opening night kick-off was truly a community event. My belly was full from the tremendous array of art, showcasing a wonderful diversity of mediums from close to 30 artists. It seemed to me that everyone was really enjoying the vibe. Although the premise of the evening was an art exhibition and an introduction to the community of the new gallery/studio space, i felt more like a hip club/lounge. Not stuffy or pretentious at all. Thank you so very much to everyone who stopped by. I hope to see you again very soon.

I am humbled by and grateful to all the artists who contributed their amazing work(s) for display. This event certainly would not have been the same without you and your extended community of friends and family. A huge THANK YOU goes to....

Walter Zimmerman, Geralyn Robinson, Sandra Charlap, Jane Dell, Greg Leshe, Steven King, Susan Napack, Joy Yagid, Jeremy Moss, Bob Krasner, Berc, Elizabeth Winchester, Leonard Merlo, Mikel Frank, Tara O’Leary, Nancy Tobin, Robert Ramos, Larry Dell, Russell Christian, Debra Trebitz, Lauren Rutten, Rick Parker, Lisa Pressman, Micha Hamilton, Howard Stein, and B. John Kaufman.

I would also like to give props to Jeremy Moss for supplying the killer sound system and bitchin' playlist for the night's fete. I felt super groovy all evening, and i hope you did too!!

Many thanks to Lois Cantwell and Larry Dell for their journalistic coverage and subsequent articles published on the web at the Maplewood Patch and The New York Times/The Local sites (respectively). If you haven't had a chance to read them yet, here are the links for your convenience...

http://maplewood.patch.com/articles/gas-gallery-and-studio-opens#c

http://maplewood.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/28/get-out-and-gas-up/

Currently on display at GAS is a solo exhibit of work by artist Gerard Amsellem, entitled "Before and After". It is comprised of 20 paintings, employing pastels mixed media on wood or acrylic on canvas. This show is a true celebration of life, and is dedicated to the memory of his late brother. To quote Gerard, "When I feel what is not there anymore, I replace it with a vision beyond human existence. I look at the sky, the water, the trees and I feel my brother's soul in my paintings. Quiet, peaceful with a trace of infinity. To his soul with all of me. To his paintings, to my family, to creation and endlessness."

"Before and After" will be on view through March 5th.

God bless you all!! See you soon!!