Also: Book signing features Robert Jackson
By Lele Galer, Columnist, The Times
Start your art weekend off Friday in West Chester with a visit to Church Street Gallery’s “Master of Abstraction” exhibit. Friday January 29 at 5pm, the gallery will have an opening reception for artist Alan Soffer‘s latest collection of abstract acrylic and encaustic paintings. Beautiful arrangements of color and shape hover in shaded layers of wax and paint. Alan Sofer’s colors are marvelous, and it is very exciting indeed to see a solo show of this extraordinary artist’s work. Expect a packed opening event! Other week highlights include original artwork for sale by Robert Jackson and Antelo Devereux at Galer Estate Winery, art discussions at Oxford Arts Alliance and The Brandywine River Museum of Art, as well as a huge “Radius” show in Phoenixville.
An abstract painting by Alan Sofer, who will be showing at the Church Street Gallery.
The art weekend continues in Phoenixville at the Art Gallery at Franklin Commons. A very engaging opening event is planned for the “Radius” Art show Saturday January 30, from 1-4pm. “Radius” combines the artistic talents from 9 local arts organizations into one big show. The title “Radius” refers to the radius miles that each of these art centers are from Phoenixville.
There will be plenty of food, wine, and live music to set the tone for a very lively, interactive art opening event. The curator, Katie Naber, included many art organizations that may be off our radar. Art organizations including, The Pottstown Area Artists Guild, The Phoenix Village Art Center, The Greater Norristown Art League, and Art Fusion 19464 will all be represented, offering us a rare glimpse of local artwork that is a bit beyond our usual county borders. Most of these art associations have less than 100 members, and offer a variety of different programming, including artist workshops, art show opportunities, public art and outreach as well as classes and gallery space. All of these art groups play a dynamic role in their respective communities. Katie Naber said, that she was so “Excited about this show, as it is bringing the art community together in a new way!”
During this week, in Oxford, at the Oxford Arts Alliance, remember to check out the “Architect’s Roundtable” discussion with architects Ed Rahme, Wayne Simpson and Todd Tully Danner this Wednesday evening January 27th at 7pm. This roundtable discussion is part of the exciting art show “Architectural Sketches: Building an Idea” which will stay in the gallery until February 13.
Also this Wednesday at 2pm, January 27, The Brandywine River Museum of Art’s Curator of Collections, Virginia O’Hara will lead a tour through the museum’s exhibition “Natural Selections: Andrew Wyeth Plant Studies”. Andrew Wyeth’s plant studies are detailed glimpses of nature that appear to have caught his eye. Most of the images are simple studies of a grassy outcroppings, weeds or wild flowers. While each is a lovely image, you can’t help but think about the artist’s choice in subject matter: what made the artist hone in on this? did he use this in a painting? I love it when a museum show encourages you to see the main galleries with new eyes, and with a new appreciation.
“Flower market” by Robert Jackson, as seen on the poster for the Wilmington Flower Show 2016.
On Sunday January 31, a rare writing and art treat from 3-5pm at Galer Estate Winery in Kennett Square. As a part of the January art theme for “The Art of Writing” along The Brandywine Artisan Wine Trail, the winery welcomes the editors of Schiffer Publishing House to discuss the what it takes to get a book published, and what they look for.
After a question and answer session, the event will move to the main tasting room where artist Robert Jackson will be there to sell and sign his two Schiffer art books, AND sell some new original art works. That is very exciting! Robert has just completed a series of delightful and fun painted images on vintage postcards for sale on Sunday. Photographer Antelo Devereux will also be on site with original photographs to sell, as well as sign and sell copies of his Schiffer books. When I first was introduced to Mr. Devereux, I was told that he was the finest photographer in Chester County, and took the best pictures of this area that have ever been published. This will be a rare treat to mingle with two wonderful artists, buy great books and artwork too!
