Sculpture in Garden Westcoast to Eastcoast

This is Gallery Talk your window into the world of art w/host Lars




SD Bot Gardens Succulent Waitress

  Gallery Talk hits the road this week and comes to you from the west coast of North America.

Traveling in Southern California It was not an option to drive by the "Sculpture in the Garden" event in the  San Diego Botanical Garden  . The 36 acre setting is in the coastal town of Encinitas about half way between LA & San Diego, it is this area that possesses a unique climate found only in a few regions around the globe; southern Mediterranean Coast, Western Australia and South Coastal California all have a combination of Coastal Marine Moisture, FOG and Arid desert like precipitation (less than 2" rain per year).   These conditions lead to the success of many plants; Palm, Succulents, Cacti and strangely in the coastal canyon valleys bamboo.   It was the Sculpture that brought me here, 20 Local California artists works have been assembled from polished stainless steel, bronze, mosaic to scuplture with native live plant materials.  The gardens are extensive and cover a coastal hillside with small canyon and stream with 40" waterfall.  An extensive grid of private pathways and trails offer many a quiet nook and hidden place for sculpture art.  This variety of backdrops effectively provide the sculptural forms a private setting and opportunity to surprise.  A divine experience indeed.

 Visit the Garden & Art on line : http://www.sdbgarden.org/sculpture.htm

Closer to home in Portland, Maine is the "Sculpture in the Garden" at the "Little Jewel"  The University of New England Art Gallery.  Located off Stevens avenue in Portland's Deering neighborhood The matchbox size gallery was constructed in 1977 and has a permanent collection of selected works and revolving exhibits.  In the Garden and Pine grove that surround the gallery is the 2010 Sculpture in garden.   The Works of 25 Artists  express themselves in a variety of mediums; from classic carved Maine Granite& Basault rock to Vermont Marble, also there are works in metal, fiber and ceramics.  The current exhibits diversity of material and form presents the viewer with a surprising number of grand ideas and choices.  Not surprising was the fact that I found several pieces enlightening and several alternatively disappointing. Do not let that stop you from experiencing the Sculpture in the garden, because thats art for ya, Ones lust is an others disgust.

Go See the Sculpture in the Garden at the University of New England Art Gallery because,

Your good mind needs good art! 

 The Gallery Talk is made possible by the University of Southern Maine and the generosity of you the WMPG community of listener-supporters.  The Gallery Talk blog is the text version of the art rant heard every Thursday at 7am , 5 & 8:30pm  On WMPG Radio 90.9 FM , 104.1 FM and streaming 24/7 at http://www.wmpg.org/

Portland Maine Photo Exhibit , Art Benefit & Mombo dance party of the Month

This is Gallery Talk your window into Portland, Maine's world of art with host Lars


When I heard that Photographer Richard Sandifer was combining a new photo exhibit opening, gallery open house tour, a benefit for Safe passage and a Mambo dance party on Friday September 17th all I was thinking was:
pinch me I'm dreaming, I love all that stuff.

I received an invite to tour the Sandifer studio gallery prior to the Friday night opening.  I do not know much about photography but I have taken some photographs,  I have even taken a few with my camera phone.  So you could say I'm a photographer. Right?  After viewing Richards work I'd say not,  we are not in the same league.  I wouldn't even call Richard a photographer, he's much more.
He is a Visual Artist,  he merely employs the camera as an assistant to aid him in capturing that moment in time, that "Mojo Moment" that makes the image uniquely special and for many magical.  The Sandifer body of work is varied from portraits of Families, corporate executives, landscapes, luminaries, commercial advertising and local magazines.  Sandifer's studio space provides a cozy backdrop for the portraits and landscape images.  It features wide pine floors, warm lighting, a cool garden and patio space that Sandifer says
"when you are there time loses all meaning".


The Open Studio event features photos the artist recorded on a journey through the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the California coastline.  Whether it's viewing Big Sur's jagged raw beauty through a haze of yellow California Mustard seed flowers or the Mars like landscape of the high altitude Sierra Nevada range,  Sandifer and camera have captured some special moments.  I am thankful he chose to share them with us. 

Portrait by Jen Joaquin

I would be remiss to not comment on Sandifer's commitment to  Safe Passage . The open Studio event raises awareness and funds for the Safe Passage School this is the 10th anniversary open studio event. Last Year $1200 was generated and donated to the Safe Passage School . The School is located on the fringe of Guatemala's 2000 acre city trash dump the Safe Passage School was the brain child of the late Hanley Denning , Maine resident and Bowdoin College Grad.  Known as the "Angel" Hanley's founding the school and volunteer work has allowed many of Guatemala's children to become educated and have opportunities their parents never had.  To support that Safe Passage Latin theme Sandifer has DJ Johnny Mambo coming in to spin salsa flavored beats. Also in addition to an at the door donation for Safe Passage,  portrait artist Jen Joaquin http://www.vibrantartstudios.com/  has created two paintings which will be sold and a portion of the proceeds going to the Safe Passage fund.
 

A celebration of Art, Culture and the Creative Energy it's the Richard Sandifer Open Studio Event,  151 Newbury St on Portland's east end
Friday night 5:30 - Midnight.
For more information go to the Richard Sandifer web site http://www.rgsphoto.com/#/open-studio-2010
 

 

Why go to the Sandifer open Studio Event?

Because your good mind needs some good  art!



The Gallery Talk is made possible by the University of Southern Maine and the generosity of you the WMPG community of listener-supporters.  The Gallery Talk blog is the text version of the art rant heard every Thursday at 7am, 5 & 8:30pm on WMPG college and community radio
90.9 , 104.1 FM  and streaming on the web at http://www.wmpg.org/

What's bigger than a art gallery and potentially MONSTER FUN?

IT'S THE SEPTEMBER 11th GIANT ARTS DISTRICT WIDE BLOCK PARTY! 

I LEARNED TO LOVE BLOCK PARTIES IN COLLEGE.

I use to think it was about the beer, the unknown people, the friends, the games.  Now when I look back on the righteously goodtimes had,
I realize it was about the vibe!
It was the collective experience of people, time, activities and the blending of these factors that reached some unknown potential that was far greater than the sum of the parts.  Every Block Party had it's own mystique, it's own legend, and could be potentially the best time of your life?
Would you miss a Block Party in College?

I think not!
 
Well fast forward a few years...

To Portland's Space gallery , that's the place where Art meets Science talks about philosophy and has a cold adult beverage. It's been Portland's alternative go to host for many a unique and memorable good time.  This round they take a swing at hosting the mackdaddy party,  the PORTLAND BLOCK PARTY, an all day and evening  12 nopon to Midnight affair with the help of many of Portlands finest business' and art establishments.  

Here is a list of the Players Space Gallery Portland Ovations, The Portland Museum of Art, Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine, Pickwick Independent Press, Portland Symphony Orchestra, and numerous neighbors on Congress Street. Also involved the shops, galleries and venues from One Longfellow Square & Genos down to Port City Music Hall , all the local business's will transform their “front yards" with the help of local artists. 

Pickwick Press Steamroller Art & Dancers

Here's a quick snapshot on a few events: Oak Street will be blocked off to car traffic as the the giant steamroller dominates the scene rolling out art prints from huge woodblock creations by the artists of Pickwick Press! Sections of  Congress and Free Streets  in the Arts District will be closed to car traffic so you can take the kids down the street for hands-on activities and performances provided by the Children's Museum & Theater of Maine, plus giant street grid games, giant building blocks of cardboard and a host of surprises.
What is a block party without dancing? At 7pm we'll be treated to a special outdoor performance by Sao Paulo, Brazil's Garotas Suecas  Think of them as a mix of : Sergio Mendes meets Portuguese speaking Greenday-U2 hybrid,  they are making waves all over the world and they bring their best tropicalia and soul to the far northern reaches, yes our beloved Portland, the outdoor concert starts at 7 pm.  Saturday September 11th noon to midnight,  now that's a block party...    

To hear Garotas Suecas Click: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FX7E9mGSfVg&feature=player_embedded


For more information on all the Block Party activities ago to the space gallery web site:
http://www.space538.org/event_details.php?id=545


Why go to the Portland  Art--Dancing-Positive-Vibe Block Party?

Because your good mind needs some good ol'impromptu art!

The Gallery Talk is made possible by the University of Southern Maine and the generosity of you the WMPG community of listener-supporters.  The Gallery Talk blog is the text version of the art rant heard every Thursday at 7am, 5 & 8:30pm on WMPG college and community radio
90.9 , 104.1 FM  and streaming on the web at http://www.wmpg.org/

Cermamics Maven Allison Evans preserves our legacy

Greek Amphora

Welcome to Gallery Talk your window into greater Portland, Maine's art world.

   Pottery and Ceramics when you think about it the Greeks and the Romans left us with some great sculpture, great architecture, incredible glazed mosaic art and fantastic pottery bowls, ceramic wine vessels, truly the legacy of an advanced civilization. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pottery_of_ancient_Greece

   Well fear not humanity we have ceramic artist Allison Evans working for us and the beauty of her work will make future civilizations look back at this age with true envy!   A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design  http://www.risd.edu/ Allison Evans takes the natural form of coastal life and transforms it into dinnerware and tabletop accessories.  Custom created glazes adorn each piece forming a cool crystalline topography that makes each piece uniquely magnificent and captivating. Such works of function and beauty are destined for Museums not my dishwasher.  Allison's work commands your attention, boasting beauty and function simultaneously. Seriously you will not know if you should hang'm on the wall and display them or use them as food bearing vessels and set them on the table.

If you would like to experience the work in 3D The Allison Evans Gallery is located at 359 Main street in the Town of Yarmouth, ( about 12 miles north of Portland exit 16 off 295 N ) open Wed to Saturday 12 - 5pm.
If you want to see here work in 2 D travel to the virtual gallery at http://www.aeceramics.com/index.html

Allison Evans Oyster Serving Dish

Why go to see the Allison Evan Ceramics Gallery the potential legacy of our generation ,

       
because your good mind needs good art!

The Gallery Talk blog is the text version of the art rant heard every Thursday at 7am, 5 & 8:30pm on WMPG college and community radio
90.9 , 104.1 and streaming on the web at http://www.wmpg.org/