Politics as Usual!? Philadelphia filmmakers explore politics on the eve of this critical election in a month-long exhibit of independent media presented by the Philadelphia Independent Film and Video Association (PIFVA) The show will run at the Projects Gallery from October 10 Through November 8, 2008. The program will be looped during gallery hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 to 7:00 pm and on Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 7:00 pm.
Mingle with PIFVA members and guest filmmakers at the Opening and Closing events. The OPENING on Friday, October 10 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm will be hosted by Big Tea Party's Elizabeth Fiend and include a live poetry performance. The exhibit CLOSING on Saturday, November 08 from 3:00 to 6:00 pm will be hosted by Green City Journal's Caryn Hunt and include moderated discussion with local activists. For more information contact PIFVA at 215.382.2579 or email contactus@pifva.org
Films to be exhibited:
• Bush for Peace By Sarah Christman and Jen Simmons (1 min)
• Choose to Choose by Christiane Badgley (12 min)
• A Mural's Message by the Beacon Center Youth (1 min)
• Copy This Tape by Skylight Films (17 min)
• Blockbuster Letter from the Editor by Ken Winikur & John Lumia (1 min)
• Free the (Schuylkill) River Park Documentary by Rob Stuart (15 min)
• Bean Scene by Deb Rudman with AQ Quintero (1 min)
• Casino Free Philly videos by Edmund Goppelt (20 min)
• Asians Misbehavin': Model Minority Man by Anula Shetty & Mike Kuetemeyer (5 min)
• Taking of Bodine: Never Forget by Community Leadership Institute & Scribe Video Center (10 min)
• Ending an Epidemic Act-Up Fight Back by Big Tea Party (6 min)
• Dis Poem by Tania Isaac (3 min)
• Amiri Baraka's Something in the Way of Things (In Town) by Bryan Green (9 min)
• Iraq Veterans for Peace, Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan by Amadee Braxton, Gail Lloyd, Serena Reed (20 min)
Philadelphia Independent Film and Video Association (PIFVA), founded in 1979, is a membership organization whose mission is to strengthen, promote and serve Philadelphia's independent media community through programs which provide opportunities to learn, mentor, produce and screen work, advocate for the community and network. PIFVA is dedicated to increasing the creative capacity of the Philadelphia region by supporting and expanding the work of regionally based media makers. PIFVA's education programs promote public appreciation of independent media making and encourage the talent and ability of area's creative community of filmmakers.

Projects Gallery announces a call to artists for its February 2009 Juried Art Exhibition entitled “Guilty Pleasures”. Icy February is often considered the month of love; but with the advent of Valentine’s Day a wealth of conflicting emotions often emerge. Named for a pious saint, originally a sensuous pagan celebration, now thought of as a purely commercial entity, this holiday is a mass of cultural contradictions. Guilty Pleasures can be that which is desired, that which we love to hate, or that which elicits passion in any direction. Projects Gallery encourages entrants to expand upon the literal and present work that is in the spirit of personal interpretation of the theme. The show will be displayed February 6-28, 2009 at Projects Gallery in Philadelphia.

Eligibility:
Open to all artists 18 years and over. Work must be original and completed within the past 2 years. Works for consideration may be of any media but must be no wider than 24” and in accordance with the theme “Guilty Pleasures.” All work must be available for sale. An artist statement and resume will be required from all accepted artists. Artist is responsible for transportation of work to and from gallery. Accepted video artists must supply viewing equipment.

To Enter:
There is a non-refundable entry fee of $20.00 (U.S.) per artist for up to five image entries. Resumes, artist statements, or bios may be included with entries. All entries must be received no later than December 10, 2008. Make checks payable to: Projects Gallery. Submissions must be digital 300 dpi at least 8” jpg or tiff format on a CD/DVD. Do not send original artwork. Please include a list of entries with the following information: artist name, titles of images, media, date, and dimensions of work submitted.
Mail entries, list of entries, entry fee, a SASE if you desire CD returned, to:
Projects Gallery
629 N 2nd St.
Philadelphia, PA 19123, U.S.A.

Calendar
• December 10, 2008 deadline for entries
• January 5, 2009 entrants notified
• January 24, 2009 accepted works due to gallery
• February 6, 2009 opening reception
• February 28, 2009 exhibition closes
• March 1-3, 2009 pick-up work or prepaid shipping returned

Projects Gallery exhibits contemporary figurative expressionistic works. Announcement cards will be produced, press releases will be sent out, and exhibition will be highlighted on website.

Work will be juried by Gallery Director Helen Meyrick.

Questions? Contact at info@projectsgallery.com.

Projects Gallery proudly announces “Bloom”, the inaugural solo exhibition of mixed-media artist Margery Amdur. Well known for her impressive, layered, three-dimensional acrylic resin assemblages, “Bloom” debuts a new series of works that play upon her familiar cut paper and paint-by-numbers motif while utilizing a variety of materials. Rather than the trapped-in-amber solidity of the resin series, these new works are liberated and appear to float freely. Layers and layers of petal-delicate Mylar and acetate conceal and reveal paint-by-number floral imagery. The labor-intensive process is as important to the work as is the final product, and it is the tension between the materials and the decidedly feminine imagery that captivates the eye. Although wall-oriented, Amdur constructs the pieces in “Bloom” in a manner similar to her renowned installation process. According to Amdur she “ . . . never wanted to be a flower painter. I always associated it with Sunday painters. I must now reconcile this with how often floral imagery is central in my work.” “Bloom” is truly the blossoming fruition of a sophisticated body of work.

Wisp 1 detail, 50" H x 42" W, mixed media

Drawing from the perceived separation of art and craft, Amdur explores her interest in multi-dimensional structure. She draws upon a wealth of materials, including frosted Mylar, clear acetate, acrylic paint, transfer images, paint-by-number canvas boards, bees wax and resin. Through her skillful hands, the materials are recontextualized, as the artist enlarges and abstracts her deceptively familiar templates. Playing with transparent and translucent, the pre-existing image and the vision of the artist, Amdur takes the traditional form of painting and expands its definition to embrace greater issues within the contemporary dialogue. Through the veiling of layers, a tension is created between the abstract and representational; and the artist’s meditative working process emanates throughout. The resulting images are visually seductive moments frozen in time.

Wisp 2, 40" H x 30" W, mixed media

This is the first completely new body of work created since the artist’s relocation to Philadelphia four years ago. Margery Amdur received her B.F.A. from Carnegie-Mellon University and her M.F.A. from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. She has exhibited in over 50 solo and two-person exhibitions and has appeared in numerous group shows. Her international exhibitions include venues in Turkey, Hungary and England. The artist is the recipient of more than a dozen awards and grants and has been reviewed in several national and international publications, including Sculpture Magazine and New Art Examiner.

Wisp 3, 40" H x 30" W, mixed media

Bloom will open First Friday October 3rd. There will be an artist’s reception First Friday November 7th 2008 from 6-9 p.m. The show will continue through November 15th, 2008. The opening and reception are free and open to the public. Projects Gallery is located at 629 N. 2nd St. in Philadelphia’s Northern Liberties section. Gallery hours are Wednesday & Thursday 4 -7 p.m. and Friday & Saturday noon to 7 p.m. A preview of works may be viewed on the gallery’s website at www.projectsgallery.com. For more information and images, please contact Projects Gallery at 267-303-9652 or info@projectsgallery.com

Krista Rothwell, One and One is One, diptych 36 x 96, oil on canvas

Projects Gallery opens its 2008-09 season with Fresh! 2008. Inspired by Philadelphia’s rich and multi-faceted artistic talent, this invitational exhibition highlights this city’s emerging artists. The palpable energy of the current art scene has been garnering increasing attention and critical respect. Fresh! is an unique opportunity to bring together disparate artists united not by imposed thematic or material concerns but as a chorus of individual voices heralding the vibrant, varied directions of contemporary art. Selected by gallery Director Helen Meyrick because of her immediate visceral response to their work, these artists diversely employ sculpture, photography, painting and drawing. Regardless of chosen style, material, or subject, these artists are a breath of fresh air.

Carl Main, Pooh Deer, 25 x 10 x 18, mixed media

A sampling of the contrasts in style illustrates the range of the artists, while placing them in the larger context of contemporary movements. Krista Rothwell paints neo-realistic images of herself and her sister on flat, spaceless color fields, demonstrating that the art of painting is far from dead. Carl Marin portrays the confrontation between nature and urban encroachment, echoing current design and kitsch aesthetics. Brooke Holloway’s works on paper require careful viewing, revealing biting commentary on feminist issues through the contradictory tangles of popular culture. Previously a graphic designer, Gregory Farrar Scott’s sculptural work is imbued with humor, cheekily riffing on found objects used to create pseudo-portraits.

Gregory Farrar Scott, Mask 10, 14.75 x 8 x 6, mixed media

Fresh! provides these artists a blank canvas on which to make their mark in the Philadelphia arts arena. Participants include: Cat Badger, Rosanne D'Andrea, Talia Greene, Brooke Holloway, Carl Marin, Itsuki Ogihara, Marilyn Rodriguez-Behrle, Lynn Rosenthal, Mia Rosenthal, Krista Rothwell, Gregory Farrar Scott, Heather Sundquist, and others. Many of these artists are recent graduates from several of Philadelphia’s finest art schools, including Moore College of Art and Design, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and Temple University’s Tyler School of Art.

Brooke Holloway, Dumb Bitch, 60 x 48, acrylic on canvas

Fresh! runs from Friday August 29 through September 27, 2008 with a First Friday artist reception September 5th, from 6-9 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Wednesday & Thursday 4-7 and Friday & Saturday noon to 7 p.m. For more information or digital images, please contact Projects Gallery at 267-303-9652 or info@projectsgallery.com.

Diedra Krieger, Still from Baudrillard video, video, n/a

For the summer season, Projects Gallery is pleased to announce a collaboration with curators Roberta Fallon and Libby Rosof entitled “ID”. This exhibition will showcase emerging Philadelphia artists united in pushing the boundaries of myth and persona in contemporary art. Fresh from various Philadelphia-area art colleges and programs, these artists embrace the ethos of the MySpace generation. Utilizing video, performance, sculpture and photography, “ID” explores broad and self-focused concepts ranging from issues of applied identity to the id of the artist. As put succinctly by the curators, “the works are metaphorical in ways that come out of the core of who they are and what they see around them.”
Jamie Diamond, The Radissons, photographic print, 40" x 60"

True to the zeitgeist, the artists use the self to express the political, environmental and personal. Documenting the seemingly mundane of the everyday, these works morph into an escapist fantasy. As Fallon and Rosof state, “their art is questioning their relationship to their families and friends, to the past, to the city, to the camera even.” Whether fabricating an alternate persona through video, documenting a false or surrogate family through photography, or constructing impossible landscapes of impractical materials, the artists express experience via the filter of their own “ID”. Through the embrace of the self-as-subject, these young artists confront the contemporary world by retreating into one of their own creation.
Andria Bibiloni, Blaster Bike, Mixed Media with Sound, dimensions variable

Artists include from Moore College of Art and Design, Samantha Hill; from Tyler School of Art, Andria Bibiloni and Carl Marin; from The University of the Arts Jay Hardman, Alex Gartelmann and Phil Jackson; and from University of Pennsylvania Jamie Diamond, Katy Rose Glickman and Sarah Zimmer; from Vermont College of Fine Arts, Philadelphia-based artist Diedra Krieger – all representing the spectrum of the Philadelphia art experience.
Jay Hardman, Philadelphia Building, cake/frosting/plastic/aluminum/wood, 34" x 24" x 22"

ID opens First Friday, June 6th with an artist reception from 5-8 p.m. There will be a performance of artist Samantha Hill’s “Black Iconography” at 7 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public. The exhibition continues through July 26th, 2008. Summer gallery hours are Thursday and Friday 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday noon to 7 p.m.

This is the last full week to view Project Gallery's duel solo exhibitions Henry Bermudez's "Con la Mirada en el Cielo" and Paul Santoleri's "Subterranean / Basement"

Bermudez continues his exploration of spiritually surreal imagery, combining his unique vision of pre-Colombian and Christian iconography. The complex arrangement of interlocking lines and colors are reminiscent of intricate Persian tapestries. The dense arrangement invites us to travel further into a realm of contemplation. Bermudez’s current body of work expands upon the tradition of cut-paper assemblage, expanding his surface to monumental proportions. The impressive scale confronts the viewer, while the subtle, enigmatic imagery draws one to “gaze to the heaven”.

Utilizing the unique exhibition possibilities of Project’s lower level, Paul Santoleri presents both large and small-scale works, as well as his site-specific blacklight-responsive wall paintings. Through spontaneous and free-formed animalistic and vegetal hybrids, one is able to view the spirit of creative energy that exists in all living things. Santoleri invites us to discover an underground world of color and light and to visit a phantasmal environ of his imagination.

Both Con La Mirada en el Cielo and Subterranean / Basement conclude May 31st, 2008. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Thursday noon to 5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday noon to 7 p.m.

Artist's Studio, photo credit Peter Camburn

In his second solo show at Projects Gallery, Henry Bermudez presents “Con La Mirada en el Cielo”. Bermudez continues his exploration of spiritually surreal imagery, combining his unique vision of pre-Colombian and Christian iconography. The complex arrangement of interlocking lines and colors are reminiscent of intricate Persian tapestries. The dense arrangement invites us to travel further into a realm of contemplation. Bermudez’s current body of work expands upon the tradition of cut-paper assemblage, in some cases expanding his surface to monumental proportions. The impressive scale confronts the viewer, while the subtle, enigmatic imagery draws one to “gaze to the heaven”.

The Cross of the 7 Sons, 8'H x 4'W, mixed media on cut paper

An internationally exhibited artist, Bermudez’s work is in numerous museum and private collections throughout the world. He was the Venezuelan representative to the 1985 Venice Biennale. A solo exhibition of his work is scheduled at the National Museum of Catholic Art and History in New York City in 2009.

The Cross, 4ft x 4ft, mixed media on cut paper

Con La Mirada en el Cielo opens First Friday, May 2nd with artist receptions from 5-8 p.m. The exhibition continue through May 31st, 2008. The reception is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Thursday noon to 5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday noon to 7 p.m. A preview of works may be viewed on the gallery’s website at www.projectsgallery.com. For more information, please contact Projects Gallery at 267-303-9652 or info@projectsgallery.com.

Anemone, 30"H x 40"W, acrylic on canvas

Utilizing the unique exhibition possibilities of Project’s lower level, Paul Santoleri presents Subterranean / Basement. Featuring both large and small-scale works, as well as his site-specific wall paintings, the artist will be presenting for the first time a body of work created with day-glow paint. Through spontaneous and free-formed animalistic and vegetal hybrids, one is able to view the spirit of creative energy that exists in all living things. Santoleri invites us to discover an underground world of color and light and to visit a phantasmal environ of his imagination.


Untitled, 30"H x 40"W, acrylic on canvas

An international muralist, Santoleri’s studio work is in many public and private collections throughout Europe, Latin America and the U.S., including the Philadelphia Museum of Art. He also has a con-current exhibition at the Thomas Eakins House in Philadelphia, which runs through June.

BasementSubteranean, 3FT X 3FT, acrylic on canvas

Subterranean / Basement opens First Friday, May 2nd with artist receptions from 5-8 p.m. The exhibition continue through May 31st, 2008. The reception is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Thursday noon to 5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday noon to 7 p.m. A preview of works may be viewed on the gallery’s website at www.projectsgallery.com. For more information, please contact Projects Gallery at 267-303-9652 or info@projectsgallery.com.

Elizabeth Bisbing, The Geisha, 6.66"H x 4.5"W, gouache on paper collage

Projects Gallery proudly presents Elizabeth Bisbing in her first Philadelphia solo exhibition entitled People / Places / Paper. Known for her skillful cut-paper assemblages that pay homage to familiar classical works, Bisbing creates delicately layered miniatures. For this exhibition, she creates interiors inspired by the works from the Dutch Golden Age as well as a series of figures from the wider body of art history. Expanding on the concept of a Victorian parlor game, Bisbing has removed or hidden most of the faces in these postcard-size portraits. Male and female saints, a geisha, and figures borrowed from Vermeer to Klimt all become featureless, teasing with the concept of what is hidden and revealed. The scenes of these recognizable images take on a new dimensionality and an intimate approachable scale through the artist’s sure hand. Through her interpretation of these precise cut-paper works, the art historical images take on a modern vitality.

Elizabeth Bisbing, Golf, 11.25"H x 7.25"W, gouache on paper collage

Bisbing is a graduate of Moore Collage of Art and Design and received her MFA from Vermont College. Her work has been reviewed in New York Magazine and The Sun.
People / Places / Paper opens First Friday, April 4th with an artist reception from 5-8 p.m. and continues through April 26, 2008. The reception is free and open to the public.

Elizabeth Bisbing, Saint Veronica, 6.66"H x 4.5"W, gouache on paper collage

Projects Gallery is located at 629 N. 2nd St. in Philadelphia’s Northern Liberties section. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Thursday noon to 5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday noon to 7 p.m. A preview of works may be viewed on the gallery’s website at www.projectsgallery.com. For more information, please contact Projects Gallery at 267-303-9652 or info@projectsgallery.com

Florence Putterman, Year of the Comet, 17.5"H x 23.5"W, etching

Projects Gallery is pleased present its second solo exhibition of Florence Putterman. Known for her textural paintings and bold, earthy colors, Noir et Blanc features works in only black and white, focusing the exhibition on Putterman’s keen image-making. Utilizing etching and woodcuts, these works on paper continue to explore an imaginative world of whimsy and humor. Expressive and figurative, these prints are companion pieces to her often large-scale paintings that have been the benchmark of this artist’s extensive body of work. Through these narrative prints, we are invited to explore both land and seascapes where humans interact with the animals and nature as a benevolent observer and caretaker. Putterman has the ability to interpret dreams and fantasy with charm and an almost child-like touch. Frogs and elephants, stars and moons all weave a tale of adventure with no certain meaning but a sense of nocturnal déjà vu.

Florence Putterman, Ancestral Kinship, 17.5"H x 23.5"W, etching

Putterman has had an extension exhibition history, and her works are included in many private and public collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum and the Philadelphia Museum. In 1988 she received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Pennsylvania State University.

Noir et Blanc opens First Friday, April 4th with an artist reception from 5-8 p.m. and continues through April 26, 2008. The reception is free and open to the public.

Florence Putterman, Nocturnal Encounter, 17.5"H x 23.5"W, etching

Projects Gallery is located at 629 N. 2nd St. in Philadelphia’s Northern Liberties section. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Thursday noon to 5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday noon to 7 p.m. A preview of works may be viewed on the gallery’s website at www.projectsgallery.com. For more information, please contact Projects Gallery at 267-303-9652 or info@projectsgallery.com

Ah, childhood, a time fraught with intense and conflicting emotions and sweet and often terrifying memories. It is also a time of playful freedom and the frustrations of grown-up rules.

Image details clockwise from top left: Layzer, Bonfani, Brossy, Hyder, Treadwell, Bisbing, Weintraub, Steinke

Assembling a variety of national and international artists, Projects Gallery presents Child’s Play as an opportunity to re-examine the perceptions and artifacts of youth. Utilizing various techniques and materials, these artists investigate the duality of childhood.

Jaime Treadwell, Hunter, 14"H x 20", oil on panel

Meticulous photographs depict scenes that intersect naïve, youthful games and more serious adult activities. In visually disparate Technicolor paintings, sights of cavorting kids and childlike imagery depict the results of a society where rules and boundaries no longer exist.They present a place where childhood either dwells in bleak, desolate playgrounds or retreats into the fantasy of a more natural, primitive state.

Ross Bonfanti, Teddy C134, 11"H x 10"W x 8"D,concrete and toyparts

Deconstructed children’s toys form sculptures. Mixed media assemblages capture and highlight iconic moments of youth. Delicate paper dolls and intricate embroideries are quaint and reminiscent of an innocent era, while hinting at the underlying vulnerability of the age. Whatever the means or materials, Child’s Play examines the lives of children, their impact on the adult world and demonstrates just how personal one’s interpretation of this formative time can be. Exploring the coalescence of the innocent and the mature, this exhibit invites you to enter into and take another look at child’s play.

Darrel Morris, Homemade Hair Cut, 14.5"H x 9"W, embroidery and appliqué.

Artists include: Andrea Beizer, Elizabeth Bisbing, Ross Bonfanti, Jim Brossy, Elaine Erne, Tom Judd, Frank Hyder, Jennifer Layzer, Darrel Morris, Krista Steinke, Jaime Treadwell, Caleb Weintraub, and others. Child’s Play opens First Friday, March 7 with a reception from 5-8 p.m. and continues through March 29, 2008. The reception is free and open to the public. A Philadelphia chapter of Amnesty International will be hosting a bake sale during the reception.

Elizabeth Bisbing, Who am I Blue Dress, 6"H x 4"W, gouache on paper.

Artists include: Andrea Beizer, Elizabeth Bisbing, Ross Bonfanti, Jim Brossy, Elaine Erne, Tom Judd, Frank Hyder, Jennifer Layzer, Darrel Morris, Krista Steinke, Jaime Treadwell, Caleb Weintraub, and others.


Krista Steinke, this little one had none, artists digital print

Projects Gallery is located at 629 N. 2nd St. in Philadelphia’s Northern Liberties section. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Thursday noon to 5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday noon to 7 p.m. A preview of works may be viewed on the gallery’s website at www.projectsgallery.com. For more information, please contact Projects Gallery at 267-303-9652 or info@projectsgallery.com.

Elaine Erne, Bear Hug, 40"H x 34"W, graphite on paper.

This February Projects Gallery proudly presents Frida and Me, Common Threads. Inspired by the centennial exhibition of the world-renown Frida Kahlo at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (February 20 until May 18), four contemporary Latina artists join together to celebrate and express their common connections. Doris Nogueira-Rogers, Michelle Angela Ortiz, Marilyn Rodriguez-Behrle, and Marta Sanchez present works that reflect on the intertwining relationships between various identities and cultures of Latin American female artists.



Doris Noguiera-Rogers, Lace and Layers Series, 18"x 18", Mixed Media

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Doris Nogueira- Rogers exhibits the passion of Brazil in her art. Through her use of stimulating colors, lines, shapes, and texture, she exerts the visual impact of Nature as a form of preservation and celebration.



Michelle Ortiz, Las Huellas del Tiempo, 24" x 24", Acrylic on wood

Michelle Angela Ortiz reflects her ancestral roots by visual representation of her spirituality and culture. Striving to document her personal evolution of struggles, triumphs, and transitions, a sense of nostalgia and sentiment are the major themes of her creative expression.



Marilyn Rodriguez-Behrle, Death Passing, 33"x 38", Mixed Media

Known for her creative and diverse approach to mixed-media art, Marilyn Rodriguez-Behrle’s inspiration stems from observations of her community. The use of found objects in her work best represent the resonance of her personal struggles in her environment.



Marta Sanchez, Four Pieces of Me, each panel 18"x 24", Oil enamel on copper

Focusing her art on traditional Mexican Folk Art, Marta Sanchez seeks to narrate the relationships between family and friends, as well as representing hopes, prayers, and humanity of the common man through the art of Retablo, the offspring of Mexican prayer paintings.

The personal yet universal experiences belonging to these four diverse artists intricately reflect their common threads to Frida Kahlo’s life and creative output. Kahlo was one of the most acclaimed Mexican painters of the 20th Century. Building upon the foundation of Kahlo’s legacy, these artists display vibrant work that symbolizes their individual experiences in the context of gender, identity, and culture. Frida and Me, Common Threads expresses the significance and complexity of Latin American contemporary art that speaks with a distinct volume and dialogue of its own.

Frida and Me, Common Threadswill be open from February 1- 23, 2008.
Opening Reception will take place on Frist Friday, February 1st, 2008 5-8 pm with a special reading from Las Gallas Artist Collective.

Projects Gallery is located at 629 N. 2nd St. in Philadelphia’s Northern Liberties section. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Thursday noon to 5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday noon to 7 p.m. A preview of works may be viewed on the gallery’s website at www.projectsgallery.com. For more information, please contact Projects Gallery at 267-303-9652 or info@projectsgallery.com.

Returning from an exciting sojourn to the Miami art fairs, Projects Gallery presents Back from Miami II , showcasing artists represented in the international fair. During the month of January, Projects will be giving Philadelphians the opportunity to experience the art fair vibe here in their home town. This multi-artist exhibition will be on display from Friday, January 4 through Saturday, January 26, 2008. There will be a First Friday reception January 4th from 5 to 8 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public.

Continuing its mission to promote outstanding contemporary artists to a wider audience, Projects Gallery exhibited simultaneously in two art fairs during Basel Miami: Red Dot and Bridge Miami . Since the gallery's inception, Projects has been an active participant in international art fairs and enjoys a well-earned reputation. The artists that Projects represents show a personal expression of a figurative nature in their work, each utilizing unique and unorthodox approaches to their subject matter and medium. This year featured artists include: Henry Bermudez, Jim Brossy, Susan Howard, Frank Hyder, Florence Putterman, Alex Queral , and Caleb Weintraub, along with other gallery artists.

Displayed in a casual salon-style hanging, Back From Miami II celebrates the vibrant collective energy of the art fairs in a gallery setting. Having presented their artists to an ever-expanding clientele at the largest international art fair in the United Sates, Projects proudly brings the experience back to their loyal local audience and new viewers. Whether internationally known or emerging, each of the Projects artists display an individual language that provides a distinctive and provocative dialog. Back From Miami II is the perfect opportunity to rediscover the high-caliber of talent all over again.

Returning from an exciting sojourn to the Miami Art Fairs, Projects Gallery presents Back from Miami II, showcasing artists representing in the international fair. During the month of January, Projects will be offering Philadelphians the opportunity to experience the art fair vibe here in their home town. This multi-artist exhibition will be on display from Friday, January 4 through Saturday, January 26, 2008. There will be a First Friday reception January 4 from 5 to 8 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public.

Continuing our mission to promote outstanding comtemporary artists to a wider audience, Projects Gallery exhibited simultaneously in two art fairs, Red Dot and Bridge Miami. Since the gallery's inception, Projects has been an active participant in international art fairs and enjoys a well-earned reputation. The artists that Projects represents show a personal expression in a figurative nature in their work, each utilizing unique and unorthodox approaches to their subject matter and medium. This years featured artists include Henry Bermudez, Jim Brossy, Susan Howard, Frank Hyder, Florence Putterman, Alex Queral, and Caleb Weintraub, along with others.

Displayed in a casual salon-style hanging, Back from Miami II celebrates the vibrant collective energy of the art fairs in gallery setting. This limited-time show is the perfect opportunity to discover or rediscover the the high-caliber of talent of our many well-received artists.

Projects Gallery is pleased to present Peter Gourfain’s solo exhibition Sculpture & Works on Paper. His works will be on view from Friday, Nov. 2 through Saturday, Dec. 29. There will be a First Friday reception for the artist on November 2 from 5 to 8 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public.

Peter Gourfain first came into national acclaim in the 1960’s as a member of the New York minimalist art movement. As Gourfain’s individual artistic expression evolved, he became known for his terracotta, bronzes and relief carvings on wooden objects. These sculptural pieces soon became his trademark, reflecting not only an artistic ability but also an attention to detail that is seldom seen in the art world today. His prints and drawings demonstrate the same level of dimensionality and exemplify the style, skill, poignancy and humor for which he is celebrated.

The artist’s works serve as a conduit for his wry observations. His perspicacity is significant in his image making, often interspersing literary references, religion and current affairs with the whimsical. As he stated in an interview with Chazen (formerly Elvehjem) Museum of Art Director, Russell Panczenko, “It’s all the stuff that occurs to you in a day, a week, or a year, what has remained indelible from day to day.” Often politically and socially motivated, as well as employing a strong sense of dry humor and whit, Gourfain’s pieces entertain yet challenge his audience.

A Chicago native and graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, this New York-based artist has had an impressive number of solo and group exhibitions throughout the United States. His works are in many private and public collections, including New York’s Museum of Arts and Design, Museum of Modern Art, Guggenheim Museum and the Brooklyn Museum. Previous shows have focused either on Gourfain the sculptor or Gourfain the printmaker. Sculpture & Works on Paper will be a unique compilation showcasing all aspects of Peter Gourfain the artist. In this second solo show with Projects Gallery, the artist shares with us a rare collection of his work. Included is a new series of eight linoleum block prints inspired by the story of the German peace activist Sophie Scholl. This suite of prints is a fitting homage to the life and bravery of this incredible woman. Seldom exhibited drawings and several newly commissioned bronzes will also be displayed, alongside larger woodcarvings and additional prints. Sculpture and Works on Paper is an unprecedented opportunity to witness the breadth of Gourfain’s talent.

Projects Gallery is located at 629 N. 2nd St. in Philadelphia’s Northern Liberties section. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Thursday noon to 5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday noon to 7 p.m. A preview of the artist’s works may be viewed on the gallery’s website at www.projectsgallery.com. For more information, please contact Projects Gallery at 267-303-9652 or info@projectsgallery.com.