what did you do for christmas?

Not referred to, one of the monthly chores is the upkeep of our windows to the world. It reflects the current exhibition. We also have our artists working close by the windows so that we entice the passer by to drop in. A show stop window is important, then again it cannot obstruct a view into the gallery.

As a working gallery it has it's down time and messy times. Day to day our artists, friends in the arts have trials and tribulations. They understand we have an enormous overhead and obligations to meet. Unlike a Co-op where helping out and being nickeled and dimed .. .. is mandated we are respectful of each others creative time and only ask for help when we are desperately needed. Then the SOS flag is up.
Here is Fred Hunt after he got a great deal at Jerry's Art a Rama. He soon discovered that the white gesso from there is not as white as the white gesso from Utrecht. He has never used black so thought to try it out. He is forever stretching outside his comfort zone.
Ok this is me and what am I doing. Well we all know that when presenting a work of art it should be tagged with all the info regarding the work of art and contact info attached. This particular artist forgot hanging gear. So, it's always easier to just do it then to make a fuss about it. But take into consideration 20 artist leaving out this critical part. Some savvy collectors keep up with galleries and want to be the first to see and possible discover the art they cannot live without before opening. This has happened on several occasions.
Here we had a double surprise Birthday party for artist Audrey Scott and watch out for this young artist Garland. Garland's mother is also an artist and the apple does not fall to far from the tree.
One of the projects around xmas time was the Snow Village here is one of the village houses done by AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt for the Coconutgrovegrapevine a blog in and about Coconut Grove. Out of the ten village houses, seven were painted in the Windisch-Hunt Fine Art Gallery. Why because we are seen as the source for talent, we have space and we have yet to say NO to any project brought to us by our neighbors or our city.
This was a installation which brought lots and lots of attention to us. It being Barbie's 50 anniversary. There were 50 Barbie dolls on this dress. What you do not see is the petticoat which had 12 calendar girl Barbies underneath all sans clothes. Clever, charming and absolutely well thught out. by U of M.'s Regina McFall.
We of the Once Ear Society participate in this annual satire parade known as the King Mango Strut Parade. As artists we always try to bring in more color and less politics. There is a link on You Tube that shows what all we did and what a mess the gallery was the morning of the parade which takes place every year Sunday after Christmas. It has music and click over to.

CIRCUS circus

"Ta Dahh" and " Win your sweetiepie a Kewpie Doll"

Artwork on left by Fred Hunt and 3D by Theresa Calluori. This is the exhibition "Circus Circus"
A theme that brought out some of the finest artists in this area. Who Knew, when I put this call out, with some trepidation. Picasso and Chagall and a myriad of famous artists all dealt with this subject, they had access to performers. Would we also be able to put something together of quality?

Audrey Scott Yana Bem, AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt, Ring Master Elias, Chia, and two lovely performers from the All Star Circus.

The art started to arrive and became one of the largest collection of circus art assembled in one space, according to Ring Master. The good quality was a surprise factor for me. Monique Lassooij was the first arrival, PJ MILLS participant of the 2009 Venice Biennale brought in 3 fine oils. Danielle inspired by the local performers of the Lipizzaner show she saw. Yana Bem of Prague treated the subject matter as second nature. Theresa Calluori continued with her 3D body series plus created the bearded lady. Fred Hunt had two submissions. Kathey Penner did a large piece of a clown face she found on the internet. It was Fred Hunt who told Kathey that it was Felix Adler. Fred is one of our only participants, who actually lived with the Circus performers in a trailer park, while attending the Ringling School of Art, not just that but he also made an appearance in the Cecil B DeMill's film "The Greatest Show on Earth"

In the spirit of joy that the circus brings to everyone who is young at heart, we decided to have a special art opening just for children. (We served Pink Lemonade and Popcorn) They after all are the collectors of the future. We presented fine art in a fun way in a atmosphere that at times is apprehensive to some adults.

Children's Art Opening

Artists in need of Studio

Juan Kurtzman
Juan is the newest edition in our gallery. He came to us via the "Breakfast with the Artist"© program and just grew on us. He saw how productive the right kind of space can be and asked if he could come in and paint. My sense of seriousness in tune with his need, I acquiesced.

Jeff Passage, has been in our gallery for quite some time and found his niche right by the entrance of the Windisch-Hunt Fine Art Gallery. A victim of Hurricane Katrina, he found himself without a house, home or studio. Here he established himself in Coconut Grove among like minded artists.
Fred Hunt, for whom half this gallery is named is also a victim of a hurricane. This one had a one two punch. It destroyed everything he had, studio/live work space plus to add insult to injury, non-hodgkins lymphoma. Hurricane Wilma was a major disaster for Fred.
Juan comes in to paint on Mondays, Jeff has his own key. Fred stays alive coming in daily. Visitors to our gallery enjoy a unique experience of seeing fine art as it is being created, beside the hand selected works of hart hanging on our walls.

social media learning curve

It just took me 3 hours to log into this blog after a long hiatus of at least a month and a half.
So it took much longer than 3 hours all together. Lets get rolling and catch up. My deepest
apologies to my readers who have nudged me and said they missed the input. Have learned the
importance of social media but who truly has that kind of discretionary time.