Saturday, December 27, 2014

Seasoned en Vieux: Like a Kid in a Candy Store

What I am always amazed about is being even more amazed at the talent of the numerous artists, especially those over 60 and the volume, light & display of their talents they dare show. 
 
I'm like a kid in a candy store!
 
 
 
 
 
(l to r) Terrence Osbourne's "Uptown House" Aminah Da Da's "Silhouette" (paper quilling) & Silk Rivers Metal's "Cocoon"
 

 
Closeup of "Uptown House" Terrence Osbourne
 
 
"Silhouette" ~ Aminah Da Da (paper quilling)
 
 

 
Aminah Da Da (Top-Bottom) holding some of her Paper Quilling Ornaments
 

Assistant, Slyvia Robinson holding Aminah Da Da's "Silhouette"

 
Paper Quilling Ornaments~ Aminah Da Da




"Friendship Dance" ~ Marietta Johnson closeup
 
 
 


"Friendship Dance"~Marietta Johnson 42x52 Machine quilted
 
 

"Love en Deux"(r) "Friendship Dance"(l) "~Marietta Johnson 42x52 Machine quilted
 

 
 "Diaspora"~Marietta Johnson 42x66 Machine quilted
 

 
"Love en Deux" ~Marietta Johnson 45x52 Machine quilted
 
 
 
 
 
"Treble Clef" ~Marietta Johnson 43x50 (closeup) Machine quilted
 
 
"Treble Clef" ~Marietta Johnson 43x50 Machine quilted


Thursday, December 25, 2014

Where Art Thou?

 
 
 
 
 
 
Folks have been asking me where is my art in Seasoned en Vieux.  Well I'm lurking. Handling the responsibility of curator, promoter, writer etc has taken up a vast amount of my time and focus.  It hadn't even dawned on me to hang my own work, but I'll put something in it.
 
My aim is to represent the 29 artists in the show, doing things as creatively with limited time and resources.  But something will pop up.
 
 
 
 
 

Work in Progress from my Red Beans & Rice series



 
 
Fiddling

 
In Seasoned en Vieux
 
 
 
 
 
 
Got an Idea



I am trying to see a way to recyle serving platters.  Hmmm may end up being a "frame'?

Syenergy en Vieux



NEW ORLEANS, LA - December 15, 2014 – Galerie 1504 is pleased to present a
group exhibition of new works featuring all Gallery artists. The “Seasoned en Vieux” (A Seasoned View) exhibition will run from December 19, 2014 – January 13, 2015 


"Baby Boy"~Farris Armand


 




Galerie 1501 partners with Reinments of Power & through the generousity of HRI Properties in presenting “Seasoned en Vieux" or “A Seasoned View” is a multi-faceted exhibit with a number of thought provoking themes that are meant to dispel the common thought of our society as a whole. One of the most prevalent of these themes being that individual talent does not simply dissipate with age, but rather it grows in wisdom and perspective as time passes. Just as this theme is meant to dispel these specific misconceptions in both the creative realm and general society, it is also intended as a caveat of positive change for senior citizens & their allies, to dispel the myth about the ones who are entering their encore years with panache!
 
 
 This exhibit is a part of the The Fig Tree Project pop-up series, spotlighting various collections of art for a limited time in alternative spaces.

Galerie 1501, is located at 1501 Canal Street on the first floor of the historic Texaco building bordering Faouborg Treme & downtown New Orleans. HRI Properties has kindly donated this temporary exhibit space as a part of their mission to enhance the lives and sensibilities of their tenants, as well as, creatively enhance the current Canal Street Renaissance process.

“Seasoned en Vieux” has a synergy made up from varied disciplines; such as photography, studio art, studio art quilts, sculptures, muralists, and wearable art form manifested in the ingenious styling of Alfred Tumblin & Beesiyge Ogden. This team gives homage to a time where fine craftmanship & styling was vibrant & alive mixed with a modern twist! 
 
 
 
 

 
"White Goddess Coat"~Alfred Tumblin & Beesigye Ogden,artists
 Seventy-five percent of the twenty-nine artists featured are over the age of 60. This impressive representation of senior artists only exemplifies the thought that true artists never retire...they only become more seasoned.  Eight of the artists are under the age of 60 with our youngest being 17 &  several veterans are presented.  It highlights that an intergenerational vieux can blend easily when it come to art, that there is no reason to box in people, not matter the reason.
The exhibit will also feature pieces by New Orleans’ own, Terrence Osburne, Michele Lambert, "visual poet" artist Jacquelyn Hughes Mooney, artists Farris ArmandSheila Phipps. Many of these works are city inspired pieces that reflect the extraordinary history and traditions that have set the city of New Orleans apart from anywhere else in the world.

This exhibit is a part of the The Fig Tree Project pop-up series, spotlighting various collections of art for a limited time in alternative spaces. "Seasoned en Vieux” will run through January 13, 2015.  Gallery hours are Monday – Friday 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., and by appointment.


For additional information please contact Jacquelyn Hughes Mooney,curator at 504.645.6168 or rhythmnhues@gmail.com.

 
 

Saturday, December 20, 2014

No Rain on THIS Parae! Seasoned en Vieux opening 12-19-14


"This was better then he had even imagine it to be"

 
 
So sayeth David Abbenante, president of HRI Properties who attended the Seasoned en Vieux opening reception.  Mr. Abbenante has been a very enthusiastic and  supportive of endeavors at the 1501 Canal Senior Apts from the beginning.  Most people normally would think of corporate people as very stiff, staid and about totally the bottom dollar.  David is not like that.
 
Truly I can see his vision  wanting their to be a participatory thread for this  new 6 month old property created for seniors.
 
He wants the entire HRI family and others to see this, the Galerie 1501.  A modest young man, easily approachable and what he can do, he does. 
 
I want to thank Slyvia Robinson, Darrin Jackson, Angelique Christina, Marion Eldridge,Sandra Berry, Lorraine McGee &  HRI's team here at the 1501 Canal-Marais Senior Apts, Lisa, Cassidy& Ronald for a great deal support before /during /after yesterday's event.  The artists & guests did not get the opportunity to meet Ronald or Lisa as she had just had surgery and poor Ronald came in to hang and clean up but was sent home as he was too ill.
 
Ronald maintains the 1501 Canal Senior Apts property and our porter. By the time they called me, it dominoed everything.  That is how instrumental Ronald was climbing ladders, hanging quilts & some of the art etc.  I guess he didn't know it was in his job description!  But we changed lanes quickly, ad- libbing as we went along.
 
I'm a firm believer that there is always a way out of no way!
 
Darrin was the very tall good looking guy who again maintained security, kept water up and did a lot of behind the scene work the day of the reception.  Slyvia, Sandra, & Lorraine McGee were our docents.  In addition, Slyvia acted as my legs & arms when I couldn't do certain things and along with her son acted as couriers when I finally realize I could not anatomically split myself in 7 pieces even though I swore I could. But at the end I have to problem asking for assistance when needed and the artists stepped up, greatly.  One in particular, Sheila Pipps.
 
Lastly to our wonderful soloist, Gwendolyn Smith who performed so beautifully gracing us with that voice!  Prayerfully we will have her return for the closing celebration on January 10th,2015.  Hopefully all our artists, all 29 of them, will be present as well as allies, our Canal Street commercial neighbors, the !501 Canal Street Senior tenants and the buying public. 
 
Hopefully there will be no rain.
 
 
 
 
The first gathering in the beginning.
 
 
 
 
Michele Blakely, artist with "I Cry for My City" with artists, Suasan Blakely (r)
 
 
 
Michele Lambert (center) & Sandra Blakely (r), artists
 
 
 
 
 
 
Michelle Lambert (l) & Ann Cooper (r)artists
 

SusanSilk Rivers,  Ann Cooper, & Sheila Pipps artists
 


Charlie Johnson, President of the La. Chapter of the National Conference of Artists, Professor at Xavier University & artist with Jacquelyn Hughes Mooney,curator

 
Beesiygne Ogden & Jacquelyn Hughes Mooney
 

 
 
My able assistance, Slyvia Robinson who has been my arms & legs the last 3 weeks.
 
 
Corrie Boudreaux, photographer & friend
 
 
 
Sandra Berry, Art Consultant
 
 
 
 
 
Dollinda Valcius (l) and Alfrid Tumblin (r), artist
 
 
 
Doug B. Allen, muralist
 
Beesigye Ogden, designer artist
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gwendolyn Smith, vocalist (L) & Marian Eldridge, Docent (r)
 
Thank you Rouse Market, Big Lots, Walmart, Office Depot!
 
 
guests at opening.
 
 
 
GeauxTeam! (l to r):  Slyvia Robinson Assistant, Sheila Pipps,media & artist, Jacquelyn Hughes Mooney,Curator Lorraine McGee docent
 
 
 
 
 
 
"Apache"~ Jacquelyn Hughes Mooney, artist
Red Beans & Rice series ©14   8"x8" Machine quilted and applique, retrieved items and photographs framed to 8"x8"
 
 
 
 
 
Closeup of Apache~ Jacquelyn Hughes Mooney ©14