Saturday, September 26, 2015

This Equinox Weekend, Sept 18, 2015







Join us for Free Museum Day!!
Saturday September 26, 2015
10-2pm.

Learn more about the museum, take the curated tour; through our facility, current exhibit, and beautiful Legacy Gardens. We will have Live music, poetry, refreshments, and so much more for your entertainment pleasure. Won't you come by and see us... You'll be glad you did!

For more information please call our office or visit our website at 727.323.1104, woodsonmuseum.org

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The bay area Art Car movement returns to St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 26 when Carmada rolls back into the Plaza at the Duke Energy Center for the Arts, between the Dali Museum and Mahaffey Theater, for a very special Arts Alive Day.

Bigger and better than ever in its second year, Carmada 2015 features a dozen custom art cars on display, live vehicle painting, free family craft projects from the NOMADstudio Art Bus, DJ Blenda, food trucks, a special edition of the St. Pete Indie Market, and more!

Join us afterward for the official After-Party at The Amsterdam to celebrate with live music from Luxury Mane, Funny Bunny, Smoke Stack Lightening, and Broken Things. They will tap a special Carmada beer and donate 20 percent of proceeds to our project! All that, plus we'll raffle off a giant gift basket of local goodies. Don't miss out!

Carmada creates opportunities for local artists, brings mobile arts programming to Pinellas County, and spreads awareness of the State of the Arts license plate. Funds raised through sales of this plate, available at Pinellas County Tax Collectors Offices, go directly to support the activities of local arts agencies throughout Florida—including Creative Pinellas and the Arts Council of Hillsborough County.

Don’t miss your chance to experience eye-popping street art in a beautiful waterfront setting. Join us for this exciting free event, and be there when the rubber hits the road in St. Petersburg!

Carmada is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.

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The Central Avenue Solstice takes place in St. Petersburg all day Saturday, Sept. 26 -- from sunrise to sunset, culminating with Movies in the Park on the west end of Central in Sunset Park. The Solstice event is one of the big, culminating events of SPF15 (St. Pete Fest).

We'll be sharing solstice sunshine from 11am - 6 pm with CHEERS FOR BEER, a sale of handmade ceramic mugs and tumblers by nationally-recognized artists. Most of our collection is made by local, uber-talented potters. It just makes sense to promote owning a finely-crafted, artist-designed stein, mug, cup or tumbler to personalize your craft beer experiences!

Complimentary brew with every mug purchase! Shop local, and come see the selection and the collection. Prost!

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ARTicles is excited to announce the expansion of our current exhibition space to include the Leslie Curran Gallery. On September 26th, we will celebrate the Grand Opening with a group exhibition to kick off this new venture in conjunction with the Central Avenue Solstice event. The exhibition highlights over 30 artists, many we've showcased over the last 10 years and several who will be featured during our upcoming exhibition schedule.

Leslie Curran Gallery will be the only venue in St Petersburg dedicated to showcasing emerging and mid-career artists with monthly solo and small group exhibitions. Located at 1431 Central Avenue in St Petersburg, this unique space is just a few steps away from ARTicles, our flagship location.

The Grand Opening will be held on the evening of Sept 26th from 7-10 pm. Come see the new showroom, meet the participating artists, enjoy live music by the Ben Winkler Trio, and help us launch this exciting new chapter.

Participating Artists:

Carol Bardes
Elizabeth Barenis
Emily Barnes
Nathan Beard
Jack Bond
Carrie Boucher
Rocky Bridges
Michael Conway
Jules Cozine
Michael Crabb
Carol Dameron
Robin Dana
David Erdman
Jeannine Hascall
Carrie Jadus
Margaret Juul
Steven Kenny
Ya La'Ford
Nin McQuillen
Chad Mize
Cathy Morgan
Leslie Neumann
Linda Newcomb
James Oleson
Eric Rabbers
Lance Rodgers
Xina Scuderi
Robert Simone
Herb Snitzer
John Taormina


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 In Tampa, at QUAID on Florida Ave, Just N, of Nicko;s

In The Future, You Are Here features new video-based and sculptural works by Gigi Lage. By frequenting airports after dark, Lage observes the identity of space and travel: the human experience of formal, structural qualities and the periods of discomfort and waiting involved. As a curated whole, the exhibition explores the liminal recesses of technology through the construction of abstracted and corrupted analog media.

Gigi Lage is a visual artist from Miami, whose practice often involves sculpture, performance, video and multimedia installations. She currently lives and works in Tampa, Fl, where she received a BA in Fine Art from the University of South Florida in 2013. Lage has exhibited extensively throughout Florida including: Tempus Projects, Tampa, FL; The Ringling Museum, Sarasota, FL; The Contemporary Art Museum, Tampa, FL; Morean Art Center, St. Pete, FL; and Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, Tampa, FL. Her work has also been exhibited nationally and internationally, most recently at the Roman Susan Gallery, Chicago, IL for their Streetlight video series. She is currently a member of [UNDISCLOSED]collective.

Located at 4636 N. Florida Ave in South Seminole Heights, QUAID is an artist-run project space in partnership with TEMPUS PROJECTS. The artists who run QUAID are members of the Tampa Drawers Sketch Gang. Since March of 2013 this group of eight Tampa artists has met weekly to collaborate and draw. The Tampa Drawers Sketch Gang has been organizing exhibitions at QUAID since January 2014, including solo exhibitions of its members and various other group shows and events.

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Saturday, September 12, 2015

This No Escape Weekend, Sept. 12-13


The SHINE mural festival draws to a close, the SPF 15 begins.

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There's still time to see the fabulous SPILLING show at the gallery, featuring 7 new, large canvases by Judy Palaferro. Inspired by the light, colors and surrounds of Florida, Judy's large acrylic on canvas paintings exude magnificent, energetic riots of color. Visitors can also see a preview of Cheers for Beer, featuring handmade beer mugs & steins by uber-talented, local ceramists (we're preparing for the soft opening of Hofbrauhaus around the corner from us!). Saturday will also mark the finale of the SHINE St. Pete Mural Festival and the beginning of SPF15, the new St. Petersburg Festival. Downtown will be abuzz with activity -- join us!

Michele Tuegel Gallery, 320 Central, 5-9 PM.

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Crossing the Bridge," a collaboration of works by the artists of Pyramid, Inc., in Tampa and Creative Clay, in St. Petersburg, will celebrate similar visions and missions of two non-profits on each side of the bay. The idea was born out of a desire to share our networks of supporters and introduce patrons to the talents and art of students from both of these organizations.

"Crossing the Bridge" will have openings on both sides of the bay:

* Pyramid, Inc., Friday, Aug. 7, 7-10 p.m. during First Friday Seminole Heights; 1508 W. Sligh Ave. Tampa, FL 33604

* Creative Clay, Saturday, September 12, 5-9 p.m. during Second Saturday Artwalk

“Crossing the Bridge” features six artists from each organization who have created 12 different paintings. Six art pieces were started at Pyramid and six were started at Creative Clay and were exchanged literally “across the bridge” and completed by artists from the other program. The result of the project is 12 collaborative pieces of art. Original artwork and prints will be available for purchase. All sales of art support the students as well as the programs at both centers.

For more information about these organizations, please visit www.pyramidinc.org and www.creativeclay.org.











1114 Central Ave. St Pete, 5PM
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Browse, watch and purchase “Where Art is Made”!


Trolley starts here at 5pm
Craftsman House Gallery – 2955 Central Avenue - Unique, handmade art furniture on sale. The gallery features handmade clay, blown glass, jewelry, wood, furniture - all housed in an historic 1918 Arts & Crafts bungalow. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Craftsman-House-Gallery/158706022997

Charlie Parker Pottery – 2724 6th Avenue S. – Summer Of Fun. Fun demos and unique pottery for the home or garden, as well as great gift ideas. https://www.facebook.com/events/1592710867657779/

Zen Glass Studio – 600 27th Street South - Enjoy live glassblowing, auctions, demonstrations and a gallery show of our newest creations. Featuring the works of Zen Glass artists Joshua Poll, Dave Walker, and Christian Zvonik. https://www.facebook.com/ZenGlassStudio

Funktionhouse Urban Lumber & Furnishings – 562 25th St. S - Funktionhouse rescues local trees (normally headed for a chipper or the landfill), mill the trees on site, then create one-of-a-kind furnishings, lighting, and art pieces. See the latest wood slabs fresh off the mill, peruse new gallery items, or be inspired to create a custom furnishing of your own. https://www.facebook.com/Funktionhouse

Duncan McClellan Gallery – 2342 Emerson Avenue South – "Minnesota Makers" featuring Thomas Maras and Todd Cameron, two young & accomplished glass artists coming to the Sunshine State from Minnesota. Maras and Cameron will begin their hot glass blowing demonstrations at 6:15pm. Maras’s work and is often described as a lava lamp landscape, created by layering color and a stippling technique. The pieces have vivid color with significant movement. Cameron blows glass and incorporates steel, iron, copper and bronze to create his unique mixed media pieces. http://dmglass.com/events/join-the-duncan-mcclellan-gallery-for-the-opening-of-the-glass-exhibition-minnesota-makers/

Clay Center of St. Petersburg - 420 23rd Street South – Watch demonstration of throwing 100 lbs of clay on wheel. Meet our artists. https://www.facebook.com/ClayCenterofStPetersburg

Dazzio Art Experience Gallery & School of Art - 535 22nd Street South - The opening of The Dazzio Museum of Holocaust Art. This exhibit will be a series of 25 paintings by Judith Dazzio. The paintings will make its permanent home at Dazzio Art, when not traveling on its worldwide tour. A must see for those interested in art & history. https://www.facebook.com/dazzio.art.experience?fref=ts

Soft Water Studios - 515 22nd Street South - A 4000 sq ft warehouse space has been beautifully transformed into a fine art gallery and working studio space. Featuring a rotating fine art gallery of paintings, photography, pottery and sculpture by our diverse and talented resident artists. https://www.facebook.com/sws.art.art

Mga Sculpture Studio – 515 22nd Street South - A commission driven sculpture facility that specializes in the design, fabrication and installation of sculptural objects in a variety of mediums from cartable materials to metal fabrication. Currently working on several large scale commissions for local private entities and across the country. https://www.facebook.com/MgaSculpture

Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum – 2240 9th Avenue S. - “My Soul Looks Back: The Decades of Day Work Photographic Exhibit" showcases archival photos from the people who shared their stories about Black maids from the 1930's through the 1990's and the White families that employed them. Also included are contemporary portraits of each of the storytellers by award-winning photographer, Boyzell Hosey. This exhibit is a tribute to the sacrifices of women who worked hard caring for other people's families just to feed their own and in the process, helped to raise a nation. The evening will conclude with a Candlelight Vigil in the museum's Legacy Gardens - commemorating the lives of those who were at the forefront of the Civil Right's movement with stirring Gospel tunes from the era. https://www.facebook.com/WoodsonMuseum/timeline

Gallerie 909 – 909 22nd Street South – Splash of Sarasota: featuring six Sarasota-based artists. Tod Berrien, Arthur Dillard, Major Gladden, Barbara Mask, Jean McMurren, and Eleanor Merritt. Artist talk at 7pm. https://www.facebook.com/events/1471142506531089/

Morean Center for Clay – 420 22nd Street South - Artists in Residents Show. New, exciting work from four new resident artists. https://www.facebook.com/CenterForClay

Richard Clark and Jim Corp - Five Deuces Galleria Building - 420 23rd Street South - Paper and paint, prints and canvas. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=739036012796403

Woodfield Fine Art Studio - 5 Deuces Galleria Building, #3 @ 222 22nd St. S. - Several new pieces completed, and new portrait commissions in the works. https://www.facebook.com/woodfieldfineartstudio?fref=ts

Nancy Smrekar Art Studio - 2135 3rd Avenue South, Unit #5, Five Deuces Galleria Garden Building. Featuring acrylic/oil paintings in impressionism, realism, and abstract styles by emerging artist Nancy Smrekar. https://www.facebook.com/nancysmrekar.artist

St. Petersburg Opera Company - 2145 1st Ave South - Craig Petersburg has been a visual artist, designer and art educator for decades. He has exhibited and is collected in Europe and the United States. This exhibition of paintings and objet d'art will reflect the diversity of his visual vocabulary including: acrylic paintings, furniture and found objects. https://www.facebook.com/StPeteOpera

Trolley Starts Here at 5pm
Creative Clay – 1114 Central Avenue - 20th Anniversary with good art, good folk. New exhibit, Crossing the Bridge features collaborative paintings by the artists of Pyramid, Inc., in Tampa and Creative Clay. The exhibit celebrates diverse artistic voices transformed into shared narratives through the collaborative process. https://www.facebook.com/events/825308404244032/

Michele Tuegel Contemporary – 320 Central Avenue - Spilling Stories. To coincide with the exhibit “Spilling”, abstract expressionist paintings of local artist Judy Palaferro. Visitors have an opportunity to win a $100 gallery gift certificate by sharing their life’s most outrageous “spilling” moment. The best spill will win … whether a good spill, a bad spill, a funny or sad spill. https://www.facebook.com/MicheleTuegelContemporary/timeline

SHAPIRO'S Gallery – 300 Beach Drive NE. - Celebrating their 17th Birthday. Stop by and join in the celebration. Showcasing the finest in American made blown glass, jewelry, pottery, wooden boxes and sculpture. https://www.facebook.com/shapirogallery

Lynn Merhige Gallery – 216 Fourth St North - Featured artist will be painter Janet Aponte, whose specialty is brightly colored minimalist paintings. Also beautiful carved and sgraffito pottery by Robin MacKay and functional pottery by Chris Gallup. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lynn-Merhige-Gallery/146904772019134?pnref=story

Art on First – 550 First Avenue North – Cool Collections II ArtWalk. An Ode to All Things Wet: https://www.facebook.com/events/1692574464292621/

Florida CraftArt – 501 Central Avenue – “Uncommon Couture” Exhibition - fashion with a recycled twist and a trunk show featuring Spathose (https://www.facebook.com/events/545586028922597/), two artists creating fashion forward, industrial designs using sustainable, organic material. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Florida-CraftArt/352815711033?sk=timeline

The Art Lofts of St. Petersburg, FL – 10 Fifth Street North (upstairs) - A cool new exhibit showing new work by the 15 artists in Artlofts. Visit with all the artists in their working studios where you can see paintings, jewelry, sculpture and photography. https://www.facebook.com/artlofts

Graphi-ko Gallery/ Jewelry – 669 Central Avenue - Last night for Wild Out of the Box, an animal-themed show on canvas and cigar boxes to benefit local no kill animal shelter, Friend of Strays. Support local artists and a great local organization. https://www.facebook.com/events/836081123153955/

The Local COOP - 645 Central Avenue - Inside the Crislip Arcade. Featuring Gabby Haight of Gabby Haight Art. Gabbie will be applying beautiful, intricate henna tattoos, free with a purchase. https://www.facebook.com/TLCStPete?fref=ts

St. Pete Art Works - 635 Central Ave - "Abstract Ideas and Concrete Expressions: oil paintings and mixed media by Sam Harrison. Live entertainment by singer-songwriter Jacob Ferraro-Martin https://www.facebook.com/St.PeteArtWorks?fref=ts

Strands of Sunshine – 8 Sixth Street N – Featuring illustrator Alli Arnold for “A Fine Line”. Arnold's deceptively simple drawings engage and delight children and her cleverness and wit charm adults. Signed prints, cards, scarves, and other items will be available for purchase. https://www.facebook.com/events/1693335824222025/

Morean Arts Center – 719 Central Avenue – “Leave a Message 2”. The latest installment of art of the street. Graffiti art has a long and rich history in the United States, and the Bay Area is home to many artists who make their talents known in our streets. This exhibition highlights the works of some of them, complete with an entire graffiti wall. https://www.facebook.com/events/1630328803922222/

ARTicles Art Gallery & Custom Framing - 1445 Central Avenue – Surface Tension: New work by Nathan Beard and Nin McQuillen. Nathan Beard's new series of pastels on paper, Pond's Edge, depicts the commingling of water and plant life by contrasting celebratory gestures with a soothing color palette. Nin McQuillen's intimately scaled sculptures are a synthesis of line, shape and surface that evoke the harmony of standing stones and totems. With these bodies of work, both artists explore new media in pursuit of beauty. https://www.facebook.com/ArTiclesIncCustomFramingArtGallery/timeline

Art Central Studios - 2109 Central Avenue, 2nd Floor - A group of seven established visual artists - Bill Drugan, Kevin Nodland, Carol Dameron, Mary Grieco, Frank Lewis, Herb Snitzer, and Zala Highsmith. Look for the huge mural recently painted on our building's east wall. https://www.facebook.com/artcentralstudios?fref=ts

Grand Central Stained Glass & Graphics – 2401 Central Avenue - https://www.facebook.com/grandcentralstainedglass/timeline

Creative Soul Studio : Coffee, Wine, Art – 2425 Central Avenue - https://www.facebook.com/CreativeSoulStudio?fref=ts

Our partner associations also have great listings for art events!!
• Keep Saint Petersburg Local
• Grand Central District Association
• Historic Kenwood Neighborhood Association

Choose 4 or 5 to visit this Saturday then come back the next Second Saturday to visit more!

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September's Second Saturday Art Walk at Florida CraftArt will feature a Trunk Show by one of our favorite artists Spathose!!! Please come out to see their awesome work and show support! They will have exclusive pieces for the event, so be sure not to miss out!

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Leave A Message – A group art exhibition showcasing urban contemporary art returns to St Petersburg, Florida. The exhibition will be held at the Morean Arts Center in Downtown St. Petersburg, with an opening reception on Saturday, September 12th, 2015 | 6pm. Curated by Tes One.

Urban art has a long and rich history, with many artists who look past permission and conventional art techniques in order to make their talents known. In conjunction with the SHINE Mural Festival, ‘Leave A Message’ presents a selection of those artists whose work blurs the line between the street and the gallery, and whose practice has evolved the genres of graffiti art, illustration and graphic design; making their message impossible to ignore.

Featuring new works by:
Acut / Bask / Nathan Beard / Derek Gores / Hoxxoh / Phil Holt / Ya Laford / Francesco LoCastro / Morning Breath / Eric Orr / Palehorse / Pep Rally / Stoic / Andrew Spear / Jeff Srsic / Tes One / Michael Vasquez / Ricky Watts

Music by DJ Blenda
 
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Experience the transformative effects of Bloom Art Center’s vibrant murals during Street Lights on Saturday, September 12, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. 910 5th St N  $5 admission.

This free group showcase, a featured event of the SHINE St. Petersburg Mural Festival, includes the unveiling of new mural art inside and out of the 20,000-square-foot warehouse at 910 5th Avenue North, where Bloom is located.

The building is blanketed with large-scale painted works by more than 30 artists, and has grown into an artistic landmark for all to enjoy. New murals revealed during Street Lights will include a neo-surrealist corner piece by James Oleson, paid for by a grant from the City of St. Petersburg, and several other large-scale works by some of St. Petersburg’s most celebrated muralists.

Guests can also enjoy a food truck and a temporary wall for free public painting. After 10 p.m., celebrate into the night with live music at Bloom’s Official After-Party for just $ 5 admission.



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Join us for the inaugural solo art show "This mailbox is full" from 17 year old Justin Wahger! He's an up and coming young artist and his art is simply bad ass. Let's blow this show up and show him what St. Pete is all about.

We'll also have music from....
Black Coast Royals
Geri X
oxford noland

This evening will also host the after party for the SHINE St. Petersburg Mural Festivall! Wear your SHINE t-shirts and received $1.00 off EVERY drink you order after 7pm!


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Photoshow at Bar 548 (Central Ave SP)

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Saturday, September 5, 2015

This SHINE Weekend, Sept 5, 2015

Last night there was a hint of Fall in the air...there is hope!



FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 4 6-9PM:
FROM THERE TO HERE FROM HERE TO THERE: GRAPHIC QUIRKS BY SUE WOODALL-METAS.

PORTSPACE INTRODUCES A COLLECTION OF PLAYFUL GRAPHIC WORKS EXPLORING ELEMENTS AND THEMES OF POP CULTURE BY ARTIST AND DESIGNER SUE WOODALL-METAS.

*ADDITIONAL INFORMATION*

EXHIBITION RUNS SEPTEMBER 4 - OCTOBER 14
SEPTEMBER 4, 5, 19 6-9PM (WE WILL BE OPEN DURING GECKO FEST!)
OCTOBER 2 6-9PM
PLEASE CONTACT INFO@PORTSPACEGALLERY.COM TO SCHEDULE A VISIT OUTSIDE THE LISTED OPEN DATES.

PORTSPACE GALLERY
3007 BEACH BLVD S
GULFPORT FL 33707
PORTSPACEGALLERY.COM



FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 4 6-9PM:
FROM THERE TO HERE FROM HERE TO THERE: GRAPHIC QUIRKS BY SUE WOODALL-METAS.

PORTSPACE INTRODUCES A COLLECTION OF PLAYFUL GRAPHIC WORKS EXPLORING ELEMENTS AND THEMES OF POP CULTURE BY ARTIST AND DESIGNER SUE WOODALL-METAS.

*ADDITIONAL INFORMATION*

EXHIBITION RUNS SEPTEMBER 4 - OCTOBER 14
SEPTEMBER 4, 5, 19 6-9PM (WE WILL BE OPEN DURING GECKO FEST!)
OCTOBER 2 6-9PM
PLEASE CONTACT INFO@PORTSPACEGALLERY.COM TO SCHEDULE A VISIT OUTSIDE THE LISTED OPEN DATES.

PORTSPACE GALLERY
3007 BEACH BLVD S
GULFPORT FL 33707
PORTSPACEGALLERY.COM




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It has been quite a while since I participated in any art shows, and this is the first start back into what I hope will be many more. The list of artists involved is impressive, if not coming to see my work, the show is a do not miss. Drop by next Saturday and see some incredible work by local artists! My photos are a look back in time to a banjo player in Aucilla, Florida, my musician friends should much enjoy these photos. See you there!

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Join us Saturday, September 5th (in partnership with Pep Rally Inc. for a celebration of the art of the mural and a special reveal of a work on Baum Ave. We'll have DJ Mega providing the music and Jimmy's Sliders on-site with food.

In addition, we'll be revealing a new work in progress by Bask!

See you there.

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LILITH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sdoxd_kqZc0

Infinite Third
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=53&v=9EWI9alk0bo

DEA & SAINT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfM-OD56N4c

ROGERTHOMAS
facebook.com/rogerthomasmusic
https://soundcloud.com/rogerthomasmusic



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Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Five Decades of Photography at the Saint Petersburg MFA,

The Museum of Fine Arts in Saint Petersburg, Florida has been acquiring photographs for 50 years. Recently, they were the recipients of the Dandrew-Drapkin recently, and this show is centered around that gift, but all 300 images shown are from the MFA's permanent collection.

The front gallery functions as a highlights section with very famous works. This review focuses on one wall of that first room.



Upon entering the room, the first print is Winston O. Link's "Hotshot Eastbound, Iager, West Virginia. It is a picture of a drive-in, with a couple snuggling in a convertible in the foreground, other cars, the screen on which a military jet airplane is shown, and in the background the train going by. Anyone who has tried night-time photography immediately realizes this is expertly lit.

Link did it with flash bulbs, strung like Christmas tree lights, hundreds of them. He had one chance to get this shot right. It took days to get the bulbs in place. He covered his back by setting up several cameras on tripods, with the help of his assistant, to make certain he got the shot.

The photographer worked for the railroad, and in this image, we see literally a plane, automobiles and a train. The three major modes of human transportation integrated into one image. The trains were falling in popularity at the time and this photograph showed that they were contemporary and viable means of transport coexisting at the time.




 "The Steerage", by Alfred Stieglitz, is one of the best-known photographs in the medium's history. It was taken on an ocean liner on its way to Europe in 1907. He was at the height of his powers, 43 years old. The people at the lower level had attempted to emigrate to the US, and been rejected, forced to turn back home. At the height of his powers, Stieglitz empathized with the people below, but it was from the distance of the well-to-do. He remarked that this image represented the break with Pictorialism. He had no means to develop it aboard. Upon landing, anxious and eager, he sought out a photography studio, introduced himself, and asked if he could use the darkroom. He had brought his own developer! The result is what is referred to as the first Modernist photograph.
Nearly four decades later, when the money was gone, he was living in a room with few visitors, and he had sold remaining issues of Camera Work to a ragpicker,  Stieglitz visited an antique shop, and there hung a beautifully framed gravure print of "The Steerage". he no longer had any of his own. He asked the dealer how much, and he calculated that he would have to go hungry for eight days to buy it. He didn't.

Lewis Hine had a humanitarian mission. He was showing the miserable lives of American children working adult factory jobs. He took many of girls spinning cotton in the 30's. This one (which I was unable to find on the web) is a close-up of the arms and torso of one of these workers threading a machine. She is anonymous, there's no location given, but the thread is like the narrative of history. The future being spun. Hine would go on to document the building of the Empire State. He was instrumental in getting Child Labor Laws. He worked without permission, just looking around, and illegally trespassing into factories and photographing fast. He has a thread connecting him to this area.




That is one image of cigar roller boys taken in Tampa. He was here.






"Scott's Run, West Virginia. Coal Miner's house" 1936, by Walker Evans. A pivotal photographer best-known for the work he did for the WPA during the Depression. Roy Striker needed to sell the idea of the WPA and he needed photographs to convince a skeptical nation that farm aid was essential. He was very astute hiring many of  the best and brightest American documentarians of the day. Walker Evans, who thanks to Berenice Abbott had seen Atget's prints and was holding that fire (one that continues to this very day), was ready. He and writer James Agee would get lists of things to photograph, and a coal miner's house was on that list. It looks so poor, so humble, clean and orderly, but in reality, it wasn't.
Evans swept it out, rearranged the furniture and more, making it look as dignified as he possibly could. The people that lived there desperately needed the aid, and he did his very best to make sure they got it, while making a magnificent photograph through his aesthetic.


  

 Paul Strand, "The Lusetti Family", Luzzara, Italy, 1953. Strand was an accomplished photographer at the core of American Modernism. Close to Stieglitz. His wife, Rebecca, had an affair with Georgia O'Keefe in the American West by the time he took this photograph. The planes in this picture, the way people are locked into the geometry in the background, are all classic Modernist tropes. Strand was in Italy as an exile from the USA. Two years before this picture was taken, an outstanding photographic organization/collective in New York City was viciously destroyed by the House of Unamerican Activities. The photographer members, Margaret Bourke-White, Strand, Gene Smith, Helen Levitt, Arthur Rothstein, The Newhalls, Avedon, Weegee, Robert Frank, Ansel Adams, Edwar Weston, Minor White and many of the best and brightest in the medium at the time, were humiliated, persecuted by the FBI, and it disbanded. Corporations grabbed some of the photographers for magazine work. Strand left. This is one of the photographs he made during his exile.


All these photographs are on one wall in the front room of this fantastic exhibit. Photographs are coded with culture/time/space/ and more stamps. At the time(s) of these images, the medium was white-hot. These are not isolated moments, but a loop in a vast quilt of human history.

See this show at the Museum of Fine Arts, Saint Peterburg, Florida.
255 Beach Drive

This show closes on October 4th, 2015. 

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