From audio to visual: MCG JAZZ presents THE JAZZ SERIES exhibit

 

podcast logo

September 24, 2014 (PITTSBURGH)… MCG Jazz announces The Jazz Series, a visual art exhibit by acclaimed artist Elena Hiatt Houlihan. Houlihan has a long relationship with Bill Strickland, President and CEO of Manchester Bidwell Corporation, and has previously presented this series of work at the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild in 1988 as well as a different collection at the MCG Downtown Gallery in 1990. The pieces in The Jazz Series have a personal Pittsburgh connection also; one in particular entitled “Lighting Drummer” was inspired by a performance of Pittsburgh jazz legend Roger Humphries.

From the artist’s statement: “The Jazz Series was inspired by a passage in Margaret Mead’s autobiography, Blackberry Winter.  She described studying a tribal people who possessed synesthesia: an amazing transference of the senses in which hearing a sound causes one to see color.  Are we so civilized that we have lost that ability, I wondered?  Or do only certain people have it?  Are we born with it and then lose it as we mature?”

Houlihan continues, “I decided to perform an artistic experiment.  Could I develop the ability to see colors when I heard sounds? When I went out to listen to jazz, I would close my eyes and absorb the music in a near meditative state.  A quick sketch on a napkin in a jazz cafe in San Francisco became a brilliant red painting, “Rhythm Sweet and Hot.”  The plaintive notes of a haunting sax solo in “Good Night, Sweetheart” inspired “Night Wailin’.”  Each large painting began as a thumbnail sketch, and each remains remarkably true to the concept of the miniature.”

Houlihan’s medium includes acrylic paint on canvas or enamel on steel with collaged elements of handmade Japanese paper. Panels are suspended from angled bars hung from the ceiling to create what she calls “mixed-media paintings.” A Japanese sensibility underlies the composition, providing layers of meaning.

All nine large scale pieces in the collection are for sale and 30% of each sale supports MCG Jazz’ programs.  The collection is available to view now through December 15, 2014, Monday through Friday from 9 am until 5 pm plus evenings and weekends of scheduled MCG Jazz concerts. For additional info or to view or purchase the work in the MCG Jazz online store, please visit www.mcgjazz.org.

 

A Visit to Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild

Martini-fueled curiosity gets the better of ‘Burgh Vivant host Brian Edward as he wanders into the hallowed halls of Manchester Craftsman’s Guild on an impromptu visit. and after a whirlwind tour of over-sized orchids, state of the art studios, and a music hall that’s hosted some of the most legendary performers in Jazz, he may never leave! AND: what does a giant banana have to do with it all?? Find out on tonight’s episode! Continue reading “A Visit to Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild”

LAVISH IN LAWRENCEVILLE: Eye Kandy fashion show dazzles at Revision Space

Brian Edward Leachpodcast logo

by Brian Edward, ‘Burgh Vivant.

On the evening of Saturday, July 26th, Revision Space gallery in Lawrenceville hosted and elegant fashion show featuring the wares of Eye Kandy Boutique Clothing and Accessories with hairstyles by Velvet Salon and Boutique.  Eye Kandy owner Kandy Barkley designed the evening’s fashion ensembles to to compliment Revision Space’s exhibiting artists.

The gallery walls were adorned with works from the current exhibition GREAT WAVES, featuring works by artists Masha Fikhman, Zack Lee, and Travis Schwab. GREAT WAVES is a rotating exhibition curated by Revision Space Director Cindy Lisica.  Audiences will see different iterations of the exhibition on various visits and events at the gallery through September 7th. The art works are available “off the wall” and the show will be actively re-imagined throughout the summer.

 

Adding to the delightful decadence were a variety of cake pops and cupcakes prepared expertly by 2 Local Girls, and locally brewed beers courtesy of Roundabout Brewery.

It is the mission of Revision Space to offer an energetic program of curated solo and small group exhibitions and to maintain a diverse roster of both emerging and established artists. The gallery is interested in providing a quality space for artists to expose their work and for their work to be appreciated in Pittsburgh. Their new storefront gallery is situated in the growing and creative neighborhood of Lawrenceville and exhibits local, national and international contemporary artists.

IMG_1648

IMG_1651

IMG_1655
THE PERFORMER, by Travis K. Schwab.

 

IMG_1657
I COULD SEE FOR JUST ONE MOMENT, by Masha Fikhman.

 

IMG_1660
Decadent delectables by 2 LOCAL GIRLS.

 

IMG_1661
Roundabout Brewery brought the party with three original and local brews.

 

IMG_1663
Eye Kandy owner Kandy Barkley with daughter, Zaydra.

 

IMG_1667
Kandy Barkley and Revision Space Curator, Cindy Lisica

 

IMG_1676

IMG_1694

IMG_1673

IMG_1688

IMG_1697

 

-BE.

 

 

 

New Hazlett Theater CSA series previews at Gallery Crawl

Microsoft Word – GalleryCrawlCSA PressRelease.docx

podcast logo

Pittsburgh, PAThe New Hazlett Theater CSA artists give you a taste of their upcoming work at the Gallery Crawl on Friday, July 11. Doors open at 5:30 with performances by

  • Jennifer Myers – “A Song for Pittsburgh”
  • Roberta Guido – original dance performance
  • Ella Mason – a selection from her CSA performance, “Contained”
  • Jil Stifel and Ben Sota – a contemporary fusion of circus and dance

    The performances start at 6:00 and continue throughout the night. Audience members will have a chance to mingle with the artists, enjoy evening refreshments, and learn more about this groundbreaking performance series.  TICKETS: http://newhazletttheater.org/

  • About the CSA Performance Series

    A brand new crop of local artists takes the New Halzett stage in the 2014-2015 Community Supported Art Performance Series. Now in its second year, this performing arts harvest is particularly bountiful with seven new performance groups taking part in a unique take on the traditional CSA.

    “We based our series on the Community Supported Agriculture model,” says René Conrad, Executive Director of the New Hazlett Theater. “It’s a popular way for people to support local farmers and buy local, seasonal food. We turned that idea into a way for people to support local performance artists.”

    Here’s how it works: for $100 per share in the program, patrons become shareholders in the New Hazlett CSA. In addition to six fresh performances from seven performance groups (the last show of the season is a double feature), shareholders also gain access to exclusive events and opportunities to interact directly with the artists they’re sponsoring.

CSA Performances:

Federico Garcia-De Castro, August 14, 2014 at 8pm
Rethink everything you know about pianos. Federico Garcia-De Castro redefines preconceptions with

two outstanding compositions: Livre Pour Deux Pianos (Book for Two Pianos) and the world premiere of Renderings, an all-new work specially commissioned for the CSA.

Moriah Ella Mason, October 11, 2014 at 8pm

Moriah Ella Mason’s Contained walks the line between wild and domestic. Inspired by the strange assortment of creatures found in natural history museums, dancers evolve from insects to animals, from humans to monsters, myths, and beyond.

 

Jennifer Myers, December 12, 2014 at 8pm

Rivers, streets, sidewalks, and bridges…Performance artist Jennifer Myers takes six performances created for public spaces and translates them into an all-new work for the New Hazlett stage.

 

Jil Stifel and Ben Sota, February 12, 2015 at 8pm

When contemporary circus meets dance, anything is possible. Dropped into this sweeping landscape, performers ignite the world around them. Surprise and wonder merge together, forming an unbelievable kind of beauty.

 

Anya Martin, April 2, 2015 at 8pm

Anya Martin, along with the Hiawatha Project and a team of performing artists, disassembles the legendary hero of the American railroad, John Henry. JH: Mechanics of a Legend looks deep into our cultural past for the human behind the folklore.

 

CSA Double Feature
Teena Marie Custer and Roberta Gudio, June 11, 2015 at 8pm

Teena Marie Custer examines how we create personas across social networks with a solo hip-hop dance performance. Roberta Guido uses dance to explore the powerful effects of touch on human emotion.

The CSA Performance Series is supported in part by The Benter Foundation, Hillman Foundation, and The McKinney Charitable Foundation.

The New Hazlett Theater is a non-profit performing arts center with a mission to cultivate the arts and provide a venue for world-class cultural events. Founded in 2004 with the support of the local arts community, the New Hazlett Theater provides the Pittsburgh community with access to a variety of performance arts disciplines.

 

 

STEPHANIE ARMBRUSTER – Artist

Tonight’s guest is Pittsburgh artist Stephanie Armbruster, who introduces host Brian Edward to the wild wild world of encaustic painting – that’s painting with wax. And once you hear about the depth of craft that goes into the process, you may think twice about rushing to repurpose your Yankee Candle remains. Stephanie also discusses her adventures in street art, why Pittsburgh is great for emerging artists, and her favorite cocktails! Listen to “The Full Martini” – the complete unedited interview in audio podcast to hear more on Stephanie’s inspirations, exhibitions, and recent work. She can currently be seen in the exhibition /RESPONSE/ at James Gallery in Pittsburgh’s West End through July 12. Continue reading “STEPHANIE ARMBRUSTER – Artist”

Featured
Featured
STEPHANIE ARMBRUSTER - Artist
Loading
/

New Hazlett Theater announces 2014-15 CSA Performance Series

 

podcast logo

A new crop of local artists take the stage in the New Hazlett Theater 2014-2015 Community Supported Art Performance Series

Pittsburgh, PA— A brand new crop of local artists takes the New Halzett stage in the 2014-2015 Community Supported Art Performance Series. Now in its second year, this performing arts harvest is particularly bountiful with seven new performance groups taking part in a unique take on the traditional CSA.

“We based our series on the Community Supported Agriculture model,” says René Conrad, Executive Director of the New Hazlett Theater. “It’s a popular way for people to support local farmers and buy local, seasonal food. We turned that idea into a way for people to support local performance artists.”

Here’s how it works: for $100 per share in the program, patrons become shareholders in the New Hazlett CSA. In addition to six fresh performances from seven performance groups (the last show of the season is a double feature), shareholders also gain access to exclusive events and opportunities to interact directly with the artists they’re sponsoring.

“Traditional CSA shareholders don’t know exactly what produce they’ll receive,” Conrad says. “But they’re certain it will be fresh and high-quality. The same holds true for our series.”

After a lengthy selection process, the New Hazlett Theater CSA review panel has hand-picked seven (up from last year’s six) fresh local musicians, dancers, and performance artists. The 2014- 2015 season lineup includes:

Innovative Piano Music with Federico Garcia-De Castro
Untamed Myths with Moriah Ella Mason
Spatial Investigations with Jennifer Myers
Contemporary Circus/Dance with Jil Stifel and Ben Sota
Folkloric Performance with Anya Martin and the Hiawatha Project Dance Double Feature with Teena Marie Custer and Roberta Guido

CSA Performances

Federico Garcia-De Castro, August 14, 2014 at 8pm
Rethink everything you know about pianos. Federico Garcia-De Castro redefines preconceptions with

two outstanding compositions: Livre Pour Deux Pianos (Book for Two Pianos) and the world premiere of Renderings, an all-new work specially commissioned for the CSA.

Moriah Ella Mason, October 11, 2014 at 8pm

Moriah Ella Mason’s Contained walks the line between wild and domestic. Inspired by the strange assortment of creatures found in natural history museums, dancers evolve from insects to animals, from humans to monsters, myths, and beyond.

Jennifer Myers, December 12, 2014 at 8pm

Jil Stifel and Ben Sota, February 12, 2015 at 8pm

When contemporary circus meets dance, anything is possible. Dropped into this sweeping landscape, performers ignite the world around them. Surprise and wonder merge together, forming an unbelievable kind of beauty.

Anya Martin, April 2, 2015 at 8pm

Anya Martin, along with the Hiawatha Project and a team of performing artists, disassembles the legendary hero of the American railroad, John Henry. JH: Mechanics of a Legend looks deep into our cultural past for the human behind the folklore.

CSA Double Feature
Teena Marie Custer and Roberta Gudio, June 11, 2015 at 8pm

Microsoft Word – CSA 2014 PressRelease.docx

Teena Marie Custer examines how we create personas across social networks with a solo hip-hop dance performance. Roberta Guido uses dance to explore the powerful effects of touch on human emotion.

The CSA Performance Series is supported in part by The Benter Foundation, Hillman Foundation, and The McKinney Charitable Foundation.
The New Hazlett Theater is a non-profit performing arts center with a mission to cultivate the arts and provide a venue for world-class cultural events. Founded in 2004 with the support of the local arts community, the New Hazlett Theater provides the Pittsburgh community with access to a variety of performance arts disciplines.

 

KURT SHAW – President, Shaw Galleries

Tonight’s guest is Kurt Shaw, President of Shaw Galleries, downtown Pittsburgh, and Art Critic for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.  Kurt’s Liberty Avenue gallery is a treasure trove of history, etched in maps and antique documents.   Many valuable remnants of Pittsburgh’s past can be discovered here including, among other things, the deed to what is now, essentially, the South Side Works – and you’ll never believe what it sold for!  Get “The Full Martini” – the complete interview in audio podcast to learn what exactly makes that painting in your attic worth something, how an artist can create a market for their work, and Pittsburgh’s unique connection to maps of…the moon? Continue reading “KURT SHAW – President, Shaw Galleries”

Featured
Featured
KURT SHAW - President, Shaw Galleries
Loading
/

Review – OBSCURE/REVEAL, James Gallery

On Nov. 15th several of the ‘Burgh Vivants attended the opening of OBSCURE/REVEAL at James Gallery in the West End.  The exhibit features contemporary works incorporating encaustic, the demanding and complex process of painting with hot wax, uniquely interpreted by 10 artists: Christine Aaron, Tracey Adams, Stephanie Armbruster, Karen Freedman, Amber George, Lorraine Glessner, Jane Guthridge, Catherine Nash, James Nesbitt and Paula Roland.  Host Brian Edward and ‘Burgh vivant Andy Coleman recount the evening through photos from the event, and encourage you to visit OBSCURE/REVEAL at James Gallery, now through January 4th, 2014. Continue reading “Review – OBSCURE/REVEAL, James Gallery”

Featured
Featured
Review - OBSCURE/REVEAL, James Gallery
Loading
/

JOE WOS – Executive Director & Founder, ToonSeum

We all want to be Snoopy, but most of us are just scraping by as Charlie Brown. This week on ‘Burgh Vivant, Executive director and founder of Pittsburgh’s ToonSuem Joe Wos describes how cartoons reflect all of us – the good, the bad, and the funny. Find out why our fair city is the birthplace of pop culture, and just why cartoons are so culturally important. Also: does Pittsburgh lack conviction – and is it a good thing? Dueling beards in this one! (Spoiler alert: Joe’s wins.) Get more “Wisdom of Wos” in “The Full Martini” – the complete, unedited interview in audio podcast to hear the Cartoon King’s take on Pittsburgh’s recent yarn-bombing, the liberties of Liberty Avenue, and the allure of Bugs Bunny – in and out of drag. You may never look at a cartoon the same way again! Continue reading “JOE WOS – Executive Director & Founder, ToonSeum”

Featured
Featured
JOE WOS - Executive Director & Founder, ToonSeum
Loading
/

Philip Salvato – Artist/Owner, 3rd Street Gallery

Pondering the meaning of life, or longing to discover the greatest art form on the planet? 3rd Street Gallery may hold the answers to these mysteries – and more! Pittsburgh artist Phil Savato shares his philosophy on the inspirational beauty of the ‘Burgh and working in the nude. Don’t miss “The Full Martini” – the complete interview unedited in podcast, to gain more insight on the nexus of creative energy that is 3rd Street Gallery, and to hear Phil’s thoughts on a particular art installation of colossal proportions.
Continue reading “Philip Salvato – Artist/Owner, 3rd Street Gallery”

Featured
Featured
Philip Salvato - Artist/Owner, 3rd Street Gallery
Loading
/
css.php