Front and Center THIS Saturday!

On Saturday, December 8th, FRONT AND CENTER will be returning to ARTS/west for its monthly musical event. The show will take place from noon to 1:00 pm. This fun-filled event is for school aged kids, but all are welcome! The second half of Front and Center is open for any kids in the audience to come on stage and showcase their talents!

Factory Street Studio's Winter Dance Celebration

Factory Street Studio will be having their Winter Dance Celebration at ARTS/west on Friday, December 14th. The concert will begin at 7:00pm-10:30pm.
Tickets are now available for pre-sale at Factory Street Studio.
$10 for adults and $8 for students.
The concert will be featuring new student choreography by:
CKC, performances by Tech 3 Jazz, Hip Hop 2, and Tech 5/6 Ballet.

Benefest is BACK

Benefest will take place at The Union, November 30th at 9pm
FEATURING:
MELK
www.myspace.com/melkfeckingrules

SMALL STEPS
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QACaG2ZU6-0&feature=related

THE GROVE
http://thegroveband.com

AND MIDWEST REVIVAL
www.facebook.com/TheMidwestRevival


All proceeds made at Benefest at the Union will be donated to ARTS/west and The Gathering Place. So come bring your friends for a good time and a good cause!

Reappearance from The Local Girls!

The Local Girls will be returning to the stage at ARTS/west on
Sunday, December 9th at 3:30pm for their Annual Community Christmas Concert.
Last seen on November 10th, this talented trio performed for the Front and Center Program singing familiar and original pieces. A member of the audience also received the honor of a special birthday song performed by The Local Girls themselves!
We look forward to having this melodious group of woman for a second time around and hope you and your friends join us for this musically enchanting afternoon. You don't want to miss this fun-filled holiday event!

The Local Girls blog can be seen at http://thelocalgirls.blogspot.com/

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Artisitc success

Art faculty member at Ohio University Lancaster, Rachel Clark, held a painting workshop on Saturday, November 10th. Kid's ages 6-13 arrived to the class with great enthusiasm for this creative and informative opportunity. The participants got to show off their artistic talents while learning everything from different brush techniques to the process of painting their own self-portrait!

To check out Rachel's online portfolio visit
http://rachelclark.org/home.html

Appalachia RESIST!

Anti-fracking activists,Appalachia Resist! will be hosting a panel discussion on fracking in Southeast, Ohio at ARTS/west on Friday, November 16th at 7:00pm.
Panelists include Nathan Johnson of the Buckeye Forest council, Teresa Mills an injection well expert, Natalie Kruse, assistant professor this quarter in the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, and a member of Radical Action for Mountain Peoples Survival(RAMPS).

This event kicks off Appalachia Resist!s first ever ACTION CAMP, and promises to be an informative and inspirational evening. A weekend of workshops will be held in Amesville at the old Amesville Elementary on November 17th and 18th from 9:00am-6:00pm.

For more information, to view the schedule and to register visit: http://appalachiaresist.wordpress.com/

Opportunity for Latino Artists

Entry Deadline:  November 18, 2012 (might be extended)

Call For Entries: Converging Cultures: Works by Latino Artists

September 6–October 4, 2013

I will be one of two jurors for this show...

Entries must be submitted via email.  Instructions are contained in the exhibition prospectus.

Click here to download the exhibition prospectus.

Click here to download the entry form.

This Thursday: Do This!

Kind of a Big Deal...

Opportunity for Latino Artists

Entry Deadline:  November 18, 2012

Call For Entries: Converging Cultures: Works by Latino Artists

September 6–October 4, 2013

Entries must be submitted via email.  Instructions are contained in the exhibition prospectus.

Click here to download the exhibition prospectus.

Click here to download the entry form.

Annual Exotic Market Sale

MANY MOONS returns to ARTS/West for their annual sale!

Exclusive items that will be featured:
Jewelry, wood and metal sculptures, textiles, sacred objects and unusual gift items.
All items have been personally selected from travels to
INDIA, NEPAL, THAILAND and BALI
You won't find these items anywhere else!

The sale will take place in the basement of ARTS/west
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 17 from 10:00am-6:00pm and
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 18 from 1:00pm-6:00 pm

Join us for some fun and exotic shopping!

Sri Menakshi Temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu in Southern India

Art Scam Alert!

Michael Gard, email address m.gard212@gmail.com is a mutant bastard trying to rip off artists - if you get the usual scam email from him (such as the one below), ignore it.

Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:17:35 +0000
Subject: Art Order
From: m.gard212@gmail.com
To:

My name is Michael Grad, i will like to order for some piece of your work from your studio as gift for my parent that are celebrating their wedding anniversary nest month. i'll be glad to have your response as soon as possible, to make it easier you can send me your website address to choose or send me four of your artworks via email that is available for me to choose.

my price range are from $100  to $1000.

Waiting to read back from you as soon as possible, so that we can make some progress.
Michael.

Gagosian Suit Offers Rare Look at Art Dealing

(Via) Sopa opera from the blue chip art dealers...

A central question in the case has been whether Mr. Gagosian in essence worked both ends of the deal — not disclosing to Mr. Cowles that his gallery had a relationship with the buyer and that it was trying to get a favorable price for that buyer. In a deposition made public on Wednesday, Mr. Gagosian said that he frequently represented both the seller and buyer in a deal without disclosing that fact to either party. “To be honest with you, the question hardly ever gets asked,” he said. “I never get asked the question, ‘Are you representing both sides.’”

Read the whole NYT article here and after you read that one, then read this one.

Thank You to ALL Veterans!

Thank you!


To all US veterans, both those who have served and those who are serving in all corners of the planet while we're home with our families. A well-deserved thank you to all the soldiers, sailors, airmen/women, Marines and Coasties.

Below is Petty Officer Third Class Lenny Campello back in 1975 while stationed aboard USS Saratoga (CV-60) in Mayport, Florida.


And then Lieutenant Commander Lenny Campello back in 1992 while assigned as the Executive Officer (XO) of NSGA Skaggs Island, California.

Aurelio con Camiseta

Aurelio con Camiseta
Photograph by Cirenaica Moreira

Mariana Primera
Photograph by Cirenaica Moreira

Happy Birthday Devil Dogs!

A happy 237th birthday to the United States Marine Corps, with many of whom I had the honor to serve when I was in the Navy. That's me below with two Leathenecks in Beirut, Lebanon in 1983.

Front and Center welcomes The Local Girls

Front and Center, a free music event for school aged kids is back again! Returning every second saturday of the month, November 10th from noon-1pm, we will welcome The Local Girls to the stage. The second half of the event is an open stage for the kids so come show off your talent or just enjoy the show!

Meet THE LOCAL GIRLS

In beautiful three-part harmony Mimi Hart , Brenda Catania & Gay Dalzell come together as the members of the singing group 'The Local Girls.' The Local Girls have had the privilege of performing at the White House, Hillary Clinton's birthday celebration and have created their own CD dedicated to Ohio University, titled "Four Year Heaven."

Visit The Local Girls website at http://thelocalgirls.weebly.com/

Visit The Local Girls blog at http://thelocalgirls.blogspot.com/

Learn to paint with Rachel Clark THIS Saturday!

Artist and educator,Rachel Clark was born in Fairfax, California and currently lives in Athens, Ohio. She teaches art classes at Ohio University, Lancaster. Rachel received her BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and her MFA from University of Tennessee. In 2009 Rachel was honored with a 2nd place title in the Art 09 International Competition and 5th place in the OHIOCENTRIC, OSU Urban Art Space both in Columbus, Ohio.
For more information and artwork visit http://rachelclark.org/home.html

Rachel is holding a painting workshop at ARTS/west for children ages 6-13 from 10-11:30am

Rachel will be demonstrating a variety of exercises in gestural brush mark making and non-realistic, exaggerated colors. Come learn the process of painting the portrait, or self-portrait! Watercolor , acrylic and pastels will all be utilized during this workshop.

The fee is 25$ at ARTS/west on SATURDAY NOVEMBER 10th

For inquiries contact: Rachel Clark Clarkr5@ohio.edu 740. 594. 2816

It's Been a Hard Day's Drive, I Should be Sleeping Like a Log

Ouch. Three to five days until I get the magic machine back from the witch doc.

It's the hard drive that was going into failure and will need to be replaced. When he asked if I was under warrantee, I said 'no', feeling like I'd bought the thing ever so long ago. But when he looked it up, I still had 25 days to go on the extended warrantee that I bought when I bought my workhorse machine. So it gets replaced free, but deadlines are blown.

It's kinda like when ya get the flu. You do what you gotta do to get well and deadlines just-have-to-wait. Now's my chance to clean up the studio and organize it.

I've got tons and tons of cool images for you, but they're all sitting in this cute little black box known as an external hard drive—waiting to be plugged back in and shot into the cyber-ether. 

I hope to be able to post up an essay sort of thing in the next day or two, minus pix, cuz some of you appreciate words as well as images.

And if it's only the images that keep you coming back . . . 
well, gee . . . okay, come back in a few days.

AMC Road Show Auditions

There will be open auditions for AMC's Road Show. The audition is for anyone ages 18 & up on OCTOBER 29TH from 3-7pm. Finalists will have the privilege of working with a team of Hollywood professionals and winners will receive CASH PRIZES.All talent is welcome to audition! For more information visit

http://www.athensohio.com/events/special-events/amc-road-show-auditions

Meet Jim Shirey

Jim Shirey was born in Hobart, Indiana on April 12,1943. He received his PhD from Purdue University in philosophy and mathematics and currently teaches at Ohio University. Not only is he a professor in the mathematics department at the university but he also is a talented photographer with an eye for beauty in nature. Shirey has a knack for discovering and capturing diverse wildflower and landscapes at their finest. His work showcases the beauty of many diverse plants found throughout Ohio's own fields and forests. These images will entice you in with their divine colors and textures.

To explore more of Jim Shireys work visit http://www.jimshireyphoto.com

Loco

Ay yi yi, my computing machine is loco. I'll take it to the witch doctor's hut tomorrow and hope for the best. I may have to bury something nasty at the foot of my bed, or whatever it takes. 

Hey Jeffy, I don't know yet how ya did in the 24 hour comic book thingie. I'll look in on it on my iPad, but I don't think it's gonna let me leave a comment. 

The rest of you guys, and by that I mean gals too, I luv ya, stay like u always r, and as the ex CA guv sez, aisle bee Bach.

"The Flowers of Winter" Opens Tomorrow

On Monday, October 22, from 5-7 p.m., we're unveiling works by our latest featured artist, Jim Shirey. Jim is a retired professor of mathematics who has an incredible knack for capturing minute patterns, shapes, and colors in nature that might escape the ordinary eye. Come by and relax after work, enjoy some fine photography, and get a chance to meet the artist.

And if you can't come by tomorrow, don't worry; Jim's work will be on display at ARTS/West until December. You won't want to miss the chance to see this stunning collection.

My Friend the Witch Doctor Told Me What to Do

Well, it's gone and happened—my lovely main computer has malfunctioned, crashing several times today and is down for the count. I'm told that it's probably correctable, but will probably be out of commission for a couple of days. I'm posting now with my nifty iPad, and fortunately my most important files are backed up, but I won't be able to post images until the witch doctor shakes a rattle at it. Ooh ee, ooh ah ah, ting tang, walla walla bing bang . . .

Until then, please stand by.

Mea Pulpa

It didn't use to be cool for a person to admit to liking comic books. For a while in the '40s, it wasn't such a bad thing, as soldiers, sailors and fly-boys read them for quick and cheap entertainment. But in the '50s, it was pretty shameful for an adult to be caught reading comic books (the exception being Walt Kelly's Pogo—that was a hip trip). In the '60s it was cool to read Zap and Fat Freddy's Cat and anything by Crumb or Jaxon. Then the '80s started the trend toward adults frequenting comic shops and finally the industry pretty much relies on adult obsession with pulp adventures. Mea Pulpa.

I'm an old guy, and I've always loved the funnies in whatever format they came, some of them not so funny. Although, I haven't always wanted anyone to know that. They're certainly not my only interest, as I love the whole spectrum of printed matter and I'm a social type person as well. But here's a confession that some of you might understand: when I'm feeling blue and overwhelmed and frustrated with life, I retreat to a cozy spot and pull out the OLD comics to revel in their primary colors, bold drawing styles, and esPECIALLY to bury my nose in the pages and smell that old musty pulp smell that the comics used to have even when they were new and in 'mint' condition. I close my eyes, take a deep whiff and all my troubles melt away.

I LUV COMIC BOOKS (the old ones).

A.C. Holly — Inspector Roc — from Famous Crimes Comics — 1948

In these days when comic book stories drag on for issue after issue after issue, it's enlightening to know that in the old days a mystery could be told in ONE page, and even have you share in trapping the killer.

Rarity

A rarity! On this day absolutely nothing happened in the DC Universe!

DC calendar page 

This is from either 1976 or 1977, I can't remember. Pre Final Crisis though, in the good ol' silly DC daze. I miss that daze and those days.

Your Line is Divine

Ad from an old pulp mag — 1949

Nocturnal Plane

I used to think that sleep was an awful waste of 8 hours that I could be doing something useful. I've discovered lately that sleep is a wonderful little invention, as I give into it fully and soundly. I have great dreams as I walk foreign times and places. Perhaps we've run into each other on some other nocturnal plane, you and I. Perhaps not.

Charles Chaplin (not the silent film guy) seemed to be mildly obsessed with naked women sleeping the soft sleep (alright, maybe the silent film guy too).

 Charles Chaplin — La Nuit — 1870s

Charles Chaplin — La Nuit — 1874

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Want to get involved and help support ARTS/west performing arts center?
We have an opportunity available for any volunteers that would like to help paint the stage next Wednesday (Oct. 17) at 9 a.m. Any and all help would be deeply appreciated.
Also, ARTS/west needs help with the membership drive, which will be on Thursday, October 18th from 5-7:30pm.
CONTACT Jesse Pyle at jcpyle1@gmail.com if interested.

NOTICE: Construction on Miller Avenue

Safe Routes to School Project, Sidewalks on Miller Avenue, Project 262
The City of Athens has secured D.V. Weber Construction, Inc. to complete the Safe Rnutes to School Project to construct a sidewalk on Miller Avenue, between Walker Street and West State Street. D.V. Weber is planning on beginning construction activities on Miller Avenue on Tuesday, October 16 - construction is expected to be completed by late November.

The project includes constructing a street level sidewalk and a retaining wall. The project also includes relocating the existing steps, required to connect the proposed sidewalk to the existing sidewalk, and completing striping and signage improvements.

During construction there may be times when sections of the roadway will be flagged for traffic. No interruptions to Arts West Programs are planned because of the construction.

The City of Athens apologizes for any inconvenience that may be incurred during this work. Questions or concerns may be directed to the City of Athens Engineering and Public Works Department, 740-593-7636.

Mysterious and Ancient

I love the subtle coloration and lighting of this acrylic painting. I fantasize that this is a detail from a grove temple, deep in a mysterious and ancient grotto.

Kazuhiko Sano — circa 1993

Make the Jump

I love comparing original illustrative art to the printed page—to see how well it reproduces, to see how color adds to the impact of line drawing, and also to see any changes along the way. Such is the case here where the title logo-type jumped from an older blocky style into a more modern (for the time) organic style. Unfortunately the artist's name, Al Gabrielle, didn't make the jump with it.

Al Gabrielle — The Black Cat — printed page 1940s

Al Gabrielle — The Black Cat — original art

Psyché et l'Amour

High drama from the Victorian Age . . .

Robaudi — Psyche and Cupid — circa 1885

If You Can Read This . . .

Guy Hoff, an under-valued illustrator of yester-century, shows us cute usage of a now common phrase, pre-bumper-sticker. 

When was the first bumper-sticker used, anyway?

Guy Hoff — Judge — November 21, 1925

A Hint

Somewhere along the way new-world architecture went totally left-brained and became 'stream-lined', and thus boring for the most part. 

This beautiful rendering in ink and watercolor gives us a hint of what a metropolis might look like if the old-world right-brain still had a hand in it as well.

© 1993 Albert Lorenz —Architectural Fantasia

Extra! Extra!

One of the greatest double page spread splash panels of all time, by one of the greatest comics partnerships of all time, Simon and Kirby:

Joe Simon & Jack Kirby — Stuntman — 1946

It's amazing how the 'new and improved', 'stream-lined' blogger interface won't allow me to post an image 'big' size, like I've been doing for 4 years now, without cutting off an edge in the main viewer. If you click on the image though, you'll see it larger, without any cutting off shenanigans.

When somebody goes to improve something, they usually don't.—me

Front and Center is having special guests!

'Front and Center' is a free music event for school age kids which is held the second Saturday of every month in September until May from noon to 1pm.
SPECIAL GUESTS and first performers of Front and Center, Mark Burhans and Hilarie Burhans will be returning to the stage October 13, 2012!

Mark Burhans plays fiddle and Hilarie has been a state champion banjo player for many years. They are a Hot Point String Band and play for Contra dances and have recently started a jazz band as well.


The second half of the show kids, a solo or group act are welcome to take the stage and show off their talent or just listen and enjoy!