Schaller, Oleski and a CCAA Kriskindlmarkt
By Lele Galer, Columnist, The Times
For the month of December encaustic neo-pop artist Jeff Schaller is showing “Sweet Spot” at Mala Galleria in Kennett Square. Once again, Mala has allowed for a total interior and exterior transformation by the visiting artist. This December, Mala is an infusion of Jeff Schaller’s sexy, fun, brash artistic vision. If you want to tweak your home with a vibe that is hip and sexy, then buy one of Jeff’s pieces, or just buy a little affordable “Pink Cow Studios” piece by his kids. (I have two! ) and feel happy that you did.
Jeff Schaller’s ‘Sweet’ work is on display at Mala Galleria in Kennett Square.
Jeff’s work used to hang in the coffee shop in the TV show “Friends”; so, just do an On Demand or Utube for an episode and then meet the artist and all of a sudden you will feel infinitely more fun and cool. By the way, he is as nice a person as you will ever meet, so no need to feel star struck. For all of this month, Mala Galleria is donating a turkey to the Kennett Food Cupboard for every art purchase – what a thoughtful way of giving back and encouraging the arts.
On the subject of changing the vibe to your home, if you have one of those huge new houses with enormous empty white walls, consider a David Oleski painting (http://www.davidoleski.com/. He paints enormous canvases with dappled subtle colored variations in a buttery finish – a delicious, sublime and sophisticated addition to any home with big white walls.
Grannysmith by David Oleski.
He currently has rented the wall space of the Franklin Gallery in Phoenixville, where you can check it out face to face, or just look at his work online and give him a call. The Franklin Gallery is showing its “Seasonal Interpretations” Exhibit right now and it is really just wonderful. That is my favorite exhibition gallery space in Chester County.
The next show is “Romance and Magic” which should also be amazing –if you are an artist, go online and submit work to that one! If you are interested in renting wall space to show your art and get noticed, contact curator Katie Naber at fc.curator@gmail.com.
Friday December 19th, from 2-6pm at the Chester County Art Association, there will be a Kriskindlmarkt with mulled wine, cookies and more for you to indulge in while you shop at the “$300 and under” show. Great art gifts to include small painted works, jewelry and other easy-to-buy holiday gifts. On Saturday at Galer Estate Winery, there will be perfectly gorgeous jewelry from Bleu Archer, showing from 2-7pm. Great for last minute gifts, jewelry and wine, and then head over to Sovana Bistro or Catherine’s for a midday meal – a perfect Saturday!
Saturday the 20th from 11am -5pm there is a Christmas Artist Open House with photographer Timlyn Vaughn and artist Jeremy McGirl who will be showing and selling art at the Vaughn’s studio in his 1850 Farm House at 235 Blue Rock Road in West Chester. There will be a roaring fireplace, food and wine and art of course. Sounds lovely! Popular local photographer Bobby Wolf is showing his work this month in a solo show at Green Wolf Village Barn in Skippack. And this Saturday from 1-4pm, Bobby will be there to talk about his work and sign his book “Journey True”. His book chronicles his recovery from a devastating illness, and his discovery of photography as a healing art and personal passion. There are some other neat art galleries and shops in this little shopping village, which might all be a nice shopping excursion for the weekend.
Randall Graham is among artists showing at the Radley Run Country Club Gallery.
Showing through January 1st at The Radley Run Country Club Gallery are three wonderfully talented local artists: Randall Graham, Diane Cannon and Sara Simboli. These monthly shows are newly curated by interior designer Laurie Murray who has such a great eye for talent and beauty, and is a wonderful abstract artist as well. Radley is a little gem of a club tucked away next to the Brandywine River; full of historical buildings, they also have a great brunch and lunch menu. 25% of the artist’s sales go to support the good work of the Chester County Art Association, so that is a nice thing to keep in mind when you are making your purchases. Local wonderful artist Leander Fontaine has a Philadelphia show at the 3rd Street Gallery which you should check out if you are in Philly. It is great to see our local Chester County artists making it to the larger cities, to Philadelphia and beyond.
http://randallgraham.com/
http://www.sarasimboli.com/
http://www.dianecannonart.com/
http://www.chestercountyarts.org
http://www.timlynvaughanphotos.com/-/timlynvaughanphotos/
https://www.facebook.com/BobbyWolfsPhotographyBookJourneyTrueByBobbyWolf
http://www.franklincommons.net/art-gallery/exhibitions/
http://www.3rdstreetgallery.com/
http://www.leanderfontaine.net/
Lele Galer is an artist who has chaired numerous art shows, taught art history and studio art, public art and has chaired, written and taught the Art in Action Art Appreciation series for the UCFD schools for the past 12 years. She worked at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and wrote for the Asociated Press in Rome. She has been dedicated to Art History and art education for most of her adult life. Lele and her husband Brad own Galer Estate Winery in Kennett Square.
