Plus RockDraw, Fantasy & Abstract, & painting in Longwood
By Lele Galer, Columnist, The Times
Oil painter David Katz will be showing his big, bold and beautiful artwork at Galer Estate Winery Pop up show Thursday July 17th. David works on very large handmade canvases and paints whatever interesting series of images pop into his head. He starts with a large gessoed canvas and then positions various cutout images, which he then interprets for the space and paints on. The image pictured here is called “Tea Service” which is part of his “Chair Series” which you can find on his website davidkatzart.com.
There is always a feeling of whimsy and delight in each of the objects that he chooses to paint. His recent portrait series of schizophrenics is off the chart terrific. They are startling, but fun, and jarring but beautiful. I expect to see David’s work in a gallery in Manhattan any day now, but lucky for us, he is showing here in Chester County. After the Pop up show at Galer Estate, David will show his large series works at the Bryn Mawr Trust in West Chester. His pieces are almost 50″ x 60″ each, so they should have quite an impact in that space.
David Katz
David Katz immigrated to Philadelphia from Israel with his family in 1961, and just moved to Chester County a few years ago after he graduated from PAFA.
David loves living here in Chester County, saying “I hit the jackpot! People here are so phenomenal..so real and wonderful and accepting! Really, an American dream come true..” Needless to say, David’s enthusiastic personality is infectious. He is witty and charming and his comments on art are clever and thoughtful. So, come to the Pop up show on the 17th for the great art, but stay to have a fascinating chat with the artist over a glass of wine. The Pop up show is from 4pm – 8pm and a portion of the proceeds benefit Tick Tock Early Learning Center’s Expansion Project.
Another unique art opportunity is Chester County Art Association’s RockDraw, a free concert and life drawing session also on Thursday July 17th from 5pm – 6:30pm in the Chester County Art Association’s parking lot in West Chester. The House Band of the School of Rock in Downingtown will perform for free, while models pose in clothes from fabulous local clothing boutiques. What a cool idea! So come just for fun to see the artists sketching, the models showing fashion, or the students playing their music..or grab a sketchpad and start sketching away at this great open air RockDraw session.
On Saturday July 19th from 1-4pm the Art Gallery at Franklin Common in Phoenixville will be opening its new show “Fantasy & Abstract” Art Exhibition. The new curator Katie Naber picks such a fascinating combination of different artists; this is one of my absolute favorite new galleries. It has soaring ceilings and a museum like space, plus the openings have a delicious assortment of food, music and wine. I wouldn’t miss it! But if you do, the exhibit will be open to the public until September 5th.
Finally – very recently, I just heard about the big plein air paintathon at Longwood Gardens’ beautiful new Meadow Gardens July 28-30th. This is a Delaware Valley Art League “Members Only” event, so artists, do not be upset if you are not on the list. You have to be a full member of that organization. I immediately signed up to be an associate member of the DVAL because this group has some really great venues for their artists. After this terrific opportunity at Longwood, there will be a DVAL show at West Chester University which has such a wonderful exhibition area. So, if you would like to join DVAL, check out their website www.the-art-league.org.
www.franklincommons.net/art-gallery/exhibitions
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 and co-Chairs the CCAA’s New Building Campaign.
