Opening this weekend....

Saturday, Nov. 27 at 8pm.
Opening reception for Lehigh Valley artist, Chris P. Jones showing many new paintings.
Show runs through Dec. 20
Art N Soul Studios
516 W. Hamilton St.
610-433-4850

Notes from the 11/20/10 Group Meeting

Notes compiled by Michelle Bodamer:


Introductions: New attendees, Steven (artist) and Anthony (representation)
Steven Condra distributed invitations to his show Alternative Perception December 2, 2010 from 5:00pm to 7:30pm @ 514 Theater on 19th St. in Allentown

Walking the Edge Location Discussion: Salemme is first choice - most members felt that a place with heat would be best in January (This works out well since it's now at Salemme!)

Other group show potential locations discussed: Greg's space, Phoenix Square, Art Mart space, 514 Theater

The group would like to see a calendar of group shows set in advance (would we have this available online as well?)

Group Wish List: Exhibit/Group Show Calendar, Heather's Database of Chen Arts members, Facebook group page (I offered to create this and maintain it for the group, but wanted to ask you your thoughts first.)

Art Museum: The group discussed looking into securing the first available 2011 show in the community space planned in the museum when it opens

Walking the Edge Needs: reception, food, pick up/drop off, hanging committee
Large scale Allentown show: Georgine suggested an Allentown show that we plan in advance which could be open to all of Allentown, possibly contain more controversial work, etc.

Allentown/Easton collaboration: one meeting attendee suggested we collaborate with the Easton arts group to help each other promote shows and maybe do something together between the groups

Chen Arts Meeting attendees showed interest in having at least two shows planned per year, which would be planned out in advance

Art Mart press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 23, 2010

BUY LOCAL THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!

Art Mart, the valley’s premiere artist-operated and locally created holiday shop, is returning to downtown Allentown for the second year. The store officially opens Wednesday, Dec. 1 and will be open during the Downtown Tree Lighting from 4-8 on Dec. 2.

The shop is being graciously hosted at the Holiday Inn at 9th and Hamilton streets and will exclusively feature handmade, original goods by area artists and artisans.

You can find one-of-a-kind gifts such as knitted and crocheted hats and scarves, jewelry, hair accessories, home décor, original art and more. Demos by artists will be held on Saturdays throughout the season.

Art Mart is an independent effort of Diane Teti, Sarah Fulton and Yodi Vaden that strives to support local artists and advance downtown Allentown through its annual holiday store. Special thanks to Cathy Minnich, general manager of Holiday Inn, for hosting the shop for 2010.

COMPLETE SCHEDULE:
Art Mart will be open from Dec. 1 through Dec. 31 as follows:
Wednesdays 11-2 & 4-7
Thursdays 11-2 & 4-7 (Dec 2 is City Tree Lighting - we will be open until 8)
Fridays 11-2 & 4-8 (Dec 24 and 31 there will be no 4-8 shift)
Saturday s 12-7

For more information please contact allentown.artmart@gmail.com

Buy Local this Holiday Season!

Art Mart is returning for the second time! Diane Teti, Yodi Vaden and Sarah Fulton (that's me) are working to bring this locally produced artisan's shop back for the holiday season. And appropriately, the Holiday Inn at 9th and Hamilton Streets has graciously offered to host us.

We are currently looking for artists/artisans/crafters with unique, reasonably priced handmade items to sell in the shop. Please contact me if you are interested in selling items there. We may need to look at a few photos to see what you're planning to sell.

Art Mart is tentatively scheduled to open Black Friday, Nov. 26. We will be open during the Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony from 4-7 p.m. (or beyond) Thursday, Dec. 2. Please join us in welcoming the holidays and commit to supporting the local economy buy shoppping for locally handmade, unique, original gifts this season.

Contact: chenarts.info@gmail.com

Exhibit Coming to Theatre 514

Submitted via e-mail:

"Alternative Perception" Exhibition: Dec. 2 at Theater 514 on 19th Street, Allentown

Once again the Allentown arts community is stretching the boundaries of 'normal' with an exciting, debut exhibition of German-born artist and sculptor, Steven Condra - just in time for the Holidays!

Civic Theatre and the new, up-and-coming German-American artist invite all Chen Arts Group
members and their friends to attend the “Alternative Perception” exhibition, which will be Condra's first solo show in the US.

The exhibit will host an engaging sample of Condra's most recent abstract pen & ink work and sculpture at Civic Theatre's "Theatre 514" location on 19th St. from 5 - 7.30pm

With the help of Allentown's West Side Poetry and Word Wednesday poets, the “Alternative Perception” exhibition was created to foster tolerance and acceptance by exposing different views and opinions of Condra's work via the medium of 'Spoken Word'. Poets from the two groups will be bringing his art alive by expressing their thoughts and emotions about the pieces that speak to them the most.

An integral part of Condra's philosophy is giving back to the community in which he now lives, and a percentage of all proceeds from the event will be donated to Civic Theatre.

Come join us on December 2, from 5 - 7.30pm to celebrate an evening of abstract expression and a chance to meet new friends!

For more information, please contact Anthony Donnelly: 862-324-2593

Attention! ----UPDATE-----CALL FOR ARTISTS: WALKING THE EDGE - The latest Allentown Chen Arts Group Show

Please see changes below in RED.

Walking the Edge is a theme show hosted by Art-N-Soul Studios.

Works should show living life on the edge or dangerous taboo topics, or artistic expression that is different or unusual.

Artwork must be submitted by Jan. 3, opening is January 8, and closing of show is Feb. 5. Opening and closing receptions have to be at 8:00pm after the shop closes.

Artists must respond by Dec. 12 with the size of the works they plan to submit. Works must be no bigger than 24" x 36". There is a 25% commission on sales that goes to the gallery plus a $5 fee to the Chen Arts Group to pay for publicity and promotion. One or two works can be submitted but we are asking for works to be completed within the last year and never previously shown at a Chen show. Works must be ready to hang and will be rejected if not wired to hang. The space is only about 18' x 24' but work is hung salon style so about 30 to 40 pieces can be accommodated. Small sculpture is ok also.

After I have a list of interested artists, I will send out formal submission forms, including liability waivers and specifications sheets for your artwork.

Heather Haas, Georgine Miller, Michelle Bodamer and I are working to coordinate this show. As the date draws nearer we will look for volunteers to help with other aspects. This show will take place in January at Art-N-Soul Studios 516Gallery at 516 W. Hamilton Street in downtown Allentown. Thank you to Adam for allowing the group to hold a show at this excellent space!

Please email Sarah at chenarts.info@gmail.com by Dec. 12 to participate.

Call for Artists!

From Lee Leckey:

Perk Coffee Shop in Emmaus is offering wall space to local/regional artists, rotated monthly. Contact Christi Dunning christidunning@yahoo.com

Sidenote: Perk is located at 228 Main Street, Emmaus, PA 18049
(610) 966-0203

Day of the Dead on 7th Street, October 30

Day of the Dead Fest is coming to 7th Street on Saturday Oct. 30 from 5-9 p.m. The festivities take place in the 500 blk. of N. 7th (between Liberty and Allen).

This event melds American Halloween with Mexican "El Dia de los Muertos" for a fun, exciting, and sometimes scream-provoking evening for all.

Featured activities: A very scary Haunted House...Salsa Taste-Off Contest....Fire Performers...Mexican remembrance cemetery...fortune tellers...cosutmed ghouls and goblins (the public is invited and encouraged to dress up!)...local ethnic eateries...traditional altars....music...and more!

Also - Look for the large, Mexican-style skulls created by local artists and friends, including members of the Chen Arts Group. Hope to see you there!

"Living Dead" show opens Fri. Oct. 23

Come out to 516 Gallery at Art-N-Soul Studios (516 Hamilton St., Allentown) for the 8 p.m. opening of "Living Dead." Artists from the Chen Arts Group will have work in this show, as well as many other talented area artists.

Here are the details:

Opens 8 p.m.
DJs Lebanezer Scrooge and The Purple K'nif spinning all night.
Costumes optional.
No cover, 21+ to drink.
www.artnsoulstudios.com

Chris Neyen's work showing in NYC!

The Paintings, Drawings and Mixed Media work of artist Chris Neyen will be featured in a show at Jason Groupp Studio titled Inside View,

Here are the details...

Opening Sat. November 13 from 2-6 pm, 526 W. 26th St. Suite 305, New York, NY.

Unique New York Style Loft/Art Studios in Allentown

Info submitted via email:

Perfect for art studio or apartment living on Chew Street in Allentown, Pa. One floor walk up with wide entry way. Five minute walk to center city restaurants and cultural district. Landmark old printing factory renovated to New York Style loft apartments. Building converted to 5 units.

Two remaining units available. One 1000 square feet and the other 2000 square feet. Hardwood floors, high ceilings, bathrooms and kitchens with laundry hook ups. Each unique and feature original windows that allow in a lot of natural light. Private entrance, on street parking and on the LANTA bus route.

For more information call Beth Cannon (Century 21 Pinnacle/Associate Broker) 610-972-2651.

Look at what's happening here....

Have you heard about Art Prize? It's an enormous event in Grand Rapids, Michigan (going on right now) that turns the entire city into a public art gallery.

Nearly 200 venues are participating by hosting the works of more than 1,700 artists. Each venue is open to the public, from banks and gardens to restaurants and religious centers. The entire city is in on the act. It's inspiring to look at what they're doing in Grand Rapids, for the benefit of the artists, the public and the city. I think it would be amazing to one day borrow that idea and pull off something similar here!

Top prize for the "winning artist" is $250,000, with another $250,000 in prizes doled out to multiple other artists.

Check out http://www.artprize.org/ to see what's happening and to view bios of some of the artists and their pieces.

Pictured above: Salt & Earth by Young Kim

Call to Artists

Cindy would like to get the message out to as many people as possible. She is part of the Word Wednesday Ensemble and has an art studio called Underworld here in Allentown, Pa.

Information follows:

from Cynthia Rodriguez:

CALL TO VISUAL ARTISTS, PERFORMANCE ARTISTS, INTERPRETIVE DANCERS, POETS, PUBLIC SPEAKERS!!!
All mediums: paintings, photography, and mixed media as long as they are wall art, they either must be framed or easily hung on the wall. Because of limited space, it is limit 2 pieces per artist. --- cafe gets 25% of each and any piece sold so price your art accordingly, but don't go crazy on the price. Not to censor but try to go easy on getting too graphic because this is a family establishment, this request is per the owners. The exhibit will be up for a month, and artists will be responsible for picking up their own art after the show ends (and not before then). I will be giving the exact date when it ends to all participating artists.

Also call to performance artists, interpretive dancers, poets, speakers! Preferably leaders of or those involved in the gay community, and GLBTQ youth from local colleges and high schools, especially those who have been harassed and/or bullied in school and would like to share their story in a safe environment.

For more information call Cindy at 484-239-2513 or email: picasso691@hotmail.com.

ARTIST YARD SALE: A DAY OF ABUNDANCE /OCTOBER 2, 2010

From Yodi:

Are you an artist? Into photography, layout and design, painting, mosaics, silk screening, framing and more!
I am inviting all artists to the first Artist Yard Sale: A Day of Abundance. It will be held at 951 West Chew Street in Allentown, Pa. A Day of Abundance will be a yearly event, the first Saturday in October.

Come see. You will find many things once gently used by local artists. Items include the following many assorted frames some with glass and many sizes/styles, matt cutter, silk screen setup, small geometric risers, canvas stretcher bars, tile and ceramic plates (suitable for mosaic work), free packing material (bubble wrap and popcorn) and more! Saturday October 2, 2010 from 12pm to 4pm.

For more information http://thevergeof.blogspot.com/

Show Opening at Art-N-Soul

Saturday, Sept 25 at 8pm

Opening reception for: "The Pin up Art of Ed Mironiuk"

New Jersey artist Ed Mironiuk displaying pin up art from naughty to nice on canvas
giclee, and limited edition prints and art books. Show runs through Oct. 18. Refreshments served.

516 Gallery at Art N Soul Studios
516 W. Hamilton St.
Allentown, PA
610-433-4850
artnsoulstudios.com

Opportunity for Artists

This information was sent courtesy Joe Skrapits:

I wanted to let you know the next Party on the Deck is on Thursday, Oct. 7 from 5- 8 p.m. It again will be held at the Parking Deck behind the Farr lot on Linden St.

At the last event we had 3 artists who were selling jewelry, art, etc. This is something the committee would like to see expanded for this event.

Would you be able to help us get artists (of any type)?

It is free to exhibit/sell, but if a table is needed it will be $25.

They will need to set up by 4 o’clock the day of the event.

Let me know what other questions you may have.

Thanks,

Leslie L. Suhr
Main Street Manager, Hamilton District
Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce

Please contact Leslie directly to get involved.

E-mail: leslies@lehighvalleychamber.org

Video of current Coates exhibit

Video of Gregory Coates' current exhibit at Cedar Crest College, courtesy Valley View on Service Electric TV2. Honne/Tatemae is on display through Sept. 24.

Meeting Notes from 9/18

There were only a dozen of us in attendance on Saturday, but we ended up having a very productive conversation about the group's mission, future and possible next show.

Ed Nowak said he likes the group the way it is and asked where we all picture it being in 10 years. None of us really had an answer but said we'd like to increase recognizability and notoriety for the group. We also agreed that we like having an open format to the group that allows anyone to participate at any dinner meeting or in any show.

Adam from Gallery 516 at Art-N-Soul Studios was present and mentioned that he would be interested in partnering with the group sometime. He is also planning some open shows that Chensters may want to submit work to.

Georgine Miller asked if we thought we could pull off another show in time for the holidays. Michelle Bodamer (who works in marketing) suggested that if we do something at Christmas that we should consider partnering to raise money for a charity. This would be a good cause and also gain positive attention for the group.

Sarah Fulton mentioned that Diane Teti is interested in coordinating another Art Mart for the holiday season. A new location must be found. Diane is looking into a space now.

Heather Haas and Ted Odoseey talked about making materials to promote the Chen Arts Group and create better name recognition. Heather suggested making t-shirts. Ted suggested buttons.

Heather will be working on an Artist Database cataloging personal info on local artists, their interests and skills.

Sarah will send out some emails and look into possible locations for our next one or two group shows.

Announcements:
Word Wednesday comes out of hiatus Oct. 13. Go to the Silk Lounge for a live poetry jam. Coordinator Yodi is looking for MC's and participants. See link on sidebar to get in touch with him.

"The Living Dead" themed group show opens Oct. 23 at Gallery 516 at Art N Soul at 516 Hamilton Street. Opening at 8 p.m. Costumes optional. Runs through Nov. 20.

Day of the Dead Fest is coming to the 500 block of Seventh Street from 5-9 pm October 30. The event will feature music, an authentic cemetery for remembrances, haunted house, fire performance, Salsa Taste-Off and more. Local ethnic restaurants will be open.

Lehigh Art Alliance show opens Sept. 16 from 1:30 to 4pm at Allentown Art Museum.

Please add any additions to the minutes from 9/18 in the Comments Section. Thanks.

Opportunities for Performing Artists

From Yodi at Word Wednesday:

Word Wednesdays Productions is creating a list of potential featured poets/spoken word artists and masters of ceremonies (MC’s) for our monthly signature production at the Allentown Brew Works. Our signature show is an open mic poetry reading in a black box stage production performed in the round. It includes a disc jockey (tech and sound), a master of ceremony facilitating and open mic, a featured artists and other guests, community poets and other inspired people. Each month there will be a different MC (unless other arrangements are made).
Featured artist must have a strong word based performance, and MC’s should be personable.

Word Wednesdays are the second Wednesday of the month at the Silk Lounge @ the Allentown Brew Works.

For more information visit us at
Word Wednesday’s Facebook Group or http://wordwednesdays.blogspot.com/ or email wordwednesdays@yahoo.com
Yodi

Poetry from the Emergence show

This exercise was directed by Marilyn Hazelton at the Emergence group show. Artists and guests wrote poetry in response to the art on display. They were read aloud at the closing party. Poems are also compiled by Marilyn.

Velocity

Were you there?
did you see, feel, hear
the exuberance:
was not the energy palpable?

Much to drink in
this visual breaking of bread
with paintings all around
two even went round and round
one stretched from New York City
to Santa Fe

In various dimensions
I was taken apart
swept out to sea
carried back by a familiar melody
put together
in the cave of my ancestors
taken on a tour of American Pop Culture aboard
a Mexico City bus
and tempted to believe
I had found the Holy Grail


Edward Nowak




Time and Beauty
for “Modern Art”
by Georgine Miller

Grey eyes observing, pensive
Hair flowing freely
Questioning, wondering, alert
Unaware of time passing
And beauty expressed
in the freedom of youth.

Louise Muzio


Portrait of a Poet, Armando Passy (1945-2001)
After a painting by Joseph Skrapits

Like rifles
leaned against a bamboo hooch
your brows knit, Armando,
as if remembering Nam, 1968.
Again you finger those
save your ass rosary beads
as Phantom jets rain napalm
over water buffalo
rice paddies
Vietnamese flesh ...
and your own swart skin doubles the danger
of not-so-friendly fire from your platoon.

You watch through
eyes like charred shadows, Armando,
as if you see young Carmen's
lapsed wings and dark, outstretched eyes,
craving a hug from a street poet
at the Homework Club
the morning after
gunshots splattered a man's brains
on her kitchen floor.

You, bony shoulders in a white undershirt,
a frame unchanged perhaps
from “Count Spider” at fifteen,
toughened by St. Vincent's Home for Boys
and Brooklyn streets
one of The Seven Hustlers,
scrounging,
doping,
warring
against the Apaches and Black Diamonds,
altar boy no more.

Setting aside your pen to sit for a portrait,
did you conjure
people and things lost?
the work remaining in a life
of poetry and purpose
urban repair and second chances?
or a benedicion for those departed
and those
you do not know how soon
you'll leave behind?

Susan Weaver

Italicized lines are from Passy's “More than One War” and “Hug Over Bullets.”




Memorias!
for “Aqua”
by Marco Calderon

The rain is the first I see,
But then — the tree!
Memories of when I was three . . .
Grandma, dark chocolate and me!


Rafaelapezjr




untitled

for “Interruption of Continuity”
by Michelle Bodamer

Spring
falling, twisting, rising . . . breathe
then I do it all again.
The madness draws me in a kiss of death then
salvation promised by a surge of hope.
Will it ever end? Will I find peace?


Sharisse Bruto




for Metal Paper
by Marco Calderon

A nameless shape
Something stagnant, moving.
A metal note, with writing inside.
If only I could unfold the paper. I’m
sure that its message would be profound.


Heather Haas




for Untitled
by Lee Lecky

It looks weather & wise
full of hope
joy rising, an adventure
behind each door
Never too old to start


Eileen Cressman Reeder





The Ocean
for “Interruption of Continuity”
by Michelle Bodamer

with its constant cycle,
never ending continuity, its same
routine stopped.
Orange and red, black and white
that don’t belong in the sea’s blue
interrupt and stop . . .
the constant flow.


G.P. & O.T. (Mrs. Chen’s nieces visiting from CA)



Intoxicated
for Becoming the Butterfly
a photograph by Pete Hughes

I’m somebody, who are you? And
I can find something new
Standing here, behind this eye
I know everybody knows how to hide
But . . . I like to wait & look for another angle
Pull a loose thread & unwind its tangle
Pare down the bizarre, simplify the maze
Find a moment that’s special in an ordinary day.
Sometimes show a prism of colors, of
shapes & shadows
unseen by others


Noelle Gabovitz




A part
for “Martha Bloomgren Salemme”
by Antonio Salemme

Eyes serene or critical,
She sits and watches.
A wife apart.

Still, it’s her space,
No need to be buzzed in.
A part of this show.

Georgine Miller




My brother
for “Emperors of African Royalty”

My brother, so strong and tall
strong yet flexible like a bamboo
ready to bend but not break
as the winds of life blow.
Eager and willing to stand again
when the wind ceases.

Flexible enough to let the little breaks
mend and to grow as the sun shines again.
Just like an African Royalty, my brother is.

You make me proud TJ and I
love you very much!

Adetola Louis-Jacques





A Fractured Union
for “A Crack on Time”
by Ramon Peralta

One side left
One side right
The train passing it in the night

Between the “NO” there’s an “I”
engulfed in blackness to the sky

Colors of old fight back time
fight back scars, fight back blight


Zehra Follweiler




The Pod
for “Extraterrestrial”
by David Molloy

The extraterrestrial pod is Rad.
What lives inside?
Is it a pod that will open and
a strange creature comes out?
Is it a pod that has plant seeds
in it?
What’s it all about?

Jones




The Traveler
for “Viola, Traveler”

My tapestry bag full of stories
age old tales with love and glory
A simple life and well-traveled paths,
I worked hard to serve
but then I observed
my ultimate goal all along . . .
was to go back home to where my heart longs

Tracey Lopez




DeRaymond
for “Tomatoes and Yellow Vase”
by William DeRaymond

Bright tomatoes, yellow vase
Dancing boys swirl and turn
Strokes shoot skyward from behind
Cezanne still come to life.

Michelle Neifert





Coy Allentown Girl
for “Linden St. & 9th St., 1902”
by Rosemary Geseck

She poses coyly in the snow covered street
Right in the middle of the street!
In downtown Allentown
(Try that now! Wow!)
9th and Linden – 1902
An unknown photographer, an unseen face
Father, Mother, Uncle?
says “Stand still, pose for the camera,”
and she smiles coyly in the
huge ice storm aftermath –
and digs her toe playfully in the snow –
The horses wait patiently
for their oats and cozy barn time
in the traces, their owner selling Fancy Cakes –
The tonsorial parlor on the
corner – maybe even had some
peppermint candy to match the
barber pole out front for the camera poser –
I wonder if she bought her
cape at Hess Brothers one block away? (opened 1897)
What was your name
coy, fun loving girl
digging your toe in the new fallen snow?


Rosemary Geseck




The Universal Truth
for “Elevation”
by Ramon Peralta

The color of blue, spirit true
As a third eye during Kundalini yoga
A chant, a trance
Floating of love, romance
One self is true, full of heat
The spine of Kundalini you cannot see
but you feel its energy
red for the heart. . .

So much energy, strong, high above
Wall and spirit, body become one
elevated away from our flesh and humanity
to connect and become one with higher power
of self and universe.


Amber Sorrentino



after Untitled
Encaustic mixed media on board
by Lee Lecky


Within this ancient art
of pigment held by wax,
I see all that circles are:
buttons, raindrops,
ancient coins, and
the blood-red ground
of being born.
I hear my mother’s cry of pain.
Floating inside the dream
of childhood, I feel those nails
pierce the hands and feet
of Jesus.

But hope rises, falls,
eases sideways, fades,
returning again,
like stages of love
through these slabs of rust,
red, turquoise,
chalk blue, hard beige,
stone grey, forest shadow,
green veined with gold:
history layered
in its small doorway —
inviting me
to enter . . .

Marilyn Hazelton