The Inventory

(Above: Dorothy Netherland's Lucky. Click on image to enlarge.)

if ART presents THE INVENTORY at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios , 808 Lady Street in the downtown Vista area of Columbia, South Carolina

THE INVENTORY:
A Group Show of if ART artists

February 15 – 26, 2008

Artists’ Reception: Friday, February 15 from 5 – 10 p.m.

Opening Hours: Saturdays, 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.; Sundays from 1 - 5 p.m.; and weekdays from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. and by appointment.

For additional information, please contact Wim Roef at if Art (803) 238-2351 or by email at wroefs@sc.rr.com. Also, please visit the Gallery 80808/Vista Studios' website here.


(Above: Jeff Donovan's Back Hand II. Click on image to enlarge.)

(Above: Kees Salentijn's Hombre. Click on image to enlarge.)

(Above: Marcelo Novo's work.)

(Above: Katie Walker's Electric II. Click on image to enlarge.)

For its February exhibition, if ART presents The Inventory, a group exhibition of artists from if ART Gallery. The show will consist of many new works by if ART artists as well as older pieces from the gallery’s inventory.

Included in the show will be work by Columbia artists Jeff Donovan, Mary Gilkerson, Marcelo Novo, Anna Redwine and David Yaghjian. Other South Carolina artists include Carl Blair, Jeri Burdick, Phil Garrett, Bill Jackson, Peter Lenzo, Dorothy Netherland, Matt Overend, Edward Rice, Tom Stanley, Christine Tedesco, H. Brown Thornton, Leo Twiggs, Katie Walker and Paul Yanko. Furthermore, the show will present work by former South Carolina residents Tonya Gregg, Eric Miller and Andy Moon. Also included are California collage artist Jerry Harris, Dutch painter Kees Salentijn and German artists Roland Albert, Klaus Hartmann and Silvia Rudolf.

(Above: Tonya Gregg's Naked Man Beach.)

To visit Gallery 80808/Vista Studios, click here.

Slightly off the Path by Matthew Givens

Matthew Givens presents Slightly off the Path at Gallery80808/Vista Studios, 808 Lady Street in Columbia's downtown Vista area. The exhibition begins on Thursday, February 7th and runs through Tuesday, February 12th. Hours are 10 AM until 5 PM.

The opening reception is Friday, February 8th from 5 - 10 PM.

Fine Art Photographer Matthew Givens provided the following state for this exhibition:

Slightly off the Path


Slightly off the Path are the images of my three months spent exploring the English Countryside. The Peak District, located mainly in the beautiful county of Derbyshire is where my work focused.

Armed with two cameras, a few lenses and plenty of warm clothes, I spent four to eight hours a day hiking alone, exploring the stark but wonderful landscape. I believe that true beauty comes through staying Slightly off the Path. Come with me and experience that beauty first hand. Walk with me Slightly off the Path.




Matthew Givens answered several interesting questions about his life, approach to art, and his inspirations:

How and when did you know you were a Photographer?

There were two different defining moments for me. The first day was the day I walked into a barn my Grandfather had built. Old things, dusty in disuse and aging, surrounded me, but as each item came into view, I began to see the beauty and story they contained. The second time that something shifted for me was when I photographed Grant's tomb. Preparing for the shoot, I went into the tomb, sat, walked around. For hours I sat waiting, waiting, and waiting for the right shot to appear. Then suddenly it did. I knew then that I had the discipline and patience to wait for the right shot to appear. Those who know me know that patience is not my strong suit, but when looking for the right shot, it takes what it takes.

Where are your roots?

I was born in Monroe, Louisiana, March 8, 1974, to Larry and Mona Shea Givens (Frasier). I have a younger brother, Ben, a younger sister, Bonnie, a niece, Valerie, and a newphew, Frasier (both the light of my life). My dad has the ability to see the "whole picture", and my mom has been a creative artist her whole career. I'm sure the seeds of my talent began with them. Educated in Waynesboro, Mississippi, and a regular church-going Baptist, my childhood was mostly concerned with sports and hanging out with friends, but I did have a passion for drawing comic book characters. After high school, not yet ready for college, I briefly attended Jones County Junior College, where I majored in art. I transferred to Johnson and Whales Culinary School, graduating in 1996. I did, and still do, love to creatively cook. However, after four years of restaurants, I knew that wasn't it. I landed a job working with paint, color, and light while learning the intricacies of a photo shoot. Today, I am a full-time artist.


What Cameras do you use?

Mostly, I use a Leica M8 or a Mamiya ZD. They give me quality, size and of course, my instant gratification.

For additional information and images, please visit www.matthewgivens.com or the Gallery 80808/Vista Studios website.

ARTSFEST 2008 in Florence, South Carolina

Artsfest 2008 Juried Exhibition and Art Sale will open with a Gala Preview on Thursday, February 7 from 6 PM until 10 PM at the former Florence County Public Library at the Corner of Irby and Pine Streets in downtown Florence. The event is sponsored by the Florence Regional Arts Alliance.

HOURS: Friday, February 8 from 6 - 9 PM;
Saturday, February 9 from 10 AM - 6 PM;
and Sunday, February 10 from 1:30 - 5:30 PM.

Vista Studios artists Michel McNinch (her booth is pictured above) and Susan Lenz (her booth is pictured below) are part of this event.

Vista Studio Artist at Night on the Nile Gala

Please note: At the time of this post there is still a wonderful exhibit at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios, 808 Lady Street in downtown Columbia, SC. Winter Exhibition features art by Stephen Chesley, Mike Williams, Ed Wimberly, and David Yaghjian through February 5. Weekdays 10 - 5; Weekends, 1-5.

THIS POST IS ABOUT NIGHT ON THE NILE, a black tie gala recently held at the Columbia Museum of Art, a celebration of the 10th anniversary of the museum at its Main Street location and the opening of Excavating Egypt. Several Vista Studio artists were invited to paint/decorate/alter one of the exhibit's tote bags for a silent auction.

(Above is a view to the lobby during the gala. Click on image to enlarge.)

(Above is Vista Studio artist Robert Kennedy with his wife. Below is Robert's tote bag.)

(Click on image to enlarge.)

(Above are Vista Studio artists Jeff Donovan on the left and David Yaghjian on the right.)

(Above is Jeff's altered tote bag...after being covered in layers of clay slip, fired, and mounted on a wooden panel in order to hang on a wall. It is called, Alligator Handbag! Click on image to enlarge.)

(Above is David Yaghjian's tote bag...with the words "Cobra Snake for a Necktie". Click on image to enlarge.)

(Above is Vista Studio artist Michel McNinch posing with her altered totebag, a unique 3D creation!)

(Above is Doni Jordan's totebag donation. She's a regular visitor to Gallery80808/Vista Studios who couldn't come to the gala but wanted a photo of her work! Doni and her tennis team won a state championship.)

(Above is part of the tote bag display. The area was a bit crowded with interested potential bidders and gala guests. It was difficult to photograph some of the tote bags, including the very, very well done one created by Vista Studio artist Ethel Brody, pictured below in her outstanding archaeologist attire!)



(Everyone looked radiant at the gala...as is obvious in the photo above of Jeff Donovan and Ellen and David Yaghjian.)

This post is being written by Vista Studios artist Susan Lenz, who forgot to take a photo of her own tote bag. Perhaps the tarot card seer, Lady Noor, above should have mentioned Susan's forgetfulness....but Susan took a photo of her piece before turning it in. It's below. Click on images to enlarge.)

(Susan Lenz' tote bag...hand embroidered front....

...and machine embroidered back.)