Spit It Out!
in the Main Gallery
Opening First Friday March 6th , 6-9 pm
March 6th-27th, 2009
In March, The 621 Gallery presents Spit it Out!, an exhibition revealing the narrative elements of pop-art, deconstruction, and contemporary invention. Alan Skees reacts to current events in a playful, yet critical manner using large-scale two-dimensional graphic art. Ivan Fortushniak exposes the history of paintings by creating distressed surfaces via unconventional methods. Mark Mcleod manipulates truth by incorporating myth and fiction into authentic narrative illustrations.
Glitter Chariot will be performing “All That Heaven Will Allow”, featuring Ryan Berg, Chuck Carbia, Kelly Boehmer, Danielle Shockley, and Lexi Braun. This new performance brings sweet and tragic melodrama together with fantastic characters and sentimental song, completing a fiercely tender yet gruesome and unfortunate story of love. This retelling of the story of Ernie and Bert is thrust into a lovers’ triangle where the love of romance isn’t destroyed; the love of friendship is. Friends in need of each other are faced with the need to continue in the wake of brutal death. Memories of a past imagined (Germany, Kirshner’s Rock Concert, Sesame Street) run rampant, and the tenuousness of their bond is destroyed.
Rylan Steele
in The Nan Boynton Memorial Gallery
Opening First Friday March 6th, 6-9 pm
March 6th-27th, 2009
Rylan Steele explores the history of useful spaces through his photographs. Steele’s work reveals the expectations and inherent details of interior spaces, documenting facts and unearthing lived experiences.
Opening First Friday February 6th 6-9 pmFebruary 6th-27th, 2009
Person, Place or Thing
The 621 Gallery presents Person, Place, or Thing, an exhibition connecting history with the present through artistic narrative. Inga Huld Tryggvadottir incorporates others’ experiences by relating her own personal memories through objects and icons. Yoko Iwinaga recalls childhood memories by piecing together her past with her present in abstract compositions. Sonja Hinrichsen maps urban locales with multi-media installations that track the history and diversity associated with each place. Greg Blair connects nature with culture through examples of co-dependence in mixed-media installations. (Main Gallery)
Lifestyle
During their travels across the U.S., artists Barbour and Jones collect objects and photographs that serve as icons of American subcultures. This exhibit is a third person peek into the unique experiences and circumstances of communities and subcultures throughout the United States. Subcultures overflow and intermingle within this installation, actively engaging the viewer. Visitors will experience listening & talking and become participant & audience. Join Barbour and Jones in a Gallery Talk on Thursday February 5th at 6pm at The 621 Gallery. (The Nan Boynton Memorial Gallery)
Cultural Distortion
Opening First Friday January 2nd, 6-9pm
January 2nd-30th, 2009
The 621 Gallery presents Cultural Distortion, an exhibition analyzing cultural perceptions through various mediums. Artist Sarah Christensen Blair explores gender roles by tracing the domestic roots of craft into a contemporary context. Jason Urban distorts perception through the juxtaposition of pattern and color in digital media and printmaking. Min Kim Park uses her large-scale media installations to dismantle social taboos associated with femininity and eastern cultures.
In the Nan Boynton Memorial Gallery, FSU Art
Students’ League.
FLIM FLAM CIRCUS VARIETY AND TRUNK SHOW
Benefit for 621 Gallery Thursday May 28th 2009
fashion. cabaret. useless pageantry
For one night only, Julie Argue and Kehren Barbour present an evening full of live music, circus acts and snacks and drinks available for purchase. The evening’s main events are the two fashoin shows featuring the late spring creations of J. Argue and K. Barbour. All original fashoins are for sale and extremely affordable. This event is free to the public, but donations are welcome! Doors open at 8pm. Event ends at 10pm.
Essence of Artistry
Opening First Friday, June 5th, 6-9pm
Essence of Artistry is a group of regional performing and visual artists who bring art to life before your eyes. The purpose of Essence Of Artistry is to enhance Tallahassee cultural arena through the infusion of music and art produced by the talent of nationally acclaimed musician Dayve Stewart, the brilliant and eccentric live art performance of the artist Rohaun, the inspirational words of B. Knight , and the photographs of the essential elements that compose life by Adeleke’ . This Friday The 621 Gallery will feature live performances by Adeleke Omitowojuu, Rohaun and B. Knight.
Fourth Annual All-media National Juried Exhibition (ANJE IV) July 3 – August 23, 2009
Exhibiting Artists: Robert Arbogast / Ekaterina Arslambakova / Antuco Chicaiza / Po-Chi Chu / Kate M. Davis / Francine Ditton / Amy J. Fleming / Nathan Grimes / Ronald L. Jones / Ann Kozeliski / James A. MacClean / Vivien T. Segel / E. Taylor Seidler / Omar Thompson / Steven Waller / Jeff Whipple / Katie L. Yates
BEST IN SHOW – Jeff Whipple - Seizing the Day
FIRST PLACE – Amy Flemming – Our Lady of the Salvage Yard
SECOND PLACE – Vivien Segal – Obsolete
THIRD PLACE – Francine Ditton – Rosetta
About the Juror: Aja Roche
Aja Roache currently teaches Art Management at Florida A&M University. She holds a MA from Draper School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Humanities and Social Thought at NYU, where she concentrated on Museum Studies. Her writing has included topics on contemporary African-American women artists and the history of American children’s book illustrators. She has served as an art fundraising consultant for several New York and Florida art agencies as well as curator for independent art projects in Brooklyn, NY, Washington, DC and Tallahassee. She currently serves as Gallery Coordinator for FAMU’s Foster Tanner Fine Arts Gallery.
All-media National Juried Exhibition
Opening: Friday July 3rd, 2009
621 Gallery is proud to present ANJE IV, the fourth annual All-media National Juried Exhibition. Each year the exhibition competition draws a number of entries from around the nation, yielding an extraordinary show full of diverse artworks. This year’s show will feature an incredible lineup of artists whose works range from paintings and drawings to photography and mixed media.
Exhibiting Artists: Robert Arbogast / Ekaterina Arslambakova / Antuco Chicaiza / Po-Chi Chu / Kate M. Davis / Francine Ditton / Amy J. Fleming / Nathan Grimes / Ronald L. Jones / Ann Kozeliski / James A. McClean / Vivien T. Segel / E. Taylor Seidler / Omar Thompson / Steven Waller / Jeff Whipple / Kati L. Yates
About the Juror:
Aja Roache currently teaches Art Management at Florida A&M University. She holds a MA from the Draper School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Humanities and Social Thought at NYU, where she concentrated on Museum Studies. Her writing has included topics on contemporary African-American women artists and the history of American children’s book illustrators. She has served as an art fundraising consultant for several New York and Florida arts agencies as well as curator for independent art projects in Brooklyn, NY, Washington, DC and Tallahassee. She currently serves as Gallery Coordinator at FAMU’s Foster Tanner Fine Arts Gallery.
Juror’s Statement:
“When selecting the art work for ANJE IV, I initially considered strong visual aesthetics. ‘Aesthetics’ being such a subjective consideration, I had to come up with an additional rubric to more objectively define what it is that made me choose one art work over another. After my initial curiosity of each visually striking art piece, I looked closer at the artists’ other images to ensure their work appears to be consistently on a path: technically, conceptually and skillfully. Once these elements were confirmed through long periods of more detailed observations of each image, I felt capable of making final decisions.” “It was a difficult decision to make due to the size limitation of the show, but I am honored to have participated in such a wonderful competition and gallery program. All of the artists that submitted work should be proud of the art they are producing and their contributions to the creative world.”
Head, Tadja Dragoo
In the Nan Boynton Memorial Gallery
The solo exhibition in the by ANJE III Best in Show Artist, Tadja Dragoo.
In No Illusion of Containment: New Works by Anne Stagg and Judy Rushin, the artists invoke complimentary views of social instability, intentional shortcomings, and the way we build our worlds.
Anne Stagg’s paintings pair together the optimism of choice with the tragic beauty of loss through an investigation of regional social constructs. Attempts at perfection intentionally fall short creating a quirky individuality within a hackneyed formula. Through the repetition of this formula, Stagg shows us that the same rules applied to individuals create wide-cast variations and that when choice is allowed to enter into a formula, the structure begins to show flaws and break down.
“Judy Rushin proposes [that the] painting frame might offer a perspective outside the gallery into our own isolated and compromised existence. Long fascinated by the quotidian: by the life of children and by their architecture of forts, clubhouses and improvised structures, Rushin subverts the usual promise of painting, to offer a window into other worlds; a portal to some beautiful place.” (Felicia Feaster)
In her newest piece, to be debuted at 621, Reversible: Temporary Refuge for a Benefactor, Rushin constructs a room from the Fort paintings, completing the circular nature of her methodology.
621 Gallery Opens New Exhibit on First Friday, October 2nd
Restricted Geography: Daniel Kariko, Cindy Stockton Moore, John Raulerson
Florida’s inland highways are littered with signs announcing residential development opportunities, proclaiming, “ A Great Place to Live!” Sprouting subdivisions are replacing orange groves, palmettos and cattle land. However, Daniel Kariko and John Raulerson illustrate how the idyllic roadside billboards paint a much different picture than the life in these undeveloped and ghostly instant-communities.
Cindy Stockton Moore explores the fragmented landscape and reveals painting as a process of artifice and intervention. In these imagined scenes, nature is a site for transgression and transition: both geographically and psychologically. The current exhibition consists of three distinct series that also incorporate my personal connection to the North Florida region.
This exhibit will run October 2nd through October 25th. The 621 Gallery is open to the public Wednesday – Friday 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Saturday – Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Visit www.621Gallery.org for more information.
All Metals Eve Iron Pour October 17, 2009
Presented by 621 Gallery, Mill Street Metal Arts & FSU Master Craftsman Studios
Join us this Saturday October 17th from noon – 6pm for an afternoon of fire, sparks and social networking with some of the area’s most talented artists where the molten iron will be flowing at the All Metals Eve Iron Pour. This free event is only open to the public a few times a year and is a chance to see metal craftspeople performing a live iron pour. Come hungry and get some BBQ from Al’s Pit Stop.
You can participate in the action by purchasing and creating your own scratch block design. Scratch blocks allow you to “scratch” into the recessed surface of bonded sand block. Whether you create a tile for your garden or a personalized present for a friend you can customize any way you want. Bring your scratch block design to the Iron Pour and watch as your own piece of iron artwork is poured by members of Mill Street Metal Arts. Mill Street Metal Arts is a Co-Op of Tallahassee Artist and Craftsman bringing a unique style of art into the community.
Scratch blocks are $15 and include both the actual block and iron. All proceeds of the pour benefit The 621 Gallery Help Art Live 2010 campaign. HAL2010 aims to educate the public on how donations from individuals and private foundations are the sustaining force for The 621 gallery at a time when government funding for the arts is at its lowest point. As we like to say, without our individual supporters 621 is just and address.
621 Gallery Seeks Artists for 28th Annual Next-to-Last Armageddon Art Show
Next-to-Last Armageddon Art Show is a one night only show on Halloween Saturday October 31st from 7 – 10pm
The 621 Gallery invites artists to participate in this year’s Next-to-Last Armageddon Art Show. Bring your aptly themed art piece to the Gallery Wednesday, October 28 – Friday, October 30th from 11am -6pm or on Halloween day from 1 – 5pm. This is a completely non-juried show so wall space is first come first serve. Artists participating in the Next-to-Last Armageddon Art Show receive half price admission, plus other applicable discounts, to the after party – the MasquerAID Ball.
The Next-to-Last Armageddon Art Show is Gallery’s oldest running annual non-juried all media exhibition. It its 28th year, the Next-to-Last Armageddon celebrates the rule of misrule by offering the Gallery walls to all artists. We celebrate the next-to-last end of days on Halloween night by only opening the gallery after sunset. We invite guests to arrive in costume and bring a flashlight because there will be no lights.
Stay after the exhibit for the MasquerAID Ball where the heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be flowing.
MasquerAID Fundraiser on Halloween Saturday October 31st from 10pm – 1am
Eat, Drink and Be Scary! Come on over for the harrowing fright that 621 Gallery is brewing for Halloween Night. This will be a unique and wickedly fun Halloween party that YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS!
Come for the Next-to-Last Armageddon Art Show opening at 7pm…STAY for MasquerAID!
Details of MasquerAID:
The event will include DJs and dancing as well as Edgar Allan Poe’s “Masque of the Red Death,” an immersion performance piece presented by Steampunk Junkies. Light hors devours will be provided. The bar will serve beer, wine and select mixed drinks.
Ticket Information:
Make your ticket reservations through email or via phone today. You can also purchase tickets at First Friday on October 2 or during gallery hours at 621.
Members get half off after all other discounts with their 621 members card.
A costume is required for entry, however feel free to be as creative as you wish no need to stick with the masquerade theme. Hand crafted masks will be available for purchase at the door.
Mask Decorating:
Not your first time at the rodeo? Create your own mask at home and bring it to MasquerAID to compete in the “Advanced Mask Builders” competition.
Make sure to wear your best attire. We hope to see you there!
Art Auction Preview: First Friday November 6th from 6 – 9pm
16th Annual Art Auction: Saturday November 14th from 6 – 10pm.
Join us Saturday, November 14th for the 16th Annual Art Auction fundraiser for The 621 Gallery. This year’s Art Auction features an outstanding selection of the finest art going to the highest bidder. The Annual Art Auction is a high point in The 621 Gallery season which attracts art patrons from across the region. Beginning with a preview on First Friday November 6th, the community gets a chance to view new works from the region’s best artists on display in Tallahassee’s unique contemporary art space. Please join us for an exciting evening of food, drinks and spirited bidding for great art. Admission to the Art Auction is FREE for 621 Gallery members and a suggested donation of $10 for non members. You can become a member or purchase your tickets in advance at The 621 Gallery.
This year’s featured artists include:
Fredrick Aman
Natalia Andreeva
Carrie Ann Baade
Nick Baldwin
Barbara Balzer
Jose Valdes Bartrou
Ben L Bivins
George Blakely
Amanda Boekhout
Kabuya P. Bowens
Carly Brady
David Breault
Lee Bretschneider
Michael W. Brennen
Amy Brown Ward
Barry Bullard
Ray Burgraff
Colleen Cacace
Denise Choppin
Po-Chi L. Chu
Jonathan Clark
Chalet Comellas
Tamar Dachoach
Holly Daniels
Greer Dauphin
Michelle Davis
Burt Davy
Mark Dickson
Mark Dickson
Diane Dyal
R. Patrick Elliott
Amy Flemming
Stephen J. Fox
FSU Master Craftsman Studios
Lilian Garcia-Roig
Dean Gioia
Jim Graham
Andrew Greenwood
Nathan Grimes
Julie Guyot
Heidi Haire
Linda Hall
Robert Hargrave
Kyle Helbling
Ira Hill
Cynthia Hollis
Charles Hook
Debbie Hooper
Jaye Houle
Nathan Illig
Hunter Jonakin
Steven Bernard Jones
Carson Jordan
Dillon Jordan
Lisa Cesare Jordan
Daniel Kariko
donalee pond Koenig
Amy Koontz Knippel
Delaina Le Blanc
Sarah Lindsey
Will Luck
Rene Lynch
Junia Mason-Edmonds
Mark Messersmith
John E. Metcalfe
Roxane McGinnis
Dawn McMillan
Cindy Miller
Jim Miller
Shehla Milliron
Timothy Moore
Ruth Nickens
Jason Orman
Ljiljana Obradovic-Edmiston
Dana Palmer
Gertrude Palmer
Susan Peacock
Barbara Psimas
Echo Railton
Randy Rains
Perdita Ross
Judy Rushin
April Saler-Smith
Beate Sass
Cheryl Sattler
Vivian Sherlock
Sunny Spillane
Anne Stagg
Pam Talley
Paul Tamanian
Laura Tanner
Olan Thornton
Lawrence Tobe
Steven Torres
Linda Van Beck
Antonia Catherine Webb
Jeff Whipple
John Lytle Wilson
Mary Penelope Young
Jeff Zenick
Heidi Zito