Sylvia Kania Gallery – The doors are open

Well, sort of – right now the gallery is transitioning from a blank canvas to a work of art.  You might stop by and find some of our co-op members working in the space and installing the artwork at all hours.  Our “official” hours after 8/1 are Hours:  Thursdays – Sundays 11am-7pm

And location:

Venue: Sylvia Kania Gallery is located at 148 High Street, Portland, ME 04101

(Directly across from the Eastland Park Hotel in the State Theater Building)

Hours:  Thursdays – Sundays 11am-7pm

 

Phone: 207-615-6019 (YES, look this is new, we have a phone, which is a great way to find out if someone is in the gallery working on the space before you stop by – prior to 8/1  of course.

For More Information: Email Jessica Lauren Lipton at jessica@jessicalaurenlipton.com (She is our manager and the designer of the LOGO, the amazing shelving that is unlike anything I’ve ever seen, way to cool for words!)

Thanks to Jen Joaquin, our chalkboard wall is DONE! (I saw her do this myself.)

I have to say this creative group has amazed me and despite the fact that my assignment is to market the place, I think the members have all pitched in and made this happen fast!  Not only are the artists working to get the space ready for our grand opening 8/1, but any number of Jess’s friends or her boyfriend are continuing to lend a hand.

When I peaked in on Sunday (it was closed, but will be open on Sundays in the future) – there was art on the wall and it was SO exciting.  I have to say this has been an amazing journey so far.

In case you missed my earlier blog:  Here is all the information!

SYLVIA KANIA GALLERY

 

“A funky artist-run cooperative focused on culture, outreach & conversation in an invitingly offbeat space”

 

 

Dates:  August 1, 2008 – Sylvia Kania Gallery Grand Opening 5pm-8pm

(Details on viewing the gallery prior to our grand opening are below in Sneak Preview!)

           

Venue: Sylvia Kania Gallery is located at 148 High Street, Portland, ME 04101

(Directly across from the Eastland Park Hotel in the State Theater Building)

Hours:  Thursdays – Sundays 11am-7pm

 

Phone: 207-615-6019

 

For More Information: Email Jessica Lauren Lipton at jessica@jessicalaurenlipton.com

 

Skinny: Sylvia Kania Gallery is cooperative journey featuring a diverse group of twelve local artists. The creators behind SKG, Cat McKenna and Jessica Lauren Lipton are realizing their vision of a community-based gallery.  Make NO Mistake! This is not just another Portland Art Gallery! Our aim is to set up an organization that gives a mix of artists an opportunity to earn all or part of their living. In the spirit of fostering unity and working together, we will reach out to local businesses to develop partnerships through cross-promotions. Our business model includes becoming a viable part of the Art and Downtown District and a Resource for the Community in which we operate. Come on in to hang out on our couches, listen to some music, check out the artwork, and read and write messages about art our art conversation black board wall!

 

Artists: Artists include: Cat McKenna, Jessica Lauren Lipton, Jonathan M. Dunitz, Lori Rae Curole, Kelly Donahue, Gregor Arturo, Jen Joaquin, Linsday Torrey, Felicia Teach, Elizabeth Sherman, Vicky Lloyd & Susan Hazzard (Additional information enclosed)

 

First Friday/Special Events: First Friday Art Walk – SKG will be the “must stop” place to go to on the art walk, with special events including live music, non-alcoholic beverages and guest artists. Our opening event on August 1, 2008 will be the first of many First Fridays and enticing themed openings to come.

 

Sneak Preview:

Come on in while we put the finishing touch on our gallery on or after Saturday July 19th and during our hours: Thurs-Sun 11am – 7pm. Works for sale include a broad range of prices from $5.00 and up.

 

Interviews: available by contacting Jessica Lauren Lipton at jessica@jessicalaurenlipton.com

Moving Forward: In the near future, SKG will coordinate special events, host a coffee bar, and extend our hours to include additional evenings as we grow. Our community outreach will provide information on organic farmers, food co-ops, promoting community barter, and living green resources.  Sylvia Kania will join Portland’s locally owned business campaign to promote the “Buy Local” way of life. SKG plans to increase their unique art talent to include new genres, as well as a total of twenty-five permanent artists by the end of 2008.

 

About us: Want to get to know this creative group? Stop by to meet us, in the meantime here is some information about a few! Cat McKenna, has a passion for art and a fondness for late Aunt Sylvia Kania “a feisty woman with enough class to spare” who is the namesake of the gallery.  Cat creates Celtic Art. Jessica Lauren Lipton is the Gallery Manager and is a talented Installation artist using the juxtaposition of objects to question the relationship of an individual to a larger society and the reciprocity of that relationship. Felicia Teach is a Plein air oil painter who works in the realist tradition. Jonathan M. Dunitz, Photographer, captures unique perspectives of architecture & decaying vehicles. Elizabeth Sherman creates ceramic, glass and metal work.  Jen Joaquin, a painter feeds her addiction for color by painting. Lindsay Torrey, pottery and jewelry, uses vibrant colors to make one-of-a-kind pieces. Lori Rae, Painter, shows diverse vibrant colors in offbeat subject matter. Gregor Arturo is a wildlife photographer who also dabbles in sculpture and calligraphy. Vicky Lloyd who creates pottery has recently discovered her passion for sculpting.