October's Show was featured in a recent write up in the Freelance Star's Weekender Section. 
Adam Desio, "Controlled Chaos" (detail) , Acrylic on Panel, 36"x36"
"Square City" Opening Night
PONSHOP Studio and Gallery premiered its first juried art exhibition on Friday night, September 3, 2010. The “Square City” show invited artists to submit work inspired by the city within the restrictions of a two-dimensional 12”x12” to 24”x24” square. By limiting the artists to these dimensions, owners Scarlett Suhy-Pons and Gabriel Pons were able to arrange the artwork to imitate the pattern of city blocks in the gallery, so that not only the artwork, but also its presentation reflected the theme.
The juror, Bob Worthy, selected 32 pieces by 28 different artists that he felt captured and showed new ways of looking at “the city.” The pieces selected ranged over a variety of media to reflect the diversity and richness of an urban environment. During the opening, an informal gallery talk was given where the PONSHOP owners thanked the artists and patrons and introduced Bob Worthy. Worthy congratulated the artists for their work, praised their creativity, and spoke on what “Square City” meant to him. He admitted how hard it was to choose three pieces for the Merit Awards and three pieces for Honorable Mentions because of the impressive level of work that was submitted.
There were three Merit Award Winners. Each received an $80 cash prize. Below are the Merit Award Winners:
"Alley" by Crystal Rodrigue, image collage on copper leaf, 20" x 20"
“City Lights” by Reuben Strangelove, fiberboard and LED illumination, 12" x 12"
“Lonesome Ave” by Robert Landeck, mixed media collage on canvas, 20" x 20"
Three artists received Honorable Mentions and were each awarded $25 PONSHOP gift certificates. Below are the Honorable Mention Winners:
“Where I Came From” by Ana Rendich, oil, 15" x 15"
Three artists received Honorable Mentions and were each awarded $25 PONSHOP gift certificates. Below are the Honorable Mention Winners:
“Where I Came From” by Ana Rendich, oil, 15" x 15"
“Stairway to Heaven” by Michelle Pierson, photography, 15" x 15"
“Shellshock, Livestock, This is No Oasis” by Nicholas A. Candela, mixed media, 13" x 13"
Below are some selections from "Square City":
"City" by Patte Ormsby, mixed media, 24" x 24"
"Downtown City Square" by Becky Hubbard, textile, 16" x 16"
"Night Light" by Bill Firestone, acrylic on canvas, 22" x 22"
"What Lies Beneath" by Leslie Brier, mixed media,12" x 12" In addition to these works, other featured artists include: John Earl, Bonnie Butler, Mary Mogee, Mirinda Reynolds, N.D. Jones, David Chance, Itty Bitty Press, Karen Julihn, Shannon Chance, J. Fred Perrine, Jennie Thomas, Linda Keefer, Milvi Gill, Joyce Leatherwood, Erin Kidd, Cathy Herndon, Pat Knock, and Jeff Gulick.
The opening night was a great success with a large turnout of both artists and fans. DJ Bredren rocked out on his turn tables, setting the mood for the exhibit with funky reggae music. In addition, Karma Fire performed fire eating and fire dancing in front of the shop throughout the night. She attracted huge interest with her flaming torches, something never before seen on the streets of Fredericksburg.
We would like to thank the following for their hard work in making Square City such a success: guest juror Bob Worthy, PONSHOP summer intern Kelly Penick (graphics and promotion), DJ Bredren, all of the artists that submitted work, as well as all participating artists. For more information about upcoming PONSHOP events, please email event@ponshopstudio.com. "Square City" runs until September 26.
Work in Progress for "Chain Reaction" Show
I've been working on this drawing/painting for a while now. First it was simply going to be a stencil, then an intricate screen print, now it's gonna be what it's gonna be...
This portrait is inspired by the character Ophelia in Shakespeare's "Hamlet". Ophelia met her end by (presumably) drowning and even though many artists have painted her in the past, I've always been interested in portraying her character visually. Below is a pic of the finished piece.
“Ophelia, Daughter of Polonius”, Mixed Media on Wood, 24”x24”
This painting will be part of the "Chain Reaction" show opening up in September at Liberty Town Arts Workshop in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It's a neat format. LibertyTown Founder, Dan Finnegan, selected three artists, those three artists selected three artists, and finally an exponential wave of 27 more artists gets added to the list. "Chain Reaction" hopes to be a great cross section of our creativity in our region. The opening reception is Friday September 3 from 6-9pm.
The Matrix of artists on exhibit next month at LibertyTown: 916 Liberty Street Fredericksburg, Virginia.
(click to enlarge)
Press Release: September "Square City" juried exhibit
SQUARE CITY
A Regional Juried Exhibition
A Regional Juried Exhibition
PONSHOP Studio and Gallery 712 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401
Opening Reception: Friday September 3, 6-10pm, Informal Gallery Talk at 7pm
Exhibition Dates: September 3-26
For a Complete Prospectus Click Here
PONSHOP Studio and Gallery is hosting its first juried art exhibition in September of 2010. Titled “Square City”, the show challenges participating artists to contribute two- dimensional artwork limited to square dimensions (between 12”x12” to 24”x24”) that incorporate the theme of the city for their inspiration. Juried by Bob Worthy, the show promises to celebrate the richness, diversity, and life that emerge from the urban environment.
“Why the Square?” Gallery owner Gabriel Pons placed this limit on the format of the work so that he can arrange the artwork in a city grid on the gallery walls. The presentation of the work will be reflective of the city itself – dense diverse networks of space that invite exploration and discovery. The theme of the city is something that Pons has explored in his own work throughout the years. With a background in architecture and having lived in New York City from 1999-2005, his work has been both inspired by and influenced by his experiences. He deliberately kept the “city” theme broad to invite a range of interpretation. Artists could reflect on cities of the past, present, and future – both real and imaginary. The gallery will award three merit awards (cash prizes) and three honorable mentions (gift certificates) to selected artists.
Bob Worthy is an active participant in the Fredericksburg Arts community. A member of the Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts, he holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Fine Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University where he is now an adjunct professor. Mr. Worthy exhibits his award winning artwork throughout the mid-Atlantic region. In October of 2000, Worthy was recognized at the Fredericksburg Virginia Regional Arts Awards, as an individual artist, for outstanding achievements and contributions to the cultural life of the greater Fredericksburg region. He also received a Certificate of Recognition from the Virginia Governor's Awards for the Arts during the same month.
PONSHOP is a multifaceted storefront: an artist studio, gallery, retail store, and classroom. The vision of the owners, Gabriel Pons and Scarlett Suhy-Pons, is to provide a place that embodies what they love: art, design, and creative education. The gallery/shop features a variety of work from artists both near and far. Their studio also doubles as a classroom, providing workshops for students interested in everything from painting, ceramics, and architecture to street art and skateboarding. PONSHOP is excited to present the work of “Square City” to the public in September.
Gabriel Pons at Caramel: May 21, 2010
I'm excited to announce that I'll be showing select work at Caramel in Washington, DC this month. The opening reception is Friday, May 21 from 6-8pm.
Smart, sophisticated, and stylish, Caramel offers unique clothing and accessories for men and women you won't see on everyone else. The U Street boutique features international, national and local designers, as well as eco-friendly fashion and vegan accessories.
Caramel
1603 U Street, NW Washington, DC
(202) 265-1930
"Soul Providers" Exhibit: March 2010
Fellow co-op artist Ana Rendich and I are the featured artists for the month of March at Art First Gallery. "Soul Providers" offers up a collection of work inspired by our personal experiences and insights. Click Here to preview some of the pieces from the exhibition.
This show has significant importance since it will be my last exhibit with Art First Gallery before I depart the co-op to focus on the new PONSHOP location. Please come out to the opening reception this Friday, March 5 from 6-9pm. The show runs through March 28.
Art First Gallery,
March Art Show Announced
I'm excited to announce that I'll be exhibiting at Art First Gallery with fellow Co-Op artist Ana Rendich. "Soul Providers" will run for the month of March with the Artists' Reception on Friday March 5 from 6-9pm.
Right now, I'm in the thick of it - working hard to make this a really rich and interesting show. We hope to see you there... -G
Latest Painting: "Hush"
"Hush", Collage, Acrylic, Spray Paint on Wood, 18"x24" $475.
"Hush" (detail)
I'm excited to announce that "Hush" will be part of a juried exhibition at LibertyTown Arts Workshop during the month of October. About Face: Portraits In All Media will feature works from artists in the region in a variety of media. Check it out:
About Face: Portraits In All Media October 2- November 1, 2009
LibertyTown Arts Workshop, 916 Liberty Street, Fredericksburg, VA
Opening Reception: Friday October 2, 6-9pm
From There 2 Here Exhibit
I'm excited to announce that I'll be participating in "From There 2 Here" an art center exhibition exchange celebrating the 35 year anniversary of the Torpedo Factory. "From There 2 Here" will feature ten fellow LibertyTown artists as well as artists from Goggleworks Center for the Arts (Reading, PA) and the Prizery (South Boston, VA).
From There 2 Here Exhibition
Exhibition Dates: September 10-October 18, 2009
Opening Reception: September 10, 6-8pm Gallery Talk: 7pm
For more info, visit the Target Gallery.
"Mortal Plush" Opening Reception
July 11, 2009: Opening Night at Art Whino's "Mortal Plush: I Am Not Your Toy" show was a lot of fun. Scarlett and I had a chance to meet some of the other participating artists and enjoy an evening out on the town.
Scarlett in front of the gallery early in the evening. Art Whino is located in the National Harbor, Maryland - a few exits north on the local I- 95 after Alexandria, Virginia.
The artist gives a bubble pose with her worm figure tittled "You Used To Love Me" (click images to enlarge)
We met Elizabeth Doherty (Illinois) who made these well-crafted crocheted animals (above and below).
We also met Anne Kirn (Illinois) whose work is above.
Heather Gargon exhibited these fantastic animals (above and below)
Helicopters and Vultures gave a performance during the evening as well....
"Mortal Plush: I Am Not Your Toy" Exhibit
We're pleased to announce that Scarlett will be participating in the "Mortal Plush: I Am Not Your Toy" show at Art Whino this month. "Mortal Plush..." will include original handmade soft-sculpture works submitted by artists worldwide, each attempting to convey the variety of emotions experienced by their human creators. Below is Scarlett's submission, "You Used To Love Me".
The opening reception is Saturday, July 11 from 6-Midnight. Show runs through August 7. Art Whino Gallery, 173 Waterfront St., National Harbor, MD 20745. For more about this show, click here.
"You Used To Love Me", Scarlett Suhy-Pons, handmade plush figure, approx. 2" diam x 17" length.
Scarlett's inspiration for this piece stems from her perspective on our environment and how our industrialized civilization continues to poison the earth with its refuse. Her worm figure is derived from a sketch that she's been drawing in her sketchbooks and on various public objects since 1999.
"FRESH" Exhibition and Upcoming Mural Event
The "FRESH" opening night was fun - we saw some great art at the Target Gallery and had a chance to catch up with old friends and meet some new ones. Below are some more snapshots from that night. I'm excited to announce that I'll be facilitating a mural workshop at the Torpedo Factory on Thursday, May 28. The schedule is as follows:
4-7pm: Gabriel Pons will give a workshop to participating high school students using Street Art techniques including paste-up collage and stencil. Students will use the inspiration of historic civil rights activist, Charles Houston, in this collective effort.
7-7:30pm: Panel Discussion - "The Art of the Tag" including panelists Marissa Botelho and Gabriel Pons.
7:30-7:45pm: Question and Answer session, refreshments to follow. Also, rumor has it that there will be some b-boy breakdancing going on that evening - let's hope it comes through.
"FRESH" runs through May 31st - check it out... For more information about this even, visit the Target Gallery at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, Virgina.
The Torpedo Factory has several galleries and lots o' art studios...
Scarlett and I made some new friends that evening...
The Sons of Batman
Cool formed glass skateboards - "Money Stack", Scott Darlington
My favorites: "AK47", Tara Dumm; "Lead Ballons", Andrew TurnerUpcoming Show: "FRESH"
I'm excited to announce that one of my paintings will be part of a group show at the Target Gallery in May. "Fresh" An Exhibition of Urban Contemporary Art will include 29 paintings selected from a national/international pool of artists.
The Target Gallery is one of the feature exhibition spaces in the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, Virginia. I'll be heading up for the reception on May 14. Hope to see you there! - G
FRESH: An Exhibition of Urban Contemporary Art
May 6-31, 2009 Reception: May 14, 6-8pm Gallery Talk: 7pm
Target Gallery, 105 N. Union Street., Alexandria, VA 22314
"Art at the Mill" Exhibition: Millwood, VA
Scarlett and I will be participating in this year's "Art at the Mill" event at the historic Burwell-Morgan Mill in Millwood, Virginia. Sponsored by the Clarke County Historical Association, this juried art exhibit will feature paintings and ceramics from numerous artists in the region. For more information about this event, Click Here.
The show runs daily, from October 4-19, 2008
Sunday through Friday 12-5pm, Saturdays 10-6pm
I will be doing an artist demonstration on Sunday, October 12 at 1pm (prior to the Artist's Reception).
Scarlett and Diego (and baby) posing in front of the restored wood mill..."Destinations: Places Traveled, Placed Dreamed" - Art First Gallery 2008
March 5th-30th, 2008. My featured artist show with Carol Iglesias opened at Art First Gallery in Fredericksburg, Virginia last week. "Destinations: Places Traveled, Places Dreamed" features recent paintings that are inspired by places visited and imagined. Below are some of my paintings exhibited in the show as well as a short video of the gallery. To view work by Carol Iglesias, you can visit her new website.
"Upon Arriving at Plaza Libertad", Mixed Media on Wood, 30"x40" $900 
"Landscape Triptych #1", Mixed Media on Paper, 37"x28" $1,200 
"Leaving La Mancha", Mixed Media on Canvas, 48"x17" $700 
"Sage Summons The Spirit For Sight", Mixed Media on Canvas, 24"x24" $800 
"Lion Capital", Mixed Media on Canvas, 24"x18" $600
"Metropolis Maze", Mixed Media on Canvas, 24"x24" $600
"The New Hieroglyph", Mixed Media on Canvas, 20"x20" $500
"The Last Pharaoh", Mixed Media on Canvas, 40"x30" $800 
"Dream Towers" , Mixed Media on Canvas, 72"x40" $2500
"Sunset Bridge", Mixed Media on Canvas, 12"x12" Sold 
"Scarlett (Black and Gold)", Mixed Media on Canvas, 12"x12" $200
If interested in purchasing (during the month of March), please contact or visit Art First Gallery: 824 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 540-371-7107 Hours: Mon-Sat 10-6pm, Sun 12-5pm
March 2008 Exhibit Announcement
I am excited to announce my upcoming show with fellow Art First member Carol Iglesias. "Destinations: Places Traveled, Places Dreamed" will feature new work which is inspired by sites both visited and imagined.
Carol Iglesias’s paintings are comprised of scenes from various Italian hillside towns throughout
My work references historic art and architecture yet is executed in a contemporary style. My latest mixed media compositions explore abstract architectural spaces where cityscapes and structures are constructed from scraps of magazines, acrylic paint, stencils and ink. My recent series of paintings experiments with figurative forms and their placement in a surreal and imaginary landscape.
When: March 5th-30th 2008 Opening Party on Friday March 7th 6-9pm
Where: Art First Gallery 824 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia USA
January 2008: Works In Progess
I'm getting ready for an upcoming show this March at Art First Gallery in downtown Fredericksburg. Fellow member, Carol Iglesias and I will be exhibiting new paintings for the month. The tentative title for the show is "Destinations" and will feature work inspired by places traveled and places dreamed...
Check out the show this March. Opening reception is Friday, March 7th 6-9pm at Art First Gallery 824 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA.
Here are some recent pics of the studio:
Piece selected: 2008 Mid-Atlantic New Painting
I'm pleased to announce that the piece above, "In The Coliseum", was selected to be shown in the juried 2008 Mid Atlantic New Painting Show.
This exhibition will be held at the University of Mary Washington's Ridderhof Gallery from January 24th to March 2nd, 2008. The opening reception is Thursday evening, January 24th from 5-7pm.
Check out some of the progress pics (circa exaclty one year ago) below:
"Present Tense" Show: Opening Night
October 8th, 2007: Opening Night for the "Present Tense" show that Scarlett, Rob Landeck, and I put together at Bistro Bethem (309 William Street). Thanks go out to all of those who came out to support the local art scene in Fredericksburg, and honestly you couldn't go wrong: with temperatures in the 90s and a Monday holiday, it felt more like a Friday night in July.
Scarlett and I feeling relieved that the show is finally up.
Below is a cross-section of the work that is on display for the "Present Tense" show at Bistro Bethem. The exhibit runs until December 8th, 2007.
If interested in purchasing or viewing more, hit us up with an email.
If interested in purchasing or viewing more, hit us up with an email.
Scarlett: spons@scarlettwares.com, Rob: robartist@earthlink.net, Gabe: gpons@ponshopstudio.com
"Rose Window I" by Scarlett Suhy-Pons, Ceramic Wall Hanging with Red Bronze Glaze (sold)
"Wind Bowl" by Scarlett Suhy Pons, Ceramic with Sea Green Glaze $180
"Rose Window II" by Scarlett Suhy-Pons, Ceramic Wall Hanging with Antigua Yellow Glaze (sold)
"Rose Window III" by Scarlett Suhy-Pons, Ceramic Wall Hanging with Satin White Glaze $85
"Ode to the Stratocaster I" by Rob Landeck, Oil and Collage on Canvas 30"x40" $750
"Play It Low" by Rob Landeck, Mixed Media on Canvas, 12"x12" $125
"Devil Drummer" by Rob Landeck, Mixed Media on Canvas, 12"x12" $125
"Jammin' on Julia" by Rob Landeck, Mixed Media on Canvas, 16"x24" $225
MONO Longboard Series by Gabriel Pons, Spray Paint on Plywood $120 each
"Standing Between Sand and Sea" by Gabriel Pons, Mixed Media on Canvas (sold)
"The Last Pharaoh" by Gabriel Pons, Mixed Media on Canvas $750
"New Hieroglyph #1" by Gabriel Pons, Mixed Media on Canvas $400October Art Show Announced....
"Present Tense" Art Exhibit at Bistro Bethem
Scarlett and I will join fellow LibertyTown Artist Rob Landeck for an art show at one of the city’s finest restaurants. Present Tense will feature paintings on wood and canvas by Rob and I
Where: Bistro Bethem, 309 William Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia