Josh Lawrence Salon Mural

February 2021 was a tough month. It seemed like every week was a sleet or snow storm and temps rarely got above 40 degrees. Fortunately, I was pleasantly distracted working on this mural at Josh Lawrence Salon.

This is the first of two murals in their Fredericksburg salon. The owners, Josh and Lawrence, were fans of PONSHOP through the years and gave me carte blanche on the artwork. My concept for their space is to explore the materiality of hair: color, form, and texture. This first mural, located in the front room, was inspired by a lock of hair that Scarlett sent to me back in the fall of 1995 when I was in Europe doing a semester abroad. If you take a look at the Josh Lawrence Instagram, you’ll see that they are masters of the cut and color and I’ve seen it myself! They have the ability to transform their clients and by the time they’re finished, clients can’t stop looking in the mirror.

Shout out to Josh and Lawrence for being so patient and accommodating throughout my late night painting sessions . I’m looking forward to the next mural!

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"Remixed 4" Vinyl Album Art Show

Exhibition Dates: August 5-28
Opening Reception: Friday, August 5 (6-10pm)

PONSHOP Studio is pleased to announce their eighth community art exhibition in August of 2016.  “Remixed 4” features original artwork using 12” vinyl record albums.  The exhibit includes over fifty participating artists working on this unconventional canvas.  The opening reception for “Remixed 4” will be Friday, August 5 (6-10pm).

This is the fourth year of the “Remixed” vinyl-themed show and PONSHOP has received an overwhelming response from local artists.  As of this press release, the gallery has issued over 80 albums to be adorned.  This community art show has proven to be a great addition to the gallery’s exhibition schedule, involving artists of all backgrounds and also boasting affordable artworks for the home or office ranging from $25-$200.  “Remixed 4” will be curated by gallery owners Scarlett and Gabriel Pons.

Participating artists include Diego Pons, Patricia Atkinson, Yanina Angelini, Amy Bayne, Sharon Blanchard, Morgan Buenos, Maddie Huddle, Newell Jones, Kay Portmess, Tim Rodgers Jr., Andrew Ruddle, Rachel Ruddle, Dolly Whitley, and many more. 

PONSHOP is a multifaceted storefront: an artist studio, gallery, retail store, and classroom.  The vision of the owners, Scarlett and Gabriel 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. 

Call for Artists: Model Kit Marvels Exhibition

Registration Deadline: Wednesday, June 15, 2016 or when submission limit is met.
Registration Fee: $20 (includes 1 model kit) Limited to First 25 Artist Entries & 1 Kit Per Artist
Delivery of Artwork: on/before Sunday, June 26 (noon-5pm)

Opening Reception: Friday, July 1, 2016 (6-10pm)
Exhibition Dates: July 1-31, 2016
Artwork Retrieval: Monday, August 1, 2016

PONSHOP is pleased to announce our seventh community art exhibition in July of 2016, and we invite you to participate as an artist in the event! “Model Kit Marvels” will feature custom-painted model kits supplied by the New York-based company Boundless Brooklyn. Artists can select between the Boundless Brooklyn Half Pipe, Medium Water Tower, or Billboard kit. 

Entry Parameters: Artists can modify their model kit however they see fit, adorning with paint, markers, and incorporating additional materials.  The models, however, must retain the same "footprint" - meaning that no materials shall excessively extend beyond the volume of the model.  Boundless Brooklyn Kits must be purchased through PONSHOP. All artwork must be assembled and dry upon delivery and all work must be for sale (The gallery retains 40% commission on all sales).  The gallery reserves the right to reject entries based upon quality: uniqueness and creativity, craftsmanship and execution.  Late Entries will be rejected. Entries must be original creations of the artist - no reproductions of others artwork.

We encourage all participating artists to join us for the opening reception.  We'll be doing a Do-It-Yourself Model Kit workshop in our classroom and, weather permitting, we'll have our garden open as well for guests.

Feel free to contact us should you have any questions. 

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Boundless Brooklyn is an innovative company established in New York by friends David and Terence. They provide easy-to-assemble model architecture kits that allow you to add your own personal flair. Made out of 100% recycled material, their easy-to-assemble kits pay homage to iconic structures in our urban environment including NYC’s classic water towers, billboards, and skateboard ramps to name a few.  Learn more at www.boundlessbrooklyn.com

PONSHOP is a multifaceted storefront: an art gallery, retail store, and classroom.  The vision of the owners, Scarlett and Gabriel Pons, is to provide a place that embodies what they love: art, design, and creative education.  The gallery features a variety of work from artists both near and far.  Their storefront includes a classroom, providing workshops for students interested in everything from painting, ceramics, and architecture to street art and skateboarding.  PONSHOP has been retailing Boundless Brooklyn products since 2015 and incorporates Boundless kits in their art curriculum, teaching students about the history and architectural importance of these miniature structures.

“Remixed 3” Vinyl Album Art Exhibit

PONSHOP-Remixed3-Blog-Poster-02_web

Exhibition Dates: August 7-30 Opening Reception: Friday, August 7 (6-10pm)

PONSHOP Studio is pleased to announce their sixth community art exhibition in August of 2015.  “Remixed 3” features original artwork using 12” vinyl record albums.  The exhibit includes over fifty participating artists working on this eccentric canvas.  The opening reception for “Remixed 3” will be Friday, August 7 (6-10pm).  In keeping with the show’s theme, DJ Moog will be spinning on the turntables in the garden space of the gallery.

This is the third year of the “Remixed” vinyl-themed show and PONSHOP has received an overwhelming response from local artists.  As of this press release, the gallery has issued over 85 albums to be adorned.  This community art show has proven to be a great addition to the gallery’s exhibition schedule, involving artists of all backgrounds and also boasting affordable artworks for the home or office ranging from $25-$200.  “Remixed 3” will be curated by gallery owners Scarlett and Gabriel Pons.

August 2013 Opening: Tailor Made 3

Friday August 2nd marked the third annual "Tailor Made" show at PONSHOP featuring the latest t-shirt designs by Icy Grape Incident, Nightmare Inc., Out of Step Arts, and PONSHOP.  That evening, Scarlett executed the "pop up lawn" project in front of the shop.  Inspired by parklet designs seen on the west coast, we utilized the sidewalk space in front of the shop to transform it into an outdoor living room for our guests.  Thanks to all the fans that came out for the evening.  "Tailor Made 3" runs through August 31.

Artful Contribution to Healing Garden

Hospice Support Care (HSC) of Fredericksburg, VA has created a Healing Garden for bereaved families receiving grief services from HSC at the Harbor House Bereavement and Training Center located at 2103 Washington Avenue in Fredericksburg, VA. On Thursday June 27th, HSC will host the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours Event from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This event sponsored by Blue and Gray Brewery, The Copper Fox Distillery, Lifepoint and the Fredericksburg Jazz Collective serves as the unveiling of the Healing Garden.  The Healing Garden was built with funds provided by the Duff McDuff Green Jr, Fund of the Community Foundation and in-kind donations from local contractors and volunteers.

Local artists Scarlett Pons of Ponshop and Kevin Rodrigue of Rodrigue Studios contributed their creative services to Fredericksburg’s local Hospice Support Care’s Healing Garden Project. Pons created ceramic blossoms to be mounted on steel trees created by Rodrigue. Two separate metal tree forms are installed in the Healing Garden. The first tree is known as the memorial tree. It supports ceramic blossoms with either a name and/or a message for a lost loved-one inscribed. The second tree known as the sponsor tree, holds blossoms inscribed with the names of those generous organizations willing to sponsor the opening of the Healing Garden.

The Healing Garden has a waterfall and a pond surrounded by stone seating walls and patios. The tranquil atmosphere is designed to provide respite to those who are grieving a serious illness or significant loss. The setting is designed with horticultural elements which will positively influence visiting families and individuals who will attend support groups. The idea is that these visitors will be able to express their grief in a halcyon environment. The idea for the Healing Garden was conceptualized by a grieving child who drew a picture of the place she wished she could go whenever she felt sad about the loss of her father.

Since 1981,  the Hospice Support Center has been providing non-medical support, without charge, to families and individuals experiencing the impact of a life altering or terminal illness. Their trained volunteers provide respite care and other services weekly to over 80 patients in the Fredericksburg region.

Writing on the Walls: Residential Commission Work

Here are some snapshots from a recent commission Gabriel Pons did for a residential client.  After seeing our shop bathroom and other installation work, she requested that Gabe create a catalog lettering  of "Hello" in a variety of languages. Pretty Meditative...

PONSHOP is available for commission work of this scope with prices ranging from $400 on up.   Contact us to inquire about custom painting installations and murals.

2012 G40 part 4: Murals

Below are some pics from my last visit to Richmond during April's G40 Summit.  We had a chance to check out a handful of the recent murals painted  throughout the city by the likes of Angru Woebots, Pixel Pancho, Lelo, and Gaia to name a few.  Enjoy!

2012 G40 part 3: Making of "Hip-Hop Meditation Station"

httpv://youtu.be/nVqCk5Lhh6w

Here's a behind the scenes look at the recent art installation by PONSHOP.  Thanks to all our collaborators on this project: Crystal and Kevin Rodrigue of Rodrigue Studios for their design/build consultation, Adriana Christesen, Jasmine Lee, Sidney Mullis and Janet Hahn for their research and studio support, Jeff Gulick for the on-site installation assistance and Christopher Stuart for video work.

Special Thanks to Art Whino and RVA Magazine for hosting the 2012 G40 event. G40 runs through May 5.

2012 G40 Opening Weekend: Part 1

Friday April 6, 2012 was the opening night for the 2012 G40 Summit in Richmond, Virginia.  The G40 Summit includes over a dozen large-scale murals throughout the city as well as over 500 Low Brow artists from around the world.  Below are more pictures from Friday night.  Thanks again to Art Whino and RVA Magazine for bringing such a massive and inspirational event to Richmond.  Click Here for the G40 Calendar of Events.

PONSHOP 2012 G40 Installation: Hip-Hop Meditation Station

"Hip-Hop Meditation Station" ceramics, and mixed media panels, 72" diameter x 60" height suspended installation, $8,000 USD. On exhibit at the 2012 G40 Summit hosted by Art Whino.  This installation can be reconfigured to accommodate a variety of spaces, contact us to inquire about design variations.

Scarlett and I are excited to be participating in the 2012 G40 Summit in Richmond, Virginia.  Honestly, this has been the most ambitious project that we've collaborated on to date and we're proud to be exhibiting it in this month-long exhibition.  Below are some pictures showing the progress of creating the ceramic forms (a total of 166) as well as installing the piece in the space at 101 West Broad Street.

The installation, titled "Hip-Hop Meditation Station" is a visual chronicle of the Hip-Hop culture, charting each of the four elements of Hip-Hop (DJing, MCing, B-Boying and Graffiti Art) throughout the course of the time.  Each art panel charts the trajectory of Hip-Hop's progression by listing those who have impacted the movement through their involvement.  This chronology is by no means complete, but offers up a brief history lesson for younger generations on the birth of an American art form that went on to in influence the world.

The G40 Summit opens Friday April 6, 2012 and includes over 500 artists as well as several recent large-scale outdoor murals by international artists. The G40 Event runs through the month of April with a closing party on May 4,2012.  For more information, visit Art Whino.

Special Thanks to Art Whino and RVA Magazine for hosting the 2012 G40 event.  Also PONSHOP would like to thank our collaborators and student interns for their assistance throughout the past two months:  Crystal and Kevin Rodrigue of Rodrigue Studios for their design/build consultation, Adriana Christesen, Jasmine Lee, Sidney Mullis and Janet Hahn for their research and studio support, Jeff Gulick for the on-site installation assistance and Christopher Stuart for video work.

2012 G40 Show Announced

PONSHOP is pleased to announce their participation in the third annual G40 Art Summit. This year's G40 will help to launch the newly formed arts district of Richmond, Virginia with a focus on the art of the mural. The summit will feature thirteen of the world's top muralists and over 500 participating Low Brow artists. The G40 is organized by Art Whino, a National Harbor, Maryland-based art gallery that promotes contemporary artists worldwide. With the collaboration of Richmond-based RVA Magazine, Art Whino will be launching their new quarterly publication "WHINO" at the upcoming G40. Visit Art Whino's website for more information on the G40 summit and its roster of artists.

World renowned muralist Gaia has already left his mark in Richmond.

"Illumination" Video Sequence

httpv://youtu.be/G7VEy9G81Z0

Here's the follow up to the photos posted last month while I was working on this commissioned painting for Hartwood Presbyterian Church.  The piece, titled "Illumination" now hangs in the Fellowship Hall of the church.  Thanks Hartwood Presbyterian Church for the opportunity and thanks to my assistant, Jeff Gulick for helping me install the three panels.  Special Thanks to our Spring 2012 intern, Chris Stuart, for editing the video footage.

"Miss You, Love You NYC" Installation

The Fredericksburg Area Museum opened Fredericksburg Remembers 9/11 on September 11, 2011.  The exhibit presents the stories of personal accounts from those affected that day.   As a companion to this exhibit in the Fredericksburg Historic Town Hall,  Fredericksburg Area Museum's community artist series presents seven local artists commemorating the memory of that day.  Below are photos of the installation that Scarlett and I collaborated on for the show, titled "Miss You, Love You NYC".

Artist Statement:

This installation is a reflection on the events of September 11, 2001.  At that time, Scarlett and I were living in Park Slope, Brooklyn and working in architectural firms in Manhattan.  Early on the morning of September 11, while on our way to work, we experienced first hand the attack on the World Trade Center.

The panels flanking each side of the installation are a literal map of our trajectories that day: leaving for work on two separate trains and subsequently finding one another in the city.  After the towers fell, we met at a friend’s apartment before walking back to Brooklyn.  The diptych panels are an analogy for the spatial relationship between the island of Manhattan and the neighboring borough of Brooklyn.  The vulnerability of the city and its residents became evident immediately when all mass transit shut down.  

The composition resonates with the textures of the city walls layered with posters, graffiti, and other miscellaneous writings.  Embedded in the map are names of friends that lived in the immediate vicinity of the five boroughs along with music lyrics from the album I was listening to as I stood in the subway car, stalled on the Manhattan Bridge, gazing at the smoke coming from the North Tower.  I have embedded copies of emails sent from friends and handwritten notes that Scarlett kept with her during the weeks following the attack.

Scarlett’s ceramic plates are a response to the immediate way the landscape of the city changed in the days following September 11: the appearance of the makeshift poster walls that grew along the New York hospital facades.  There, the names and the faces of those that were missing hung with a heavy presence.  After several weeks, when the rescue efforts had transitioned into recovery, the posters remained, untouched, weathered and stained on the city’s walls.  These were the first memorials to materialize after September 11.

The scope of the terrorist attacks is symbolized as three columns of ceramic tiles marking the three sites of incident: The World Trade Center in New York City, The Pentagon in Washington, DC, and Flight 93 which was downed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Scarlett and I feel an obligation to express our experiences that day.  In the past ten years, we have not dedicated enough time for reflection and healing from that day’s events.  Although we were unwilling bystanders to the events in New York City, we owe it to our community to share our story with the hopes that viewers can have a better understanding of how this tragedy has shaped our people, our nation, and our world since September 11, 2001.

"Miss You, Love You NYC" Progress Pics

Below are some progress pictures from the installation Scarlett and I collaborated on for the "Fredericksburg Remembers 9/11" Exhibit at the Fredericksburg Area Museum. Check more recent Blog Posts for the finished installation pics. [portfolio_slideshow]

G40 2011 - Part 2 "Ai Wei Wei: 21st Century Revolutionary"

"Ai Wei Wei: 21st Century Revolutionary" installation by Gabriel Pons at 2011 G40 show in Washington DC

I'm excited to finally post some photos of the installation I completed for the 2011 G40 show. I was invited by microWave project, a collective of site-specific installation artists. Below is some more info about my piece:

The installation piece, "Ai Weiwei: 21st Century Revolutionary" is intended to inform viewers of the contemporary Chinese artist/activist Ai Weiwei, who has been detained by Chinese Authorities since April 3, 2011. The work brings to question “what is criminal?” considering the fact that Ai has been the target of camera surveillance, physical abuse and the demolition of his artist studio in Shanghai by the hands of Chinese officials. In late April, the website change.org, which has been petitioning for Ai’s release came under a cyber attack from within China. Ai Weiwei’s vehement criticism of the Chinese government has resulted in his detention, which has led many human rights activists around the world to ask “Who’s afraid of Ai Wiewei?

The four panels are mixed media (collage, wheat paste, spray paint/stencil) paintings which comprise an 8-foot by 4-foot composition. I incorporated printed material from websites that published articles on Ai Weiwei's situation. As of today, May 24 2011 - the latest news is the Chinese government is accusing Mr. Ai of tax evasion. Four associates of Ai Weiwei are also reported missing.

The background text is a mix of news reporting on the missing artists as well as some relevant lyrics from Public Enemy's "Hazy Shade of Criminal" and "Public Enemy #1" songs.

Scarlett had contributed to the effort by making over 50 ceramic forms which I hand painted with either chinese characters (like "Justice" and "Civillity") and other text corresponding to Ai's circumstances.

The 2011 G40 Show runs until June 17. It is located at 2213 14th Street NW (corner of 14th & Florida)

G40 2011 Uncapped Live Opening Party - Part 1

Below are some photos from the 2011 G40 Show Opening night Thursday May 19. Thanks again to microWave project, Art Whino, and the folks at Vitamin Water for organizing such a fun event. A big Thank You to all my family and friends for their help. Sorry about the lack of captions folks - I just wanna get these up...

(Above) This got buffed after the Vitamin Water Opening on Thursday Night...

Standing in front of "Ai Weiwei: 21st Century Revolutionary" installation piece.

James Walker

Lisa Schumaier

Pam Rogers

Space and Flow

Thanks to Allison Nance and Mary Cook of microWave project.

Ben Graham-Putter

Herberth and Dan with friends...

Imani K Brown

Aniekan Udofia

Public Art: Caroline Street Fence

Gabe is one of six local artists to participate in Fredericksburg’s latest Public Arts Project. “Beautify the Burg” entails adorning a section of Caroline Street’s 800 Block with six large art panels. The project was unveiled in a public ceremony on Friday, July 2 at 6pm. Below are some pics from the ceremony (and more).

Left to Right: Milvi K. Gill, Gabriel Pons, Brandon Newton, Jay D. Anderson, Bonnie De Lelys, Elizabeth Seaver, Kristi Zerull, and Pat Thalman.

The unveiling took place on June 2nd, 2010

Scarlett and the boys struck a pose in front of my panel.

"Grasshopper #3", mixed media on wood, 40"x56"