Below are some pics taken during the opening reception for artist Crystal Rodrigue during "First Friday" July 5th. Crystal creates compelling pieces using transparent film, silver/copper/gold leaf and corroded steel panels. Thanks to all of our fans for coming to the opening of Crystal's show! For more about her work visit her website Here.
“Remixed” was PONSHOP’s fourth community art exhibition featuring original artwork using vinyl albums as a canvas. The exhibit included thirty-six local and regional artists all working in this non-traditional medium. Remixed runs through June 30, 2013.
Gallery owner Gabriel Pons has been using 12” vinyl records as his canvas for three years. When a friend offered him a crate of old records, he saw the potential of using the standardized discs in an art show where each participant “repurposes” the old albums and turns them into art. A Call for artists was issued in April and interested artists from students to professionals registered and received their albums to adorn. The opening reception included musical entertainment from DJ Climax, spinning on the turntables. Thanks to all of our artists who participated for this exhibition and thanks to our fans and friends who came out to see the show.
Featured Artists for the “Remixed” Show are: Gregg Deal, Matt Corrado, Rob Landeck, Adam Desio, Stephen Graham, Jack Labadie, Julie Maida, Nick Candela, Crystal Rodrigue, Jeff Gulick and Nina Angelini.
Participating Artists include: Sue Henderson, Stacey Schultze, Sandy Skipper, Lois Skipper, Alex Rudenshiold, Guerin Wolf , Jayden Gilhousen, Zakk Davis, Amina Shafi, Nina Jot Prakashkaur, Cameron Limbrick, Toy Fowler, Ronald Jackson, Mirinda Reynolds, Erin Stephens, Sidney Mullis, Joshua K Rama, Mark Eyestone, Kelly Penick, Mark Manjarrez, Sean Woodard, Elizabeth Carter, Frank Woodley, Josie Yorgeson, Ed King, and Malik Malek.
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.
Crystal Rodrigue "Yesterday/ Today" image overlay on 23.5 K Gold leaf on rusted steel sheet
PONSHOP Studio and Gallery is pleased to announce our “First Friday” Opening Reception on July 5, 2013. The Gallery will be featuring the work of Crystal Rodrigue throughout the month of July. The Gallery will be open on First Friday from 6 to 10pm.
Crystal Rodrigue is a mixed media artist living in Spotsylvania, Virginia. She employs an intensive process of overlaying photos on gilded metallic backgrounds. Rodrigue creates an emphasis on the gilding process by placing photographs on raw steel in order to create a neutral background and, in effect, shifting the viewer’s focus to the gilded images. The images of architecture and power lines (man made constructs) are gilded with metal in order to further equalize their relationship to each other. The gilding beneath the images elevates the status of the raw photograph, inspiring their status and helping the viewer see the contrast between the image and the background. Rodrigue is dedicated to traditional film and photography. She accredits her technical influence to these sources. By the use of vintage cameras, unique films, and an endless curiosity of developing techniques, she is able to present the viewer with an interpretation of a private and vulnerable world that she experiences. Her work reinvents for the viewer a journey; a place in time; and objects overlooked or forgotten.
Crystal Rodrigue has been participating with PONSHOP as a contributing artist for over a year. During that time, she has exhibited her fine art as well as small works including: small scale image overlays on steel plates, Polaroids, vinyl albums, as well as two vinyl albums in the current “Remixed” Vinyl Album Show.
PONSHOP Studio and Gallery is pleased to announce their fourth community art exhibition in June of 2013. “Remixed” features original artwork using vinyl record albums. The exhibit includes thirty-six local and regional artists all working in this non-traditional medium. The opening reception for "Remixed" is Friday, June 7 from 6-10pm. The exhibition runs through June 30.
Gallery owner Gabriel Pons has been using 12” vinyl records as his canvas for three years. When a friend offered him a crate of old records, he saw the potential of using the standardized discs in an art show where each participant “repurposes” the old albums and turns them into art. Both Scarlett and Gabriel Pons are excited to see how each artist treats this design challenge.
The opening reception will include music provided by DJ Climax, spinning on the turntables.
Featured Artists for the “Remixed” Show are:
Gregg Deal, Matt Corrado, Rob Landeck, Adam Desio, Stephen Graham, Jack Labadie, Julie Maida, Nick Candela, Crystal Rodrigue, Jeff Gulick, Nina Angelini Young
Participating Artists (as of this press release) include:
Sue Henderson, Stacey Schultze, Sandy Skipper, Lois Skipper, Alex Rudenshiold, Guerin Wolf , Jayden Gilhousen, Zakk Davis, Amina Shafi, Nina Jot Prakashkaur, Cameron Limbrick, Toy Fowler, Ronald Jackson, Mirinda Reynolds, Erin Stephens, Sidney Mullis, Andrew Quarles, Joshua K Rama, Mark Eyestone, Kelly Penick, Mark Manjarrez, Sean Woodard, Elizabeth Carter, Frank Woodley, Josie Yorgeson, Ed King, and Jurgen Brat
"Untitled #1" by Karen Rees, Acrylic on Canvas, $300
The opening reception for the ninth annual "The Art of Recovery" exhibit was held on Friday May 3, 2013. The exhibit was organized by the staff of the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board and Kenmore Club - a psychosocial organization that provides rehabilitation service for adults with severe and persistent mental illness. We had a great turnout with over three-hundred visitors throughout the course of the evening. This annual show provides a forum for artists living with mental illness to gain confidence in their abilities, address misconceptions surrounding mental illness, and experience community support. Thanks once again to all participating artists and the staff of RACSB for their hard work. "The Art of Recovery" is on exhibit through May 26, 2013.
PONSHOP Studio and Gallery is pleased to announce the April “First Friday” opening reception on April 5, 2013 from 6pm-10pm. The evening will include a DJ set by longtime PONSHOP friend, DJ Climax. The gallery will be featuring the latest works by our artists including Julie Maida, Crystal Rodrigue, Nicholas Candela, co-owner Gabriel Pons, recent photographs by Stephen Graham, ceramics by co-owner Scarlett Pons, and handmade jewelry by newly featured artist Caitlin Emison, who specializes in creating earrings incorporating feathers and stone. The exhibit will also continue to feature artwork from Leslie Brier and Ashleigh Burbidge, featured artists from March’s exhibit.
PONSHOP gallery continues to feature over fourteen jewelers and artists who create fun personal accessories and over twenty other artists creating everything from fine art and ceramics to plush toys, clothing, and accessories for the home. Join PONSHOP, as well as the 16 other local businesses in the downtown area that participate in First Fridays on Friday, April 5 from 6-10pm for a special evening celebrating the creativity of our local community.
Friday, March 1 2013: PONSHOP hosted the opening reception of Stitched, Altered, and Plush. The evening was a great success, featuring quirky creations by local artists Ashleigh Burbidge and Leslie Brier. Check out our photos from the evening below. Stitched, Altered, and Plush runs through March 31.
Ponshop Studio and Gallery is excited to announce Stitched, Altered, and Plush an art exhibition featuring handcrafted objects by Ashleigh Burbidge, Leslie Brier, and Jodie Rackley. These three women work to break the mold of a traditional art gallery setting – they employ media such as colorful felts and fabrics, clay, and found objects to craft whimsical, three-dimensional art that can only be fully appreciated when held in one’s hands. This month’s artists offer a tactile experience, inviting viewers to interact with their quirky creations from plush toys and hand stitched phone cases to steampunk-styled sculptures. Please join us for the opening reception on Friday, March 1, 6-10pm. Stitched, Altered, and Plush runs through March 31, 2013.
Ashleigh Burbidge is the founder of the “The Burbs,” a self-run business which includes a wide variety of handcrafted items including plush toys, one of a kind dolls, clay sculptures, fiber art, capes, baby blankets, and aprons. “The Burbs” serves as a creative outlet to share her creations with children all around the globe. Ashleigh can be found regionally at several boutiques in Virginia, Rhode Island, and Ohio.
Leslie Brier is a mixed media artist, jewelry designer, and graphic designer. Leslie works with found objects and items that are no longer considered beautiful, and strives to give them a new identity. She has had several articles published in Cloth, Paper, Scissors, Somerset Studio, and Amy Powers’ Inspired Ideas. She teaches locally at the Ponshop and nationally at Art and Soul Retreats.
Jodie Rackley is a self-taught crafter and designer from Fredericksburg, VA. She is inspired by modern design both old and new, everything vintage, art and history, music, love, and everything handmade. Her work, which consists of felt, fabrics, and hand embroidery, has been featured in Mollie Makes, Craftsy.com, ApartmentTherepy.com, and Martha Stewart.com, among several other magazines. Jodie’s first craft book, Happy Stitch: 30 Felt and Fabric Projects for Everyday, was released in July 2012. She is currently working on a run of patterns for Simplicity to be released soon.
Additionally featured fine artists in the gallery for the month of March will be Julie Maida, Nicholas Candela, Crystal Rodrigue, Jeremy Gann and Gabriel Pons (painting), Stephen Graham and Adam Desio (photography), Scarlett Pons and Daniel Christie (ceramics).
Friday, February 8th marked the release of the "Portal to History" children's walking map. The Fredericksburg visitor's center collaborated with PONSHOP studio to facilitate a 6-week long workshop that engaged 8 local scholarship students in documenting some key historic sites in the city's downtown and creating a brochure with their findings. The premiere brought together all the students and their family as well as participating teachers/organizers to celebrate the completion of the project. The visitor center's auditorium walls displayed the student's sketchbook pages. There was also a slideshow of photos taken throughout the workshop. Julie Perry of the Fredericksburg Visitor Center and Kerry Devine of the City Council gave their congratulations to the students.
PONSHOP would like to thank the following for their contribution to the "Portal to History" project:
Julie Perry (Fredericksburg Visitor Center), The University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts, The Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center, The George Washington Foundation, Washington Heritage Museums. All participating students and their parents.
The walking map is available at the Fredericksburg Visitor Center as well as PONSHOP. You can also download it as a PDF. Click Here for more about the "Portal to History" Project.
PONSHOP Studio and the Fredericksburg Visitor Center are pleased to announce the release of their collaborative children’s walking map titled, “A Portal to History.” This walking map is the product of an eight-week series of art workshops and historic tours held by PONSHOP Studio including the work of eight scholarship students. The evening will include an exhibit of the student work, a photo slideshow, and a brief presentation from the students and workshop organizers.
The students visited seven Fredericksburg historic landmarks including: Hugh Mercer Apothecary, Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts, The Fredericksburg Museum and Cultural Center, Mary Washington House, Kenmore Plantation, and the Rising Sun Tavern. Students were responsible for collecting materials (historic information, photographic documentation, and architectural illustrations) pertinent to each site. In the following sessions, PONSHOP instructors Scarlett and Gabriel Pons assisted them in creating a walking map incorporating their findings and illustrations from their visits.
The map provides young tourists with an interactive means of exploring the city’s historic sites and also becomes a self-made souvenir, including a stamp collecting activity for six of the historic landmarks. The map also provides a link with additional information about and pictures from the students’ workshop process.
As a means to give closure to the workshop and share the walking map with the public, students will present the “Portal to History” project at a formal reception on Friday, February 8 from 6-7pm. All are welcome to attend.
On behalf of PONSHOP Studio, we would like to thank the following for their assistance in this project: The City of Fredericksburg, The University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts, The Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center, The George Washington Foundation, and Washington Heritage Museums. We would also like to thank the participating students: Maggie Carmody, Caroline Connors, Jordan DeBoise, Madelyn Descutner, Matt Dinehart, Zoë Kovacs, David Pearcy, and Marielle White.
Rebecca Thomas, owner of kybecca Wine Bar, and Scarlett Pons of PONSHOP Studio are hosting a release party celebrating their recent collaboration of custom ceramics at kybecca Wine Bar on Wednesday night, January 30th from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. The evening will include a special menu presented on the new dinnerware, an opportunity to meet the restaurant owner and ceramic artist, and a chance to custom order and purchase similar dinner and serving sets.
To highlight the hand-made nature of kybecca’s food offerings, Kybecca’s chef Wade Troung is creating a special menu to compliment Scarlett’s hand-made ceramics. The menu includes:
Braised rabbit springrolls, red cabbage, daikon, cilantro and nuoc mam.
Japanese Scotch Eggs, tamari seasoned beef and pork, free range organic egg, ancho chili hollandaise
Vegetable pot stickers, ginger ponzu and pickled daikon
Background
Rebecca was seeking a ceramic artist to create new dinnerware for her restaurant. She was looking for original ceramic pieces that would highlight kybecca’s food that is handmade from fresh, local ingredients and compliment the contemporary interior of the restaurant designed with exposed brick, stainless steel and reclaimed wood details.
Ceramic artist Scarlett Pons met with Rebecca and designed three new dinnerware pieces for the restaurant. Each piece is contemporary in design and glazed with rich, natural colors that would emphasize the colors and texture of the food. The first plate is a large square 12” x 12” platter designed to serve an entrée for two or more. This piece is glazed in an Eggshell glaze of rich ambers and soft beiges and lightly speckled with a dark brown pattern reminiscent of a desert scene. The second plate is 9” x 9” square plate for single or shared fares finished in a glossy, dark Orb Green glaze. There is variegated pattern of black spots balanced with a darker green line across the top of each plate. The third piece is an asymmetric 9” shallow bowl sitting slight raised from the table. These bowls are glazed in a Sesame Black matte glaze giving the piece a volcanic rock appearance with tones of silver and blue.
Both business owners are pleased to share their collaboration with the public and excited to celebrate their passion for hand-crafted, contemporary food and design - where the qualities of the material, whether ceramic and or culinary, are experienced in their most genuine light, highlighting their richest properties. Join us for an evening of artisan food, wine and art.
kybecca wine bar 400 William Street, Fredericksburg Virginia
Friday, November 2 was the opening night for the "Battleground" Art Show at PONSHOP. "Battleground " featured sixteen local artists' take on the anniversary of the Battle of Fredericksburg. You can see the complete exhibition statement here. Below are some pics from the opening including all work included in the show. Thanks again to all of our contributing artists for making this such a memorable exhibit. "Battleground" runs through December 2nd. Please contact us if interested in purchasing artwork.
Participating artists include: Kenny Brown, Nicholas Candela, J. Coleman, Adam Desio, Kelley Drake, Elstabo, Jeremy Gann, Bill Harris, Greg Howell, Chance Kenyon, Rob Landeck, Justin Lipuma, Kevin Murphy, Gabriel Pons, Scarlett Pons, and Mike Tschirn.
httpv://youtu.be/qNYmPbmHhd0
October 6, 2012 marked the annual "Dog Parade" in downtown Fredericksburg. While all of that is fine and good, we here at PONSHOP are cat people and felt that cats were being under represented in the city's public functions. That morning, friends (and family) of PONSHOP got their "cat" on and raised awareness that although the city's cats may be taking a nap at that moment, they deserve some respect. Below are pics from that eventful morning. Thanks to all the folks and volunteers at this year's Fredericksburg Dog Fair for having a good sense of humor. As we stated during our rally, "We're not anti-dog, we're pro-cat!"
Ponshop Studio and Gallery are excited to announce “Battleground”, an art exhibition dedicated to Fredericksburg’s identity as a historic battlefield site. Curated by artist J. Coleman, “Battleground” explores the relationship between Fredericksburg’s civil war past and its impact on the present day. “Battleground” also commemorates the 150-year anniversary of the Battle of Fredericksburg. All artists participating in the exhibit live in and around the city of Fredericksburg.
Participating artists include: Kenny Brown, Nicholas Candela, J. Coleman, Adam Desio, Kelley Drake, Elstabo, Jeremy Gann, Bill Harris, Greg Howell, Chance Kenyon, Rob Landeck, Justin Lipuma, Kevin Murphy, Gabriel Pons, Scarlett Pons, Grady Spades, and Mike Tschirn.
Exhibition Statement
150 years ago in 1852, from December 11-15, one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War took place in our hometown of Fredericksburg, Virginia. The battle of Fredericksburg engaged a total of 172,500 soldiers (100,000 Confederate and 72,000 Union) and, at its end, resulted in an estimated 17,500 casualties. The city was the site of the first urban combat during the Civil War and its buildings and infrastructure were left in ruin.
Since then Fredericksburg has persevered as a humble but vibrant commercial and cultural core to the region, transforming from a sleepy southern town to a commuter hub that is both rooted in nostalgia of the past and facing the challenges of present day. For this exhibit, contemporary artists reflect on their experiences living and working in a city where its architecture, landscape, and monuments are a constant reminder of the conflict that took place one hundred and fifty years ago.
Please join us on Friday November 2 from 6-10pm for this exciting show.
Opening Reception and Book Signing (one night only): Friday, October 5, 6-10pm. Adults 18 and over please.
PONSHOP will be hosting an exclusive one-night only art show and book signing of Brooklyn-born artist Elstabo’s latest book, Elstabo’s Erotic Works. Elstabo is a versatile painter and graphic designer who attained his bachelor’s degree in fine art from the Fashion Institute of Technology. His career strikes a balance between Fine Art, Illustration and Commercial Arts – exploring themes ranging from fantasy to erotica.
Erotic Works is the second self-published book by the artist. The images selected for the book were selected from exhibitions he has participated in over the past six years across the United States as well as Canada and Europe. Elstabo’s entrepreneurial spirit coupled with his graphic design background enabled him to design and create his own compilation of erotic artwork – specifically targeted for the fans of the genre.
Now a resident of Stafford, Virginia, Elstabo continues to be a prolific and active artist, taking on commissioned work from private clients. His most recent exhibit was at ArteRotica Season IV in Brooklyn, New York this past August. He is currently affiliated Art Whino Gallery (National Harbor, Maryland) and has been exhibiting work at PONSHOP since March of this year. His published works can be found in “Aphrodisia: Art of the Female Form book” (Aristata Publishing), The World's Greatest Erotic Art of Today" by Erotic Signature. His first self-published book, "Elstabo's Spanish Fly Series" can be found on Blurb.com.
September 8, 2012 marked the first annual "Art Attack Fredericksburg" event. Local and regional artists took to the sidewalks of Caroline and William streets, set up their own outdoor studio, and created art for all to see. Visitors watched as artists sketched, painted, created sculptures and pottery pieces. In addition, live performances by belly dancers and musicians added to the street scene. After the day's tour of duty, the artists attended a picnic hosted by LibertyTown Arts Workshop.
Conceived by Bill Harris and Gabriel Pons, the mission of Art Attack is to show how incredibly rich this area is with talented artists and to showcase them doing what they do best. Art Attack recruits included as many as 60 artists ranging in ages 13 to gracefully gray. Below are just a handful of photographs from the day. To find out more about Art Attack Fredericksburg, visit the Facebook Page. There is also a video piece on Art Attack on Fredericksburg Live.com.
PONSHOP Studio and Gallery is excited to announce the September “First Friday” opening reception. The gallery will be featuring the latest ceramics by co-owner Scarlett Pons as well new plush creations by PONSHOP’s most recent artist, Ashleigh Burbidge. PONSHOP is also excited to feature Julie Maida’s hand painted bowls and trivets. Creating everything from functional home goods to prints and paintings, her use of strong colors and elegant line work are sure to enhance any space.
Held over from August’s “Tailor Made 2” exhibit, PONSHOP boasts a wide array of new t-shirt designs from co-owner Gabriel Pons as well as clothing brands Icy Grape Incident, Nightmare Inc. and Somaphony. Also in the gallery are recent photographs by Adam DeSio and Stephen Graham. Join us on Friday September 7 from 6-10pm for a special evening celebrating the creativity of our local community.
PONSHOP gallery continues to feature over thirty artists creating everything from fine art and ceramics to jewelry, clothing, and accessories. PONSHOP is offering a unique and fun art curriculum for all ages in their fall workshops including a scholarship opportunity for six students in the “Mapping History” project. For a current class schedule, visit the PONSHOP online.
Opening Reception: Friday September 7, 6-10pm
Exhibition Dates: September 7 - September 30, 2012
Fredericksburg is a great place for historic precedents in architecture. In this 3-session class, Gabriel Pons gave a "sketch" tour of the city - exploring the city's most significant (and interesting) structures. Below are snapshots from the workshop including the student's sketchbook pages.
PONSHOP offers art classes year-round. For a current class schedule, Click Here.
It is "Back to School" for the PONSHOP as well. We are excited to announce our Fall Schedule of classes. Our schedule runs from September through December and includes twelve different art workshops ranging from painting and ceramics to photography and jewelry design. To view our class schedule, simply visit our Classes Page and download the printable schedule and registration form.