East Coast Earthquake and Hurricane Ravage Local Skate Park Ramp

(parody) August 30, 2011 Stafford County, Virginia. A local skateboarding park was most affected by the recent 5.8 earthquake that occured this summer. Curtis Memorial Park's recently constructed 4-foot haf pipe was ravaged by the quake and the subsequent water damage caused by Hurricane Irene which blew through on August 28.

"I was going to do a switch kickflip on the pyramid and it sounded like a tractor trailor was coming through", recalls one local skater of the August earthquake.  "The half pipe shook and buckled and cracks formed by the small quarter pipe - it was like that movie Armageddon"

According to local engineers the damage to the ramp was structural, causing the top layers of plywood to sheer from the wood frame.  "Hopefully the parks and recreation department will hop on the repairs soon" remarked a skate park regular.  "They're usually quick to respond when stuff in the park is busted."

"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]

"City Colors" Opening Reception: Friday September 2, 2011

Below are some pics from the opening reception for the "City Colors" invitational art exhibit which features eighteen local artists who will be participating in the upcoming Via Colori street painting event in Fredericksburg on September 24 and 25, 2011.  Congratulations to all participating "City Colors" artists.  The exhibit runs until October 2.

Call for Artists: "City Colors" Invitational Art Exhibit

PONSHOP Studio and Gallery is pleased to host “City Colors” an invitational art exhibition featuring artists participating in the 2011 Via Colori Fredericksburg Event in September of 2011.  This exhibit is open to those who have registered as volunteer artists with the 2011 Via Colori Fredericksburg Organization.

Eligibility

This exhibit is open to all artists (professional and emerging) in the Virginia Region who have registered as volunteer artists with the 2011 Via Colori Fredericksburg by August 15, 2011.  “Two dimensional” artwork is inclusive of mediums including but not limited to: painting, drawing, mixed media, photography, digital graphics, textiles, screen print and lithography.  All artwork must be hand delivered to the gallery.  Please note that due to the space restrictions in our gallery, we may edit work to accommodate, however, each participating artist in the exhibit is guaranteed at least one entry in the exhibition.

Submission Requirements

All submitted works are to correspond and conform to the following dimensional restrictions: Frame dimensions ranging in size no smaller than 8” and no larger than 24” in width, no smaller than 10” and no larger than 30” in length (intermediate dimensions are acceptable).  All work must be for sale. All entries must be original creations of the artist – no reproductions of others artwork.  Please review the City Colors 2011Prospectus and Submission Requirements

Entry Specifications

The theme of “City Colors” is to celebrate the diverse styles and talents of the region’s visual artists taking part in this year’s Via Colori event.  There are no thematic requirements in terms of the content of the artwork, although we ask that you submit work that best represents your creative style and vision.  Does the work have to correspond to what you’ll be achieving on the streets of the city during the Via Colori festival? Not necessarily.  As long as you are proud of the work submitted and you’ve achieved it to the best of your abilities – we’ll be happy to exhibit it.

All pieces are to be framed appropriately for gallery display: no gallery clips or saw tooth hangers (see attachment).  Canvas pieces, unless “gallery wrapped” must include a frame.  All work must be equipped with hanging wire adequate to support the painting.  Textiles intended for wall hanging must include hanging system.  Wet or unprofessionally presented artwork will not be accepted.

PONSHOP retains 40% of all sales on works exhibited throughout the duration of the exhibit.  Artists will be reimbursed within 30 days of the exhibition closing.  Artists are responsible for acquiring insurance on their own artwork.  Although PONSHOP will take great care in the hanging and display of artwork, the gallery will not be held responsible for items on exhibit.

Entry Procedure

Entry fee: $25 for up to two submissions. Please complete City Colors 2011Prospectus and Submission Requirements

Delivery: Artists are responsible for transporting their work to and from the gallery. Artwork not retrieved after show closing will incur a storage fee of $10 per day

Calendar

Deadline for Registering as a volunteer artist with Via Colori® Fredericksburg for eligibility in “City Colors”: Monday, August 15

Deadline for Submissions: Saturday, August 27 (10-6pm) Sunday, August 28 (noon-5pm).

Pick Up of Unincluded Work: Tuesday, August 30 (10-6pm)

Opening Reception: Friday, September 2 (6-10pm) includes brief gallery talk at 7pm.

Exhibition Dates: September 2- October 2

Pick up of Work: Sunday, October 2 (noon-5pm)

Awards

People’s Choice Award – Best in Show (Cash Prize) awarded to one artist

People’s Choice Award – Honorable Mentions (PONSHOP Gifts) awarded to two artists

Voting for artwork will commence on the First Friday opening and will continue until the third week of September.

Awards will be announced during the weekend of the Via Colori Festival (September 24-25)

If you have any questions regarding this show or would like to be included on the mailing list for notice of future exhibition opportunities, please contact us at event@ponshopstudio.com.

"Tailor-Made: T-Shirt Showcase" Opening Night

Below are some pics from the "Tailor-Made: T-Shirt Showcase" Opening Reception on Friday August 5, 2011.  PONSHOP released our fall line of art tees and featured new clothing from Virginia-based brands Icy Grape Incident and Nightmare Inc.  Thanks to all the friends and fans that made it out for the evening.  "Tailor-Made" will be on exhibit through August 28.

Tailor-Made: T-Shirt Showcase

PONSHOP will be hosting the opening reception for “Tailor-Made: T-shirt Showcase” as August’s “First Friday” event. This exhibition will feature new screen-printed shirt designs from PONSHOP, Nightmare Inc., and Icy Grape Incident Clothing. The gallery will also exhibit the original artwork used to produce the clothing graphics.

PONSHOP’s latest art tees for men, women and children feature owner Gabriel Pons’s signature graphics derived from his original paintings. Nightmare Inc. is a local clothing brand started in 2008 by Massaponax high school senior Ryan Payne. With inspiration from horror films, Nightmare Inc. incorporates iconic imagery into their unique clothing graphics. Nightmare Inc.’s artist Austin Collins has collaborated with PONSHOP on a special T-shirt graphic to be sold exclusively at PONSHOP.

August marks the one-year anniversary of Icy Grape Incident Clothing Company. Founded by seven-cities artist/designer Tony Sementelli, Icy Grape Incident’s goal is to produce high quality clothing with original graffiti inspired artwork. They will be releasing a new colorway at the show, designed exclusively for the August event and sold only at the PONSHOP.

The evening’s event will include music, refreshments and t-shirt giveaways. Music will be provided by DJ Speed on the turntables spinning classic Hip-Hop.

August’s exhibit also includes works by a collection of many local fine artists including Rob Landeck, Adam Desio, Nathan Webster and Nicholas Candela. In addition, the gallery will include works from featured PONSHOP artists Katy Wiedemann (Providence, RI), Joshua Barber (Richmond,VA) and Ginger Huebner (Asheville, NC).

July 2011 Gallery Photos

[portfolio_slideshow] Snapshots of the shop for our "First Friday" Art Reception on July 1, 2011.

2011 G40 2011 - Part 3

httpv://youtu.be/0sA_ed9UYlc Below are more pics from the 2011 G40 Uncapped Live Show organized by Art Whino, Brightest Young Things, and Vitamin Water.  We took the whole family up to the exhibit to take a look.  Thanks to microWave Project for inviting me to participate in this event and big ups to girlsrockdc.org for hosting a great music workshop that afternoon (see above video of Diego on the mic).

Guest Artist Visit: Fredericksburg Academy

April 8, 2011. I paid a visit to the students of Fredericksburg Academy to do a visiting artist workshop with their 4th and 5th graders.  I gave them a brief history lesson on one of my favorite artists, Keith Haring, and gave them a drawing exercise that we did on the campus sidewalks.  Thanks to FA's Art Instructor, Mrs. Mirinda Reynolds, for organizing the Visiting Artists Program.

I spoke to the students about Keith Haring's chalk drawings which proliferated in New York City's Subways in the early 1980s.  Haring's child-like gestural line drawings and use of iconography was the inspiration behind our workshop assignment.

Students were instructed to trace each other's silhouette on the sidewalk - adorning the chalk figures with color, shapes, and lines.

Mary G. Porter Guest Artist Mural

I had the pleasure of being the guest artist at Mary G Porter Traditional School during their "Week of the Arts" event in April, 2011.  Above is a 72"x36" mixed media mural that I used as a demonstration piece throughout the week.  Thanks to Mrs. Wendy Padgett and the faculty and staff of MG Porter for a great teaching experiences.  A special thanks to all the energetic and creative students that I had the pleasure of working with.

The triptych included collage materials from science and nature magazines, handwritten text, and some of PONSHOP's signature stencil designs executed in acrylic paint.

The overall theme of the painting was to celebrate the sciences through the observation on our natural and built environments.

RYS 2011 Painted Violin Project

I  participated in the Rappahannock Youth Symphony Painted Violin Project this past April.  Several local artists were provided with used violins which they can adorn with artwork.  The violins were auctioned off prior to the Spring Concert on May 15 to benefit the RYS.  Contributing artists included: Ruth Ann Loving, Medina Roberts, Milvi Gill, Lori Eggers, and Lisa Cover-Tucci.  Thanks to Megan Belvill, Executive Director of the Rappahannock Youth Symphony for all her efforts in sharing the joy of music with our community.

The theme for my violin contribution came from my experiences living in New York City.  My most memorable experience listening to violin music comes from the New York City Subway.  I recall enjoying a violinist playing on a cold subway platform in January.   The music was beautiful and elegant – a sharp contrast to the rugged and worn subway station.

Thanks to Bill Mason for his generous assistance.  Bill is a profession Luthier (maker of stringed instruments) and helped me by reconstructing the violin once I completed the painting.

Gabriel Pons, The City Consumes Me, Mixed Media on Violin, 2011

Urban Decay 2: Opening Night

Outdoor Demo panel by Gregg Deal

June 4, 2011. It's been a "one-two" punch over the past two months working for these back to back shows (G40 & Urban Decay 2) and Saturday Night's Opening Reception for Urban Decay 2 was just the right thing to celebrate all that hard work. Below are some pics from the show. Thanks to Deb Yarrington of The Workhouse Arts Center for organizing a great exhibit. Urban Decay 2 runs through June 26.

Outdoor Demo Panel by Jorge Guillen

Spaghetti Project had a nice spread of vinyl toys for the collectors

The Osedax kicked the night off...

Scissor List came on second and rocked the crowd

Fredericksburg's own Jeremy Gann

Bellflur wrapped up the night with their performance.

Gregg Deal

These were my demo pieces from the evening: marker spray paint and stencils on 12" vinyl albums.

My most recent work at Urban Decay 2

Herberth Oneeightyone

Sylvia Ortiz rock the house

"Art of Recovery" Opening Reception: May 2011

May 6 2011 was the opening night for the seventh annual "Art of Recovery" Exhibit at PONSHOP. Below are pics from the evening. Scarlett and I would like to thank the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board, The Kenmore Club, and all participating organizations for their hard work. A special thanks to all of the fifty artists that have participated - congratulations. PONSHOP is proud to host such a worthwhile cause and effort for our community.

The exhibit features over sixty pieces of art from fifty adults in the Virginia region. (From the RACSB) : "The Art of Recovery provides a forum for artists living with mental illness to gain confidence in their abilities, challenge mental health stigma, and experience community support."

Tracy Ringquist "For One, Many" textile 36"x48"

"The Art of Recovery" exhibit runs through May 30.

Scarlett with Doris Buffet of the Sunshine Lady Foundation.

The Kenmore Club Murals

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

Working Harder Than Ever...

May 10, 2011: I'm so excited to be part of the 2011 G40 Art Show in Washington DC. Here are some progress pics of the work. (Big shout out to Jeff who assisted me this week). Opening Party is Friday May 20. Be There! I'm on the third floor...Check the Info Below for more...

PONSHOP Owner Gabriel Pons is excited to announce that he is particpating in the 2011 G40 Art Show in Washington DC this month. He's been invited as part of the art installation group microWave project.

National Harbor's premiere contemporary gallery Art Whino returns in 2011 for the second edition of G40. The G40 uncapped LIVE event is an unprecedented experience in the art world with its scale and caliber of artists from around the world. This year the summit comes to DC next to the U street corridor taking over an entire building and showcasing art on all of its floors.

Where: 2213 14th Street, NW, Washington DC 20009

G40 Exhibit Schedule:

May 20th - June 17th, 2011

Opening Party: Friday May 20th, 6pm

Open Hours:

Tuesday & Thursdays: 5 - 10pm

Fridays & Saturdays: noon - 11pm

Sundays: noon - 6pm

Mondays: Closed

May First Friday: The Art of Recovery

For May's First Friday Opening Reception we will be hosting the Rappahannock Area Community Service Board's (RACSB) Seventh Annual "The Art of Recovery" exhibit. The opening reception is on May 6 from 5pm-9pm, though the exhibit will remain up until May 29.

"The Art of Recovery" is organized by members of the Kenmore Club, a psychosocial rehabilitation program operated by the RASCB. The show will feature original artwork of adults with mental illness. There will be approximately 35 pieces in the show in a variety of mediums including drawings, paintings, sculpture, textiles, and mixed media.

May is National Mental Health Month so come show your support and enjoy the great artwork.

Artwork from "Public/Private"

Here is some of the artwork from the "Public/Private" exhibit that is up on the walls of the PONSHOP until April 30.

Long Night's Work Chris Schumacher Glicee on Canvas $250

Aeri - Creekside #1 Chris Schumacher Glicee on Archiva; Paper $250

Atlantis Schematic Thom White Ink, Wash, & Pencil on Ink Jet Print $150

Behind an Ancient Austrian Door Sandy Leigh Skipper Photograph $100

Designs on You Mirinda Reynolds Mixed Media on Wood $75 (Artist Proceeds go to RCDV)

Mi Barrio Ana Rendich Collage $200

Hope Rob Landeck Mixed Media $75

Self Portrait with Shades Ed King Oil $500

The Homeless Man is Ever Present, but Rarely Seen Sidney Mullis & Jeff Gulick Mixed Media $160

Paperazzi Greg Crawford Papercut $325

Personas Jams Bauguess Acrylic on Canvas $222

Just Makin' Out at Steak and Ale Joshua Barber Mixed Media $515

Come in to see these pieces of work along with others on exhibit now.

April First Friday

On Friday April 1st we held our second juried show with the theme "Public/Private," which was a huge success. The artists captured the theme in their unique works that gave a new perspective to where the line is drawn between our public and private lives.

Juror, Kathleen Walsh, gave an informal gallery talk along with co-owner Gabriel Pons to kick off the night. She had the difficult task of selecting three pieces as Merit Winners ($100 cash) and three pieces for Honorable Mention ($25 gift certificates to the PONSHOP). During this talk the awards were presented to the winners.

Luckily, the whether was beautiful as people navigated between the artwork inside and the live performance that could be seen from outside.

"The Undeniably Adjacent" performers

The performers had a large audience gathered outside

One of the performances

A special thanks to all of the participating artists, Kathleen Walsh, "The Undeniably Adjacent" performers, and all of our patrons for coming out and making this such a fun and exciting event.