Opening Reception
First Friday, June 4, 6 – 8:30 pm
Exhibition will run through July 2

Preview
Tuesday, June 1, by appointment only
or online viewing

In the Vault Room
“Portraits of the Men in Blue” by Kyle Ferino

Philadelphia, April 28, 2010- The Bridgette Mayer Gallery is pleased to announce its 2010 benefit exhibition honoring Ready, Willing & Able–Philadelphia (RWA).  Gallery owner Bridgette Mayer is excited to partner with RWA to help promote their mission of ending homelessness, substance abuse and criminal recidivism by providing transitional work, supportive services and clean, safe housing to homeless and formerly incarcerated individuals in Philadelphia.

After a successful 2009 benefit with a $15,000 donation to Back on My Feet, this year’s benefit will feature over one hundred 10″ x 10″ panels by gallery artists, including Philadelphia artists, national artists, and an RWA trainee, ranging in price from $500-$1,000.  A special exhibit in the Vault Room will feature portraits of the “men in blue” by emerging visual artist Kyle Ferino.  Proceeds from the event will benefit RWA.

Established in 2001, the Gallery has a strong commitment to support contemporary works by artists from the Philadelphia region and beyond. “We are honored to be an integral part of the Philadelphia art community, supporting the careers of 19 area artists and now celebrating our ninth year,” says gallery owner Bridgette Mayer.

A frequent traveler to New York, Mayer had seen the “men in blue” of RWA – named for their trademark bright blue work uniforms – in various parts of Manhattan.  Mayer was happy to see them working in Philadelphia, where they maintain public spaces such as Fairmount Park, LOVE Park, and Rittenhouse Square.

“I was out for a run one morning and came across a work crew in Rittenhouse Square.  I stopped my run and went over to talk to them and was surprised to hear that RWA had been in Philadelphia since 2001,” says Mayer. “So when I was looking for a partner organization for our 2010 Benefit, all I could think about was helping get the word out about RWA. Not only do they make our city a cleaner place to live, they make it a better place to live by helping individuals become independent and contributing members of our community.”
Mayer’s goal is to double the amount raised through last year’s benefit, by raising $30,000 at the event, which will help provide paid-work, housing, food, support services, and the all-important paid job training that program participants need “to regain their independence, sense of worth, and pride,” concluded Mayer.

The Benefit opening will be held on June 4th, from 6:00pm to 8:30pm at The Bridgette Mayer Gallery, located at 709 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106. For more information on the exhibition, please contact Bridgette Mayer at (t) 215-413-8893 (e) bmayer@bridgettemayergallery.com.

About Bridgette Mayer Gallery
The Bridgette Mayer Gallery is located on Washington Square in the historic district of Philadelphia.  The gallery opened in 2001 with the mission to exhibit the best contemporary works being made locally and nationally.  The gallery specializes in working with first-time art buyers as well as seasoned collectors interested in enhancing their art collection through the acquisition of market-proven artists.
For more information please visit: www.bridgettemayergallery.com

About Ready, Willing & Able
Ready, Willing & Able (RWA) breaks the cycles of homelessness, addiction, and criminal recidivism by providing paid transitional work, occupational training, housing, and comprehensive support services to homeless and formerly incarcerated individuals. Since 2001, RWA has helped hundreds of individuals graduate into lives of self-sufficiency by attaining full-time work, securing independent housing, and maintaining sobriety. RWA’s 1211 Bainbridge Street houses 70 men. While atRWA, the trainees, often referred to as “men in blue,” work to rebuild their lives and work to keep some of Philadelphia’s parks, lots and city facilities clean – making the “City of Brotherly Love” a better place for all.
To learn more and to meet the men in blue please visit: www.RWAPhiladelphia.org.

Gallery hours are Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. & by appointment.  For additional information please contact Bridgette Mayer at (t) 215-413-8893 (f) 215-413-2283
###

We would like to thank our generous sponsors:

Ampersand for donating the panels for the artists.
www.ampersandart.com

“The Vermont Studio Center hosts 50 artists and writers each month who participate in 4 to 12 week independent studio Residencies. VSC Residents represent a mix of mediums, cultures, experience, and ages, for a diverse and vibrant community.”   http://www.vermontstudiocenter.org/about/

Photo by Howard Romero, Staff Photographer, Vermont Studio Center

Here a SimpleViewer Flash gallery should be displayed. Click here to open the post in your browser to see the gallery.

Studio Faculty Biennial includes new work by Rollins studio art faculty members Rachel Simmons, Dana Hargrove, Joshua Almond, Dawn Roe, and Rose Casterline. Each artist presents a distinctive style and approach to contemporary aesthetics, from Almond’s lyrical wood and neon sculptures to Roe’s meditative large scale photographs to Simmons’ dynamic prints inspired by her recent sojourn in the Antarctic. Hargrove recently won first- place in the National Young Painters Competition sponsored by the Miami University of Ohio for her abstracted topographic paintings. On view through August 30!

Dana Hargrove is the 2009 William and Dorothy Yeck $10,000 First-Place Purchase Award, National Young Painters Competition, Hiestand Galleries, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. The Juror Bob Nugent chose Dana’s ‘Circuit’ series as first place.

Press Release – Miami University

Winners announced in annual Young Painters Competition

Dana Hargrove of Orlando, Fla., is winner of the 10th annual Young Painters Competition for the $10,000 William (Miami ’36) and Dorothy Yeck Award. Winners of the competition, sponsored by Miami University’s Hiestand Gallery, School of Fine Arts, were announced Jan. 23. Hargrove was selected for her work, “Circuit Map” (shown below). Born and raised in Dundee, Scotland, Hargrove is an assistant professor of studio art at Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla. She works in drawing and painting, considering ideas that frame our perceptions of the land and sense of place and space. She has exhibited nationally and internationally and is represented by Bridgette Mayer Gallery in Philadelphia.   Hooper Turner of Sunnyside, N.Y., received the second place award of $1,500 for “Miss Congeniality.” Turner has exhibited recently in Baltimore, Charlotte, N.C., and Atlanta. His work has also been included twice in the national juried publication, New American Paintings. Third place and $1,000 was given to Michelle Word of Lansing, Mich., for “Nautiloid.” Word teaches foundations and drawing at Michigan State University and is involved in the education and arts community in the Greater Lansing area. Works by the winners and other finalists will be exhibited through Feb. 11 at Hiestand Galleries. For more information, call (513) 529-1883.