Letter From The Director: Spring 2013
It continues… the mad world of art… and will not stop despite politics or the economy, for art is what saves us. Chelsea continues to grow and is now a major New York City destination because of all the galleries, the Highline walkway and the wonderful restaurants and shops popping up every day.
When Viridian moved from 25 Street to 28th St 2 years ago – or was it three for time flies so fast now- we were at the north edge of Chelsea. Now the empty lot across the street is an almost finished apartment building and galleries and restaurants are filling the buildings and lots north of us, to almost the mid-town and we are back at the center of things.
Nearly all have recovered from Sandy and our shows, as usual, are filled with a variety of outstanding art. Already this year, we’ve shown a bevy of our Affiliate artists from as far away as Germany (Elvira Lantenhammer & Michael Rippl) and as close as Chelsea East (Sheila Smith). Joshua Greenberg & William Atkins & Renee Kahn are also new additions, coming as winners in our various International Competitions. Also, returning to our Affiliate program are Jeffrey Melzack, Katherine Ellinger Smith and Meredeth Turshen.
Viridian Artists Elizabeth Featherstone Hoff had her first solo show with us – a stunner filled with paintings and sculptures that carried a feeling of Voodoo powers- followed by the striking black & white digital photographs of Nobel Prize Winner, Wally Gilbert. His nearly sold -out show, filled with (dare I say) masculine overtones preceded Virginia Evans Smit’s stunning digital & mixed media prints of Flowers, Fish & Fragments (“F is for…”) with its (dare I say) feminine overtones and Asian influenced imagery.
Nobel Prize winner Wally Gilbert’s B&W Images sold well at his solo show. Another Nobel Prize winner, the memory biologist, Eric Kandel, author of “The Age of Insight: Memory, the Holocaust and the Art of Vienna” was a charming guest at the reception. He was recently on Charlie Rose and featured in the science section of the New York Sunday Times.
Coming up is Susan Sills solo exhibit, “Cutting Loose: A Walk Through Art History” in an exciting new installation. The Met, here we come! She will be interviewed by Cynthia Dantzic, author of 100 New York Painters.
Too, we’ve added to our flock! New to us is the photographer Daniel Victor (coming to us as a winner in our 23rd International Juried competition) and Matthias Merdan who comes to us from Austria. You’ll be seeing more of these artists work next season, but always feel free to look at members portfolios on the website.
Just a reminder, that although we always have but one exhibit at a time on view, it is still possible to see examples of all of our artists’ works on the office wall of the gallery and in the backroom. Too, many of our artists have books, cards and small works available for $99 and under, in Ye Olde Arte Shoppe in the corner of the gallery.
Stop in anytime and have a glass of wine as you – if you are looking for art to buy- decide what piece you might want to add to your collection or, if you are an artist, when you might want to submit your work for consideration as a Viridian Artist.
Happy Spring!
Letter From The Director: Winter 2013
2013. Finally.
Fortunately the Mayan calendar has been misinterpreted and the WORLD, especially the Art World, continues. It is an especially important year for looking back and many artists and galleries are making note of it. It’s over forty years since Soho became the art world Mecca, much as Chelsea is today. And sadly though many are celebrating their 40th anniversary (SOHO20, Nancy Hoffman Gallery among others) many of those people who made all this happen are gone. We lost Ivan Karp this past fall, Nancy Spero, Leon Golub, Robert Rauschenburg, Pat Passloff and others during the past few years, all of whom were instrumental in helping to create all the good parts of today’s art community.
Forty years ago was a totally different time. The 70’s were a time of artists meeting and demonstrating about politics at home and abroad. The Vietnam War, and later Apartheid, was fodder for much political art. The Women’s Movement was born, and changed how and why art is made. Installations, autobiographical art and performance art became significant art forms. Women’s galleries like Soho 20 & AIR, cooperatives, artist-owned galleries and non-profits like Artist’s Space and MUSEUM, A Project for Living Artists were formed. Viridian had already come to existence, forming in 1968, first in Soho & then on 57th St.
Today our battles have changed and we are again feeling a need to communicate and feeling a lack of ways in which to do so. In part it is that there are so many artists, so many galleries, so many art movements that its difficult to know where and how to begin. Viridian Artists has responded to this need with ArtMeat, a bi-monthly gathering on Wednesday for those who want to talk with other artists and art lovers about their process, their inspirations, the value of showing on the web, what kind of art to buy and whatever else feels pressing at that moment in time. All those who want to come are invited.
I’d like to close these words of mine with some once written by Goethe that I think are appropriate for an art context:
“Thinking is more interesting than knowing, but less interesting than looking”.
‘Til next time…
Vernita
Letter From the Director: Fall 2012
Hello Art Lovers
Another art season has begun and already Chelsea streets are filled on Thursday nights with art, culture and wine lovers.
We’ve made a number of additions to the gallery in a variety of forms. We are pleased to welcome fine art photographer Angela Smith to the fold, a winner in last season’s photo competition juried by Jennifer Blessing of the Guggenheim Museum. To accommodate our growing numbers, we’ve also added a movable wall which can change the gallery layout with just a push or a pull.
And we are again incorporating artists’ talks as a regular part of our exhibition scheduling. In the past they were called “Coffee & Conversation” but to loosen everyone one up a bit, we are now having “Wine & Words” on the last Saturday of our exhibitions to give gallery visitors an opportunity to hear the artists talk about their art and inspiration.
Last but not least, Viridian will be the site of ArtMeats- an opportunity for artists to come to the gallery after closing and talk in a group about issues and concerns relative to their professional creative pursuits. Anticipate hearing more soon about these gatherings and when they will be happening.
Viridian Artists opened this season with a show of gallery artists and a theme that addresses the mutual influences artists have on one another: Yin and Yang: Fusing Complimentary Opposites. In this exhibit, the differences and similarities between Eastern and Western Art is the focus. Fusing the balancing of Yin and Yang in real life has become critically important in our global world filled with frequent cultural clashes and as always, art can sooth these wounds.
Following Yin and Yang will be Chicago artist Carol Brookes who will be having her first solo at Viridian. Following her will be Kat King, another Chicago artist who will be having her 3rd solo at this gallery. Both of these artists create intricate art- Brookes works with clay and mixed media creating wall works in high relief and King is a mixed media artist who has worked primarily with paint and collage on canvas and paper, but now has added three dimensional digital art to her oeuvre.
Right now politics is on everyone’s mind but we must remind ourselves how important art is and how it sometimes serves to bring clarity to an often overwhelming world of confusing and conflicting elements.
Til the next time…
Vernita Nemec
(Director, Viridian Artists INC)
Letter From the Director: Spring 2012
Hello Art Lovers
Another art season is nearly over, but we still have a number of great, great exhibits coming up. 2012 has already been fruitful with our 2nd International Photography Competition juried by Jennifer Blessing the Guggenheim Museum. This was the first time we worked with her, but are looking forward to her jurying our 3rd, so start looking through your images now, for you know how time flies.
We are in the midst of pulling together our next 23rd Annual Competition of art in all media, juried by Chrissie Iles of the Whitney Museum and are looking forward to all the new and exciting art that will emerge out of her selections. The Director’s Choice Powerpoint show happening concurrently, is another example of Viridian’s mission to support as many outstanding artists of today as we can.
In that spirit, we will soon be instituting special membership programs for artists under 30 & over 80, so if you fit into one of those groups (and are willing to admit your age) stay tuned.
Since I last wrote here, Oregon artist Mary Wells showed her beautiful and incredibly complex collages, followed by our ever surprising and politically astute May deViney with her Madonnas, Monsters and Madame Curie followed by Bernice Faegenburg showing “Iris a la Warhol and…”.
We are finally happily settled in at 548 West 28th with yet another Chicago artist joining our fold- Michael Miller, a print maker and professor at the Chicago Art Institute. With Kathleen King, Carol Brookes and Darryl Moody, it brings our mid-west total to four. In addition, we have four artists from Tokyo, three from Massachusetts, one each from Richmond Virginia, Portland Oregon & Paris France with the rest from the New York /New Jersey area.
I love to collect and recommend books having to do with art & the artist, so in closing, another reminder of the power of art can be found in “The Gift” by Lewis Hyde.
Happy Spring and may flowers grow in your backyard or on your window sill!
-Vernita Nemec
(Director, Viridian Artists INC)
Letter From The Director: June 2011
Since last writing here, much has happened at the gallery. First, I am happy to say that we have added two wonderful artists to our flock. Darryl Moody, a former Juried Slide Show winner has become a Viridian Artist with his wonderful photographs of street walls. The painter David Dorsey has joined us with giant gumball painting and we are pleased to welcome them both. You will see their portfolios on the website soon. And when our “new artists” exhibit next happens, you will be privy to a teaser sampling of their artwork.
Three seems to be a magic sales number for us this past spring for both Dorothy Dierks Hourihan and Bob Mielenhausen sold 3 pieces from their recent solo exhibitions. In these hard financial times for all, this is a very good thing.
Until June 25th, we are pleased to be showing the urban cityscapes, subway images & Middle East temples & architecture of Alan Gaynor. Both framed and unframed, these images attest to Alan’s strong command of the photographic and print media. This is Alan’s first solo show at Viridian and is truly a strong beginning with us.
In his other life”, Alan is an architect and has been spearheading our search for a new gallery space. After being here at 530 West 25th for 10 years, we felt a need for change. We are pleased to announce that we will be moving in August to the 6th floor of 548 West 28th Street. Opening mid- September, our plan is to celebrate the move with a show of artworks of all our artists and perhaps even with some friends thrown in.
We close this season with our 22nd Annual International Juried Competition, juried by our favorite juror, Elisabeth Sussman of the Whitney Museum. It is going to be an exciting and diverse exhibit of a wide range of art, reflecting all the diversity of today’s mad art world and creative inclinations.
The first prize winner, Naz Shahrokh, did an internship with me when I was the Director of Artists Talk On Art, that ubiquitous panel series that we hope will never die. Her winning this competition, not only goes to prove the circularity of our lives, but also how successful my past interns have become as artists and gallery and museum personnel. May they will not forget me as they rise!
And speaking of interns, we have two great ones this season- Krystal Floyd, a fine arts transplant from Missouri and Wuraola Bamigboye, a design student from Nigeria. Both are fascinated with the New York Art World.
Hoping to see you soon… &
With warm regards,
Your director, Vernita Nemec
Letter From The Director: Spring 2011
April, 2011
April has been an exciting month at the gallery as we receive entries to our 22nd annual Juried Competition. We have extended the deadline for a week since we understand how we artists always need a little bit more time!
Sales have been happening for both the Wally Gilbert show last month and Robert Smith’s show of color photographs. His show, “The GRAND minute” already has 2 red dots. More are expected. Please try to get here & see the images in person. Then read the titles that with their whimsy and humor, make one see those images in a whole new way. My favorite (which was purchased by one of our collectors) looks like a Michaelangelo torso & is titled “Figure Study”. As I sit at my desk that’s what I see, but up close one sees the reality of what is there – worn pink rocks.
Coming up is a show of paintings by Dorothy Dierks Hourihan who showed at Viridian years ago when we were still on 57th Street. How times have changed since then, when 57th Street was the place to go to see the newest and the best… Now, for over 10 years, it’s been Chelsea that artlovers are willing to travel across Manhattan when they want to see the newest and the best. And spring is always a wonderful time to roam Manhattan on foot.
The gallery artists and I have all been busy showing and curating outside the Viridian space as well. Our VP & mixed media artist, Bob Mielenhausen was featured in the New York Times on Sunday April 3 with a photo of a piece at an exhibit in Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island. Also, Chicago artist Carol Brookes and Boston artist Wally Gilbert have been showing in group shows & having open studios in their home towns.
There have been some changes and additions to our website that you might not have noticed, though the addition of the Director’s Letter you clearly have found! We have also added a Facebook button that if you click, will take you directly to FB where you will see photos of this season’s openings taken by Viridian painter & photographer Arthur Dworin. Too, as our Affiliate list grows, we have added a new portfolio section of our Super Affiliates. Not all Super Affiliates have gotten their images to us, but some are already posted.
WE have 3 new Viridian artists now too and more to come. They all showed in the New Members show last month, but you may not have taken a peek at their portfolios on the website. All will be up soon if not when you read this! Look for Young Sam Kim, a photographer originally from Korea, John Cullen from Florida & Rochester NY & Kiyoshi Kawaguchi from Tokyo.
Til next month &
With warm regards,
Your director,
Vernita Nemec
Letter From The Director: March 2011
After a 5 year hiatus, I have returned to the Directorship of Viridian Artists and I’m happy to say that it’s good to be back, for we’ve had an exciting season opening in the Fall with 3 great solo painting shows by Don Zurlo, Bob Tomlinson and Arthur Dworin.
Following those outstanding exhibitions was my pet project, “Art From Detritus: Recycling With Imagination”. I’ve been curating this exhibit of art made from trash and recycled materials for over a decade and I was pleased when Viridian invited me to present it. Over 60 artists presented a wealth of art reminding us that there are much better uses for trash than just throwing it away.
We just recently inaugurated our first Juried Photo exhibit, juried by Elisabeth Sussman who will return again in April to jury our 23rd Annual Juried Exhibition that includes all media. This is a great competition to apply to since Sussman is rumored to be jurying the next Whitney Biennial in 2012… need I say more?
We have reinstated our Affiliate Program and created new two ways artists can be affiliated with Viridian, in addition to full member representation which gives all sorts of perks. Check out these opportunities for showing your art with us on our website.
And, we have a wonderful new gallery assistant, Lauren Purje, an artist from Ohio University, my alma mater, who arrived in New York City just 6 months ago and here she is already in the center of the NYC Art World!
On view right now are some exciting digital images by Nobel Prize winner (in Chemistry) scientist/artist Wally Gilbert that he created totally in the computer. Coming up after that, we are featuring two of our newest artists- Young Sam Kim and John Cullen- along with our newest Affiliates.
In the spring, presenting solo exhibitions, we have photographer Robert Smith, painter Dorothy Dierks Hourihan, mixed media artist Robert Mielenhausen whose wall reliefs are inspired by architecture and architect/photographer Alan Gaynor. More about all those shows later.
Finally, this will be our 10th year at 530 West 25th Street, and our final season in this space. It’s been a wonderful 10 years and we look forward to continuing to present wonderful art in our new location – location yet to be revealed. Til the next time, happy art viewing and making and we look forward to seeing you soon…
Warm regards
Vernita Nemec