Helena Fox Fine Art and Anson: Partners for the 2012 Palette & Palate Stroll

You Are The Best Thing by West Fraser

Helena Fox Fine Art, located south of Broad in Historic Charleston, specializes in fine contemporary representational art. Established in 2004, the gallery is a compilation of national and international artists, including renowned Southern painter, West Fraser. The varied collection of work mingles impressionistic landscapes and streetscapes, maritime paintings, plein air travel paintings, still lifes, and trompe l’oeil, with modernistic architectural paintings. Wildlife sculptures by internationally acclaimed sculptor Kent Ullberg and exquisite handcrafted 22K gold jewelry by celebrated Welsh goldsmith Sarah Amos will also enthrall you on your visit to the gallery

Helen Fox Fine Art proudly represents the following artists: Sarah Amos, William R. Davis, John Cosby, William McCullough, Arnold Desmarais, Julyan Davis, Kenn Backhaus, John Budicin, Terry DeLapp, Donald Demers, Mary Erickson, West Fraser, Joseph McGurl, Billyo O’Donnell, Joseph Paquet, Kent Ullberg, and Jeffrey Larson.

For the 2012 Palette and Palate Stroll, the gallery’s selection of the finest regional and national art will once again be complemented by Anson‘s decadent cuisine which blends worldly sophistication with Lowcountry lifestyle.

Anson Restaurant is a favorite Charleston restaurant  with Southern architecture, an elegant interior and gracious hospitality, serving Lowcountry favorites like Shrimp and Grits. Anson’s newest rising culinary star is Chef Jeremy Holst. With an emphasis on the abundance of seafood from the Lowcountry waters and utilizing local farmer’s produce, Chef Holst is working to provide Anson guests with the freshest and highest quality ingredients available. Anson is proud to have Chef Holst leading a team that is dedicated to making this goal a reality.

Chef Jeremy Holst by Kaitlyn Iserman of Charleston City Paper

After growing up in Mt. Pleasant, SC, and graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in 2000, Chef Holst began his professional career at Panos & Pauls located in the Buckhead area of Atlanta. From here, he continued his culinary path at a five star five diamond resort, The Woodlands in Summerville, South Carolina. Upon his departure, the Ritz Carlton in Las Vegas, and the acclaimed Six Tables Restaurant in Mt. Pleasant that earned a Tripe AAA Four Diamond Rating, and The Troutdale, a popular farm-to-table restaurant in Bristol, Tennessee, would be next in providing Chef Holst with ample experience in fine dining expertise before returning home and joining Anson.

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Plein Air Painters of the Southeast Come to Charleston. Opening Reception June 1!

Southern Oaks, Chris Groves, 11×14, Oil on Linen

The southeastern United States, with its wealth of natural beauty and the architectural elegance of its historic towns and cities, provides ample inspiration for artists.  Founded in 2001, the Plein Air Painters of the Southeast (PAP-SE) is an organization of professional painters bound by a common passion to promote the traditional methods of painting en plein air while capturing the varied scenery of this region.

In 2001,the Plein Air Painters of the Southeast held its first exhibition at the Wells Gallery in Charleston, South Carolina.  This year, the group returns to Charleston to exhibit work in four downtown galleries:  Horton Hayes Fine Art, Hagan Fine Art Gallery and Studio, Galerie on Broad and Smith Killian Fine Art.  Each gallery is sponsoring eight individual artists.  For a roster of participating artists and their sponsor galleries, please click here.

The exhibition will be shown through June 22nd with opening receptions in each gallery on Friday June 1st from 5 to 8pm.  Prior to the opening, from May 30th to June 1st, PAP-SE artists can be seen painting in the vicinity of their sponsor galleries.  Please come by and meet the artists as they paint!

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We are so excited about the upcoming Palette & Palate Stroll on July 13

We are so excited about the upcoming Palette & Palate Stroll on Friday, July 13th. Check out some photos from the last year’s event. Let us know if you are in them and we can tag you on Facebook!

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Wells Gallery featuring George Pate for Art Walk, May 4

Stardust by George Pate

Don’t forget to stop by the Wells Gallery located at 125 Meeting Street tomorrow night, May 4, from 5-8pm. The gallery will be featuring new works by George Pate.

A resident of the Southeast since 1957, and Santa Fe, New Mexico since 1977, Pate finds ample subject matter in his imminently paintable landscape, filled with historical architecture and manifestations of distinctly different cultures. He works en plein air to render light, shade, and shadow with a strong design, vital color and thoughtful brush strokes. Pate evokes both realism and impressionism in his canvases and consistently displays his understanding of the invention and the presence of emotion.

Check out George painting live at The Sanctuary on Kiawah:

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Dutch Exhibition Featuring Simon Balyon at Ella W. Richardson Fine Art

Working on a Winter's Day by Simon Balyon

Old Dutch Fishing Boats by Simon Galyon

A Summer Riverside by Simon Galyon

These are some of the paintings that just arrived for our Dutch exhibition featuring Simon Balyon. Artist reception will be on November 5 from 5:30-8:30pm at Ella W. Richardson Fine Art located at 58 Broad Street in downtown Charleston, SC. The exhibit is part of the CFADA’s Charleston Fine Art Annual weekend.

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Chris Groves’ New Show “Reflection” Opens at Horton Hayes Fine Art on September 30

Horton Hayes Fine Art in downtown Charleston is pleased to present an exhibition of new paintings by Chris Groves entitled “Reflection”.  An opening reception will take place on Thursday, September 30, from 5-8pm and the show will run through October 24th.

Hanging Fruit by Chris Groves

This grouping is inspired by both Groves’ fascination with the reflective nature of light as well as the contemplative sensibility he aims to elicit through his work.   The pieces demonstrate Groves’ keen attention to the illumination of the objects and landscapes he portrays as he captures the angle and intensity of light and the specific luster of surfaces with exquisite precision.

Groves studied painting at the Florence Academy in Italy.   He excels in the Tonal style of painting which employs a limited palette of mostly neutral hues from which the value ranges of colors are developed.  The technique builds layers of atmosphere, texture and depth in a painting.  Groves works hang in numerous private and corporate collections.

Horton Hayes Fine Art is located at 30 State Street in downtown Charleston.  Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday 10:00am-5:30pm and Sunday 12:30pm to 5:00pm.  For more information visit hortonhayes.com or call (843) 958-0014.

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Society 1858 Presents An Evening at Bastille Café July 16 at the Gibbes

The newly formed Gibbes auxiliary group Society 1858, will celebrate Bastille Day in the museum courtyard on Friday, July 16 from 8pm – 11pm.

Guests will enjoy live jazz by Heddy Rae and hors d’oeuvres and boissons (food and drink) courtesy of Rue de Jean.  A French-themed art scavenger hunt will take place throughout the museum. In addition, ballots will be cast at the party for Charleston’s favorite pommes frites (French fries). Guests are encouraged to sample the pommes frites at four area restaurants prior to the party and then vote on their favorite at Bastille Café – a random winner will be eligible for free fries for a year!  The participating restaurants are The Glass Onion, Blind Tiger, La Fourchette, and Rue de Jean.

Tickets for An Evening at Bastille Café are $25 and can be purchased online at www.gibbesmuseum.org/events. The event is free to anyone who attended Society 1858’s May 21 Launch Celebration.  Those individuals should call 722-2706 x22 to reserve their complimentary ticket.

Earlier in the evening of July 16, the Charleston Fine Art Dealers Association hosts the Palette and Palate Stroll.  Art lovers can plan to attend that event from 5:30pm – 7:30pm (www.cfada.com for tickets) followed by An Evening at Bastille Café at 8:00pm.

Society 1858 is a group of dynamic young professionals who support the Gibbes Museum of Art with social and educational programs tailored for up-and-coming art patrons. Society 1858 takes its name from the year that the Carolina Art Association was established. Although the Gibbes Museum of Art opened its doors in 1905, the museum’s art collection began in 1858. Society 1858 aims to continue the strong legacy of art appreciation in Charleston. Members of Society 1858 have access to private exhibition previews and receptions, invitations to social events throughout the year, and free or reduced admission to Society 1858’s exciting programs. Membership to Society 1858 is open to any member of the Gibbes Museum of Art.

Established as the Carolina Art Association in 1858, the Gibbes Museum of Art opened its doors to the public in 1905.  Located in Charleston’s historic district, the Gibbes houses a premier collection of over 10,000 works, principally American with a Charleston or Southern connection and presents special exhibitions throughout the year. In addition, the museum offers an extensive complement of public programming and educational outreach initiatives that serve the community by stimulating creative expression and improving the region’s superb quality of life.

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A Date Set for the 2010 Palette and Palate Stroll

For five years now, the Charleston Fine Art Dealers’ Association’s Annual Palette and Palate Stroll has made its name as one of the most anticipated visual art and fine food summer events in the South. This year’s event will take place on Friday, July 16, 2010. Fine art and food connoisseurs will stroll through the historic streets of downtown Charleston, sampling tastings from twelve of the finest local restaurants in the beautiful setting of twelve prestigious galleries. The Palette and Palate Stroll starts at 5:30pm and ends at 7:30pm.

A smashing hit since its establishment in 2005, the Palette and Palate Stroll presents the best of Charleston in one amazing evening. Attendees make stops at CFADA member galleries to mingle with local and visiting artists, enjoy the memorable pairings of breathtaking art created by nationally and internationally renowned artists and fine cuisine prepared by the elite local chefs. Participating restaurants include Charleston Grill, Circa 1886, Halls Chophouse, Maverick Southern Kitchens, and Social.

Since 2005, the event has attracted more than 3,000 people from across the nation. CFADA created this event to introduce our diverse art market to a new generation of local art collectors as well as art collectors from all over the United States. We also wanted to reach out to our community and give local restaurants unique art venues to present their works of culinary art.

Our local chefs pride themselves on using local products and bringing farm to table. Our goal was to offer a special opportunity to present the bounty of local summer produce and products in the peak of the growing season and pair it with new works of art.

The event is presented as part of the Charleston Fine Art Dealers’ Association’s Studio Series, benefiting its visual arts scholarship fund. Money from the scholarship fund has been awarded to organizations such as Redux, the Gibbes Museum of Art and the College of Charleston School of the Arts. Cost is $45 per person and tickets are limited. Reservations are required. Tickets can be purchased by calling 843-819-8006 or starting in March on-line at www.cfada.com.

In conjunction with the event, Fulton Lane Inn is offering a special art package for two people (July 16-18, 2010).  To book the Palette and Palate hotel package, please visit www.fultonlaneinn.com or call 800-720-2688.

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Sneak Peak: Robert Lange Solo Show on June 4

Artist Robert Lange of Robert Lange Studios located in Charleston, SC, just returned from a magical five week long journey to Nepal. He is currently working on his upcoming solo show that opens on June 4, 2010 from 5-8pm.

Are you providing a range of different sizes, or are you focusing on a particular size or format that your collectors prefer?

As always there will be a broad range of sizes, from 8” x 10” to about 36” x 48” mostly oil on a dutch linen wrapped panel.

What inspired you to do this new body of work? [message/insight/location/light/mood etc.]

Two sources of inspiration:

1. About 4 months ago I was invited by my father in law to go on a 5 week, 150 mile hike through the Himalayas. The anticipation and excitement surrounding this life-changing journey to Nepal has been the fuel for the 8 newest paintings. After I return from the trip I will then create 4 to 6 paintings as a reaction to the experience.
2. Coinciding with the date of this show is the release of one of my longtime friends Brendan James (Decca Records) 2^nd album. The message within the music is that of bleeding altruism and optimism, a feeling that we are on the precipice of positive change. Therefore I have used each song as a seed, listening to it over and over and allowing an idea to flourish from it. The paintings are in no way literal translations but instead visual reactions to the way the music makes me feel. Brendan will be performing an intimate concert within the gallery the night of the show.

What do you want art collectors to look for in this new show?

A sense of a magical reality. Narratives consisting of situations that look possible but not plausible. If the work was to reference a sense of surrealism it would be within the breadth of Rene Magritte. Scenes where at first glance nothing seems out of place even though the skydiver barreling down toward the Himalayas is without a parachute or even a shirt for that matter and is only wearing a pair of camouflage shorts.

What do your collectors tell you they particularly like about your artwork?

A unique sense of happiness. I Always hope to imbue the paintings with an overwhelming sense of grabbing life by the heels and living, of taking nothing for granted and seeing any moment as extraordinary. Whether it overwhelming sadness or joy, adventure or calm, I hope the paintings capture those moments when our humanity sings.

How would you describe your audience?

Glass half full people.

Would you help me describe your paintings to new collectors? What phrase best reflects how you want to be described?

I hope to be a painter who paints anything and everything, having the work always be informed my own experience and the experience of those I am fortunate enough to interact with. I wish to be the seen as a person on an unending journey to draw out and paint the character of this beautiful world we live in.

If there’s one thing you would like collectors to know about you, the artist, what would that be?

I believe everything and anything is possible, that our imagination and connection to each other will lead us to the reality we all wish to see

What would you say has been the major turning point in your commercial career?

The day I decided to reclaim my imagination. I feel as though I am a child again painting whatever creations float throughout my mind.

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New Work by Craig Crawford at Carolina Galleries May 7

Carolina Galleries, located at 106 A Church Street, is pleased to present new work by Craig Crawford in May. The artist reception will take place on May 7 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Moss Over the Lagoon by Craig Crawford

Craig Crawford first became interested in painting through his  grandfather, himself a painter and an architect. He attended the  South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts at Furman University  and graduated from the University of South Carolina. He then trained  in the field of Painting Conservation with Charles Olin, former head  of Painting Conservation at the Smithsonian Museum and the National  Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC. During his eight year  apprenticeship, Crawford spent endless hours studying paintings,  particularly American Landscape Paintings and the French Barbizon  School, and learning how they were made. He generally works from oil  sketches done on location as well as digital images. Crawford paints  in a straightforward traditional manner, and his paintings are  infused with the light and shadows of the South. His paintings are  often mistaken for 19th Century works, a strong tribute to his study and mastery of the craft.

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