September 13, 2018

Decorus exhibit from left to right work of Tom Judd, Aubrie Costello, Donald E Camp

If you are looking for a reason to go to Philly (besides this months’ Fringe Festival!) go to Decorus at Space and Company just north of Fitler Square and just west of Rittenhouse Square. Amie Potsic, formerly of Main Line Art Center, and Center For Emerging Visual Artists, has been engaged in the Philadelphia arts for decades and is, as well as a curator, an internationally exhibited photographer and installation artist. I have the pleasure of co hosting alongside Potsic with Art Watch Radio. I have known her since my college days of interning at the Center for Emerging Visual Artists in 2008. We have crossed paths since, as she curated the summer exhibition at Third Street Gallery of an artist I interviewed, Agathe Bouton. Amie’s passion for the arts, excellent eye, and fascinating experience and background shine through in her curated shows.

Saturday marks the closing reception for Decorus a group exhibition of Donald E. Camp, Aubrie Costello, and Tom Judd. This mixed media exhibition explores the raw and relevant topics in modern 2018 American society such as civil rights, women’s rights, and the panoply of elements that really make us Americans.

While all three of these award winning artists raise social awareness in their own style, Aubrie Costello’s silk graffiti intrigues me, specifically. Not only does her work speak to me as a woman, but the contrast of soft silk, a very feminine medium (also imbued with racial and colonial undertones) contrasts starkly with the word “graffiti” which has worked to expand beyond the taboo, the illegal, the novice art. Her pieces are simple in composition, centered, and text based on a fabric background–they literally drip as the ends and beginnings of her words overlap. This reception will be the last time to see this show, so stop by on Saturday, September 15 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Space and Company.

Kirk McBride’s work on exhibit at Station Gallery

Let’s return to the Brandywine region. Next Wednesday, Margaret Winslow, Curator of Contemporary Art at the Delaware Art Museum will be speaking at Delaware Contemporary’s monthly On Art presentation. Learn more about the 1968 Wilmington Riots and the Guardians of The Image Makers at this exhibition. Astute readers will notice than that exhibition, runs in tandem with the trifecta of Civil RIghts exhibitions at the Delaware Art Museum. This is not a coincidence. The occupation and riots in Wilmington in 1968 are being remembered throughout the city through these exhibitions. Join Delaware Contemporary and Margaret Winslow to learn more on Wednesday, September 19 from 5:25 to 6 p.m.

Speaking of Delaware Art Museum, they just unveiled a new exhibition last week, “Wonders of Wilmington: Gifts from the Hotel du Pont Collection” which features watercolors by Andrew Wyeth, as well as work by N.C. Wyeth, Frank Schoonover, and Edward Loper. This exhibition will be on display through January 13, 2019. On the way into Wilmington, stop by Station Gallery in Greenville to view the new exhibition by husband/wife artist duo Kirk McBride and Lynne Lockhart. This exhibition which features Lockhart’s paintings of wildlife alongside McBrides cityscapes and nautical paintings, will be up through the end of the month.

Next Wednesday, tune into Art Watch on WCHE 1520AM from 1-1:30 when Rhoda Kahler, clay artist and teacher, interviews – Development officers Kelsey Rhodes, and another, from Philadelphia Art Museum. Until next time!

About Caroline Roosevelt

Caroline Roosevelt is a writer and artist based in Kennett Square, PA. She received her B.A. in Art History from Connecticut College and a Post Baccalaureate certificate from Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. She has previously written art coverage in Seattle, WA and Philadelphia, PA. She currently co-hosts Art Watch radio on 1520 WCHE.

Around Town Sept. 13

Along the Ford

• On Friday, Sept. 14, West Chester University will conduct a test on components of the external Emergency Alert System. During this time, the mass notification system will be audibly tested. Residents in the vicinity of the University are likely to hear the audio alert. As a reminder, this is just a test of the system. In an actual emergency, the University will communicate key emergency information as quickly and to as many people as possible. The official source for continuously updated emergency information, directions and instructions is the WCU homepage at www.wcupa.edu. (Use the “Refresh” button to be certain the latest information is available.)
The Chadds Ford Historical Society and the Christian Sanderson Museum will hold a joint yard sale at the Barns-Brinton House on Route 1 in Pennsbury Township on Saturday, Sept. 29 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The CFHS is looking for donations of household items for the above yard sale. Note that this is for the CFHS section of the yard sale. If you would like to donate to the Sanderson Museum, contact them directly. Most household items accepted including books, collectibles, artwork, kitchen utensils, children’s toys, etc. Please- NO clothing, electrical items, TVs, encyclopedias, large furniture (we can take small pieces of furniture), paint, cleaning products, exercise equipment, medical items, baby furniture or car seats. Drop of donated items this Saturday, Sept. 15, 9 a.m. to noon.

• Delaware County Community College begins its concert series this Sunday, Sept. 16, at 3 p.m. with performances by Byrne:Kozar:Duo Corrine Byrne & Andy Kozar, Soprano & Trumpet Duo. Tickets are $10. They are available here https://dccc-arts.ticketleap.com/byrnekozarduo/or at the door. The performance will be in the large auditorium of the academic building on the Marple campus. For more information and group ticket sales, please call 610-359-5266.

• State Rep. Eric Roe, R-158, is holding a shredding event on Saturday, Sept. 22 so residents may safely dispose of their documents that contain sensitive, personal information. The shredding event is on Saturday, September 22 from 9:00 am to noon at Bancroft Elementary School located at 181 Bancroft Road in Kennett Square. A Wiggins truck will be available to shred your papers on site. You may also donate any gently-used clothing, shoes, toys, small appliances and kitchenware to Green Drop which will also have a truck available that morning. Please call 610-388-3100 if you have any questions.

• Bike the Brandywine is Saturday, Sept. 22. The event is billed as an introduction to the Brandywine Creek Greenway for the recreational cyclist, with loops of 25, 45 and 80 miles that follow the West Branch of the Brandywine Creek. Each loop starts and ends at the Chadds Ford Historical Society, 1736 N Creek Road, Chadds Ford, PA. Well provisioned rest stops are available every 10-20 miles, depending on the route. Cyclists of legal drinking age will be entitled to one free pint of Victory beer at the ride’s conclusion. The post-ride celebration at the Chadds Ford Historical Society will also include free lunch for all riders. The event takes place from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Advance registration is $50 per rider, but the fee will increase closer to the date of the event. To register, visit www.brandywine.org/bikeride.

• Concordia Choral Arts celebrates the United Nations International Day of Peace with a free concert which is open to the public 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23 at First Presbyterian Church 145 Main Street in Phoenixville. This year’s celebration will feature works of classic and contemporary choral music along with performances by Phoenixville singer/songwriters Anna Spackman and Shawn Cephas, story-telling artist Celeste Montgomery, and local students. The audience will also be invited to participate in some of the afternoon’s music making. All ages will enjoy good music and emerge inspired about peace-making as a healing and restorative experience. No musical ability is required to enjoy the events.