As we finally emerge from sheltering at home, galleries are hoping we pay them a visit. While many quickly adapted to online platforms to keep things going, they are excited to welcome visitors in person.
Corien Spielpelinga of Square Pear Gallery put up a new show this week titled What Inspires. It features gorgeous paintings by Kennett Square artist Frank DePietro, new bright, floral paintings from Merrill Weber along with works by John Pompeo, Barbara Neville, Kim Myers Smith, Alice Dustin and Susan Myers. Some new pottery has arrived too, made by Susan Kent, Bridget Hughes and Ki Crittenden.
To adapt for covid-19, Spielpelinga made some changes in her space. “Yes, I reopened the gallery but it has been a slow start so far as shoppers seem to be cautious about going out. Things in the gallery have changed. The room previously used for children’s art classes is now an area for art prints and cards. I moved the classroom into the large back room of the gallery to allow for social distancing and it seems to be working well. Children’s art classes have resumed with additional day time slots available since children are not in school. I am hoping to start my adult classes in the next week as well. I have no idea what is going to happen with everything going on so I am just taking it day by day.”
Barbara Moore Fine Art Gallery’s flag is flying again. The gallery re-opened for business on Friday, June 5th. Visitors must wear a mask to enter during new temporary hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Moore is allowing a limited number of visitors at one time and is taking appointments as well. Moore has a beautiful new giclee edition of “Peeky Toe” by Jamie Wyeth along with other prints to peruse. If you aren’t ready to venture in just yet, you can always shop online.
The Delaware Art Museum (DAM) plans to open their doors on July 1st to members and on July 15th to the public. In the meantime, DAM is hosting Art Chat Weekly with curator Margaretta Frederick and figurative painter Holly Trostle Brigham this Thursday, June 18th at 12 noon on Zoom. Brigham will discuss the process which led her to the creation of an artist’s book investigating the life of pre-Raphaelite artist, model, poet, and muse Elizabeth Eleanor Siddal. If interested, register here.
Artists are still working through their day to day during the transition. Wilmington plein air painter Sarah Baptist said she doesn’t feel as pressured as she used to. “Since I am not doing shows and events, where ‘urban landscape’ is expected, I’ve been able to play a little. I decided since I couldn't go out to paint that I would do small paintings around my home and share those. I posted the series ‘Quarantined’ on Instagram and Facebook, it kept me painting and engaged with people and introduced me to new fans.”
Baptist thinks sales will continue via virtual viewings too. “It is easy for the buyer. We as artists have to get better at digital marketing. It is so important. One of my goals this year was to work on boosting my online presence. It is a huge learning curve though and since I’m doing it on my own, it takes time.” Baptist is thrilled her “Quarantined” series did well online. “The financial part is a help but every time you get a sale, it's also validation that what you're doing is reaching someone. And it doesn't always have to be a sale, sometimes it's just someone saying they love your work or cheering you on.” To peruse her art, visit Sarah Baptist.
While artist Rinal Parikh struggled with quarantine early on, she said eventually things began to smooth out. “Cancelled art shows ended up being a blessing. It gave me time to be experimental in my painting practices. I was able to explore new subjects. And, I was able to dedicate efforts on a large commission. I was also able to work on marketing projects that had been put aside for a while." In conjunction with the recent Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show, 2020 Virtual edition (the live event was rescheduled for September), Parikh created an online presence on YouTube. It contains video documentation of major projects, solo shows, lessons and studio tours. Parikh plans to continue using online avenues.
“I am a strong advocate of online platforms to showcase my artwork but still love a traditional show. An online show extends your art to a greater audience and you aren’t mandated to a single location. However, physical shows give me a chance to a part of an experience. It lets me see people’s reactions and I can listen in on the conversations art prompts when people come together to view it.” To see all of Parikh’s offerings, visit Rinal Parikh.
In light of the protests happening around Wilmington, The Delaware Contemporary’s unveiling of The Platform Gallery featuring artist Theresa Chromati was moved from last week to this Friday, June 19th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Visit the website for details.
Whatever you do this week, support the arts!!
About Constance McBride
A native of Philadelphia, Constance McBride lived in Arizona for 16 years, where desert observations made a transformative impact on her work as a research based visual artist. Passionate about contemporary art, she was actively engaged in the local arts community. She served as a board member for several art organizations, managed an artist collective/gallery space, curated and juried several exhibitions and wrote for two arts publications in Phoenix. She taught ceramics at Shemer Art Center and Museum and exhibited her work both locally and nationally. McBride returned to Pennsylvania in 2018 and resides in Chester Springs with her husband and two dogs. In West Chester, she serves as a board member at The Art Trust Gallery at Meridian Bank and teaches ceramics at Chester County Art Association. She also teaches at Clay on Main in Oley, PA. She is a member of American Craft Council, Philadelphia Sculptors, and Women’s Caucus for Art, Philadelphia Chapter.
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