Getting Ready For The 'Winter Invitational"

Thanks to all the artists of the Gallery Fifty Six "Winter Invitational Exhibition" for bringing their work to the gallery this week.  All the work looks terrific and I am sure this will be one of the BEST shows we've had since the gallery opened.  Be sure to mark your calendar for January 7th, 2011, the date of the artist's reception, 5 to 8 PM.

Nine fine artists will show their work, including Chuck Johnson, Jana Travis, Nick Pena, Chuck Wright, Sara Howell, Madison Sherman, Gregg Haller, Jan Hankins, and Mariana De Marchi.

Happy New Year!

Argentine artist Mariana De Marchi sends her New Year's wishes to
everyone in Memphis, Tennessee.



Spotlight on the 'Winter Invitational' Artists

Sara Howell

Collage allows me to build my surfaces slowly. The transparency of the rice paper allows color overlay, which gives almost a three dimensional effect. The layering, the intricate structure and the color overlay keep me interested in the process of making my art.



I express my feelings and observations through collage. By painting, tearing and layering rice paper, I convey my interests in landscaping, abstraction and self-representation. Through my collage, I often suggest the passage of time. Old photographs dating back to the mid 1800's and early 1900's, old book pages and fragments of previous collage are used in these pieces. Wood block printed windows appear as the stabilizer often suggesting that the viewer is outside looking in or inside looking out.

Spotlight on the 'Winter Invitational' Artists

Charles Wright

Charles Wright didn’t know his direction in life as he started in the workforce as a construction worker, realized his talents in breeding and raising exotic pets, then became a locksmith while studying graphic design and fine art. Seemingly unrelated jobs and talents - God’s plan to unveil Charles Wright’s spiritual gift.

Now, accomplished Geometric Relief artist Charles Wright creates dimensional art in vivid colors for his customers, pieces of art inspired by his life experiences, his customer’s personalities - as well as their life experiences

Spotlight on the 'Winter Invitational' Artists

Jana B. Travis

Jana Travis was born in Louisiana and has lived in various parts of the South. She began painting professionally in her twenties and has had several exhibitions in the United States and abroad. As a result, her art can now be found in private and corporate collections throughout the world. Most recently her work was selected for the First Tennessee ArtForum Competition by the Urban Art Commission to be displayed at the FedEx Forum.

Over the years, Travis has discovered her art evolving in conjunction with her own life. The fact that she is true to this transformation of style allows her to produce art that is original and uniquely her own. Despite her southern roots, Travis claims her art to be mostly influenced by the years she lived with her husband and two daughters in Guadalajara, Mexico. While extensively traveling the country, Travis noticed the culture and colors of Mexico naturally beginning to seep into her artwork. In 1996, she was chosen to exhibit at the Mexican-American Cultural Institute, where she was recognized for her culturally inspired work on a Latin news network.

Upon returning to the United States, Travis received a Masters of Fine Arts in painting from the University of Memphis and began teaching shortly thereafter as an adjunct professor for several years. Today, Travis is the Chair of Fine Arts at Christian Brothers University, where she has restructured the art program to offer students a BFA and a broader range of artistic studies.

Winter Invitational

We are going to start the new year with our first invitational show.  The artists participating are Mariana De Marchi, Gregg Haller, Jan Hankins, Sara Howell, Chuck Johnson, Nick Pena, Madison Sherman, Jana Travis, and Chuck Wright. This will be an exciting exhibition that I hope you will be able to attend.

The artists' reception will be January 7th, from 5 to 8 pm.

Windows to the World

If you have not seen the current exhibition "Windows To The World", please stop by the gallery to view it.  The paintings by the guest artist Lonnie Wilson are painted in the 'old masters' style, and they are worth your time to stop by and view them.  His subjects are themes from the Bible.  In addition to Lonnie's work are the creations of the gallery artists.  John Amistead, John Sosh, Jeannine Paul, Mary Bowman, Emery Franklin, MJ Reeves, Mark Lammie, and  Bridget Russel have some exciting new pieces.  This show runs until the end of the month.  Also on display, in the lower gallery, are some exciting works to be discovered.  There is a wide price range of art for sale, beginning at $40.00.  We have three bins of giclee prints, linocut prints, and watercolors under $100.00.  What better gift than the gift of original art?  Please visit us Wednesday through Saturday, from noon until 4 pm.

Habitat For Humanity Celebrates at Gallery Fifty Six

The Memphis Habitat For Humanity's Holidy Celebration was a huge success last night.  Close to 100 people attended this even.  The gallery was the perfect venue with lots of room to move about and great art to see on the walls.  Everyone loved the gallery and had a great time.

Click Here to see the slide show:  http://photopeach.com/album/idleda

New Work By Emery Franklin

These paintings are now available at the gallery.

January Show's Line-up

I am pleased to announce the artists who will participate in the Gallery Fifty Six 'Winter Invitational' exhibition.  Those artists are:  Chuck Johnson, Jan Hankins, Jana Travis, Nick Pena, Sara Howell, Chuck Wright, Madison Sherman, Gregg Haller, and Mariana De Marchi.    This will be an exciting show that opens on January 7th, 2011.

Clarke at 56



Paul Clarke's photo from his 'Waiting' series
 is part of the group exhibition at the gallery



SOLD!

Congratulations to Emery Franklin. I sold two of his paintings this past Saturday.  An art-loving customer purchased one of Emery's landscapes, and one of his abstract musicians.

Tennessee Crossroads TV Program

One of our artists, Emery Franklin, will be featured on WKNO's 'Tennessee Crossroad" television program.  The exact date is not know at this time, but it will air very soon.  I will keep you posted as to the date as soon as I know it.


Painting by Emery Franklin



View The Video/Slide Show

Click this link to view the video of the Window's To The World Group Exhibition at Gallery Fifty Six
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re7u1codyrE

A Great Artist's Reception

Artist Lonnie Wilson stands in front of one of his paintings.

Thanks to everyone who came to the 'Windows To The World' artist's reception last night.  We had a great crowd of people and everyone was very complimentary of the art on display.  We've already sold two paintings from the show.  Remember that the exhibit will be up until the end of December.  This is a show that you will want to see.

Last Chance This Month

Recycled art by Emily Allison

Emily Allison's work will be available at the gallery through the month of December.  Now is the time to purchase one of her works.  We have a wide selection currently on display in the Archive Gallery.  You can own a piece of her art for under $100.00.  Allison's 'tin can collages' make great gifts.  Please stop by and become the owner of one of her pieces, while they last



Affordably priced.



Teaser III

A variety of colorful landscapes will be on exhibit through December.

Teaser II

Positive, colorful, energetic paintings by Gallery Fifty Six artists
make up the December exhibition:  Windows To The Wold.

Teaser

Paintings inspired by stories from the Bible will be on exhibit at
Gallery Fifty Six during the month of December.

Paintings by Lonnie Wilson