Reminder: Emery Franklin's Reception

Opening reception for artist Emery Franklin - "Crossroads:  From Sagging to Success" Exhibit, Tuesday, February 1, 2011 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM.  Library Gallery, Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library.  Gregg Coats, Visual Art and Theatre Coordinator for MCS will give the welcome at 5:20pm.  Mayor AC Wharton will give his greetings (to be confirmed), and Congressman Steve Cohen will speak.  Bobby White, principal at Westwide Middle School will explain the "Ties for Tuesday" Initiative.  The exhibit will be on display through February 28, 2011.  Emery Franklin is represented by Gallery Fifty Six.

Slide Shows of Our Artists

Please take the time to enjoy a few slide shows of some of Gallery Fifty Six's artists.  The slide shows are short, animated, and have some great music.  You may add a personal comment at the end of each show (in fact, it's encouraged).  This is a great way to see a collection of an artist's work.

Slide Shows of Gallery Artists

Mariana De Marchi  

   http://photopeach.com/album/16iojoj

http://photopeach.com/album/9bf83q

Emery Franklin

http://photopeach.com/album/ryb0ba

Kay Robinson

http://photopeach.com/album/epfqbr

Rollin Kocsis

http://photopeach.com/album/yf9ddh

http://photopeach.com/album/d0wpdq

Slide Shows of Guest Artists

Chuck Johnson

http://photopeach.com/album/h4ftnx

Congratulations To Kay Robinson

"Bessie Smith" by Kay Robinson

Gallery Fifty Six would like to congratulate Kay Robinson for being juried into the National Germantown League Art Exhibiton.  Her painting "Bessie" was recently accepted.  The show will be next month.  More details later.

Emery Franklin In The News



Gallery Fifty Six is proud to have Emery Franklin as one of it's artists.  January and February will be two big months for him.  On January 27, 2011 at 7:00 on Channel 10, Emery will appear on TENNESSEE CROSSROADS.  Then on February 1st, Emery's exhibition at the Benjamin Hooks central library will open.  Please read below to get all the details:

MEMPHIS ARTIST EMERY FRANKLIN PARTNERS WITH WESTSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL TO COLLECT TIES FOR  SCHOOL’S ANTI-SAGGING PROGRAMS

Month-long “Crossroads: From Sagging to Success” exhibit opens Feb. 1 at Central Library.

An opening reception for a Black History Month exhibit on the popular fashion of sagging by artist Emery Franklin will be held Tuesday, February 1, 5 p.m. in the Library Gallery at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library. Those attending the free exhibit are asked to bring a tie for donation to Westside Middle School's "Ties for Tuesday" and The Urkel Initiative programs. A collection box will be provided.

Franklin's exhibit entitled "Crossroads: From Sagging to Success,” mixes today’s youthful fashion of sagging with reading. The series of 15 oil paintings will be on display February 1 through February 28, 2011 in the Library Gallery during library hours.

As with much of his artwork, the series of 15 oil paintings in the “Crossroads” exhibit is an expression of the rich heritage of African Americans. In this case, he juxtaposes the “pants on the ground” fashion of sagging with other images and positive role models.
Students, teachers, youth and community groups are encouraged to attend the free exhibit. Franklin says that “Crossroads” illustrates the principle of positive thinking and offers a positive statement about wearing different styles of clothing. The exhibit also points to books and reading as the way to overcome struggles and achieve success.
The partnership allows Franklin to extend the reach of his exhibit and allows Westside Middle School to build on the success of its “Ties on Tuesday” and the Urkel Initiative. Highly successful, the Urkel Initiative resulted in a 85-90% drop in Urkels, i.e., sagging pants at Westside. Principal Bobby White said, purpose of the two programs is to instill pride, passion and professionalism and that the goal is to change attitudes and mindsets, not fashions.
The youngest of six children, Emery was always inspired to be an artist. His first realization of his artistic talents came when he was in junior high at Vance Junior High School in Memphis. A graduate of Booker T. Washington High School, he was commissioned in 1998 to create the cover for the Memphis Black Heritage Calendar. His pieces have been featured at the National Civil Rights Museum in 2004 and 2006 and at the Vesta Home Show in 2006. His paintings and drawings can be seen in local galleries, offices, homes and throughout the United States. Emery Franklin’s works are currently on display at Artitudes, Gallery 56 , Planet Art and Water Kolours in Memphis as well as E and S Gallery in Louisville, Kentucky. Art by Franklin also can be viewed and purchased online at http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/emery-franklin.html.
Emery Franklin will be featured in the Tennessee Crossroads television show airing January 27th at 7 p.m. on WKNO-TV Channel 10 (PBS). He and his family reside in Arlington, Tenn.

Ivan's Show Is Coming



'Bark 3' by Ivan Kende



COMING FEBRUARY 4TH, 2011

Gallery Fifty Six will unveil Origins, the first comprehensive exhibition of new works by Ohio artist Ivan Kende. Producing sculptures using oak tanned leather and mixed media on canvas or paper, Kende creates masks, warrior figures, monoliths and automobiles inspired by primordial archetypes, dream worlds and faint memories of ancient history.

 This will be Ivan Kende's first exhibit in Tennessee. He has exhibited his work in Arizona, Michigan, Florida, New York, Ohio, and Wisconsin, as well as Japan.

There will also be a drum performance by Ivan's son, Luke.

Artist's reception - February 4th, from 5 to 8 PM.

Have You Seen The 'Winter Invitational'?

Gallery Fifty Six's 'Winter Invitational' will close on Saturday, January 29th, 2011. The show features great work by Chuck Johnson, Jana Travis, Sara Howell, Gregg Haller, Nick Pena, Jan Hankins, Mariana De Marchi, Chuck Wright, and Madison Sherman.  This is an excellent exhibition of talented artists.  Be sure you see this show before it comes down.  Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday, from noon to 4 PM.



Painting by Chuck Johnson



YouTube Video of 'Winter Invitational'

Click the link below to view a short video of the artists' reception for the 'Winter Invitational'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LQZTuQrjVE

A Child's Portrait by Mariana De Marichi

Mariana De Marchi's recent portrait of a friend's child.

Soft pastel on paper by Mariana De Marchi

New Video of the Gallery

Click here to see a video of the gallery:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrGO72Aq-WA

Ivan Kende - Background Information

Ivan Kende will present his drawings, paintings, and leather sculpture next month in an exhibition titled:  'Origins'.

Ivan Kende moved to Memphis in 1971.  There, he realized he had a knack for making things out of leather, and he enjoyed working with the material very much.  He became a leather craftsman and produced all types of functional items for years. He left Memphis in 1980 and returned to painting full time.

About four years ago, from out of nowhere, Ivan had the idea for a sculpture he would call "Last Barbarian".  He knew he had to follow through with his idea to find out where it would lead.  Slowly, a series of work unfolded using 'oak tanned' leather and other mediums.
Mr. Kende feels that Gallery Fifty six is the logical place to mount his first comprehensive exhibit of his new works.

'Origins' opens on February 4, 2011 with an artist's reception from 5 until 8 PM.

More About Mariana De Marchi

Gallery Fifty Six is delighted to have a collection of monoprints by Argentine artist Mariana De Marchi.  She is a professional artist and an art teacher.  Click this link to see images of her painting with other artists:
http://demarchimariana.wordpress.com/actividades/

Ivan Kende

'Armada' by Ivan Kende



Coming In February

Ivan Kende is getting ready to come to Memphis for his February exhibition of sculpture and two-dimensional drawings and paintings.

Ivan Kende

A Great Reception

Last night's artist's reception was a huge success.  We had more guests than we've ever had at Gallery Fity Six.  Everyone loved the work by the artists, and many positive comments were expressed to me.  All of the artists, except one, attended the reception. It was a great evening.

If you did not attend the recpetion, please be sure to come to the gallery and see this show.  All of the work is professionally executed and there are many great works.  Prices begin at $75.00 for some monoprints by Mariana De Marchi from Argentina (unframed).  All of the art works are of high quality, and everything is for sale.

Emery Franklin at the Memphis Public Library

Gallery Fifty Six is proud to announce that Emery Franklin will have an exhibit of his art at the Benjamin L. Hooks Public Library from February 1st through February 28, 2011.   His show is titled "Crossroadss:  From Sagging to Success', a Black History Month exhibit that will showcase a series of oils on canvas by South Memphis-born artist Emery Franklin.  As with much of his artwork, the series of 10 - 15 paintings are an expression of the rich heritage of African Americans juxtaposed with references to today's popular culture.

Emery Franklin on TV

One of Gallery Fifty Six's artists will  be on television.  Emery Franklin will be featured on WKNO-TV's Tennessee Crossroads.   We are proud of Mr. Franklin's accomplishements. The program will be broadcast on Thursday, January 27, 7 p.m. on WKNO-TV Channel 10 (PBS).


 The gallery currently has a wide collection of work by Emery that is currently for sale. 

What's Your Favorite Color?

Most Popular Color in the World Is...
...blue.
That's the word from a survey conducted by three global marketing firms that determined blue is overwhelmingly the favorite color of people in each of 17 different countries, reports Wireless Flash.
The survey by Cheskin, MSI-ITM, and CMCD/Visual Symbols Library found out the following fun facts to know and tell:
42 percent of Americans are fans of blue, as are 47 percent of Germans and 44 percent of Brazilians.

Overall, 40 percent of people worldwide picked blue as their favorite color.

The second most favorite color is purple, which was chosen by only 14 percent worldwide.

And what is our least favorite color? That would be white, which ranked at the bottom of people's preferences in every country in the survey except Mexico, Brazil, and China.



Source:
http://webcenters.netscape.compuserve.com/homerealestate/package.jsp?name=fte/popularcolor/popularcolor

30 Second Video

Here is a 30 second video for Argentine artist Mariana De Marchi.
http://animoto.com/play/6SI1mmG5NOSyQ64EK6leqg

Finishing Touches

I spent the last two days hanging our 'Winter Invitational' show.  In my opinion, this is probably the strongest exhibition we've had.  The work by the nine guest artists  is great.  Plan to attend this 'feast for the eyes' event this Friday, January 7th, from 5 to 8 PM.

 In addition to the 'Winter Invitational', the entire Resident Gallery has been re-arranged, and there are many new pieces.  I've devoted an entire section to Mississippi painter John Armistead and a secton to Memphis sculptor Mark Lammie. You will also see new work by John Sosh and Jeannine Paul.  Also on display will be Lonnie Wilson's Bible-inspired paintings.  There is a lot to see in our gallery this month.  Don't miss this opportunity.

Hungarian Born Australian Painter - Stephen Kaldor

Stephen Kaldor is a retired doctor from Australia who paints landscapes, portraits, figures, and still lifes.  He is a talented realist - a master of creating light and dark.  Keep your eyes on Stephen Kaldor, for you might just see some of his original work in Memphis in the future. To see more of his work, please visit his web site:  http://www.stephenkaldor.com/

Spotlight: Nick Pena

Nick Pena is an art instructor at Christian Brother's University.  His work is colorful, mysterious, and very beautiful.  He will be presenting four of his original paintings at Gallery Fifty Six's 'Winter Invitational', opening Friday, January 7th, 2011, from 5 to 8 pm.  The public is invited.

Spotlight: Chuck Wright

The work of Chuck Wright will be part of the Gallery Fifty Six 'Winter Invitational'. To view his work, please go to: http://www.charlesowright.com/index.html

 

Memphis Debut

Mariana De Marchi will present her monoprints in the Gallery Fifty Six Winter Invitational

Mariana De Marchi, Argentine artist, will show her prints
in the Gallery Fifty Six 'Winter Invitational'.

Sneak Peek

New Orleans in Memphis

Artist Steve Levelle brought in eight small paintings of scenes of the Crescent City today. These images will be included in our Winter Invitational Exhibition.  The artists' reception is Friday, Januay 7th, from 5 to 8 PM.  The public is invited.

Here are three paintings from the eight that will be on exhibit.

Steve Levelle



Steve Levelle





Steve Levelle