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Jack Shainman Gallery
Last Saturday, Nick and I met up with Ms.G at the library in the morning. We planned to spend the day looking at different galleries. We rode up to Kinderhook to visit The School. The gallery was hosting a handful of artists but the main exhibition was about Radcliffe Bailey’s artwork.
Bailey’s work focused a lot on African cultures seeing as he visited the continent prior to making his work. Each piece had a few details in common that allowed the viewer to identify the theme. He used railroads, sheet music, and ships quite often in his sculptures and paintings. My personal favorite piece of his was called To Be Titled. The rock included in it looked somewhat similar to a heart and it had a crown of thorns attached to it. It’s hard to describe but it left an eerie feeling with me.
The gallery included all their other exhibitions upstairs separated off into different rooms and hallways. There was so much art to look around out but I was moved by the photography of Gordon Parks. The way he captured the world of his time is just so amazing. Each piece gave off a different feeling and with the context of the time they were taken, you can just resonate with the subjects. Sadly my favorite photograph of his in the gallery didn’t have a name. The subject of the photo was a young black boy in a cowboy hat that was staring deeply into the camera. With just his look, you could feel the pain he was dealing with. I was completely amazed by it.
I honestly could’ve spent the entire day just looking between Bailey’s and Parks’ work. I would love to go back to The School sometime and see what else they had to offer.
To Be Titled by Radcliffe Bailey
Untitled by Gordon Parks
ARTBAR By...Jeanetta Depace
When I first arrive at the art bar no one was there, it was weird because I usually see Nick and Allysia but they both called in sick so I guess I was on my own.
I waited a few more minutes and finally Mrs. G came and told me they weren't coming so then we went on business as usual. We first went and got drinks from Peace nation, one lemonade and one iced coffee. After we drank up all our liquids we went straight to the art bar which was finally open!
We finally got inside at about 2:15 I looked at the artwork and murals around they were all so beautiful and colorful and glistening. It didn't take me long to view all the art but they were all vibrant in their own ways.
After we were done at the art bar we went to the library and Mrs. G told me to write a resume for my next job because this job ends on the 27th on July which is soon to come sadly because I kind of got used to waking up and seeing familiar faces but life goes on!
My First Time At New Paltz Art Museum By...Jeanetta Depace
It was hot outside Mrs. G and us decided to go on an adventure to the gallery, when we first arrived we were all perplexed by the art work that was displayed.
There were sculptures , abstract paintings and photographs all equal in beauty and value. there was even a sculpture that was so life like it kind of freaked me out a little bit, but if I had to pick a favorite piece there it would be all the unknown African art work and this weird but cool picture of a bullet going through and apple.
It was also cool seeing how they hung there art work in clear glass like plastic. There was even an abstract picture of JFK and some other people from long ago, books from Germany, Switzerland and Austria. The works of Steven halls architecture is amazing!
Visting Various Art Galleries By...Jeanetta Depace
Throughout working for SYEP my fellow co workers and I, got to visit a lot of local art galleries. just to name a few off the top of my head ASK, R&F paints , Dorsky etc.
All of them were really cool and interesting, I have never really been into art but looking at it and being exposed to it has got me wanting to become more invovled. I mean in my group home we have so many young artist.
One of my close friends Nick is a very talented artist! she inspires me to give it a try, but I will never be good haha, anyway as I was saying being exposed to art makes you want to be more artistic.
So I would encourage you all to go out , go look at some art work and get your paint brushes. Who knows? you could be a hidden Vincent Van Gogh.
Murals, Murals And More Murals By...Jeanetta Depace
Yesterday my co workers and I went on a tour of the 0+ art murals in Kingston, with Mrs. G. We first went to Peoples Place the mural on there isn't the best so we didn't take much time looking at it.
After we viewed the mural on Peoples Place we went over to Keegan Ales to scope out their murals, the first one I saw I connected with because it depicted a Native American on the wall I loved, loved , loved that mural!
Then we saw a fish on another wall, it was like a sketch painted on a brick wall it was alright looking not the best in my opinion. there were two or three more by Keegan Ales but my favorite of all of them was the night sky scene because it was colorful.
After we finished by Keegan Ales we went uptown to view the rest, there was to many to remember but they all were unique in there own way Kingston is becoming an art phenomenon!
Teen Art Lab's Animation Class
With the start of a new week that meant a new session of Teen Art Lab. This week was focused on stop motion animation taught by Addie. I've always been into animation so getting to sit in on the first class was exciting. Addie was very enthusiastic about teaching the kids and it made me feel hype about the class too.
At 10am the class started as all the kids filled the room. I was amazed when majority of the kids had admitted to already having experience with animation. Addie showed a power-point presentation in order to inform the students on a few of the pioneers in the stop motion industry and some terms they should know. She also had a couple of videos prepared to show them. I especially enjoyed seeing the video of the very first stop motion animation films. It was also really amusing to learn that at the time of their creations people considered the films to be witchcraft.
After Addie's informative presentation, she actually made a quick puppet and created her own animation to show the teens what the process is like with the software she has. The class also got to work together, using the same puppet, to create their own animation of a very angry monster.
The whole class was exciting to just observe. I got to see the very end of the second day and see the progress the students have made. All of them have started working on their puppets and getting close to making an animation. One of the students had his puppet and animation complete by the time class ended. The entire process was truly fascinating. I can't wait to see what the others create.
Allysia Stephenson
D.R.A.W member
Install At The Cafe By...Jeanetta Depace
We all met down town at a café to install a show for a local artist, Vincent Pidone. I was very nervous because I don't know anything about art, let alone how to install it. I have never hung any art in my life, so the experience was definitely one I had to get use to.
We all started hanging up Vincent's art work, one by one with nails and putty. When we were done we had to make sure everything was aligned so it would look presentable to the viewers eye.
I myself wasn't really into all the hanging. I was just watching and sometimes measuring in between the paintings. After the paintings were hung we started setting and placing snacks for our viewers to come in.
Not many people came to the art show that day but we all still had fun eating, laughing and enjoying the artwork around us.
Trip to R&F and Bailey Ceramics
Last week, Ms.G took Nick, Jeanetta, and I on a walk around midtown to drop a few DRAW cards at places. After awhile she decided to take us to see the inside of R&F Handmade Paints and Bailey Ceramics. I was really excited about visiting both places. I've always walked past them but was too nervous to actually go inside to see what they did.
We went to R&F first as it was the closest. The small store near the front door of the building was filled with so many different types of painting materials. I was tempted to buy it all but the majority of it, sadly, was out of my price range. We also got to go deeper inside and see one of the art spaces they provided. There were small paintings hung all around the room. At the very back was a wall that was just dedicated to shelving their different pigment sticks. Many of which were in colors you can't find anywhere else. I was amazed to later learn that R&F works with the school and allows students to use their spaces to work on art. The visit made me wish I had put Chem For Artists on my schedule just so I could go back there.
After that we continued walking until we got to Bailey Ceramics. I had passed by the building prior to visiting with Ms.G but I never actually realized what it was. When you first enter, you're immediately greeted with a display case that is packed with ceramics of all kinds. There were the usual ceramic vases but they were painted with vibrant colors. There was even a tiny tea set and melting ice cream made out of clay being shown in the glass case. We got to walk around the showroom for a bit to see all the ceramic tools and look at more art. It was absolutely amazing. I could've wandered around forever just looking at the tools, kilns, and art.
Overall both trips were extremely fun and informative experiences. Both companies showed two different sides of art and made me want to try both more seriously. I would definitely love to go back again.
Allysia Stephenson
D.R.A.W member
Dorsky Art Museum By....Jeanetta Depace
Coming from African American descent, it was cool seeing all the masks at the Dorsky Art Museum, on the campus at SUNY New Paltz, the colors of the clay stood out on stone.
I always loved African culture so I was immediately drawn towards this one room which had statues and sculptures of African art done by unknown artist. Its kind of sad how they couldn't find the artist of such beautiful artwork.
It was definitely tribal and spiritual art. It was also interesting to see all the other work at the museum, but I was to into the fact that they had only 4 unknown artist. Will they ever find out who did this artwork? maybe someday in the future.
Animation with Addie By....Jeanetta Depace
I first arrived at the Kingston library at 10o'clock in the moring. Mrs.. G and I went up the stairs to see what was going on in the animation class, we all started watching black and white movies about animation and how it was made.
I couldn't help but be fascinated by the effort it takes to make one film, in Addie's class they are making puppets to animate in about 12 frames. today they made one as a whole and it was really nice to see all kids working together to make a masterpiece.
There are only 2 steps to making a puppet number 1 make sure it stands and the other step is making sure its your own unique concept no one has ever seen before. because in art originally is the key factor.
As I sat in on the class the kids impressed me with how tuned in they were for such young kids and how they were so creative at this age. I wonder how the puppets will turn out in the end but I'm just going to have to wait until next time.
Making magic with animation.
First Installation
I arrived at the Kingston Artists Collective at 11:00am on a Friday, as ready as I'd ever be to hang my first gallery show (that is, of someone else's work, not to mention someone whose work is actually framed and not just loose bits of paper like my own). Upon waiting for G to arrive with the necessary supplies, I sank into the couch by the door.
Daniel, who operates as both barista and proprietor, introduced himself to Allysia, Jeanetta, and I. Throughout our installation, I really appreciated how ready Daniel was to help us with anything we may have needed, from conjuring up a cup of coffee to lending us a broom.
When we started working, I felt a bit overwhelmed, but the process wasn't nearly as overwhelming as I had expected it to be. My imagination ran wild with thoughts of hanging the show only to find out we did the whole thing wrong, that in re-hanging I had shattered the glass of one of the artist's (Vincent Pidone's) favorite pieces, and would never be forgiven.
Thankfully, my struggles consisted of sweeping up dust, measuring a wall that was a teensy bit slanted, and Vincent's beautifully multi-layered work that, upon hanging it, gave me a slight headache. It was worth it.
All in all, I am proud of myself for successfully using a hammer, allowing math and art to coexist where they must, and not shattering the glass.
Nick Carroll
D.R.A.W & P.U.G.G Kid
My First Gallery Opening, by Kaya Wren-Keller
If you asked me, even a month ago, what I spent my Saturday evenings doing, my answer would definitely not have been erasing pencil marks off the walls of a small storefront on Broadway, in preparation for a gallery opening. (It probably would have been watching Netflix.) And yet there I was, doing just that. The pencil was there to mark a set of measurements used to hang the paintings. Although I watched the whole process, and even helped by drawing lines where people told me, I still don’t understand how any of it worked. It did work thought, and when we were done the place really did look like an art gallery. The paintings, done by Kingston High School graduate, Rosie Gironda, were arranged into four groups of four paintings each. One large, with three small ones by its side. The large paintings were of these big, light, almost pastel colored streaks, some with charcoal lines drawn across. They were landscapes, I think, and had a calming, almost dreamlike quality. The smaller ones had thicker, deeper colors, and appeared very textured.
We hung the art the Friday before, and when I arrived the next afternoon, it seemed like all that was left to do was erase the remaining pencil off the wall. That of course, was not true. We also moved space heaters, set out food, changed lightbulbs, washed windows, and even bleached a chair. Still, I didn’t quite get what we were doing until the people started to arrive. They came in slowly, and then all at once. By 5:30, the place was packed.
It was amazing to see how many people came out to see the art, and even better knowing that I had part in making the gallery happen. One of those people, Kelli Sillik, a PUGG Alunmi artist, took the PUGG group to an opening at Ferrovia Studios. We walked from studio to studio, and saw a variety of different art. There were eagles made from antlers, iPhone cases with crystals on them, and a staircase down to a basement we were told to avoid. After that, we went to ARTBAR, which had a totally different atmosphere. There's a bar in the front, which, since I'm only 17, I sadly cannot review, and a gallery space in the back. There were lots of different paintings, photographs, and collages, all part of an exhibition called ''self'' done by SUNY New Paltz students.
After a while in ARTBAR, we headed back to our own gallery opening. There were still so many people you could hardly walk, and by now a lot of the food had been eaten. We spent the rest of the evening talking to people and admiring the art, until around 7:45, when people started to leave. By 8:00, they were all gone. After a bit of clean up, we left too, and the night was over. The gallery was closed. I left with an extra bottle of sparkling apple cider, and a great experience. Although I still have no idea how to run a gallery, I'm excited to learn.
Kaya Wren Keller
One of the newest members of PUGG
PUGG Senior Reflection
It feels like it’s all over.
Well, I still have another opening to attend, and then prepping the other space, but most of my work for PUGG is done. I remember hearing whispers about it two years ago in school, and it’s weird to think of what has happened since then. Last year started off slow, and a semester late, but it laid the foundations for the rest of my experience at PUGG. Going to The School (A Jack Shainman Gallery) taught me how to hang work in the classical gallery format. The number 59 became precious to my coworkers and I, helping us hang a 3’×5’ painting for the Senior Seminar Show of 2016. Working on the space at 591 Broadway showed me how to show art to people without actually having a space for them to walk into.
My senior year working with PUGG was much more eventful. I helped hang the work for numerous artists in the Int-O Yellow Gallery, and a total of four alumni in three separate shows for the PUGG Gallery. Most of the work involved fixing the space so that work could be hung, but hanging each show provided different challenges. Issues with wall materials and the fragility of art pieces prolonged hanging to a few days in most instances, but the last show held was installed in only one day. Much of the time spent was on deciding where to put the work of twelve different students, and the large amount of people spread out between both 624 and 626 Broadway slowed installation. Usually, I’m open to changes in layout of certain pieces, but hanging my own work was too stressful to remove myself from it. Due to the nature of my work, I couldn’t display it in a traditional gallery setting, but I had a lot of space for it.
Putting up the final piece was bittersweet for me. I went to the Senior Seminar Shows since I was a freshman in high school, and that inspired me to take the class. Last year, I was there to see the previous students hang their work, and now I realized that it was the last time that I would be hanging up artwork. After this show, I would never have the chance to knock on a wall to see if it could support a heavy painting. I wouldn’t spackle and sand over a wall without thinking about how it’s becoming more spackle than drywall. I wouldn’t be so close to the gallery that I spent hours preparing and monitoring for people to enjoy art.
I know that my time at PUGG may be over, but the group has so much more to offer. Spending the last year and a half in the program was a highlight in my high school career, and I’m proud to have been in the inaugural group. I’m graduating soon, but the experiences that PUGG gave me will stay.
Ashleigh Arrington
Graduating Member of PUGG
Senior Seminar Thesis Show
The 9th annual, Senior Seminar Thesis Show went off beautifully. The Students did a great job on their install, PUGG members were there to make sure that everyone had what they needed. It was the smoothest ever. The day was beautiful and the opening felt like a wonderful celebration of arts and community. It was heartwarming to see the event spill out on to Broadway, everyone mingling in the beautiful weather, sharing the excitement of seeing what our students are capable of. The hard work paid off.
KHS Media Arts Winners on display at PUGG
Each year the New York State Media Art Teachers Association, in the Mid-Hudson region, hosts a Media Arts Conference in Westchester New York. The conference is designed for high school students working in the field of media arts: Digital and Darkroom Photography, Computer, Film, and Sound art. Students submit works to be judged for Exemplary Media Awards
To earn an "Exemplary Media Art Award", a student's work must show noteworthy content, a creative approach, attention to composition and a command of craft.
Criteria:
- clarity of vision / personal or social statement and content appropriate for a high school audience
- creativity, inventiveness, originality
- design, image composition
- Craftsmanship, technique as fitting the media e.g. clear sound, lighting, shots, etc.
The Media Arts Show is a unique opportunity for students to exhibit/screen their work and see what their peers are producing.
This year Kingston High School students were honored with 12 Exemplary Awards for Digital and Darkroom Photography, 1 President’s Award for Film and Video and 1 President’s Award for Digital Photography.
Exemplary Awards
Alexia Avery
Abbie Bronco
Anya Deising
Madison Divori
Brendan Gallagher
Tatiana Hunter
Abigail Mayone
Ava Simonini
Taylor Warncke
Hellen Wunderlich
Veronica Yander
President’s Award for Digital Photography
Shawna Smith
President’s Award Film and Video
Emma Townsend-Stiegler
Exsquisite Corpse at the project space
Exsquisite corpse at the project space on community day.
PUGG represented at Community Day.
PUGG made a mural, on site during Community day.
Saturday, April 29th from 11 am to 3 pm, PUGG opened the gallery space at 624, the project space at 626, and maintained a booth across the street at Community Day. At the gallery, visitors floated in from across the street to check out the work of Rebecca Hellard on its last weekend display. From there, visitors got a chance to check out the newly renovated project space. Inside was an exquisite corpse activity that encouraged kids and adults to take part in a creative activity. Also at 626 was Hair by Yani, a high school graduate who did a hair demo with the chance to win a free prom hairstyle.
Preparing for community day mural in our new project space.
First Resident Artist, comes and goes.
Brandon Lewis, 2000 KHS graduate, became our first artist in residence this week, while visiting from Denmark. He was hard at work finishing a commission when I said goodbye, this afternoon. I look forward to his next visit.
Working with stencils
Creating a Project Space
PUGG began transforming 626 Broadway into a Project Space, after school, on Friday, April 8. We have been there regularly, since, (with a trip to City Hall, thrown in, for good measure).
ON Thursday we got a visitor, Brandon Lewis, a KHS graduate, class of 2000. Brandon lives in Demark is back for a family visit. He made time to stop in and see what we were up to. It was great to see him, living the artist dream. I hope we can work together in the future. We have a few ideas.
