Saturday, November 8, 2008

Fall 2008 Gallery Update


We've just completed our fall re-do of the gallery. As many of you know, we pride ourselves on the fact that our space always appears fresh. This is because we work on relatively short consignment terms with many of our artists, allowing us to bring in new work every 2-3 months. And being a stickler for merchandising and interior design, this almost always means that I'm reworking the entire gallery to create appealing "environments" for our customers.


For fine wall art, we're now featuring the work of Larry Fox, Linda Chamberlain, Ginnie Cappaert, Christine Towner, Julie Pearson, Christine Krzyszton, Jacob Sposito, Robert Fitzke, Amy LeJeune Harper, Sue Bullock, Anne Higgins, Nancy Crisp, Robert Graham, Cherie Haney and of course, our best-selling artist Renee Hartig.


I'm really excited about two new studio jewelry designers we're introducing. Jodi Rae Brownstein is from Chicago and works in brushed sterling silver and natural stone cabachons. Her jewelry is deceivingly simple and contemporary with universal shapes and designs. We're also showing her work in 18k gold with diamonds and cut semi-precious stones. Austin jewelry artist, Jaime Jo Fisher also works in sterling silver, but her designs are more organic and she uses found objects such as bits of beach glass or vintage buttons. You can see examples of their work under the "studio jewelry" category of this blog.


We're also getting a lot of holiday merchandise in! Actually, we're having a tough time figuring out how and where to display everything... As in years past, we feature "50 Gifts Under $50" and "100 Gifts Under $100." I'm really happy with some of the new gifts we've brought in, and we'll continue to show some of our old favorites and best sellers. If you haven't been in for some time, this is definitely the time to check us out! Don't forget that we also offer complimentary gift wrapping -- just ask.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Breaking Boundaries: The Art of the Quilt


Gallery Fifty is thrilled to announce the opening of "Breaking Boundaries: The Art of the Quilt." Twenty-five regional art quilters were selected to participate by gallery owner Christie Minervini and guest curator Desiree Vaughn.

Artists were chosen for their unique design abilities, skilled craftsmanship and overall commitment to fiber art. Vaughn is being featured in the adjacent Rinaldo Gallery with her latest work.

Awards were announced earlier this month. First place and a $300 cash prize went to Pat McKean for "Blaze" (see photo); second place and $200 went to Jill Ault for "Divided Circle: Anthracite"; and third place with $100 went to Lenore Crawford for "Hybrid Lily III".

Honorable mentions went to: Jacky Trimble, "Thinking Outside of the Box 3"; Virginia Spiegel, "Boundry Waters 19"; Jeanne Beck, "Harvest"; Pamela Allen, "Autumn"; Susie Vigland, "Big Baby Girl"; Sidney Inch, "Plastic Fusion"; Lynn Krawczyk, "Talk to Me I"; Sue Holdaway-Heys, "Land of Blue"; and Lisa Chipetine, "Trapped."

"We were really hoping to capitalize on the interest that the Dennos Museum has generated with their 'Twelve Voices' show," says Minervini. "We're so proud of our exhibition — it really has exceeded expectations."

Over 100 art quilts are on display through the Mercato at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons through December 31, 2008. Gallery hours are Monday - Wednesday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Thursday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The exhibition may be viewed on-line at www.galleryfifty.com. Call 231-932-0775 for more information.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Ways of Seeing: The Abstract Art of Jennifer Gardiner Lam, Delbert Michel & Debra Lanning


The current exhibition runs from May 3 - July 31, 2008

Explore the worlds of three talented abstract artists and take away your own impressions. Their art depicts real forms in a simplified or reduced way, keeping only an allusion of the original natural subject.

The landscape... the human form... even music... all used as starting points. Where do their creative journeys take them?

Check out the entire exhibition on our web site at: www.galleryfifty.com.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Tour of the Pacific Rim














Over Mother's Day Weekend we participated in a fundraising event for Child and Family Services. The "Festival of Tables" drew large crowds and enabled Gallery Fifty to showcase a few of its artists including Christian Burchard and Janine Sopp. We partnered with Select Fine Wine to create a display table with the theme,"Tour of the Pacific Rim."

The event raised a lot of money for a good cause and we look forward to our entry next year. I'm considering using all recycled elements, so check back to see what we come up with!

Saturday, March 8, 2008

"Hearts & Flowers" Exhibition


"Hearts & Flowers:
An Exploration of Love"
February 9 -April 30, 2008

Gallery Fifty is currently featuring an all-media exhibition and sale featuring the work of our favorite artists and craftspeople. The show ended up being 2-3 times larger than expected with 80 pieces submitted by thirty artists. Cash prizes were awarded for first, second and third place and nine honorable mentions were awarded:

First Place - David Petrakovitz, "Love Totem"
Second Place - Melonie Steffes, "The Lovers of Verdona"
Third Place - Rod Bearup, "Passion Flower Blossom"

Honorable Mentions:
Debbie Sparks, "Hide and Seek"
Anna Hildebrand, "Lady in Lace"
Julie Pearson, "Live What You Believe... Make Your Whole World Your Art"
Nancy Crisp, "Sudokad"
Rufus Snoddy, "From the Garden of Wisdom"
Carol C. Spaulding, "Splash"
Flora Ricca Hoffman, "RAH"
Timothy G. Lewis, "Valentine Cat & Bird"
Joe DeLuca, "Bleeding Hearts After Dark"

We've already sold twelve pieces, but you can view the available work on-line at www.galleryfifty.com.

Friday, March 7, 2008

Kiss my glass

Tennessee glass artist James Lang creates these kisses to last forever. They come fumed with sterling silver and are about 1" tall. An excellent stocking stuffer or Valentine's Day gift, they can also be used as pendants. Just $5.00 each!

Call Gallery Fifty at 231-932-0775 to order.

Good, clean fun



Massachusetts designer Rebecca Townsend has packaged these wonderful soaps and potpourris. We find that they make popular "hostess" gifts. (Think: "I spent a week at your beautiful lakeside cottage and all you got was this lousy bottle of wine." You can be a lot more creative than that!)

The potpourri contains oodles of shells, sea glass, scented rock salt and tiny fragrance pearls. Gallery Fifty carries Cottage, Beach, Beach Grass, Sea Warm Sand and Skinny Dip fragrances. Each are 8 oz. and cost $15.00.

We love the frosty, colorful shards of moisurizing glycerine soaps that really look like beach glass! These unique soaps have a wonderful clean, breezy scent. There are approximately 20-25 pieces per package and the cost is $7.50.