Gallery Pantone 278

Get In, Get Out, Sell Art

2011-05-03T08:51:00.002-04:00

Defining Pantone 278

If you have followed Pantone 278 on any level, you have probably noticed that it's a little hard to define. To that point, whenever people ask me how the gallery is, I often have a a hard time answering. Maybe I like it that way. Sure, it makes for some slightly awkward conversations at times but it also gives me (and the gallery) the chance to figure out what this thing is or will become, if anything at all.

Call it an experiment, a hypothesis, a case study, a success, a failure, whatever you may. All I know is that I have enjoyed showing art, talking to people about it, seeing where it takes us, and not putting to much pressure on it being anything in particular.

Next Steps

One of the ideas behind Pantone 278 is to take on the traditional model of an art gallery. In my perception that means a fancy space inhabited by unapproachable art that intimidates people from actually exploring what art means and feels to them.

So, in 2 years, the gallery has moved from the Charlotte Trolley Museum to South End Home (R.I.P) and now to Charlotte NC Tours and its Southend outpost located here (see the map).

So for this summer, Pantone 278 will be hosting pop-up galleries during the Southend First Friday Gallery Crawls. Same format as always: no program, just great art on the walls, come meet the artist, enjoy catching up with others who love doing the same, and support local art.

May 6 Show

One of the great things about working with emerging artists is to witness first-hand their artistic development. With this comes a proliferation of work and the amassing of artwork that creates a concrete timeline of the artist's progress.

But even the hottest, best-selling, trendiest artists can't sell their work fast enough. This results in a conundrum that discussion of which could fill pages of electronic print -- What to do with all of that artwork? Should the artist maintain the integrity of the pricing? What about the cost of storage? Is there such a thing as too much exposure? What about exclusivity? How do artist's feed their families?

Well, I'm not going to pretend to have the answers to any of those questions. I will just say that this Friday, Pantone 278 will have a great show of works from Charlotte artist Ash Lathe at some amazing prices. There will be pieces that you would hardly recognize as his work today and pieces that will show just how far an artist can reach in a few short years.

Details

So, if none of this makes any sense to you, just follow the directions and show up.

Who: Pantone 278
What: Pop-Up show of Works by Ash Lathe
When: Friday, May 6 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM
Where: NC Tours Southend, 128 E. Park Ave., Charlotte

Added Bonus: Come ride your bike with Bike! Charlotte and Bike First Friday.

Charlotte Museum Mile

2011-03-21T10:20:00.006-04:00

If you haven't realized by now, I love supporting the arts. So in September 2010 when my wife Jane and I ran the Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile, I couldn't stop thinking about ways to bring a race like this to Charlotte.

The Fifth Avenue Mile starts right in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, runs down Fifth Avenue, passing the Frick Collection, and ending near Central Park South. It's a great race, but one I think Charlotte can actually do better. Afterall, Charlotte's Tryon Street has more museums in a one-mile stretch than New York's famous Museum Mile!

Upon returning from New York, I immediately began working on a one-mile race in uptown Charlotte that would highlight Charlotte's new cultural facilities. After convincing the City of Charlotte to close down Tryon Street and securing some great sponsors, there was no turning back. Thus was born the Charlotte Museum Mile.

While organizing the race I learned that Charlotte had its own one-mile race in uptown in the 1970s and 1980s. It was called the Tryon Street Mile. I even talked to a few friends that ran in the race and they loved it. But for one reason or another, the Tryon Street Mile went away and left a huge gap in Charlotte running events.

On April 23 beginning at 7:30 a.m., near the corner of North Tryon and 12th Street, runners will run south passing the McColl Center for Visual Art, Spirit Square and the Light Factory, and Discovery Place. They will cross the statutes at Trade and Tryon and finish the run downhill to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and the uptown Mint Museum. Levine Avene of the Arts will be closed for a post-race celebration.

Each participant in the race will receive a running shirt designed by Charlotte Artist Ashley Lathe. Runners will also receive a Connect with Culture Card from the Arts & Science Council which allows 2-for-1 entry into many of Charlotte's cultural facilities. The race will benefit the Arts & Science Council.

To learn more about the race, please visit http://www.charlottemuseummile.com/. To register go to Queen City Timing.

Hope to see you on April 23! And be on the lookout for another exciting announcement involving Pantone 278 in April.

Congratulations Ashlynn Browning!

2010-10-02T16:49:00.001-04:00

I just heard from Ashlynn Browning that out of 1800 entrants, she was the winner of the Carolina's Got Art juried show in South End. Congratulations Ashlynn! Very well deserved. My advice: buy one of Ashlynn's paintings while you can still afford it.

Consultant Speak

2010-07-25T23:22:00.006-04:00

So, what IS going on with the Gallery?

If you know me very well, you know I can't stand consultant speak (annoying phrases typically employed by consultants like deliverable, procure, or circle back). Don't get me wrong -- I love consults. I'm just much more direct, some would call that being blunt or critical. So, when people have ask what is going on with the Gallery, I find myself getting that "I just ate too much cotton candy followed by a pound of peanut butter fudge and a 24 ounce Mountain Dew" feeling when I say things like "I've mothballed the Gallery for a bit" or "I put the Gallery on hold while I try to figure out what the market will dictate".

The Truth Will Set You Free

In all honesty, I'm really not sure what I'm doing with the Gallery. I haven't had a show since December. There is no one reason. If you put a gun to my head, I'd say it's because I have had trouble finding the right space, I startied a new job with a terrific law firm and I have been traveling a lot (which is a good thing). But it has just as much to do with my loss of energy/motivation.

I know from talking with people that the Gallery has some meaning in their lives (however minimal that may be). And I take it as a compliment when someone who I didn't even think knew the Gallery existed asks me when I'm having another show. But truth be told, as a breakeven (at best) venture, it just seemed like a lot of work that didn't seem to be going anywhere or going anywhere as fast as I would like it to go (I'm not a very patient person).

Art in Charlotte

I still think there's interest in art in Charlotte and there's plenty of good art being made in and around Charlotte. With the new cultural campus uptown, you would think things would be at an all-time high. (The Bechtler seems to be doing very well.) Despite all of this, I'm not convinced there is a market for art in Charlotte, at least not right now. In the past couple of years the number of galleries has dropped by at least half. Big names have closed their doors and other big names have given up on selling art in Charlotte.

Do I think there is a need for art galleries in Charlotte? Absolutely. Do I think art enriches our lives? You betcha. Are people in Charlotte with the money to buy art? Judging on the cars, houses, etc., yes. (Or maybe those things are just as fictional as the equity in our houses or the money in our 401Ks.) So, why don't more people in Charlotte buy art or consider important enough to support local artists? If I knew the answer to that, I'd probably have an art show coming up. But one thing I do remember from that B+ in Econ is that that no matter how hard those of us that want to see the arts succeed, the suppliers cannot create the market.

My Dream

In a perfect world, I'd have a cool little space with a comfortable couch where people could just come in and hang out, talk about art or whatever is on their minds. A good mix of local art and affordable works by some bigger name artists. And an occasional opening where I could see all of my friends and feel that pain in my cheeks I got from smiling too much at the Gallery last summer. People would buy art, artists would make careers out of doing the things they loved, and I wouldn't have to worry about selling enough art to pay for the brie.

Who knows? Maybe the planets will align. I still believe in the Gallery and I still believe in following your dreams. In the meantime, I'm going to take a 20,000 foot view of the data points looking for a top-down approach to determine whether I have the bandwidth to go to market with value-added services. Translation: I guess you (and I will) just have to wait and see.

Update: Ashley Lathe

2010-04-07T16:27:00.003-04:00

Yupo: Synthetic Water-Resistant Paper.

A year ago, Pantone 278 kicked off with an exhibition of Charlotte watercolor painter Ashley Lathe's "wall" series at the Charlotte Trolley Museum. Since then, just as Pantone 278 has continued to evolve, Ash's work has progressed from familiar urban scenes of soft colors to darker and more fluid works on a new type of paper, yupo, that allows the paint to move and to explore its own boundaries, as if left to nature.

These new images draw on still-familiar forms yet push the viewer to look beyond the ordinary, static image and to realize the often dynamic nature of our surroundings.

Yupo 23

Yupo 18

Yupo 3

Pantone 278 Update

After successful runs at both the Charlotte Trolley Museum and South End Home, I am in the process of identifying a new space for the Gallery. In the meantime, much of the work that has shown at the Gallery is on display at my home in Dilworth, where my guest bedroom serves as a makeshift gallery. It's been fun having all of that art around, but it's time to find a new space.

Be on the lookout for a new location for Pantone 278 and an upcoming show highlighting Ash's new work. Until then, enjoy this incredible weather and all of the exciting things going on in the Charlotte art community.

Marc Gustafson

Pantone 278

704.724.0440

GalleryPantone278@gmail.com

You Know What I Think - Now, I Want to Know What You Think

2010-01-12T21:59:00.002-05:00

For going on 9 months now you've read and (if you've come to one of my shows) heard what I think, like, dislike, know, don't know, wish, regret, dream, and completely make things up about art in Charlotte. And you've seen work from just a few of the artists I think are doing good things here. Now I want to know what you think!

Not just about what I've been doing -- although you're welcome to share that too -- but whatever you think about art in Charlotte. Good or bad. It can be your favorite artist, your favorite website, your favorite arts group or organization, what you'd like to see more of, what you'd like to see less of, where you think art is headed, what has worked, what hasn't, whether we should even be spending money on art in this environment. No categories. No reasonable responses rejected. No shirts or shoes required. I just want to know what you think.

Add a comment to the blog, post a comment on Facebook or email me your thoughts (gallerypantone278@gmail.com). No response is too big or too small. I have heard so many good things going on and so many good thoughts, now I just want to hear what YOU think. So let me have it!

Oh yeah, Pantone 278 will be back in February. Look for an announcement in the coming weeks.

Andrea Brown - Emerging Talent

2009-12-09T23:55:00.007-05:00

When a friend told me her younger sister had just graduated from the University of Georgia's bachelor of fine arts program and suggested that I put her in a show, I did what most gallery owners probably would have done and, not so sincerely but politely said, "sure, send me her stuff". I didn't really think much of it until I saw a vaguely familiar girl strolling the halls of the McColl Center for Visual Art. And I still wasn't convinced until I finally saw Andrea Brown's work and the body of art she was developing while at the Center. Some times you have to really drag an old horse to water. I've really enjoyed speaking with Andrea about her photography and am convinced she is on her was to big things in the art world.

Born in Asheville, Andrea received a BFA from the University of Georgia. Just 24 years old, she has also already shown widely in Atlanta and was labeled an “artist to watch” in a photo exhibition juried by the curator of photography at the High Museum of Art. In 2009 she received an Emerging Artists Grant from the Arts and Science Council and served as an Artist-in-Residence at the McColl Center for Visual Art. Her latest work, entitled Mama Mashi, combines a unique approach with a thoughtful technique.

Andrea's images are digital stills extracted from a documentary film shot on a trip to Tanzania. The images are then printed on multiple layers of polycarbonate using an ink jet printer. This results in a stunning effect that adds tremendous texture to an already heavy subject. Each image is 4 x 6", framed in a black frame that can be customed matted and are $175 each.

(Images removed. Andrea is now represented by DOMA Gallery in South End. http://www.domaart.com/)

Pantone 278 is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 to 5 at 1710 Camden Road in the back of South End Home and the art is always available to be shown by appointment.

Marc Gustafson

Gallery Pantone 278

704.724.0440

Alison Overton - Otherwordly Images

2009-12-08T21:47:00.006-05:00

I learned of Alison Overton through my good friend and artist, Ashley Lathe. Alison and Ash exhibit work together at Artspace Visual Art Center in Raleigh, along with Ashlynn Browning and Bruce Melkowits. I greatly value personal referrals by artists, particularly when the referred artists work has such an immediate visual impact. And almost without fail, people who viewed Alison's works were immediately moved by the ethereal, yet very real nature of her photography.

Alison considers herself a landscape photographer, but her images convey much more than a static depiction of physical space. Using a simple toy camera called a Holga, Alison guides viewers into a dreamy world containing evocative images. Walking among these works gives the viewer a sense of walking alone among the quiet London cemetery that is the subject of her prints.

Although her camera is simple, Alison's techniques are not. By combining overlapping exposures, carefully cropping her subjects and then overpainting each of the unique images with transparent oil paints, Alison's photographs blur the line between the tangible, mortal world and the spiritual, inert world.

Each of her images is 10 x 10” and framed in beautiful 20 x 16” frames. They are all $550.

Watching the Sky

Under Starlight II

The Ideal

Ornamental Gate

Harvest Goddess II

Harvest Goddess I

Glowing From Within

Fearless Prayer II

Fearless Prayer I

Daughter and Mother

Considering the Sacred

Blue Stone Blanket

Shannon Binns - tout existe à Paris [all exists in paris]

2009-12-07T19:08:00.005-05:00

Each day this week I will highlight one of the artists from this month's show. Tonight's artist is Shannon Binns. I first met Shannon last year when he was applying for the Arts & Science Council's Cultural Leadership Training program. I was immediately impressed by his enthusiasm for the arts. Later, while visiting The Light Factory, Charlotte's photography museum, I learned of Shannon's interest in photography. Shannon is super-involved in the Charlotte arts scene, and we are lucky to have him here. I'm excited to be the first to show his work.

Shannon has lived and traveled throughout the world. You can tell by the shots in this show that he connects with the places he travels to. As with many of us, Shannon discovered that Paris is a mystical place, a place where simple scenes reflect strong emotions. In his photographs of strikingly familiar scenes of Paris, Shannon uncovers the interplay between the basic elements--Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water--and human nature, distilled to Love and Strife.

la fontaine [fountain] - 11x14 - $200

la fontaine [fountain] - 11x14 - $200 SOLD

le feu [fire] - 16x20 - $275

le ballon [balloon] - 11x14 - $200

l'eau [water] - 16x20 - $275

la terre [earth]- 16x20 - $275

le café [coffee] - 11x14 - $200

la rue [street] - 20x30 - $450

le vent [wind] - 16x20 - $275

la boulangerie [bakery] - 20x30 - $450

All of these images are printed on archival paper, mounted on foam core, and are available for viewing at Pantone 278 @ South End Home, 1710 Camden Road or by appointment. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Marc Gustafson

Gallery Pantone 278

704.724.0440

GalleryPantone278@gmail.com

December Show - PHOTOGRAPHY!

2009-11-25T14:09:00.007-05:00

Photography - The Other Artwork

While the gallery has mostly been focused on painting, there is some really incredible photography being made in our area. In addition to Sally Fanjoy and James Labrenz, who showed at the gallery earlier this summer, Diane Hughes, Andrea Brown, Alison Overton, Bruce Melkowits and Shannon Binns are all doing, what I think, is some really good work. Work that is being recognized by others, based on the degrees, awards, commisions and grants received by this group, not to mention residencies and gallery shows these artists have participated in.

The Opening and Ongoing Hours

The opening of this show will occur on December 3 from 6 pm to 9 pm at South End Home in Historic South End, located at 1710 Camden Road in South End. The Gallery will be open for the South End Gallery Crawl on December 4 from 6 pm to pm and throughout the month of December, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 5:30

The Artists

Diane Hughes

Diane Hughes recently completed her eleventh-month Affiliate Artist residency at the McColl Center for Visual Art. Diane received a BFA in Graphic Design from Southampton College in New York. She has exhibited her work in North Carolina and New York and has had her photography published in Great Unknowns: An Exquisite Collection of Black and White Photography.

Diane’s Statement on her works in this show: The tree, by its form, represents evolution, for it begins with a root and spreads out into branches and twigs. Only as applied to the cosmos the root is conceived to be on high and the branches extend downwards. As a foundation, both literally and figuratively, the roots create the basis or groundwork of anything.

Andre Brown

Born in Asheville, Andrea Brown received a BFA from the University of Georgia. In 2009 she received an Emerging Artists Grant from the Arts and Science Council and served as an Artist-in-Residence at the McColl Center for Visual Art. She has also shown widely in Atlanta and was labeled an “artist to watch” in a photo exhibition juried by the curator of photography at the High Museum of Art.

Andrea’s Statement regarding her works in this show, entitled Mama Moshi: Mama Moshi knows no loss, Mama Moshi sings with her native accent, Mama Moshi laughs and jokes with all of us, Mama Moshi mother of no children, she sends out language for continuous years, Mama Moshi guides flocks, ages undefined, Mama Moshi keeps silent when speaking, internal prowess, Mama Moshi lives in lucid morphing resemblance, Mama Moshi is more educated then you and I, Mama Moshi passed away three years ago, cancer, and I never said goodbye. Mama Moshi wears patterns, emblems, icons, Mama Moshi brought police for protection, Mama Moshi preached acts of selflessness, dividing the war and sacrificing her brother.

Alison Overton

A native of North Carolina, Alison Overton is a 1982 graduate of North Carolina State University with a bachelor degree in environmental design. In 2009 she received the Sarah Everett Toy Memorial Scholarship to study photography at Penland School of Crafts. Overton was awarded Regional Artists Project Grants for 2002, 2004 and 2008 from the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County. Her work has been widely exhibited throughout the country, and is included in numerous public and private collections

Making art, in particular photographs that chronicle a moment in a changing landscape, is my passion. As a lifelong artist, I strive constantly to explore and expand my definition of the unique and mysterious in life and nature. I love to utilize simple, manual film cameras such as the Holga 120 S plastic toy camera (which I have used to make the art on display) to capture images that have an ethereal and timeless quality. My hope is, that when a person views my art work, he or she might feel as though peering into a dreamy world, with a sense of wonder.

Bruce Melkowits

Chapel Hill, North Carolina resident Bruce Melkowits photographs with large format cameras and prints images using antique formulas and processes. Bruce’s work has been featured in numerous local juried exhibitions and has been included in group shows nationally and internationally in China and Canada.

Melkowits is most attracted to organic forms, working slowly, deliberately, and intuitively. The kallitype method is well-suited to Melkowits’ style of work, as the equipment and process requires attention at every step. When creating images he values understatement, reducing his images to the barest essentials. Melkowits enjoys seeing how little is needed to create an image that resonates. Each image is the culmination of a slow construction in addition to the record of a given moment.

Shannon Binns

Shannon Binns, a recent arrival to Charlotte, has lived and traveled throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa, capturing the beauty that he discovers in the people and places he encounters. Shannon’s black and white photos in this show were taken during his recent visit to Paris. Shannon is active in the Light Factory in Charlotte and very involved in Charlotte’s emerging art scene. This is Shannon’s first gallery show.

tout existe à Paris [all exists in paris]

Shannon's Statement: Paris is a place of endless beauty, surprises, and forms. As I explored the City of Light I found the four elements repeatedly expressing themselves. The Greek philosopher Empedocles believed the nature of the universe could be explained through the interaction of two governing principles, Love and Strife, on four primary elements: Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water. I find something elegant yet moving about this simple explanation of our world, like the City of Paris itself.

Great Show - A Few Thoughts (Revised)

2009-11-09T20:35:00.006-05:00

You've Got Questions - I've Got Answers (I Think)

Without fail, the most common question I receive during Gallery openings is "How do you go about selecting your artists?"

Most of my artists come on referral from another artist. Peer review is very important in the art world, and few people know better what or who is going on in the art world. So that's where I begin.

Sure, I get plenty of submissions from aspiring artists, and it's hard for me to even respond to all of the emails I get, but much like the business world, a personal reference is hard to beat. It also helps to have a lot of friends at the McColl Center for Visual Art and the Arts & Science Council.

Artists Have Resumes Too

Believe it or not, an artist's resume is just as important as a lawyer's or a banker's, as is graduate school, rewards and publication. One of the first things I ask of a new artist is a resume so that I can see where the artist has studied, whether the artist has an MFA (Masters of Fine Arts), in which galleries or museums the artist has shown, any awards the artist has won, and what critical review the artist has received. Sound familiar?

Just like the rest of us, an artist needs training, and innate talent can only go so far. Sure there are artistic geniuses, just as there are mathematical geniuses, but even the masters need training. Fortunately, North Carolina contains some really good arts schools and the McColl Center is one of the best residency programs in the country.

But It's Still Art

But just like anyone else, an artist can look good on paper, and I'm not talking art paper. Because I don't have any formal art training, I rely heavily on friends in the art community for their opinions, but I also draw on my personal experiences to determine what I think is quality art.

As an aside, when people ask me how they can learn more about art, I tell them to get out and see as much as they can. Whether it's a museum or a gallery or a personal collection, there is no replacement for getting out and actually seeing art. I've seen some amazing shows at the Whitney, the Museum of Modern Art and the Guggenheim lately, but I also read ArtNews and Art in America to find reviews on the latest gallery shows and try to get out and see as many as I can. If you have been around me lately, you know how excited I am about the Bechtler.

Back to the point. When I see a new artist, I immediately try to relate it to something else I have seen. This isn't always a conscious action. But I know I really have something when I feel like I have seen an artist's work before, even though I know I haven't. For example, it was only after talking with Ashlynn Browning on Thursday night and learning that more about her influences that I realized why I was drawn to her work.

The painting on the top is "Untitled XV" by Willem de Kooning and is set for auction tonight. It is expected to sell for $5,000,000—7,000,000. The second is "Growing Into Jubilation" by Ashlynn Browning. While there are many differences between these works, there are enough qualities of de Kooning's reflected in Ashlynn's work to reveal its quality.

Yet, it would be a disservice to call Ashlynn's work an attempt to copy de Kooning. What distinguishes Ashlynn's work is her focus on lines. While her painting involves many layers of paint, some times up to 16, that create a depth similar to that seen in de Kooning's, there is a clear intent to juxtapose purposefulness and randomness and intuition and calculation. There is learning and exploration in Ashlynn's work that shows both her appreciation of de Kooning and her intention to develop her own voice.

In the Words of the Experts

I found this passage from Peter Plagens in Art in America to be somewhat insightful. In describing his interests in art and his decision to judge a juried exhibit in Mississippi, Plagens wrote, "I'm interested in what might be called the 'beltline' of art: that large class of earnest, informed, reasonably talented and fairly principled artists...who inhabit a stratum above the thick layer of industrial amateurs and manufacturers of expensive decorative objects resembling paintings that are sold in Scottsdale, Ariz., and Naples, Fla., but below the thin top crust of artiststs who've had, say, four shows over 10 years in good galleries in Santa Monica or Chelsea....The work of 'beltline artists tells you more about a city's or a region's art culture than does the often-anomalous work of a handful of really prominent artists who are frequently prominent precisely because their work is anamolous."

Wish I Had All the Answers

It's never as clear as I have set it out above, but this exercise provides a little insight into my artist selection process. But above all things, art is an immensely personal experience, and I hope everyone will take the opportunity to develop their own interests, especially if that involves coming out to the next Pantone 278 show.

Remember: the Gallery remains open this month at South End Home at 1710 Camden Road. Their hours are Tues - Fri 10:00 am - 5:30 pm and Sat 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Details Are Locked - Show is a Go

2009-10-21T20:59:00.006-04:00

Email invitations just went out for the November show today. Hope you got yours. Come on out on Thursday, November 5, 2009 from 6:00pm - 9:00pm at South End Home, located at 1710 Camden Road. Many thanks to Frederick and Ron for hosting the show. If you can't make it on Thursday, come on out for the South End Gallery Crawl on Friday.

An added bonus this month will be regular gallery hours. South End Home is open Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 am - 5:30 pm and Saturday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. Their number is 704-332-5220, but feel free to email me to meet you there to see all of the art.

A View of South End Home

Pantone 278 is Back!

2009-10-18T14:49:00.007-04:00

It's Been Too Long

After a two-month hiatus, Pantone 278 is recharged and ready to go. The Gallery will occupy be a brand new location, so be on the lookout for invitations that are going out on Tuesday for the November 5 opening. Like always, there will be an opening on Thursday night, followed by the South End Gallery Crawl on Friday night.

This month's show will feature two great new artists -- Ashlynn Browning and Dan Allegrucci --and one old but goodie -- Ash Lathe. In addition, after the Thursday/Friday opening, the art will remain on display in the new location for your viewing (and purchasing) pleasure.

Side note: South End is really becoming an art destination. Joie Lassiter has opened a new gallery called New South (http://www.lassitergallery.com/info/info.htm) and Duy Huynh & Sandy Sneadare are opening Lark and Key (http://www.larkandkey.com/). This should really bolster the South End Gallery Crawl. DuggDugg (http://www.duggdugg.com/) and Charlotte Artery (http://charlotteartery.com/), two community art groups, will also have shows at a great space owned by Greg Pappanastos in South End in October and November.

Ashlynn Browning

Ashlynn is a Charlotte native, a graduate of Meredith College and an MFA recipient from UNC-Greensboro. As a mixed media artist, Ashlynn's work centers on the one-dimensional line and the ability of this simple figure to convey emotion. Ashlynn was recently selected to present her work in Larry Elder's Carolina's Got Art exhibit, is a recipient of the Joan Mitchell Foundation Grant and has exhibited at New York’s CUE Foundation and Lincoln Center. Ashlynn lives in Raleigh and is excited about returning to Charlotte to exhibit her recent works.

Dan Allegrucci

Dan was born in Fayetteville and now lives in Charlotte. He received his BFA with a concentration in printmaking from UNC-Charlotte and continued his studies at Wichita State. Dan's current work focuses on the the ways people create and use stories in making sense of their lives. Dan is interested in how these stories morph freely to meet the changing needs of those they serve. The result is often a disjointed hodgepodge of past and present symbols, characters and connections that might be perfectly functional to an insider, but quite bewildering to the uninitiated. Imagery of explosions and vanquished fighters speak of struggle, loss and the narratives we turn to for help in meeting these challenges, both as individuals and larger groups.

Ash Lathe

What more can I say? Ash was the first artist to exhibit with Pantone 278. He's been a resident and affiliate of the McColl Center for Visual Art and is now actively engaged, along with Dan, in the Charlotte Artery. Ash will present three of his ice/rain works. Here is a video on how some of them were made (http://thepicturemill.com/?paged=4). For this project, Ash built wooden machines that held a silkscreen above paper and placed them in the McColl Center's yard. The the rain or melting ice saturated the silkscreen and moistened the watercolor. When the water built up on the dense silkscreen, paint fell onto the paper beneath. Where it dropped was just natural random order. These works are part of Ash's efforts to let the watercolor flow naturally, a technique displayed in Ash's Wall series displayed in the Gallery's inaugural show.

Hope to see you all on November 5! Marc

No Show for September

2009-08-24T13:01:00.004-04:00

With kids going back to school and Labor Day Weekend, there will be no show at Pantone 278 in September. (I know, I know. Whatever will you do?!) Not to worry, I am working on an incredible show for October, so keep your eyes and ears open! In the mean time, check out some pictures below from the hanging of the photography show by Sally Fanjoy and James Labrenz. I had so much fun with Sally and James transforming the Charlotte Trolley Museum into Gallery Pantone 278. Thanks to Sally for all of the great shots. There are some great works still available, so call (704-724-0440) or email (GalleryPantone278@Gmail.com) to schedule an appointment to see the remaining works.

It's been a great summer. Despite the worst economy of our generation, it has been heart-warming to see everyone getting out to support arts in Charlotte. Gallery openings have been buzzing, new friendships have been made, businesses have been launched, and artists have been exposed to an entirely new group of people. As we will all agree, Charlotte is a great place to live and will continue to get better. Supporting the arts and artists, I believe, will make Charlotte a more vibrant, healthy, rounded and exciting city. I appreciate everyone's support and hope you will continue to support the arts in one form or another!

Marc Gustafson
Gallery Pantone 278

Photography By

Sally Fanjoy

and

James Labrenz

As Promised - Pictures from the August 6 Opening

2009-08-07T10:43:00.004-04:00

Here are some photos taken on August 6 by Jeff Cooke from the opening at Pantone 278 of Photography by Sally Fanjoy and James Labrenz at the Charlotte Trolley Powerhouse Museum.

Another Great Show

2009-08-06T23:49:00.002-04:00

What a great night?! If was so good to see so many good friends, old and new.

I couldn't put on these shows without the help of so many people. I cannot thank Sally Fanjoy and James Labrenz enough for encouraging me to pursue this dream, for creating such amazing work, and for being such good people. Thanks to Robert Bush for introducing me to Sally and James and for continuing to support the Gallery. Thanks to everyone from the ASC for their help with the YDS pre-party. Lauren and Erin, the food was great as always. Thanks to Mom and Dad for thinking I'm crazy but showing up anyway. Thanks to Jeff Lewis for the help on the lettering. Big thanks to everyone at the Charlotte Trolley Museum. And a special thanks to everyone for driving down from Hickory.

Watch for pictures from tonight to be posted after the Gallery Crawl. If you weren't able to make it out, I hope to see you Friday night from 6 to 9 PM as part of the South End Gallery Crawl.

Art as an Investment

2009-08-04T20:59:00.002-04:00

Recently, a friend remarked that she wanted to buy art, but wanted art that not only looked good but but that would be a good investment. We've all seen the fine print from our investment advisors, "past performance may not be indicative of future results" or "returns on investments are not guaranteed". The same can be said of art.

The Contemporary Art market is often a very speculative market. I found this article of particular interest. http://artmarketblog.com/2008/11/24/the-price-and-value-of-contemporary-art-artmarketblogcom/ This doesn't mean that art won't increase in value, but that like other investments, it is subject to risk. However, unlike typical investments, art has an additional, aesthetic value.

My advice is and always will be to buy art that appeals to you. If it happens to increase in value, that is great. If not, it will always be something you will enjoy. I suggest buying art that invokes a particular emotion or memory. Buy art that causes you to look at the world differently. Get to know the artist so that you can understand and appreciate the technique or the subject matter.

But how do we know what art we like? There really isn't a replacement for getting out and experiencing art. Visit a local art gallery. Ask questions. Take home a catalogue or a brochure. Get on a mailing list. Good art is not always expensive or come from a know artist or even be intended as art. Some of my favorite works are photographs taken by friends on our trips to the mountains.

Or visit an art museum. If you can't make it to the Whitney or MoMA in New York or the Art Institute in Chicago, check out the McColl Center for Visual Art or the Mint Museums. But also check out some of the private collections throughout Charlotte. The Carillon Building has a great collection that rotates frequently. There is also some really cool art in the Bank of America Plaza (including some really cool pieces by Ashley Lathe) and there are the Ben Long frescoes in the Corporate Center. Or drop by the Foundation for the Carolinas and check out the craftwork exhibited in their lobby. For a day trip, visit Seagrove or Penland.

But like everything else, you can now go online to check out art. Just like we troll websites like Amazon or TripAdvisor or Zagat, there are wonderful online resources. All of the major art galleries have websites. The Whitney, the Tate Modern and the High Museum of Art are some of my favorites. But you can also check out artnet.com to see all kinds of art. For prints, I like PacePrints.com.

And don't be embarrassed if your tastes aren't funky or abstract. The beauty of art is that it impacts us each differently. Ten people can view the same art only to have ten different reactions. Whether you like watercolor or no color, abstraction or realism, painting or print, what matters most is that the art speaks to you on some level.

Sally & James

2009-07-29T08:51:00.004-04:00

Spent a great day with Sally & James yesterday in Hickory. I love their studio, and it's always great to catch up on everything they are doing. Sally & James provided a lot of the inspiration behind Pantone 278, and I am very excited about everyone getting to meet them at next week's show. The following are just a few of the images we are considering for next week's show.

-- Marc Gustafson

Gallery Pantone 278

704.724.0440

gallerypantone278.blogspot.com

August 6 and 7 - Sally Fanjoy and James Labrenz

2009-07-17T10:24:00.004-04:00

Gallery Pantone 278
Thursday and Friday , August 6 and 7, 6:00-9:00pm
Charlotte Trolley Powerhouse Museum, 1507 Camden Road

I am very excited about my upcoming show on August 6 and 7 at Gallery Pantone 278. Sally Fanjoy and James Labrenz are a wife and husband duo of photographers from Hickory, North Carolina. I met Sally and James at their studio in downtown Hickory after a tip from Robert Bush of the Arts & Science Council. Sally and James are incredible people who take beautiful photos, and I am sure you will not only enjoy their work, but getting to know them.

Artist Statement

Our work reflects our need to slow down and breathe in the places we live and pass by. We pause and pay attention to the peripheral and incidental moments as intuitively and honestly as possible, allowing art to create itself. Sometimes we sit still on site and see what emerges. Other times we ‘ride around’ and record from vehicle windows. Sometimes objects from the past (a red slip) are carried along introduced with abandon. The resulting images are about the process of being present, of noticing what is going on, of giving our full attention, and then moving along. Each image represents a deep breath, a time of being still, a moment complete in itself.

Sally Fanjoy and James Labrenz

Sally Fanjoy and James Labrenz are photographic artists living and working in Hickory, North Carolina and have collaborated in life and art for 25 years.

James is an autodidact who introduced Sally to photography in 1975 before she moved to New York City where she worked for 14 years and studied at the International Center for Photography.

Their work has been shown extensively in galleries and museums from the Highland Gallery in Atlanta to the Center for the Arts at the Hill School in Pennsylvania, and most recently the Hickory Museum of Art, the Wilkes Art Gallery and the Caldwell Arts Council. They were recently awarded for the second time the Innovative Artist's Grant from the United Arts Council of Catawba County to create an installation titled "The Spirit of the Place and the Soul of Catawba County" along with poet Dr. Rand Brandes.

In 1989 the couple opened a studio in Hickory and in 2004 moved to a renovated 1930’s garage studio/gallery space in downtown which has become a place to showcase their own photography as well as that of other local artists. The Fanjoy-Labrenz studio also serves as a venue for occasional musical and theatre groups in need of space to perform.

Sally and James’ collaborative effort is one that enables both artists to pursue their own ideas and encourage one another. They both sign each piece, regardless of who creates it, with both names - fanjoy-labrenz.

Mecklenburg Times Article - June 16, 2009

2009-07-07T14:38:00.003-04:00

The following article ran in the Mecklenburg Times on June 16, 2009. It was written by Austin Light.

CHARLOTTE — Tomorrow, the Arts & Science Council and the Charlotte Chamber will announce the results of the Creative Vitality Index. The CVI is a measure of the economic health of the creative sector in Charlotte. The creative community covers a large swath of businesses and professions, from individual artists to museums, galleries and organizations.

According to Dan Shoemaker, executive director at the Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County arts and cultural audiences and organizations “contribute $158 million to the local economy and support almost 4,800 jobs.” Shoemaker was referencing a 2007 report from the ASC.

“I think collectively, we can make a really strong case,” said Suzanne Fetscher, president of the McColl Center for Visual Art. “We have a pretty significant [economic] impact.”

Fetscher said the McColl Center’s $2 million budget pays for artist-in-residence programs, education and other cultural activities. In addition to the money the center puts into the city’s economy, it also brings in around 20,000 visitors a year, who spend money on art and at nearby restaurants.

“We are investing in the city, and [the citizens of Charlotte] are investing in us and the adjacent businesses,” Fetscher said.

With the economy struggling, many in the art community are anxiously awaiting the ASC’s report. Despite the healthy contribution the arts make to the economy, much of it is possible only because of donations and state-allocated funds that help many of the organizations operate each year. Should the funding decrease—and it already is, according to Fetscher—then the economic impact decreases as well. The results could dramatically change the way some organizations and individuals operate.

“If we took $50,000 less from the ASC, that’s one job,” said Marc Gustafson, an attorney who recently opened Gallery Pantone 278. “If we lose $150,000, that is three jobs gone; that’s huge. Because we’re in a banking town, some people see art in more financial terms, and you can’t view it that way.”

The ASC funds several dozen art organizations throughout Charlotte, and according to Shoemaker, they are “a model nationally when it comes to public support of the arts.”

Still, they can’t carry the community on their own, said artist Carmella Jarvi. “As the art community reassesses its business plan and strategies, artists need to do the same,” she said.

ASC Communications Director Krista Terrell said she did not want to discuss the report until its official release on Wednesday.

Reaching the Turning Point

“This report will be a turning point for the art community,” said Gustafson, who uses blogs and other social networking tools to publicize his gallery’s artists and events. “I think the art world is going to have to learn to do things differently.”

Among those evaluating a different approach to business is the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. The symphony, which used to receive the largest operating grant from ASC — $1,947,424 in fiscal year 2009 — has seen its funds reduced from the ASC by 54 percent.

“[The ASC] evaluated our financial status and they felt like we needed to rethink our business model,” said Director of Public Relations Meg Whalen. “We’ve already started that process.” Whalen said they have cut administrative and artistic costs and asked staff to go on furlough. According to Whalen, the symphony has an economic impact of about $15 million per year, and it is the region’s largest employer of professional, full-time artists, many of whom contribute to the economy through side jobs like teaching or performing at smaller venues.

Whalen said the symphony also is looking at new ways to raise funds from the public, like asking each adult attending the free Pops at the Park summer concerts to donate $5. The effort raised $28,000 on a recent Sunday, almost four times the usual collection.

“This is a tremendous affirmation that the community supports us,” Whalen said.

Jarvi said she believes many people in the community do recognize the importance of the arts. “From kids having art classes in schools, to the people with very exclusive seating in the Blumenthal, people see that the arts contribute to the quality of life in Charlotte.”

Though the support is apparent — more than 8,000 people attended the first summer pops concert—will it continue when casual supporters are asked to reach into their pockets?

“We’re at one of those defining moments, where we as a community need to make an important decision,”Fetscher said. “We can be bold — step up and fund the arts and help it excel — or we can be predictable and keep things the way they are.”

Fetscher hinted at greater support for the arts, more than just ASC or nonprofits and charities, but “real support on a broader spectrum.”

“The ASC is a real asset and they’ve done a real service to the artists and to the community as a whole,” Jarvi said. “But they can’t be everything to everybody.”

According to Fetscher, in the early 1990s, the city of Denver, Colo., initiated a dedicated funding source (a sales tax of one penny per $10 spent in the six-county Denver area) to support arts and cultural institutions. As a result, Denver’s art community “has just soared,” Fetscher said.

While it sounds like a great idea to support the arts and increase their economic impact, advocating for taxpayer money is never easy, Whalen said.

“No one is going to the city and questioning how they spent $40,000 on landscaping, or a new dump truck, but when it goes to the arts, there seems to be public outcry and angst,” Gustafson said.

“The city was very aggressive about finding a dedicated funding source to make the NASCAR museum happen,” Fetscher said.

“What does the cultural sector need, and how much are we willing to do to make sure it doesn’t just survive but thrive?”

Gustafson suggested working with places like the NASCAR Hall of Fame and other sports venues instead of competing against them for entertainment dollars.

“[The art community] should be collaborating with these people. You don’t go the Mint Museum or the Bobcats arena, you go to both,”Gustafson said. “It has always been a choice in the past.”

Supporting Creativity

That’s not to say the city doesn’t do a good job of supporting the arts now. Gustafson said the ASC has “done a great job supporting the arts,” and he is excited about the directions in which new president Scott Provancher could take the organization. Provancher, who comes to
Charlotte from the Fine Arts Fund in Cincinnati, will assume his responsibilities July 13.

“The city does well with visibility, education, letting people know what is out there, and giving a variety of options,” Jarvi said. “I look at business in this community as a catalyst for why arts are so significant. Uptown used to be the place you went for work and now it’s the place you go for social things and art.”

Shoemaker agreed that in comparison to some other cities, Charlotte’s support of the arts is healthy. “In cities such as Seattle, where the bulk of arts support was tied to Boeing or Microsoft, that city’s arts community suffered when the economic downturn affected those two major philanthropic foundations.”

While the Queen City’s art community has had to tighten its belt, the fact that it is in as good a shape as it is a testament to existing support, Fetscher said.

“I think we’ll be relatively pleased with the way that we score,” Fetscher said about the ASC’s report. “But I think that it will probably reaffirm that we still have a long way to go.”

Pictures for Coming Show - Kent Youngstrom

2009-06-28T23:27:00.008-04:00

Just back from the beach, relaxed, ready for a busy week and two great nights at Pantone 278. The third of 6 shows this summer, this one featuring the work of Charlotte artist Kent Youngstrom. On Thursday, July 2, Pantone 278 will present Kent's works at the Charlotte Trolley Powerhouse Museum from 6 to 9. The Gallery will also be open on Friday from 6 to 9 as part of the South End Gallery Crawl. Hope to see you out!

Kent Youngstrom's artistic statement is simple--he creates authentic art that can be appreciated and is accessible to anyone. Each piece is unique and carries a bit of the artist with it. There is movement and emotion in everything he paints. Materials range from acrylic to oil pastels and often incorporate printed photographs or graphic clippings. With a passion for print material Kent leans toward using text or written letters to break up the pattern of swirling layers and arching brush strokes.

We're calling this show "Summer Love". Here are several works that will appear in the show.

So How Does This Work?

2009-06-19T23:22:00.005-04:00

A lot of people ask me what happens with the artwork after the shows. Well, I bring everything that doesn't sell back to my house and turn my home into an art gallery. So here are a few pictures of what it looks like. And if you see something you like, shoot me an email or give me a call. I would love to have you check it out.

Marc Gustafson

704.724.0440

GalleryPantone278@gmail.com

By Popular Demand - New Images from Carmella

2009-06-18T00:13:00.006-04:00

The Model Study painted by Carmella was the most popular piece at the opening, so Carmella decided to paint a couple more of these. I think they are really good! I am attaching images below. Both pieces are unframed and are $290. A great price for the quality and size of the work. Each oil on canvas is 11x14 inches.

Also, if you are interested in any of Carmella's (or Ashley's) pieces and just don't feel like you can afford one right now, I am more than happy to work out an installment plan with you. Just pay a little bit at a time and before you know it, the piece is yours. This is an easy way to spread the cost of the painting over time, yet still support the artist.

Another Model Study (2009)

Monochromatic Study (2009)

Remaining Works

2009-06-05T23:16:00.010-04:00

As promised, below are the works from the show. (All have been uploaded as of Sunday evening.) If you are interested in purchasing one of these or would like to set up an appointment to view them, please contact me at gallerypantone278@gmail.com or 704.724.0440.

Vermont Whitewater (2009)

Oil on Canvass

$650

Patience Too (2009)
Pastel on Board

$900

Emerging (2009)
Pastel on Board
$900

Louise & Jon's (2007)
Pastel on Paper
$500 - SOLD PRE-SHOW

Falling Through Water (2008)
Oil on Canvas
$900 - SOLD

What (2008)
Pastel on Paper
$350 - SOLD

Sweet Escape (2008)
Oil on Canvas
$750

Wet Landscape (2008)
Pastel on Paper
$350 - SOLD

Model Study (2009)

Oil on Canvas
$350 - SOLD

Pushing Off (2008)
Pastel on Board

$650

Into the Unknown (2007)
Pastel on Paper

$350 - SOLD

Dark Water Goddess (2009)

Pastel on Board

$900

Trinity (2008)

Pastel on Board

$750

Another Amazing Night

2009-06-05T08:20:00.006-04:00

I just wanted to get out some quick pictures from last night's opening. Thanks to so many people for braving the rain and coming out. It was really good to see so many people there enjoying Carmella's work. All of the unsold works from last night's opening will be on display in my home for the next month and are available for viewing by appointment (gallerypantone278@gmail.com). I will also post images to my blog this weekend.

Don't forget the South End Gallery Crawl tonight (Friday). Be sure to stop by Common Market for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society charity auction where one of Carmella's works will be auctioned to benefit Team in Training.

Images by Jeff Cooke (jefcooke@yahoo.com).

From An Interview with the McColl Center for Visual Art

2009-06-02T00:16:00.006-04:00

From the McColl Center for Visual Art Art Buzz, June 1, 2009

It can be argued that during difficult economic times, new and innovative business models emerge and catch on. Could the same be true of the gallery and art scene? A group of former Center Affiliate Artists, including Ashley Lathe, and Center Board member and Contemporaries Board Chair, Marc Gustafson are both bringing something new to the Charlotte art scene. I talked to Ashley and Marc to talk about their projects.

Q: Marc, describe Gallery Pantone 278, how you came up with the idea, what made you decide to do it, what motivated (motivates) you to operate a gallery?

A: I've always seen art galleries as a place for people to interact with artists. Seeing that Charlotte lacks a lot of galleries that encourage this type of interaction, I decided to open Pantone 278. I see the gallery as a place for local and regional artists to not just display their work but to further the discussion on contemporary art. The most fulfilling part of being a new gallery owner is being able to share that experience with all of my friends and the people I have met working with Arts & Science Council and McColl Center for Visual Art.

Q: Give me a rundown of how your first show went (featuring the work of Ashley Lathe) the lead-up, the opening, selling work after the show – how it went overall (brag a little!)

A: The first show was a huge success! I had a great turnout at a private reception on Thursday night, and the Gallery seemed to be the focal point of the South End gallery crawl on Friday night. We sold a number of pieces not only at the show but since then. The Gallery has received a bunch of really good press, including a great column by Lawrence Toppman in the Charlotte Observer.

Q: Lastly, how do you think Charlotte is growing and changing in the cultural realm – through your involvement with the Center, the Contemporaries, ASC Young Donors Society, and now as a gallery operator, have you seen Charlotte making positive strides?

A: It's a little disheartening to see that galleries are going out of business, but I think just like everything else, the art community has to learn to adjust to different economic times. This might mean non-traditional spaces, increased online marketing or social networking (blogging, Facebook, Twitter), or it might be new forms of artwork. I don't see any of these things as necessarily negative. In fact, many of these things, I believe, will expose even more people to the arts and take away some of the stigma of art being reserved for the elite. We have seen this in the tremendous growth of groups like the Contemporaries, the Young Donors Society, the Paparazzi at the Light Factory and Pecha Kucha. Clearly, there are people in Charlotte who are interested in art and in supporting art. The key will be to harness that energy.

Great Press

2009-05-31T12:05:00.009-04:00

With the article in the Charlotte Observer today, the blog has been getting a lot of hits, so I wanted to get up some quick details on the next show. It will be on Thursday, June 4, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Charlotte Trolley Powerhouse Museum located at 1507 Camden Road in Historic South End and will feature the work of Charlotte artist Carmella Jarvi. All are welcome for this ONE NIGHT ONLY show. Here are the latest images of some of Carmella's works for the show. But be sure to become a follower of my blog or check back here for additional images. You can also check out the Pantone 278 Facebook page and become a fan to get updates on the Gallery.

I Love When Things Come Together

2009-05-27T22:20:00.006-04:00

As many of you have read, I am a big supporter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and its Team in Training Program. On Friday, June 5 from 6 to 9 p.m., Team in Training is having an art auction in connection with the South End Gallery Crawl. (Don't forget, Pantone 278's next show is one night only--Thursday, June 4).

Team in Training's Art Auction will be held at Common Market South End, right across the street from the Charlotte Trolley Museum. There will be music and art donated by local artists, including a painting by my next artist, Carmell Jarvi. Her work, entitled Whitewater, is a framed pastel on paper. Based on the Gihon River in Vermont, Whitewater was inspired by Carmella's 2006 residency at Vermont Studio Center. This is a beautiful work of art, so don't miss out!

Please come out and support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Reminder: Gallery Pantone will only be open on Thursday, June 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. Carmella's works will be available for viewing online and in my home following the show.

Next Artist - Carmella Jarvi - June 4, 2009

2009-05-18T21:16:00.025-04:00

Another question I frequently get from people about the Gallery is: "How do I select my artists?"

Patience too - Carmella Jarvi 2009

I met Carmella Jarvi during the Artists as Entrepreneurs series conducted by the Arts & Science Council, where I was presenting on intellectual property protection for artists--in other words, patents, trademarks and other exciting legal stuff. Now some might find paradox in the use of artist, normally associated with creativity, in connection entrepreneur, typically reserved for number-driven capitalists. I do not see these terms as mutually exclusive.

Rick Cherwitz at the University of Texas has called the "intellectual entrepreneur" -- one who sees the mind as the source of inspiration and change, and who understands that the mission should go beyond "advancing the frontiers of knowledge" to include "serving as engines of social development." It is this last part that is the key for me.

So, to answer the question, I look for artists who see beyond creativity, beauty, process, and surface appeal. These people see art as a way of expanding our minds, as guiding both our personal and our collective experience, as a method of depicting scenes/people/objects in a way that conveys a message that goes beyond the visual. I hope each of my artists will bring this experience to Pantone 278's visitors on a personal level, but will also contribute to these loftier, communal goals. I think Carmella Jarvi's work, but also her approach to art, conveys these ideals.

Carmella is an award-winning artist from Charlotte. Her understanding and vision of water, the human form and the motion that results both naturally and from the interaction of these bodies can be seen in her paintings. Drawing from our common experience at the beach, our grandparents' lake house or the backyard pool, Carmella’s paintings are not a simple account of water or the human body, but her view of the experience one has with water.

Carmella's works shows that there is something powerful, yet also revealing, about the submerged figure and our interaction with water. In some of her works depicting women in water, the feel is darker, more ominous. There is a departure from the typical beautiful woman. Many of these women are faceless, captured in a private moment of introspection or even turmoil. Other paintings evoke anxiety over turbulent water or peace from a solitary river rock.

No matter what you take from these works, I am sure you will enjoy Carmella's works and take with you your own meaning. You can see more of her work at http://www.carmellajarvi.com/.

*This one-night show will be on Thursday, June 4 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Charlotte Trolley Powerhouse Museum located at 1507 Camden Road in Historic South End Charlotte.

More Than Art

2009-05-10T09:34:00.003-04:00

As many of my friends know, I have participated in a number of marathons and triathlons with Team in Training, one of the fundraising arms of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I think it's a great organization that brings people together for the common goal of raising money to find a cure for blood-related cancers while training for an endurance event.

My sister, Heather, was diagnosed with Leukemia at a very early age. In the early 70s treatment was not what it was today, but through some long battles and many trips to the hospital, she survived. The survival rate continues to improve and inspire, but many sisters, brothers, aunts and friends are still affected.

I wanted to share with you all one of those survivors. His name is Michael Patrick. He was our honor patient for last year's White Lake Half Ironman Triathlon. Michael is an incredible kid. As you can see by the pictures, his fight hasn't been easy, but he's always faced it with an incredible spirit and an infectious smile.

So, none of this really has much to do with art or the Gallery, but I thought it was worth sharing on this Mother's Day. If you have interest in learning more about Team in Training or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, please click on the links below.

http://www.teamintraining.org

http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org

Remaining Art for Sale

2009-05-04T23:24:00.021-04:00

What an incredible run? It was great to see so many people at the gallery. I am already looking forward to the next show on June 4th and 5th.

As many of you know, Pantone 278 does not occupy a permanent space. Instead, there will be five two-day shows, on the first Thursday and Friday of every month, at the Charlotte Trolley Powerhouse Museum. After that, the art will be on display in my home in Dilworth. In addition, the remaining pieces of art will be available online. Below are images of each of these. Just email (gallerypantone278@gmail.com) or call (704.724.0440) if you are interested in purchasing, viewing or even borrowing one of the pieces to try out in your home or office. All paintings are $400 each. So come on over for a glass a wine, a beer or just some good conversation about art.

Be on the lookout for a couple of other unique opportunities to meet Ashley and to experience his art. More to come on that.

Wall 9

Wall 11

Wall 13

Wall 15

Wall 16

Wall 17

Wall 18

Wall 19

Wall 20

Wall 21

Wall 22

Wall 23

Incredible Night

2009-05-01T00:00:00.010-04:00

Just wanted to post some pictures from tonight's opening reception. Knowing I will leave people out, many thanks to Jeff Cooke for taking all of the pics, to Amanda and Eric Zion for purchasing the very first work of art from Pantone 278, to all of my gracious friends for making food, showing up, sending words of encouragement and believing in me, to my family for all of their hard work and patience, to Valecia for defining friendship, and to Ash for being the kind of artist that makes the hard work, late nights, and a scratchy voice worth every second.

2009-04-29T23:19:00.009-04:00

Excited. Nervous. Anxious. Giddy. Tired. Emotional. Overwhelmed. Fulfilled. These are all answers to the question: "How are you feeling about the gallery?" So without more, here are a few pics from hanging Walls by Ashley Lathe in the brand new GALLERY PANTONE 278. Hope to see you there!

When It Comes To Buying Art, Buy What You Like

2009-04-28T22:15:00.010-04:00

Buying Art 101

When it comes to buying art, the most common questions I get from my friends are always "How do I know whether a work of art is good?" or "I don't know anything about art, how do I know what to buy?" My answer to both questions, while simple, is the philosophy I learned early on when buying art. That is, buy whatever will make you happy, regardless of what anyone else thinks. In other words, whether it's a new rug, a flashy television on your wall, a piece of pottery, or an oil panting, buy something that you will come home to and be happy that you made that purchase.

Recently, a friend confided in me that he struggled to appreciate modern and contemporary art. This is easy to understand. Unlike a classical portrait or a landscape, it's often difficult to understand, much less explain to a house guest, the meaning behind a contemporary work of art. On the other hand, there are plenty of examples of modern art that would evoke a response along the lines of "You call that art? My five year-old could paint that" or "If that's art, then maybe I should become an artist." Here are just a couple of works that could elicit such a response:

The painting on the left is by Pablo Picasso and will likely sell at auction for $16-20 million. On the right is a work by Piet Mondrian worth $3-5 million. The value of works such as these is the subject of unending debates. Is it the artist's ability to see something that the rest of us cannot see and to communicate that vision to us? Is it the ability of the artist to create something new in an age where it has been said that everything that will be invented already has? Is it the ability to create something that is simply visually pleasing? Or is it an arbitratry value created by a group of very wealthy art collectors? Or is it none of the above? Which gets me back to my point -- buy art that you like, be that a landscape painting, a glass screw, or a metal bird's nest.

Masters and Emerging Artists

My (unsolicited and probably meritless) advice as a nascent gallery owner is to try to find something in an emerging artist that is reflective of that artist's unique vision, refined talents, and the ability to communicate that vision through those same talents. These concepts may sound nebulous, so some more practical advice -- find a young artist that exhibits work that calls mind an acknowledged master. As my gallery develops I plan to display emerging artists next to more accomplished ones in hopes of drawing such comparisons. Below is my first attempt at doing so.

Edward Hopper

Edward Hopper (1882-1967) was a prominent American painter, who was recently shown at the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. While most popularly known for his oil paintings, he was equally proficient as a watercolorist. In both his urban and rural scenes, his works reflected his personal vision of modern American life.

Early Sunday Morning

Ashley Lathe

The first artist to be shown at Pantone 278, Ashley Lathe, works mostly in watercolor. Many of his works involve seemingly ordinary buildings that, like Hopper, clearly reflect his view of contemporary life and our developing society. Compare Ash's "Wall 15" to Hopper's "Early Sunday Morning".

Wall 15

Hopper's ordered and geometrical designs stand in marked contrast to Ash's often bleeding watercolor brushstrokes, but the use of light, color, and shade reflect each artist's view of the urban landscape at the time of his rendering. Similarly, both artists seem interested in the American urban scene, its architecture, and our place among those things. While this is certainly no attempt to equate Ash's works with those of Hopper (a thought that would certainly turn Ash a bright shade of red), I think there are similarities worth noting that can give a potential purchaser some insight into the skill, talent, and vision behind Ash's works.

What Do I Know About Art?

2009-04-22T23:18:00.010-04:00

Without a doubt, the one question I have been asked the most (beside, so do you think it's a good idea to be launching an art gallery in the middle of a recession?) is what made me want to open an art gallery?

Nate Moore

As I have admitted before, I have no formal art background. I never took an art class, haven't painted since elementary school, and still struggle with the distinction between art and craft. But during the first few years out of law school I developed a strong interest in contemporary art, hanging out with my good friend Beth Wilson at the Ty Stokes Gallery, owned by collectors Bill and Su Su Bounds, in the Castleberry Hill Historic Arts District in Atlanta. This was a place where all types of people would sit around, drink wine, and discuss art or whatever else crossed our minds. It was a welcome break from discussing the intricacies of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 at work.

Sol Lewitt

My first art purchase was a work on paper from the ArtStar project, a collaboration between Atlanta artist Scott Ingram and New York artist Drew Benson. (I'm trying to talk Scott into doing a show some time this summer. I am continuously impressed by his work.) My second purchase was a Donald Sultan silkscreen from a Paris Review art auction. I have since collected works from Nate Moore, Sol LeWitt, Tom Benton, Ken Burns, Jack Stoddart, Marcia McDade McMann, Scott Avett, Ashley Lathe and others. Some of my favorite works, however, are photographs taken by my friends on our trips to the mountains of North Carolina and Colorado, which I display proudly in my home.

Scott Ingram

Drawing on my experience in Atlanta, and the desire to bring that environment to Charlotte, I helped found the Contemporaries at the McColl Center for Visual Art in 2007. It's been great to see that group continue to develop over two short years. In addition, I serve on the board of directors of the McColl Center, am the chairperson of the Young Donor Society of the Arts & Science Council, and recently served on the ASC's Annual Fund Drive cabinet.

Scott Avett

In the end, I simply enjoy the experience of viewing, discussing, exploring, and being surrounded by contemporary art. I think that art should be accessible to all, and a gallery should be a place to explore our own perceptions of art. In addition to the artists above, I consider my favorites to include Morris Louis, Ellsworth Kelly, William Hopper, and Chuck Close, but above all else I look forward to working with emerging artists to share with visitors to my gallery.

Big News and Getting Involved

2009-04-18T00:42:00.004-04:00

Design Work from Pure

Last week, at the suggestion of my good friend Patricia Zoder, I applied for a free week of work offered to the non-profit community by Pure (http://www.purecreative.com/). Believe it or not, they actually found my collaboration with the Charlotte Trolley to be a worthwhile project. So, this week I'll be meeting with Pure to talk about marketing design work for the Gallery. This is very exciting, as anyone that is familiar with my creative abilities knows that there is plenty of room for improvement.

My Heartfelt Thanks

From congratulatory emails to offers to forward the information to friends to help with the design of my invitation (Susan, I can't thank you enough) to making contacts with the media to offering to bring food for the opening, my friends have shown amazing support for Pantone 278, and I could not be more thankful. I am encouraged by the interest so many people have taken in the Gallery, and I can't wait to share this experience with you all.

How You Can Help

Many of you have asked what you can do to help. Since you asked, here are a few suggestions:

Follow my blog. This is the best source of information, and the more followers, the better. Simply click on the box to the right and become a follower.
Check out my Facebook page and become a fan of Gallery Pantone 278 http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Charlotte-NC/Gallery-Pantone-278/70241222158?ref=ts. Your friends will see that you are a fan of the Gallery and hopefully become fans too.
Get out and support art, any art, whether its visiting a local art museum, making your own art, going to a concert, framing your 3 year-old's masterpiece or buying art from a local artist.
Come to the South End Gallery Crawl on May 1 http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Charlotte-NC/Gallery-Pantone-278/70241222158?ref=ts. I promise it will be a good time.

The opening is less than 2 weeks away now, and I can't wait. It's been a great ride already. Thanks again for your interest, your support and for just taking the time to read my often senseless ramblings.

Ashley Lathe - The Guinea Pig

2009-04-13T19:40:00.017-04:00

With just over two weeks until the opening of Pantone 278, it will come as no surprise to many that the first artist will be none other than Ashley Lathe. This was perhaps the easiest decision I have made so far in deciding to open the Gallery, as I probably would have never done this if it weren't for his encouragement.

So, a little bit about Ash. A native of North Carolina, Ash graduated in 1992 from East Carolina University with a B.A. in Graphic Design and Illustration and began his art career as a commercial artist. Following completion of post-graduate work at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Ash taught art classes at the university level. In 2002, with the support of a wonderful family he made the leap to full-time artist. After having a three-month residency at the McColl Center for Visual Art, Ash returned and recently completed a stint as an eleven-month affilitate artist. Ash works mostly in watercolor, and while many of his works involve ordinary, even mundane subjects (buildings, warehouses, windows), the viewer cannot help but be drawn into the painting, bringing his or her own past experience to create meaning from the subject and Ash's rendering.

Ash's development and the progression of his work at the Center has not gone unnoticed. On March 26, 2009, Charlotte Center City Partners honored Mr. Hugh McColl, Jr. with its 2009 Vision Award. At the award ceremony, Mr. McColl was presented with a watercolor painting by Ash. The untitled piece depicts a view of the Uptown Charlotte skyline and creates a sense of growth, movement and warmth that characterizes our city.

This past September, as part of his affiliation with the McColl Center for Visual Art, Ash organized a community art project that resulted in an engaging mural that is on display at the Center. Attached is a video of the project, produced by the Center staff. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faS0PNefDaw

I consider Ash a close friend and a promising artist. The energy, enthusiasm, creativity, thoughtfulness and genuine nature that Ash brings to his work is the inspiration behind Pantone 278. I look forward to sharing his works with you.

To learn more about Ash and his work, check out his website and blog. http://www.ashleylathe.com/

Location, Location, Location

2009-04-10T00:04:00.017-04:00

What's an art gallery without a really cool space? Well, through very good fortune, I found it--the Charlotte Trolley Powerhouse Museum in Historic South End. But how did I end up here? After searching high and low for the perfect space, and even considering opening Pantone 278 in my own home, one phone call to my friend James Mathis, Director of Historic South End, and a partnership was formed. Turns out the Museum was looking to be open during the South End gallery crawls, and I was looking for a place to sell art. The rest is history.

A little bit about Charlotte Trolley, Inc. Trolley cars made possible the development of Charlotte's earliest neighborhoods, including Dilworth and served as a catalyst for the city's first era of economic growth at the turn of the last century, much like the light rail has done for South End during this century. The Trolley Museum now houses a fully restored trolley, and vintage trolleys run on the light rail line on weekends. A non-profit was formed in 1988 to educate the community about the important role played by trolleys in the development of Charlotte. You can learn more at www.charlottetrolley.org/.

Location: Charlotte Trolley is located at 1507 Camden Road in Historic South End and directly adjacent to the Bland St. LYNX Blue Line Station. There are on-street parking spaces available in the area, but the Museum does not have any dedicated parking spaces. To encourage visitors to Pantone 278, there will be a drawing during every gallery crawl for everyone who rides the light rail.

So, how's this thing going to work? The Museum hasn't installed it's exhibits yet, so it has a great space for hanging art. From April 30 through September 30, Gallery Pantone 278 will display art in the Powerhouse Museum in conjunction with the South End Gallery crawl to be held on the first Friday even of each month. Each show will go up on Wednesday, there will be an invitation event on Thursday, and art will be on display during the crawl on Friday night. Art will also be available for viewing at my home following the show by appointment. I can't wait to see how the artists will use the space to display their art. Here is a link to the event page for the first Opening. http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=170268140640&ref=nf

Note: Check out the new Pantone 278 logo. Many thanks to Frate (http://www.ignitedstudios.com/) for his hard work on it. In the next blog post I will reveal my first artist. Be sure to click on the box to the right and follow my blog so you don't miss out.

What's in a name?

2009-04-05T17:57:00.004-04:00

Basking in the glow of a Carolina blue day and one win away from another Carolina national championship, what better time than now to explain the meaning behind the name Gallery Pantone 278?

Many of my fellow Tar Heel alumni have already pointed out that Pantone 278 is the official color code for Carolina Blue. When I conceived of the gallery, one name immediately came to mind, and what better way to pay tribute to one of my most favorite diversions? But have no fear my friends whose school colors were not chosen by God himself, there will be no Carolina Blue bias at Pantone 278. In fact, my first artist is a proud graduate of East Carolina University.

Alternate Name: While Pantone 278 seemed like such a natural fit, I also considered calling it the Ellsworth Billman Gallery. Ellsworth Billman was my maternal great grandfather, who was killed in a bank robbery.

Ellsworth, his brother Elmer and their father established The Bank of Kaleva in 1912, and through much hard work survived Black Friday and the ensuing Great Depression. But on January 5, 1933, four men held up the bank in the small northern Michigan town. During the robbery, Great Grandpa Ellsworth was shot and killed. The four men got away with $3,000 but were captured three days later and sentenced to life in prison. A book and movie, called "Car 99", were written about the robbery.

As a kid, I loved hearing my grandmother Doris Billman Gustafson tell stories about her twin father and uncle. This alternative name was also a way for me to pay tribute to my grandmother, who developed a love for art-making while courageously battling cancer during my formative years. I trace my interest in art to the enjoyment and peace art brought to her.

I struggled with the choice, but after much thought, I chose Pantone 278. I know Grandma is proud either way.

The Launch of Gallery Pantone 278

2009-04-02T00:09:00.004-04:00

In an effort to avoid the obvious April Fools jokes, I actually waited until after midnight to post my very first blog about my new art gallery -- Gallery Pantone 278.

Every few days I'll be posting a short blog about the gallery, including how I got to this point and where this thing is headed, and probably a whole lot of other stuff you may or may not have interest in.

Unlike this blog, the idea of an art gallery did not materialize late at night, in a sleep deprived state with absolutely no idea what I was doing (okay, that last point is debatable). The seeds of what will become Gallery Pantone 278 were probably sewn some time back in 1983 with my first visit to the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, fermented over bottles of wine with my good friend Beth Wilson, and finally sprung into life with the encouragement of Ashley Lathe and James Mathis.

My goal for Pantone 278 is to create a place in Charlotte where artists and those interested in art, and even those who aren't, can gather to discuss, appreciate or just look at art. I want the gallery to be a social place where everyone, no matter their experience with art, will feel comfortable exploring their notions and perceptions of art.

There will be 6 shows this summer, each focusing on a different local or regional emerging artist. These shows will be held in connection with the Historic South End Gallery Crawl held on the first Friday of each month with the inaugural show launching on May 1, 2009.

And with that...Gallery Pantone 278 was born.