Gallery H, Three Oaks, MI

Gallery H: Sheila Ganch sculpture, Charles Gniech: Anomaly, 40 x 60", acrylic on canvas

A number of years ago, I presented a series of large figurative paintings in a solo exhibition at the Fine Arts Building Gallery. The space included a secondary “members gallery” that presented one piece of work from each of the affiliated artists. After my solo show closed, I moved one the recently shown pieces—“The Actor Sleeps” to the “members gallery”. The substantial painting was eight-feet tall, four-feet wide, and dominated the space.

At the reception for the following exhibition—the work of Grace Cole, if I remember correctly—I was working the front desk. And that’s when I met Nancy Hoffman.

A beautiful woman approached me and asked about the very large painting in the members gallery. She asked me who the artist was and I smiled, extended my hand, and introduced myself. She responded in kind, and after some conversation, Nancy scheduled a meeting to see additional work. She later purchased “The Actor Sleeps” and with a common love for art, we became friends.

Nancy Hoffman is the Director of Gallery H in Three Oaks, Michigan. After seeing my recent exhibition at Gallery 180, she requested some of my work for her Michigan gallery. I was happy to be included. 

Gallery H: Sheila Oettinger, sculpture, Charles Gniech "Rise" 40 x 40" acrylic on canvas

I drove up to Three Oaks last week to deliver the work. Three Oaks is a little town located a few minutes over the Indiana – Michigan Border. The surrounding area is inhabited by the summer homes of Chicago’s affluent. The perfect getaway, Harbor Country offers its residents a quick and peaceful retreat from the chaos of their busy lives in the city. The area includes the beautiful Lake Michigan beaches, plenty of restaurants, antiques, and—or course—fine art.

Being a Curator, I helped to install the current exhibition at Gallery H, which includes the work of Deanna Krueger, Richard Laurent, Sheila Ganch, Audry Cramblit and Andrea Harris. The various paintings and sculptures work seamlessly to create a space of peaceful contemplation. The superior quality of the fine art presented, has resulted in a stellar reputation for Hoffman and her gallery. If you have an opportunity to head up to Harbor Country, take the time to explore Gallery H located at 15 S. Elm, Three Oaks, Michigan. It’s worth the trip. 

Gallery H: Sheila Ganch sculpture in the foreground Charles Gniech paintings

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The Art of Human Rights at ZIA Gallery, Winnetka

Audry Cramblit, “Paris”, bronze, 7” tall, $1,400.

Save the Date: Thursday, August 30th, 5-8:30

Once again, I've compiled some of the most amazing established area artists into an exhibition to benefit Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights. With the support of ZIA Gallery of Winnetka—the location of this satellite event—this group invitational exhibition offers something for everyone.

“The Art of Human Rights” exhibition includes; paintings, drawings, mixed media, photography and sculpture created by twenty-two hand-selected, established fine artists. The commissions from the work sold—priced from $450 to $18,000—will directly benefit the charity. Funds raised through The Art of Human Rights will support the work that Heartland Alliance does to ensure that everyone has a roof over their head, access to health care, the opportunity to earn income to support themselves and their families, and to be treated fairly and with justice.

With a variety of imagery and objects available—whether it is an elegant object to finish a room or a room-defining statement—this exhibition presents amazing pieces of thought-provoking Fine Art.

John Vlahakis, “Sanctum”, photograph, edition of 5, 15” x 15”, $750.

The work of photographer, John Vlahakis, captures the drama and beauty of the natural world. His brilliantly colorful floral images—which are almost abstract—explore light and define a quiet moment in time. Vlahakis points out that… “Visually I am drawn by the color and light that each living organism reflects...”

Roland Kulla, “Ben Franklin II”, acrylic on canvas, ”60 x 36”, $9,500.

Roland Kulla’s work presents hyper-realistic acrylic imagery, defining segments of various bridges. Kulla explains:

“I’ve used bridges as my primary inspiration for the last twenty years. Based in Chicago, I began my exploration with the world’s largest collection of bascule bridges. In 2006, I began to branch out to other “bridge cities” including Boston, New York City, and Pittsburgh. In 2011, I explored the bridges in Berlin, Germany. 

I select certain design elements and eliminate background context in order to emphasize form. What may appear to be a random arrangement of bolts and rivets has, on close inspection, a rigidly patterned logic. Abstracted from their surroundings, the bridges take on new aspects. Some look dangerous, others elegant. The forms are presented in “natural” bridge colors in bold contrast to the voids that they span. They float in light that plays across the surface details. I paint an idealized version of reality on a scale that allows the viewer to enter into the structure and appreciate the monumentality of the form.”

Audry Cramblit, “Paris”, bronze, 7” tall, $1,400.

Audry Cramblit is one of four incredibly talented sculptors included in the exhibition. She presents two bronze figurative sculptures… “Paris” and “The Artist”. Both of these tactile figures are adorned with the layering of contemporary designs, symbols and words, forming a complex surface of information. Through the experimentation of materials, Cramblit has developed techniques as unique and varied as her one-of-a-kind sculptures.

There are twenty-two exhibiting artists in “The Art of Human Rights” exhibition. They are: John Benedetto, Jenny Chi, Frances Cox, Audry Cramblit, Jane Fulton Alt, Sheila Ganch, Charles Gniech, Andrea Harris, Paula Kloczkowski Luberda, Deanna Krueger, Roland Kulla, Richard Laurent, Maggie Meiners, Rebecca Moy, Didier Nolet, Nancy Pirri, Ted Preuss, Nancy Rosen, Lorraine Sack, Jim Tansley, Michael Van Zeyl, and John Vlahakis.

This satalite exhibition of “The Art of Human Rights^®” will be presented at ZIA Gallery, located at 548 Chestnut Street, Winnetka, IL 60093, from August 26 through September 1. A catered reception will take place on Thursday, August 30 from 5-8:30. The exhibition is free and the work sold will benefit Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights. The gallery is open from Monday through Saturday from 10-5. Additional information can be found at ziagallery.net or by calling 847.446.3970.

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The Art of Human Rights ~ The Event

Last weekend was a blur. After six months of planning, “The Art of Human Rights” had finally arrived. The three-day event began on Friday night with an Exclusive Preview Reception for the exhibiting artist’s private collectors. The main event—complete with gourmet hors d'oeuvres, live auction and live music—was held on Saturday evening and the weekend concluded with an intimate “coffee with the artists” on Sunday morning.

More than $85,000 was raised at this year’s event to benefit Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights. Heartland Alliance believes that everyone deserves to have a roof over their heads, access to health care, the opportunity to earn income to support themselves and their families, and to be treated fairly and with justice.

The event included work by twenty-three artists. They were Christopher Andres, John Benedetto, Jenny Chi, Audry Cramblit, Jane Fulton Alt, Sheila Ganch, Andrea Harris, Paula Kloczkowski Luberda, Deanna Krueger, Roland Kulla, Richard Laurent, Maggie Meiners, Rebecca Moy, Didier Nolet, Nancy Pirri, Ted Preuss, Nancy Rosen, Valerie Schiff, Tom Torluemke, Francine Turk, Michael Van Zeyl, John Vlahakis and myself.

Audry Cramblit presents “Paris”, a 24 inch tall clay sculpture, to a group of interested patrons.


Photographs by Christy Tyler

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The Art of Human Rights ~ March 10

Francine Turk, “Francesca”, mixed media including antique French ledger, oil stick, lacquer ink and charcoal, 65” x 52”


On Saturday, March 10th from 7-10pm, Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights will present “The Art of Human Rights,” an invitational exhibition featuring silent and live auctions with wine, gourmet fare, and live music. The event, taking place in the 2,500 square foot Coalition Gallery at 217 N. Carpenter Street [west loop], presents; paintings, drawings, photography and sculpture created by twenty-four hand-selected, established fine artists. The commissions from the work sold—priced from $400 to $18,000—will directly benefit the charity. Funds raised through The Art of Human Rights will support the work that Heartland Alliance does to ensure that everyone has a roof over their head, access to health care, the opportunity to earn income to support themselves and their families, and to be treated fairly and with justice.

The exhibition—which I curated—has something for everyone. With a variety of imagery and objects available—whether it is an elegant object to finish a room, or a room-defining statement—this exhibition presents amazing pieces of thought-provoking Fine Art.

Included in this exhibition, is the work of fine art sensation, Francine Turk. Her piece [above], “Francesca”—a large scale, figurative, mixed-media work—is classic Turk. This elegant reclining female nude is created with the used of graceful contour line. Francesca redefines space and transforms the well-known subject into an exploration of emotion and passion. The work is created with a mixture of media, including antique French ledger, oil stick, lacquer ink and charcoal. Pieces from this body of work are testaments of timeless elegance.

John Vlahakis, “Monet”, photograph, edition of 5, 30” x 30”

Photographer, John Vlahakis, captures the drama and beauty of the natural world. The brilliantly colorful floral images—which are almost abstract—explore light and define a quiet moment in time. Vlahakis points out that… “Visually I am drawn by the color and light that each living organism reflects...”

Roland Kulla, “Legget II”, acrylic on canvas, 60” x 40”

Roland Kulla presents a series of hyper-realistic paintings defining segments of various bridges. Kulla explains:

“I’ve used bridges as my primary inspiration for the last twenty years. Based in Chicago, I began my exploration with the world’s largest collection of bascule bridges. In 2006, I began to branch out to other “bridge cities” including Boston, New York City, and Pittsburgh. In 2011, I explored the bridges in Berlin, Germany.

I select certain design elements and eliminate background context in order to emphasize form. What may appear to be a random arrangement of bolts and rivets has, on close inspection, a rigidly patterned logic. Abstracted from their surroundings, the bridges take on new aspects. Some look dangerous, others elegant. The forms are presented in “natural” bridge colors in bold contrast to the voids that they span. They float in light that plays across the surface details. I paint an idealized version of reality on a scale that allows the viewer to enter into the structure and appreciate the monumentality of the form.”

Audry Cramblit, “Paris”, clay / work in progress, 24” tall

Audry Cramblit is one of seven incredibly talented sculptors included in the exhibition. Cramblit presents a variety of work, two in bronze and another in clay. “Paris”, a twenty-four inch high figurative clay sculpture, is an obvious focal point in the exhibition. The tactile figure is adorned with the layering of contemporary designs, symbols and words, forming a complex surface of information. Through the experimentation of materials, Cramblit has developed techniques as unique and varied as her one-of-a-kind sculptures.

There are twenty-four exhibiting artists in “The Art of Human Rights” exhibition. They are: Christopher Andres, John Benedetto, Jenny Chi, Audry Cramblit, Jane Fulton Alt, Sheila Ganch, Charles Gniech, Andrea Harris, Vesna Jovanovic, Paula Kloczkowski Luberda, Deanna Krueger, Roland Kulla, Richard Laurent, Maggie Meiners, Rebecca Moy, Didier Nolet, Nancy Pirri, Ted Preuss, Nancy Rosen, Valerie Schiff, Tom Torluemke, Francine Turk, Michael Van Zeyl, and John Vlahakis.

On Saturday, March 10th from 7-10pm, The Art of Human Rights will be presented at the Coalition Gallery, located at 217 N. Carpenter Street in Chicago. Work sold at this Fine Art exhibition will benefit Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights. Tickets are $125 in advance and $150 at the door. Tickets may be purchased on line at artofhumanrights.com or by calling Michelle Marvin at 312.660.1339.
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Opening the Fall 2011 Gallery Season at Gallery 180

Last night’s opening reception for Audry Cramblit and Chris Raecker at Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago was one of the highlights of the 2011 Fall Gallery Season in Chicago. The exhibition—which runs through November 3rd—presents an amazing mixture of elaborate bronze figurative sculptures and haunting, large-scale digitally enhanced photographs.

There will be a second reception during October – Chicago Artists Month - Wednesday, October 12, 5-6:30pm. Chicago Artists Month is a citywide, event showcasing Chicago visual artists and their work throughout the month of October. Coordinated by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events in partnership with the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture, Chicago Artists Month showcases over 200 events, ranging from exhibitions to open studio tours and neighborhood art walks presented by museums, galleries, cultural centers, artist collaboratives, and other organizations throughout the city. The primary goal of Chicago Artists Month is to raise awareness of the extraordinary quality and depth of our visual arts community. Additional information can be found at: chicagoartistsmonth.org

If you missed last night’s event, feel free to drop by the Gallery 180 Monday through Thursday from 8am-8pm, Friday 8am-5:30pm and Saturday 9am-5pm. All works are available for purchase. Gallery 180 is located at 180 N. Wabash—at the corner of Lake and Wabash—in Chicago’s Loop.

Additional information can be found at gallery180.com.

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The Labyrinth and A Midnight Carnival

Image: Audry Cramblit, “Agatha” 2010, bronze

Audry Cramblit ~ “Labyrinth”

Chris Raecker ~ “A Midnight Carnival”

September 5 - November 3

Reception: Friday, September 9, 5:30-7:30

With a special Second Reception: Wednesday, October 12, 5-6:30

Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago presents the figurative sculpture of Chicago artist, Audry Cramblit, alongside the moody, digitally-enhanced photography of Chris Raecker. Combining the work of these two amazing fine artists brings the mystery of surrealistic fantasy to Gallery 180.

In the body of work titled “Labyrinth”, Sculptor Audry Cramblit creates stunning textural surfaces and exquisite patinas that adorn her intimate figurative forms of clay and wax. The final pieces—ceramic or bronze—address the mind and body of humanity, paying homage to the psyche and physical elegance of the human form. Each figure is uniquely embellished to define Cramblit’s intention: The meandering but purposeful journey toward self-reinvention.

Image: Chris Raecker “Disk”, 2007, digitally enhanced photography

Perception is manipulated in the body of work titled “A Midnight Carnival” created by Chris Raecker. In these photographs, Raecker presents moody, digitally enhanced imagery of the annual mid-September fair called the Cattle Congress. The event—Located in Waterloo, Iowa—has a midway with bizarre contraptions and activities. Upon his first encounter, Raecker knew that this environment was perfect for creating imagery flavored with joy and modified to expose a darker side. His photographs only begin to tell a story that touches on childhood memories, perception and the surreal impression of the psyche.

The sculpture of Audry Cramblit and the photography of Chris Raecker will be presented at Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago through November 3. Previews begin on September 5th. An Opening Reception will take place on Friday, September 9 from 5:30-7:30 pm …with a special second reception on October 12th from 5-6:30pm. This second reception will be in conjunction with the events of Chicago Artists’ Month, as well as to kick off this year’s Filter Photo Festival. This exhibition is free and open to the public. All works are available for purchase. Gallery 180 is located at 180 N. Wabash—at the corner of Lake and Wabash—in Chicago’s Loop. The gallery is open Monday through Thursday from 8am-8pm, Friday 8am-5:30pm and Saturday 9am-5pm. Additional information can be found at gallery180.com.

Audry Cramblit ~ Labyrinth

I arrived at the studio of Audry Cramblit [and Ted Preuss] shortly after ten o'clock this morning. Being familiar with Cramblit's past sculptural work, I scheduled a studio visit to experience the most recent pieces from a body of work titled "Labyrinth". As I entered the space, I was confronted with a three-quarter life-size clay figure, adorned with patterns and textures similar to a dimensional body mehndi. As we hovered over the beautiful reclining figure, I learned a little more about Cramblit's creative process and discussed the conceptual meaning of the work. The title—Labyrinth—references the elaborate designs Cramblit uses to embellish her intimate forms. She elaborates on her web site... "The ancient pattern of the labyrinth weaves and circles into itself and then back out again... [it] is a meandering but purposeful journey toward self-reinvention; [The work is] a sculptural expression, not only of my personal voyage as an artist but also... an affirmation that we are on our right path."

Not all of Cramblit's pieces are almost life size. In fact, many of the pieces stand only 12-14 inches high... and the ornate details are amazing. Cramblit works both in clay as well as wax. Many of the pieces are cast in bronze [as additions or one-offs] adorning beautiful patinas. Audry Cramblit's work will be presented at Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago, this fall. Until then, you can explore additional imagery on her web site: audryc.com
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The Art of Human Rights: Friday, February 25th

Join me on Friday, February 25th for "The Art of Human Rights" [formerly Art Against AIDS], hosted by the Junior Board of Heartland Alliance. This charitable event features live and silent fine art auctions with a variety of work created by local and national artists. Donating artists include: Frances Cox, Ted Preuss, Maggie Meiners, Audry Cramblit, Paula Kloczkowshi Luberda, Sheila Ganch, and Carol Luc. This is just a partial list of the generous and wonderfully talented participating artists. Follow this link to review the available work.

This after-work cocktail party and fine art auction will benefit Heartland Alliance in providing housing, healthcare, economic security, and legal protections services to more than 200,000 people whose lives are threatened by poverty and danger, including those living with HIV/AIDS.

This year's event will take place at Gruen Galleries located at 226 West Superior Street in Chicago. The festivities begin at 6:30pm. Tickets can be purchased online at www.artofhumanrights.com starting at $125.
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The Reception...

I drove downtown—yesterday afternoon—to attend the closing reception of "Serene la Femme" at Palette & Chisel. The exhibition presented the figurative work of Photographer; Ted Preuss, Sculptors; Nancy Pirri & Audry Cramblit, and Painter; Mary Qain. I have worked with Preuss and Pirri, on a number of occasions, and recently became aware of Cramblit when she entered—and was juried into—the "From Nature” exhibition at Gallery 180 of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago.

The Palette & Chisel exhibition space is housed in one of Chicago's old mansions, located in the heart of the Gold Coast. The building—and its quant but lush garden-covered entry—remains beautiful and inviting.

As I entered the exhibition space, I found myself focused on the works of Audry Cramblit and Nancy Pirri. I was intrigued with Cramblit's attention to detail. In the piece shown above, Cramblit seems to define the character and attitude of a beauty queen who's performance has concluded. Tipped crown and cigarette in hand, she finds that there is no longer a need to present herself as a "lady". Cramblit’s illustrative pieces are charming but my preference was for her abstract torso studies. The pattern-covered forms attract the viewer by recognition, and hold their attention with the use of complex and intriguing patterns.

Both Cramblit and Preuss are currently included in Gallery 180’s “From Nature” exhibition, which continues through July 24.



Torsos by Audry Cramblit