(PRWEB) January 22, 2015
Bert Gallery is really dating itself -- nearly thirty years old, yikes! Thirty is a generational thing, for baby boomers thirty was the transition from vibrant and exciting to sedate and boring. In the gallery world, it is a landmark, a badge of honor to remain in the business of art and prosper.
Volatility has marked the past thirty years, from 1985 – 2015, with a technical revolution, two economic downturns and the expansion of art forms from traditional painting, prints and sculpture to installation video art and new media. The arenas for art have evolved with the recent dominance of the auction, art fair and online markets. Keeping step with the evolving art market, Bert Gallery launched its website in 2001, never imaging selling artwork from the little state of Rhode Island to collectors in Australia. The art world went global and location free.
To celebrate thirty years in the business of art Bert Gallery will launch two web based projects: Thirty Stories of American Painting and Thirty by Thirty: Community Selections that will run throughout the year.
Exhibitions at the gallery will include Thirty Years: Martiesian, Speiser & Bert; Divine Providence: 19th & 20th Century American Painting and Kathy Hodge: Thirty Impressions of Alaska.
Programs, events and blogging throughout the year will cover Myths in the Art World; Collecting Ideas; the Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Practical Art Tips, Art Intrigues and Where They Are Now?
Web Based Projects
Thirty Stories of American Painting
Thirty artists from Rhode Island are explored on the website for 2015 within the context of American painting. All contributed to the local scene but many fit into the canons of art history, followers, innovators and promoters of varying American art movements.
Thirty by Thirty: Community Selections
The advantage of thirty years in business, over 150 exhibitions, lecturing and appraising is that you meet the most fascinating and passionate art lovers in all corners of the community. In the spirit of crowd sourcing for 2015 Bert Gallery asked 30 members of the community to single out a work of art from the Bert Gallery collection that they particularly enjoy. Follow the selections and comments over the year on http://www.bertgallery.com and our social media feeds. New works will be posted two to three times a month.
Exhibitions
Thirty Years: Martiesian, Speiser & Bert
March
Bert Gallery has worked and promoted over the years select contemporary artists.
What ties these artists together is their singular dedication and passion for "making art" despite the artistic climate or other life distractions. Martiesian and Speiser have "made art" day in and day out working in their studio, honing their craft, exploring their ideas in a visual media with little consideration of the consumer of their art. This exhibit celebrates their 30+ years as artists. They continue to create objects that give insight into their world and ours.
Divine Providence: 19th & 20th Century American Painting
July
In 1776 President George Washington, in his inaugural address, confirmed independence was won with Divine Providence and so too has “divine providence” fueled the Rhode Island art scene in its capital city. A remarkable number of artists have lived and painted in Rhode Island over the years, but the 19th century brought together artists, collectors and institutions that fostered a distinct art culture recognized both nationally and internationally. This exhibit explores many of the artists beginning in the 1870’s along with their story in context to the local creative community and American art historical developments.
Kathy Hodge: Thirty Impressions of Alaska
October
This exhibit of paintings, sketches and watercolors is from two recent artist residencies with the National Forest Service in coastal Alaska. Hodge has participated in twenty years of residencies in various national parks and forests across the country.
Programs, Events & Blogging
Program and Event announcements will be posted on the website. Through social media and blogging a series of topics will be covered including Art Travels, Myths in the Art World; Collecting ideas: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Practical Art Tips, Art Intrigues and Where they are now?
Bert Gallery | 24 Bridge Street | Providence, RI 02903
401-751-2628 | http://www.bertgallery.com | bertgallery(at)conversent(dot)net
