Press Release: September "Square City" juried exhibit

SQUARE CITY
A Regional Juried Exhibition

PONSHOP Studio and Gallery 712 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401

Opening Reception: Friday September 3, 6-10pm, Informal Gallery Talk at 7pm
Exhibition Dates: September 3-26

For a Complete Prospectus Click Here

PONSHOP Studio and Gallery is hosting its first juried art exhibition in September of 2010. Titled “Square City”, the show challenges participating artists to contribute two- dimensional artwork limited to square dimensions (between 12”x12” to 24”x24”) that incorporate the theme of the city for their inspiration. Juried by Bob Worthy, the show promises to celebrate the richness, diversity, and life that emerge from the urban environment.

“Why the Square?” Gallery owner Gabriel Pons placed this limit on the format of the work so that he can arrange the artwork in a city grid on the gallery walls. The presentation of the work will be reflective of the city itself – dense diverse networks of space that invite exploration and discovery. The theme of the city is something that Pons has explored in his own work throughout the years. With a background in architecture and having lived in New York City from 1999-2005, his work has been both inspired by and influenced by his experiences. He deliberately kept the “city” theme broad to invite a range of interpretation. Artists could reflect on cities of the past, present, and future – both real and imaginary. The gallery will award three merit awards (cash prizes) and three honorable mentions (gift certificates) to selected artists.

Bob Worthy is an active participant in the Fredericksburg Arts community. A member of the Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts, he holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Fine Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University where he is now an adjunct professor. Mr. Worthy exhibits his award winning artwork throughout the mid-Atlantic region. In October of 2000, Worthy was recognized at the Fredericksburg Virginia Regional Arts Awards, as an individual artist, for outstanding achievements and contributions to the cultural life of the greater Fredericksburg region. He also received a Certificate of Recognition from the Virginia Governor's Awards for the Arts during the same month.

PONSHOP is a multifaceted storefront: an artist studio, gallery, retail store, and classroom. The vision of the owners, Gabriel Pons and Scarlett Suhy-Pons, is to provide a place that embodies what they love: art, design, and creative education. The gallery/shop features a variety of work from artists both near and far. Their studio also doubles as a classroom, providing workshops for students interested in everything from painting, ceramics, and architecture to street art and skateboarding. PONSHOP is excited to present the work of “Square City” to the public in September.

Square City

In September 2010, PONSHOP will transform their gallery walls to reflect the richness, diversity, and life emerging from cities of the past, present, and future. PONSHOP invites artists working in all two-dimensional media to participate in “Square City”, a regional juried exhibition. Below are the two page of the entry form for artists interested in participating.

Eligibility

This exhibit is open to all artists (professional and emerging) in the Northern Virginia Region. “Two dimensional” artwork is inclusive of mediums including but not limited to: painting, drawing, mixed media, photography, ceramics, and mosaics. All artwork must be hand delivered to the gallery.

Page 1 of 2 (click the image above and "save as" the image to print)

Page 2 of 2 (click the image above and "save as" the image to print)

The City as the Theme

City: (noun) A center of population, commerce, and culture; a town of significant size and importance.

What does the city evoke in you? Is it merely the streets and structures, or is it the people and culture that inspire? This exhibition challenges artists to explore all dimensions of the city - both real and imaginary, near and far, with the intention of celebrating the epicenters of civililzation.

If you have any questions regarding this show or would like to be included on the mailing list for notice of future exhibition opportunities, please contact us at event[at]ponshopstudio.com

Intro To Street Art: July 2010

July's heat ushered in a new crop of students for the "Intro To Street Art" workshop. These students worked on a 24"x24" panel using spray paint and stencils. Below are some pictures taken throughout the three 1.5 hour sessions.
Students had an opportunity to experiment with spray paint on scrap pieces of wood before committing to their panels. Perri (right) made a set of letter stencils to achieve a multi-colored design.

Below are their final pieces - good work kids!

PONSHOP offers classes in Ceramics, Mixed Media, Street Art, Architecture, and Skateboard Design for children as well as Ceramics and Drawing for adults. Our classes run throughout the summer and through the fall. For a current class schedule, Click Here.

Skate to Create/Street Art Workshop: June/July 2010

David (above) and Nico came in for a three-day workshop in Street Art and Skateboard design respectively. Below are the pics of their work. Both came with an abundance of ideas and enthusiasm and they gave each other tips and encouragement along the way. Good work guys!

David brought the funk by doing a spray paint/wheat paste piece.

David mashed LEGO with the Statue of Liberty with Disco and this is the result...

Nico's deck design (below) was inspired by mythology. He used three stencils to achieve his graphic.

PONSHOP offers classes in Ceramics, Mixed Media, Street Art, Architecture, and Skateboard Design for children as well as Ceramics and Drawing for adults. Our classes run throughout the summer and through the fall. For a current class schedule, Click Here.

Adult Street Art: June 2010

My man Seth brought his 'A' Game as well as his outgoing enthusiasm to his project. Using two stencils and plenty of spray paint, he brought his "Totally Meat" creation to life. Check the progress:

Seth had to break from his habits as an illustrator to adapt to using spray paint. But once he got the feel for it, it was on...

The painting was done on an old wooden countertop that was approximately four feet wide. Good Job!

Intro To Street Art: June 2010

I was really proud of my "Intro to Street Art" students in June. They worked hard to achieve their designs.

Check 'em out below:

PONSHOP offers classes in Ceramics, Mixed Media, Street Art, Architecture, and Skateboard Design for children as well as Ceramics and Drawing for adults. Our classes run throughout the summer and through the fall. For a current class schedule, Click Here.

June Student Work: Mixing The Media

Avianna did a "Mixing the Media Workshop" with me back in June. She is into dragons so I helped her make a stencil of her favorite dragon design.

She then did collage on a canvas panel and hit it with acrylic paint...

Her last day was spraying the dragon stencil on her board, but she also an opportunity to explore spray paint on her collage background.

Nice Work!

Public Art: Caroline Street Fence

Gabe is one of six local artists to participate in Fredericksburg’s latest Public Arts Project. “Beautify the Burg” entails adorning a section of Caroline Street’s 800 Block with six large art panels. The project was unveiled in a public ceremony on Friday, July 2 at 6pm. Below are some pics from the ceremony (and more).

Left to Right: Milvi K. Gill, Gabriel Pons, Brandon Newton, Jay D. Anderson, Bonnie De Lelys, Elizabeth Seaver, Kristi Zerull, and Pat Thalman.

The unveiling took place on June 2nd, 2010

Scarlett and the boys struck a pose in front of my panel.

"Grasshopper #3", mixed media on wood, 40"x56"

"First Friday" Live Painting Demo/Raffle

We're excited to announce that to celebrate July's First Friday Art Walk at PONSHOP, I'll be doing a live painting demonstration from 6:30-9:00 on Friday, July 2. Buy a raffle ticket for a chance to come home with the painting created that evening. Raffle Tickets ($5 ea. $20 for 5) can be purchased in advance at PONSHOP (712 Caroline Street) or via email: shop[at]ponshopstudio.com.

Progress Photos: The Upward Spiral...

I've been working on a public art piece for Downtown Fredericksburg. The "Beautify the Burg" project incorporates six local artists' work to be installed on Caroline Street (800 Block next to Bangkok Cafe). This project is made possible by a grant awarded to the Fredericksburg DRMI on behalf of a Public Arts initiative by the city's Department of Economic Development Authority, and the Fredericksburg Arts Commission.

Below is the progress of the 40"x56" panel I've been working on. The participating artists are Jay D. Anderson, Milvi Gill, Brandon Newton, Elizabeth Seaver, and Kristi Zerull.

The centrifugal writing are words both inspired by music lyrics and other things bouncing around in my head when I paint. I've been getting back into incorporating handwritten text - something I haven't done since my last sketchbook in 2008.

Classic Gabe Pons work process - spend all this time writing and then cover it up with paint...

I also cut a 2-layer stencil for the painting: a 36" round labyrinth pattern.

One of the PONSHOP summer interns, Sidney, helped me cut and "bridge" the stencils.

"Grasshopper #3" detail
So What does the finished painting look like? come to the public unveiling on Friday July 2 at 6pm.

Street Art Workshop: May 2010

May's "Intro to Street Art" students, Noah and Rickey, jumped right into their projects by practicing their lettering on a small scale then mocking up their boards with a couple passes of spray paint. Noah (pictured below) used freehand and stencil techniques to complete his composition.

Rickey (above) experimented with a variety of different colors before finalizing his "Rico" piece.
He also used paint pens to give an outline to his letters. Below is a pic of his original mock up.

detail w/classic crown motif

PONSHOP offers classes in Ceramics, Mixed Media, Street Art, Architecture, and Skateboard Design for children as well as Ceramics and Drawing for adults. Our classes run throughout the summer. For a current class schedule, Click Here.

More pics from the Grand Opening Party...

The evening of May 7, 2010 was the Grand Opening of PONSHOP at 712 Caroline Street. Family, friends and fans paid a visit to check the spot and enjoy fine art, music, and refreshments during Fredericskburg's "First Friday" Gallery Walk. Below are more snapshots from the evening. Pics courtesy of our good friends Kimberly Morris and Adam Desio.

DJ Mudfoot held it down on the wheels of steel

Scarlett and fellow local artist Kathleen Walsh

(left to right) Ryan of Nightmare Inc., Arlene of Spaghetti Project, Sean Donlon and Ashley

Edgar of Spaghetti Project (far left) kicks out sweet clothing via Chief Rocka Industries.

Thanks again to all of you who continue to support our efforts at PONSHOP. We will continue to host events every first Friday of the month.

"Hive Mentality" toddler tees in the shop

June 2010: in paying tribute to the swarms of bees (literally) that were on our ceiling the night of our grand opening, we're issuing the "Hive Mentality" tee. This graphic is derived from the "Hive Mentality" painting I did back in 2009.

As of this date we only have them in kids' size 4. Do want one?, then give us a shout: shop[at]ponshopstudio.com and let us know! We ship to everywhere on planet earth.

"Hive Mentality" kid's tee (size 4) $20 at PONSHOP 712 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, Virgina.

Skate to Create: April 2010

Spring ushered in another motivated crop of students for the PONSHOP Skate to Create class. Students Savant and Megan got creative, worked hard, and most of all had fun during this workshop. Below are some pics from April's class. Good work ladies...

After a debriefing on the history of skateboard graphics as well as showing students some examples, students got right to work sketching up their designs.

From sketches, we "translate" their designs into stencils, so that they can articulate (and hopefully repeat) their graphic.

Savant cut up this intricate pattern with a drippy form for her deck.

Megan's skate deck mixed up several layers of tiger stripes for a 3-D effect.

We continue to teach classes to both children and adults in Ceramics, Mixed Media, Skateboard Design, Architecture and more. For a current PONSHOP class schedule , Click Here.

Street Art Workshops: April 2010

April 2010 ushered in my first students at our new space at 712 Caroline Street. I had the pleasure of teaching two returning students who were more than eager to break the studio in with some spray paint action. Below are some highlights from their sessions. Nice work guys!

Nick loves skateboarding and The Misfits, so he decided to kick out a skull theme on his board.

Finn (above) is a frequent PONSHOP student. This time around he brought along a side project of his own: a custom made helmet inspired by the XBox games he's into. I helped Finn prepare and prime the helmet so that he can apply his own stencil designs.

Finn also likes to draw quirky characters like the "Afrobot" above. Take Saturday Night Fever and mash it up with Lost in Space and this is what you get...

PONSHOP offers classes in Ceramics, Mixed Media, Street Art, Architecture, and Skateboard Design for children as well as Ceramics and Drawing for adults. Our classes run throughout the summer. For a current class schedule, Click Here.

"Digital Revolution" : interview with Gabriel Pons

Scott Ligon's book: "Digital Art Revolution" is in stores now - it features instruction and examples from contemporary artists working with digital images. Below is one of their featured artist interviews:

Transformations: (02/2010-05/2010)

The past three months have been quite a journey for us: starting up a new business and simultaneously renovating our space. Below is a sequence of our progress from the end of February until last weekend's grand opening party. Thanks to all of you who have helped us along the way. - G+S

712 Caroline Street was formerly known as "The Christmas Shoppe" for the past 18 years...Carpeting was removed - floor repaired, and new flooring installed.The suspended reception desk was our friend's idea - keeping the space open and casual.

Scarlett's dad flew back from Mississippi for a week to help with the kiln shed.I'm giving the contractor's "hang loose"...
The photos (above and below) courtesy of Desio Studios - Opening Week!Thanks to all friends, family and fans of PONSHOP

PONSHOP Summer Class Schedule on Google Calendar

We will be offering classes for children and adults in Ceramics, Mixed Media, Street Art, Architecture, and Skateboard Graphics throughout the summer. For a detailed class description and registration form, Click Here
Use the navigation buttons below to scroll through the months:

Gabriel Pons at Caramel: May 21, 2010

I'm excited to announce that I'll be showing select work at Caramel in Washington, DC this month. The opening reception is Friday, May 21 from 6-8pm.

Smart, sophisticated, and stylish, Caramel offers unique clothing and accessories for men and women you won't see on everyone else. The U Street boutique features international, national and local designers, as well as eco-friendly fashion and vegan accessories.

Caramel
1603 U Street, NW Washington, DC
(202) 265-1930

Grand Opening Party: Friday May 7, 6-10pm

We're excited to continue to participate in Fredericksburg's monthly "First Friday" art walk. Come and check out the new spot Friday, May 7 from 6-10pm.