The Philip Slein Gallery recently moved from a location downtown to 4735 McPherson Avenue and celebrated with a grand re-opening last Friday night. Fellow gallery and shop owners along the McPherson corridor rolled out the welcome mat with openings of their own. The street was crowded with art patrons and those who were curious about the art, or just wanted an excuse to get out and enjoy the beautiful May evening.
The photo above shows the gathering in front of the Philip Slein Gallery, left, and a view into the neighboring, eye-catching Halbert Rugs.
We stopped in to visit with Atrium Gallery owner Carolyn Miles and her husband Joe, above. I recently posted a story about Atrium's current exhibition, "Come'on to My House" by New York artist Christopher Tanner.
This time I persuaded CWEnder Mike Owens to let me snap his photo in front of Tanner's "Hand in the Pool of Maria Montez." I thought the shot would add a little glitz (which is why he's laughing) to his run for State Rep of the 84th District (that's us). VOTE FOR MIKE on August 7th!
Shelton Davis Antiques at 4724 McPherson, was also open late for browsers.
Centro Modern Furnishings at 4727 McPherson featured new arrivals from Antonio Citterio for Flexform and kept the party going with its notorious CenCen Punch.
Eleven-month-old Max, who was gallery hopping with his parents from their home in Benton Park, thought the cool Feltry chair at Centro was just about perfect. Ginny Stewart, co-owner with Todd Lannom of Centro, said the chair's quilt was taken off for the evening, so if you're interested in learning more about it, stop in Centro, 4727 McPherson.
Art even parked at a meter in front of the Duane Reed Gallery.
The Duane Reed Gallery hosted two exhibitions. In the front room is work by artists Jenny Pohlman and Sabrina Knowles who collaborated on pieces they named "Reflections." They create their stunning art out of "off-hand" blown and sculpted glass, found objects, beads, and antique West African findings, above and below.
Matthew Paul Isaacson, Ceramics Coordinator/Gallery Director at Forest Park Community College, incorporates industrial manufactured porcelain tiles & fabricated stainless steel into his sculptures. Gallery owner Duane Reed said that Isaacson arrived a week earlier with boxes of tiles that he put assembled on site. Both exhibitions are a must-see! Check website for hours.
Greg Halbert (center), proprietor of Halbert Rugs at 4733 McPherson, had visitors guess the price of his rugs, which are new but look old. We all flunked–they are much more reasonable than they appear.
It was a one-way ticket for Jackie Saccoccio's oil and mica paintings at the Philip Slein Gallery. By the time we arrived there were ten red dots on the New York artist's work—all of her paintings sold to St. Louis collectors!! How's that for an opening night?
The gregarious Philip Slein, above, is shown standing in front of one of the Saccoccio paintings visiting with a few of the many people who stopped in to welcome him to the neighborhood.
Another one of Saccoccio's paintings, above, and a final shot of some of those admiring her art, below.
I ran into an old high school friend at the Philip Slein Gallery who jokingly asked why I didn't wear my shorts that evening. I replied that I would have if I still could, but instead I'd rather admire the beauty I photographed above—love the legs, love the red shoes–loved the whole evening! And welcome Philip…