Four New 5×7′s – The Harmoniums Series
Harmoniums 001
Mixed media on watercolor paper
7″ x 5″
© 2011 Marilyn Fenn
I created a set of four 5×7″ paintings in late April or early May, but couldn’t post them then, as I donated two of them to the Arthouse for the 5×7 Show, and they needed to remain anonymous for the run of the show. I think it’s safe to post them here now. The two I didn’t donate are available for sale; I’ll add them to my gallery and shop pages soon.
Anyway, here they are:
5×7 Exhibition Continues at the Arthouse through June 12th
The 5×7 show at the Arthouse is open through June 12th, sooooo you still have a shot at picking up some wonderful small art.
I did not end up going to the ArtSplurge (the first night opening when the art is initially revealed and available for sale), but the Art Social on the second night was great! There was pizza and beer, good live music and lots of friends, and a gazillion wonderful 5×7 paintings and sculptures!
The renovations at the Arthouse are excellent, allowing for much more exhibition space. The beauty of the old building has been preserved while also injecting some gorgeous contemporary design elements. I really love the modern variation of glass block windows.
There were several art pieces in protest of the firing of the Arthouse’s curator (see for more on that story). Here are a few of the protest pieces I saw: [nggallery id=110]
See more pictures of the opening crowds and the building here: .
And see some of the gorgeous art on that’s still on view at the Arthouse here (my two paintings are among this group of pictures; can you find them?): .
5×7 Art Splurge and Social at the Arthouse
2011 5×7 Art Splurge
The 5×7 annual fundraiser, art sale and exhibition benefiting the Arthouse at the Jones Center opens tomorrow night with the Art Splurge, where you will have your first chance to purchase artwork from among 1,000s of original 5×7-inch works of art by emerging and established contemporary artists.
I will have two pieces in the show, part of a new series of small paintings. (I will unveil the series some time after the ArtSplurge and ArtSocial have passed, as all works are supposed to remain anonymous until they are sold).
This is a really exciting event. Patrons can preview the art for about an hour and decide on the pieces they want to purchase; then at a certain hour, a horn is blown and it’s a fun scramble for the patrons to grab their chosen works of art. The Arthouse has produced a simple video showing you How To 5×7.
Here’s a sneak peek at some of the art that will be available tomorrow night: http://www.arthousetexas.org/blog/
Find out more about the Art Splurge and purchase tickets at the Arthouse website.
5×7 Art Social
Or come out to the 5×7 Art Social on Friday night to schmooze with the artists, where you will have your second chance to pick up a 5×7 work of art. Read all the details and purchase tickets for only $30 through the Arthouse website. There will be food, drinks and music both nights. Hope to see you there!
Controversy at the Arthouse
The conversation Friday night (and possibly Thursday night, too) should be pretty lively, due to the controversy created earlier this year due to the decision by the Arthouse to dismiss their only curator, Elizabeth Dunbar—for financial reasons (after having spent $6.6 million on their year-long renovation and expansion). Some of the artwork in the 5×7 show is a direct response to this controversy, and you may even see some blank boards in protest of the decision to eliminate Dunbar’s position.
If you’d like to read up on all the details of the controversy, there are several excellent articles online:
- The initial reason for the controversy: Culture Wars at the Arthouse?
- More controversy reported on Austin360: Arthouse faces controversy with cutbacks, other moves
- Wendy Vogel, editor of “might be good,” weighs in on Austin’s art implosion
- A fascinating conversation between the duo Rachel Cook (in curatorial studies at Bard) and Claire Ruud (in business school at Yale) about the Arthouse situation and the environment in which artists and curators operate today: Arthouse: The Dilemma of Authenticity and Visibility
I’m on Cloud Nine from the 5×7 Art Splurge at the Arthouse!
“Connections I” & “Connections II”
Encaustic and ink or rice paper, mounted on panel
each 5″ x 7″
© 2009 Marilyn Fenn
Thursday night, my husband and I went to the Artists Preview party for the 2009 5×7 show at the Arthouse. It is always so much fun to see the huge collection of fabulous little paintings and other creations in a 5″x7″ format — and to run into so many of my art friends!
I was most surprised and thrilled to see that my two little paintings got a primo spot in the exhibition! On the main wall, under the writing, top shelf. They looked so good there!
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