Grab It! is an exhibition about annihilation and humor. There is still much talk of the end of the world being around the corner - an idea that strikes fear in children. In an effort to make light of these predictions and ideas children hear either in the media or on the playground, Quirk Gallery is hosting an invitational exhibition titled Grab It! Featuring plush artists' survival kits. What soft and cuddly would you need at the end of the world?


ARTIST RECEPTIONS: 1/5 and 2/1, 5-8pm
FIRST FRIDAYS: 1/6 and 2/2, 5-9pm 

* Beatrix*JAR

* Phil Barbato
* Brigid Bartels
* Chelsea Bloxsom
* Heidi Kenney
* Diane Koss
* Oura Sananikone
* Maggie Smith

The world is full of life and organisms that thrive in a multitude of ways. From the seemingly mundane to the flat-out bizarre, "things" have found a way to survive. People are both part of the living world, and manipulators of it. An ever-changing world and life's ability to adapt is the theme for this exhibition. The work presented shows a reverence for these creatures, the inner spark that ignites life, and the ability to survive.

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS:
* Daniel DiCaprio courtesy of Charon Kransen Arts
* Emily Watson
* Hilary Pfeifer
* Jillian Moore
* Märta Mattsson courtesy of Sienna Gallery
* Masako Ondera
* Masumi Kataoka courtesy of Charon Kransen Arts
* Satomi Kawai 

"Invasives" showcases his large-scale cyanotype prints of invasive plants. With the best of intentions, we have introduced plants and trees from the other side of the world without realizing the consequences. These prints explore sustainable fabrics, invasive plants, and the ironies of our solutions. This interest in plants led Woodroof to develop Red Wiggler Farm: a farm that provides employment to adults with developmental disabilities through a unique horticulture program. Their clients are referred to as "growers" who are assigned tasks based on their individual abilities. Woodroof's two lives, as a farmer and as an artist, have merged to create this organically inspired show.

 Explore unique table settings with some of our favorite artists. Tina Frey, Chris Milk, Melody Gulick, and Christopher Jagmin reinterpret supper using mixed materials and unique variations of theme.

Shelly Kelin's whimsical characters tantalize with stories waiting to be told. With a background in education and painting, Shelly also has a special affinity for embroidery and now, "my painting imagery feeds my textile work and stitches have made their way into my paintings."

Her most recent work explores sadness:
"The only way to truly enjoy anything is to temporarily forget about any shame, heartbreak, guilt, regret, or outrage associated with that thing. If we can ignore the sometimes unspeakable consequences of many of our actions, we can enjoy experiences as they happen. It's a trade. It's the way we buy happiness.

A person can never really forget, though. Darkness always comes creeping back in. It takes different forms, but inevitably it reappears.

I'm not sure if we should try harder to forget or to remember. I'm not sure if being happy is okay when there is so much sadness connected to the things that make us happy. I'm not sure if I care too much or not enough.

By exploring these themes visually I hope to get closer to understanding where the balance should be. My goal is to connect with people about our shared and individual struggles with this heaviness."
 

Soyeon Kim is a jewelry maker and metalsmith with a talented eye for design. A recipient of the 2008 National Educational Endowment Scholarship by the Society of North American Goldsmiths, she exhibits internationally and teaches in the metals program at VCU as a Visiting Assistant Professor. 

Sarah Masters' new works are branching out from her drawings and paintings to explore mixed media in both two and three dimensions. Her delight of materials - paint, graphite, paper, fiber, fabric, wood, metal, glass, sticks, rocks, and more - and an intrinsic questioning of what is possible when disparate pieces come together, makes her work beautifully curious.

http://sarahkmasters.wordpress.com

The Founders showcases the work of four incredible ceramic artists: Randy Edmonson, Steven Glass, John Jessiman and Brian Pitney. These four artists founded The Cub Creek Foundation in 2002 in Appomattox Virginia-the youngest residency program in the United States dedicated strictly to ceramic art. In 2006 the house at the heart of the Foundation was destroyed by fire. The loss was tremendous but the deep passion of these and other ceramic artists has allowed Cub Creek to not only recover but thrive. The Founders exhibition is a testament to the strength, passion and beauty of ceramic art from pioneers and leaders in the medium. 

Sparkle Plenty is an annual tradition at Quirk Gallery and this sixth installation features a unique collection of earrings created by more than twenty national and international jewelers. You won't want to miss this exquisite display of wearable wonders.

Participating artists: 

Allyson Bone
Andy Cooperman
Nitza Cuevas
Marie Chamblin Dirom
Jane D'Arensbourg
Louise Ellis
Jaime Jo Fisher
Heather Guidero
Joanna Gollberg
Christy Klug
Robin Kranitzky & Kim Overstreet
Hannah Louise Lamb
Lucia Perluck
Shand Stamper
Anthony Tammaro
Amy Tavern
Marlene True
Myung Urso
Laura Wood
Francesca Vitali
Marion Sak
Eric Silva

Special thanks to Marlene True for curating assistance.

Enamored with the legacy of handmade objects that mature from heirlooms to artifacts, Vadis Turner explores history, self, family, and culture in the fabrics and handmade objects she collects, manipulates, and creates. She explains, "I am developing a collection of contemporary hierlooms that will ultimately compose my Dowry. The works re-imagine conventional handicrafts, rites of passage and gender roles to represent the values of my generation. Traditionally exchanged for societal advancement through marriage, my Dowry will be sold or traded for professional gain."

With an MFA from Boston University, Vadis has exhibited widely in NY, TN and Czech Republic where she has participated in artist residencies as well as in group shows both nationally and internationally.

www.vadisturner.com

Couldn’t We Ride, an exhibit spotlighting the art and craft of the bicycle, opens July 1st, 2010, at Quirk in Richmond, Va. From a child's eyes, a bicycle is the ultimate gateway to freedom. They can go wherever they want, however fast they choose. Perhaps it is the feeling of freedom one gets when riding a bicycle that makes them such a nostalgic symbol. Perhaps it is because of the endless possibilities bicycles allow us.

Couldn't We Ride explores frame building and the making of bicycle components as an artistic act. From functional items such as saddles, ceramics, and chain guards to bicycle paintings and photographs, this show will touch many facets of bicycle culture. Couldn't We Ride combines the craft of creating a bicycle as well as artwork inspired by bicycles and the act of riding a bike. We have gathered a group of artists that we believe have combined creativity and problem solving with beauty and functionality to produce bicycles and accessories that reach the highest level of craft and design. The exhibition will showcase work that demonstrates the elegance and importance of handmade items in everyday life.

November 4th to December 24th- Sparkle Plenty 6  

Todd Reed's medium is the raw diamond. He became interested in raw diamonds as "a way to question the fascination with diamonds used as a status symbol in our current society. I maintain still today that the 'most perfect cut' is still an uncut. It became a fascination for me to use and make aware the beauty and raw elegance of the diamond in its most pure form." His work has been recognized by the American Craft Council, Society of North American Goldsmiths, American Jewelry Design Council, Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America, and been selected as winner of Saul Bell Design award, Niche awards, American Vision Awards, Rising Star, Passion award, Designer jewelry arts award and Cheongju International Craft Biennale.

Miel-Margarita Paredes' "Gnaw" series grew out of earlier work that was originally inspired by the practice of decorating one's home with hunting trophies, "the use of the animal as ornamentation for interior spaces." But Paredes embraces a unique animal in her architectural ornamentation: rodents. With designs based on traditional rosettes, she incorporates the noses and mouths of rodents. "Rodents are by turns considered disease-ridden vermin, culinary delicacies, and cuddly pets." Here they are also art.  

Two Views In Metal Art Ornaments & Objects explores the work of two Korean Born metal artists. 

Mi-Sook Hur is enamored by nature and draws inspiration from the changes inherent in it. The work elicits a sense of movement with a nod to the cycles of life. Hur is an associate professor in the School of Art and Design at East Carolina University with an extensive national and international exhibition record. She is a former artist-in-residence at John Michael Kohler Arts Center and has taught workshops at Penn School of Crafts, Newark Museum and Pullen Art Center.

Komelia Hongja Okim is a Korean-American artist and educator who depicts the dynamic interchanges between different cultures and ethnic origins.The work reflects the YING YANG Principle and the harmonies and conflicts marked by different cultures coming together. Okim has exhibited and given mental technique workshops in Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Russia, France, Germany, Norway, Canada and the United States.  

SMBW Architects, the Manchester Design Collective, and StocktonCLAY Architects will be hosting Assemblage 5- Enter the Vault on Friday March 5th at Quirk Gallery on Broad Street. SMBW and the MDC will be featuring recently completed works and StocktonCLAY Architects will be made public.

SMBW Architects is one of the region’s leading interdisciplinary design studio’s for thoughtful, cutting-edge, contemporary architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, and urban planning in the region. Integrating rigorous technical expertise with stewardship of the urban and natural landscape, we partner with clients to produce timeless, identity-rich, and mission-driven environments.

StocktonClay Architects is a partnering of Richmond’s most forward-looking design firms. In 2008 SMBW Architects and BAM Architects formed a new joint venture in order to pursue and win cultural and civic design commissions throughout the Mid-Atlantic. In collaboration with the Slave Trail Commission, StocktonCLAY Architects will unveil their vision for the African American Heritage Sites including the Slave Trail Markers and National Slavery Museum Complex in Shockoe Bottom.

The design + fabrication delivery process is the foundation for the Manchester Design Collective- a regional interdisciplinary guild comprised of skilled artisans, craftsmen, and designers. The MDC was founded in order to bring designers and craftsmen together under one roof to encourage collaboration among the allied arts and offer an alternative approach to the conventional design delivery process. 

A collection of framed photographs by Ann Bradshaw

• Artist Reception: Jan. 7, 5-7pm
• Artist Talk: Jan. 20, 12-2pm and Feb. 16, 5-7pm

The work of Ann Bradshaw is anything but simplistic. Her collection of works for ‘Sane Enough’, pull from her careers as both a psychotherapist and studio artist to explore the paradox and ambiguity inherent in the complex journey of life.

Each piece is suffused with color and a sense of intensity that speaks to the underlying web of emotional circumstances that are at the core of their conception.

Ann believes that there should always be a synchrony between the artist and her art. She explores that interface through the creation of work that is photography with a painterly aspect, formed through her imagination and mastery of technique.

A unique collection of bespoke pieces of wearable art created by 9 National and International art jewelers.In recognition of the personal and intimate associations that are invested in jewelry, we asked each artist to invite another to exhibit alongside them, someone who had inspired and motivated them to create.
 
The result: a cornucopia of delights ranging from simple modern forms to visually complex compositions.

Artists featured in this fifth year of a Quirk jewelry show tradition include:

Sandra Enterline

Joanna Gollberg

Sharon Massey

Biba Schutz

Caitie Sellers

Blanka Sperkova

Lori Talcott

Amy Tavern

Marlene True

Benjamin Jones is an internationally acclaimed artist whose small drawings are full of deep emotion and intricate, yet ambiguous, story lines. The images walk a line between humor and horror, seducing the viewer as he sees bits of themselves, the artist, and the fictional collide.

This unique presentation of small graphite drawings invite you to step inside the sketched lines and meet Jones' characters. Anthropomorphic figures dance throughout complex webs of lines, scribbles, and psychologically loaded etchings. Often eliciting references to children's art, outsider art, and art brut, Jone's work is distinctly recognizable as his own.

Jones' drawings are included in prominent museum collections including the Whitney Museum of Art, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Indianapolis Museum of Art, High Museum of Art, Morris Museum of Art, as well as significant corporate and private collections. He is represented by the Barbara Archer Gallery in Atlanta.

Beginning on June 4, 2007, Noah Scalin made a skull a day for a year. The project is at once humorous and serious, with kitschy undertones and real meditations on life. Noah took the ordinary and turned it extraordinary making skulls out of rice, vegetables, acorns, shoes, keyboard keys, bubble wrap, condoms, band-aids, and more. His website skulladay.com; won numerous awards, garnering international attention, and in 2008, he published a book of the fabulous creations, Skulls. Each one incredibly well executed, innovative and original, this exhibition features a selection of the original 365.25 skulls (both small & large), as well as several new pieces made specifically for the show (and offered for sale for the first time). The show promises to leave you seeing skulls everywhere you go.