Concept Cube - Nothing square about this

      

   The Museum of Arts & Culture will showcase the work of New Rochelle High School alumni artists as part of ArtsFest next weekend, September 22^nd and 23^rd. Created by 2009 graduates Jesus Baez and Rebecca Mills, the show, titled “Concept Cube,” was designed to show off the skills of the New Rochelle High School art alumni while also highlighting the strength of the school’s visual arts program. The exhibit features works in a variety of media including painting, photography, sculpture and video. 

The MAC will be open Thursday night, September 20^th as part of the ArtsFest preview, and again on Saturday, September 22^nd from 12:30 to 5 pm. ArtsFest, organized by the New Rochelle Council on the Arts, is a weekend-long celebration featuring free art exhibits and performances at 32 venues in New Rochelle and Pelham; for a complete calendar of ArtsFest events visit www.newrochellearts.org.

New Rochelle High School

     Mr. Baez is currently signed with Tearsheet Education and is also a freelance graphics designer and fashion photographer. Ms. Mills works for the Pelham Art Center as the weekend assistant and is a feminist illustrator. Baez and Mills are currently collaborating on numerous projects and “aspire to arouse an art movement in New Rochelle adopting young underground artists.”

 

Transform Gallery - Keeping up with the Jones

20 Jones Street New Rochelle, NY

Transform Gallery has a spectacularly spellbinding exhibit running from August 8- October 20th. 
Housed in a former industrial factory more than six decades old, the transFORM Gallery boasts high ceilings, original windows that drink the natural light, and a spacious lofty quality. Exhibitions organized by transFORM have encompassed all the visual arts: painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, and, of course, the decorative arts. In addition to producing its own exhibitions, the gallery also collaborates with classes from area schools to inspire creativity and to showcase some of the student works.

The two founders of transFORM, Stuart Reisch and Andreas Messis, dedicate themselves to art and craft. The two, have parlayed their respective design backgrounds – Messis comes from the world of theater and set design, while Reisch was a builder – into the creation of transFORM.

Backstreet Gallery- All that Glitters

                                      www.backstreetgallery.com

Located on picturesque Lawton Avenue, is the Backstreet Gallery.  Ivar Hayden, the master framer with 35 years experience, has the perfect setting for a gallery. The intimate space has high ceilings and an artist mural on the exterior of the building. Enter and the neutral colored walls create the ideal canvas for an artist to showcase their work. Today Hilary Zelson was showing pieces from her  Dripping in Glitter collection.  For the pieces she used glitter on canvas in lieu of paint.

The room was abuzz with local art aficionados including New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson. While guests nibbled on gourmet appetizers and sipped champagne, Ivar worked the room engaging patrons in conversation. After 30 minutes one could easily forget that they are in New Rochelle and not SoHo.

                                   Hilary Zelson, Bubbles 2012 

Exterior Mural 

Jeff Schlager "Steal Away" 2008 

Norman Rockwell- The New Rochelle Years

For 25 years Norman Rockwell called New Rochelle his home. His studio was on 360 North Avenue, he banked at New Rochelle Trust on Main Street and rented an apartment on Prospect Street. The work above Deadline was created in 1938, just one year before he moved to Arlington, VT. The reason this Manhattan born iconic artist spent; as he would later put it "the happiest years of his life" in New Rochelle, is simple. New Rochelle is special.

All of the works featured in this blog were created during his time in New Rochelle.

 No Swimming: June 4, 1921 - Features the son of a friend, Franklin Lischke (Middle boy)

 

Doctor and Doll: March 29, 1929 - This was Rockwell's 114th Cover of the Saturday Evening Post

Castle Gallery - Lords and Ladies welcome

                                                                                          

Are you looking for something the entire family can do together? Well look no further, The Castle Gallery (Formerly Leland Castle), located on the campus of The College of  New Rochelle is just what the King and Queen ordered.  Spend a few hours and get lost in the in the various exhibits. The exhibits change three times a year and the best part is that they are all free to the the public. This weekend is celebrate family fun day.  On Sunday April 29th from 1-4 on the Maura lawn. There will be food, magic and games for the entire family to enjoy.

      Must: The breathtaking exterior                                       

      Bust: The exhibits are not refreshed often enough                       

                                                     www2.cnr.edu/cg
                             http://www.facebook.com/pages/Castle-Gallery/128877797149973

Alvin & Friends - Where everybody knows your name

A taste of the Islands in New Rochelle. Enter this Southern/Caribbean escape and the smells will intoxicate you.  Sit back and relax in this  upscale restaurant/ gallery where the walls are adorned with artwork by none other than the proprietor Alvin Clayton. When you go, order the fried chicken and save room for his take on pineapple upside down cake made with rum and toffee. The room is intimate and the host affable. On the night I visited there were many self-described regulars in the elegant dining room. As I got up to leave Alvin thanked me for coming and addressed me by name. I could not help but think of the Cheers theme song. The only thing missing was Sam and Diane. 

Must: The fried chicken
Bust: In contrast It would be nice to have lighter/calorie conscious  fare on the menu

                                  www.alvinandfriendsrestaurant.com