Mission Statement

Our Mission is to promote art and art education in the community and among its members. To encourage and promote a public interest and understanding of art; to create and develop a closer relationship between art and the community and further the education and artistic development of its members.


Sunday, March 28, 2010

Michael Cornfeld To Be Juror For Spring Exhibition


The Renaissance Art Gallery announces juror for its Spring Fine Arts Exhibition, “Color Complements”. Michael Cornfeld, retired chairman of Marshall Universities Art Department, and one-time director of the Birke Art Gallery, has agreed to act as juror for this spring’s Fine Arts Exhibition. Mr. Cornfeld is himself an award-winning artist.

The challenge this spring is for artists to take a primary color and its complement and use these as a foundation for a work of art. This exhibition is open to all adult artists, 18 years old and older. All fine art media are welcome. Any artist interested in participating in this event should contract The Renaissance Art Gallery. Prospectus is available at the gallery or on line on The Renaissance Art Gallery’s website: www.orgsites.com/wv/renaissance.

Mentoring for this event is available. All work submitted to the gallery will be hung. The exhibition will hang for the month of May and includes an opening reception for the artists and general public. The Renaissance Art Gallery is handicapped accessible.

The Renaissance Art Gallery hosts a changing array of innovative shows along with the regular display of gallery member’s work. All work is original and done by local artists. In addition The Renaissance Art Gallery offers a range of fine arts classes for both adults and children in many media. Check out the Class list on the website or come in and talk to on of our artists.




Monday, March 22, 2010

Welcome Michael Adkins to the Renaissance Gallery


Michael Adkins joins The Renaissance Art Gallery

The Renaissance Art Gallery is proud to welcome Michael Adkins, Huntington Photographer, to The Renaissance Art Gallery. Michael is an accomplished photographer and president of the Ohio Valley Camera Club, a member of Allied Artists of West Virginia and Tri-State Art Association.

Now a member of The Renaissance Art Gallery, he has a permanent display of his excellent and innovative photography in the main gallery of The Renaissance Art Gallery. Michael will also be a teaching member, sharing is expertise in digital photography with the greater tri-state community.

His first session of photography classes, Introduction to Digital Photography, will begin Wednesday March 31, 2010 at 6:00 pm in the newly dedicated Kumkum Majumdar Exhibition Hall of the gallery.

Michael’s work can be seen on-line at:

http://mikesphotography.my-expressions.com/
http://www.mikeadkinsphotography.com/

His e-mail is mike.Adkins@verizon.net

He welcomes feedback on his work. Michael has been added to the gallery roster so will be “sitting” the gallery on a regular schedule. So come in and welcome our new member.


Gallery hours are:

Friday & Saturday 12-4 pm, Sunday 1-4 pm
Studio hours Monday 10-Noon, Wednesday 1:00-7:30 pm and Saturday 10-Noon

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Sunday After Hours


Art Class Schedule

This Sunday will be a busy day after hours for The Renaissance Art Gallery. While Sunday is one of our busiest days for visitors, it is also turning out to be a busy day for students and artists.

Sunday means that more people will be able to enjoy our current show of Kumkum Majumdar’s Batik work. This is a first class show that has brought a lot of praise to the gallery. This week is also the third Sunday of the month, which is our traditional day for both board meeting and general business meeting of the gallery artists. After the meetings, and after the gallery officially closes, there will be two after hours classes. Vince Jarrell’s regular carving class and a make-up class for the Figure Drawing Class. Because of the harsh weather this winter, it was hard to keep to a schedule with the figure drawing class. It was decided to offer these students a make-up class this week. The weather looks like it will be good, and the model is scheduled so all should work out well.

That is one of the great pluses with The Renaissance Art Gallery and our location in the old High School, is that we have room for these activities. It makes it a great meeting place for everyone in the community.

Carving for Fun and Profit 4-6 pm.
Figure Drawing 4-7 pm


Both at The Renaissance Art Gallery in Huntington, WV

for more information about these or other classes and activities at The Renaissance Gallery:

The Renaissance Art Gallery
900 8th Street, Suite #20
Huntington, WV 25701

Gallery (304) 525-3235
Appointments: (304) 453-3187
gallerywv@yahoo.com
www.orgsites.com/wv/renaissance

http://twitter.com/wvgallery
http://renaissancegalleryart.blogspot.com/

Gallery hours are:

Friday & Saturday 12-4 pm, Sunday 1-4 pm
Studio hours Monday 10-Noon, Wednesday 1:00-7:30 pm and Saturday 10-Noon

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Complementary Colors And The Color Wheel

Color Complements Questions

We have received many questions about the Spring Fine Arts Exhibition, Color Complements. I hope to address some of these issues with this post.

The first question is the most common, and there are various version of it, but this one came by e-mail.

First Question:


When you say color complements please explain. I can only use blue, purple, and green together and then red, yellow, orange without mixing each other? Can I use black and red to make a dark red? Or mix blue and white to get a light blue? Can I use black and white colors without mixing in with the blue and red colors? Please explain.


Answer:



Each artist can choose any color and its complement. Look on your color wheel, or look at the links provided that will take you to on-line color wheels. With your color complements, you are to create a work of art worth looking at. Something to make the eyes linger, to engage the senses, in other words, creates a real work of art. Subject is for you, the artistto choose. But before you decide only a few subjects lend themselves to this. look at some of the links provided. Any fine art medium is acceptable, except for photography, which will have its own show again this summer



Color complements are colors opposite each other on the color wheel. That is all that we are specifying. These two colors should be used creatively in the work, but yes, you can mix them in any proportion. Do a little test, and see just what a wide range of colors and values you can get with even a simple pallett.



Choose one color from the color wheel and the color directly opposite it to be the foundation of your work. You can add white to either paint, mix the paints together, etc. You will find that the combination of two complements gives you either a dark brown or deep gray. But don’t stop there, try mixing a little of one with a lot of the other, add white to get a range of colors. Some people do choose to use black to deepen the colors. This is up to the artist. What you get depends on what you choose. There are many blues, reds, yellow pigments and they all behave differently when mixed.



In practice, say you decide to use a deep red, like alizarin crimson. This is a rather cool dark red, so you would choose its opposite, a green. But choose a warmer, yellow green, like sap green rather than a darker, bluer green like Thallo green. Mix these two together and you get a really beautiful brown! Now add a bit of white, and you get a complete range of colors! Vary the amount of green/red in any mixture and you get different colors.


See this example of the color scheme:


Here is a color chart to help you with this: this is a mixing chart for this type of project.



http://painting.about.com/od/paintingforbeginners/ig/Art-Worksheets/Art-Worksheet-Color-Mixing.htm



also, some information on colors and the color wheel



http://painting.about.com/od/colourtheory/ss/color_theory_2.htm


and some color wheels:



http://images.google.com/images?sourceid=navclient&rlz=1T4GWYA_enUS309US243&q=color+wheel+chart&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=Sm2cS8riKYH48Abns7yQDg&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CB4QsAQwAw


To help you see just what can be done, here are some examples of paintings done with complementary colors:



http://painting.about.com/od/submissiongallery/ig/Painting-Project-Comp-Color/


These examples are in a range between experienced artists and beginners, so this is very do-able!

We have also been asked about presentaion and framing.


Second Question:


I know you mention my artwork has to be properly framed. Can I use 9X12, 2" deep cradled Gessobord for hanging with no additional framing occurred? The edges are sanded.


Answer:



When you use a gallery wrapped canvas, the canvas wraps around the supports making a need, finished edge. While many people simply paint the edges black, this does not make a nice presentation. It does detract from the presentation of the artwork. The best way to handle this is to continue the painting around the edges to the finished sides. However you decide to do it, remember that the judging will also include how you present your work. Looks count. Well made cradled boards have neatly finished edges, of high quality wood, often stained and finished, but some of the newer, poor quality ones have rather rough edges. Keep this in mind when you choose what you are working with. The best boards do wrap the canvas around the edges, or have finely finished wood.



Unlike many show, we do not specify a certain type of framing, depth of mat, etc. While many shows insist on bland, thin plan black frames, we feel that the choice of how to present the work is part of the esthetics of art, and is something the artist should decide. But remember, the frame, if any should complement, not compete with the artwork. But we do insist on proper wires to hang the artwork. Saw tooth hangers simply do not work in a large-scale show.

Gallery wrapped canvases are acceptable, and should be finished all the way around, not simply painted off with black paint. Hook and eyes with picture wire should be attached.

Remember to put labels on all your submitted work.

All submitted work will be hung in this show, but judging will be based on adherence to specifications in the prospectus.

Third Question

You state that permission is given to the Renaissance Gallery to reproduce the work for publicity of exhibit. Please explain further.



Answer:



Don’t be frightened by this. This is standard practice for art shows. As with most shows, submitting your work gives permission for limited use of your work to promote the hosting gallery and the show. Your artwork remains your own. Always. But it is standard practice to use photos of some of the submitted artwork for publicity purposes. The work will not be reproduced for sale, only to promote the gallery and its shows. In addition your work may be included in photographs taken by reporters and TV cameras as they cover the show and opening reception. This also is standard practice, and where possible, we will endeavor to see that your work is attributed to you.

I hope this answers some of the questions you have about this show in particular and Open Entry shows at The Reniassance Art Gallery in Huntington, WV.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

New class for The Renaissance Art Gallery: digital photography


With all the changes in cameras and photography, many are lost when it come to getting the most out of their cameras. The Renaissance Art Gallery and photographer Mike Adkins are offering instruction and help in understanding your digital camera.
Michael is a new member to the Renaissance Art Gallery, and we feel lucky to have someone so experienced and good at teaching!

The Introduction to Digital Photography Class is a six-week class covering everything from your first digital single lens reflex camera (DSLR) to how to prepare your images for display. Class will be held on Wednesday evenings starting March 31, 2010 through May 5, 2010.

Class Time: Wednesday evening 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Classes run for six weeks starting March 31, 2010 through May 5, 2010
Cost $125.00 per student
Location: Renaissance Gallery

This is the perfect place to start your enjoyment of a new digital camera and to learn to take better pictures. The only requirements for the class is to own a digital camera.
Even if you only have a fixed lens pocket digital camera this class is right for you. If you are considering the purchase of a digital SLR camera then you also will find this class a great resource to determine what camera is perfect for you.

Each student will receive a complete reference book on CD to serve not only as a study guide but a reference that you will find extremely valuable in the future. You will also find on the CD a list of valuable links to web based resources that will help in your future studies.

Classes are for all ages but recommended for student of high school age and up. The classes may include short field trip and instructor lead hands on sessions with your camera. The classes are about you the student and not a show and tell class.

The classes will include demonstrations and time for every student to get their questions answered. Class summary is posted at: http://www.mikeadkinsphotography.com/introclass.html

Class sizes are limited to only 10 students per class. This allows time to spend with each student. If you have any questions or would like to pre-sign up for the class you can contact either the instructor, Mike Adkins or The Renaissance Art Gallery.

Michael Adkins
(304) 634-2025 cell
mike.adkins@verizon.net


The Renaissance Art Gallery
900 8th Street, Suite #20
Huntington, WV 25701

Gallery (304) 525-3235
Appointments: (304) 453-3187
gallerywv@yahoo.com
www.orgsites.com/wv/renaissance

http://twitter.com/wvgallery
http://renaissancegalleryart.blogspot.com/

Michael’s websites are:
http://mikesphotography.my-expressions.com
http://www.mikeadkinsphotography.com

Class Times 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Classes run for six weeks
Cost $125.00 per student
Location: Renaissance Gallery


Gallery hours are:

Friday & Saturday 12-4 pm, Sunday 1-4 pm
Studio hours Monday 10-Noon, Wednesday 1:00-7:30 pm and Saturday 10-Noon

Monday, March 8, 2010

Retrospective in Red






For Kumkum

Sunday, March 7, 2010 The Renaissance Art Gallery opened its Retrospective of the life and work of Kumkum Majumdar in the newly re-named exhibition hall. The room will now be known as the Kumkum Majumdar Exhibition Hall. And all our future shows and exhibitions will be held there, as well as our fine art classes. In a fitting tribute to our late colleague, Kumkum’s husband unveiled the plaque naming the room for her.

Friends and family of the late artist gathered to view a collection of her work and remember her. The art community at large turned out in numbers to see a last showing of one of West Virginia’s most unique artists.

Most people know Kumkum for her wearable batik art, as well as her batik paintings, but many did not realize the flexibility of this artist. Featured in the gallery this month are some of her seldom seen oil paintings in a strong, abstract cubist style as well as her floral watercolors. Among the textiles shown is a beautiful sari. Even the media, who sees everything, was impressed with her work as well as versatility it shows.

While we were all happy to do it, there is certain sadness in all of the artists of The Renaissance Art Gallery; it is hard to say good-by to one of our founding members. And knowing this is her last show; there will be no more from a lovely and lively lady, breaks our collective heart.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Retrospective for Kumkum Majumdar






Sunday March 7, 2010 is the opening of a Retrospective of the life and art of Huntington Artist, Kumkum Majumdar. The reception is being held a The Renaissance Art Gallery, 900 8th Street, Suite #20 in Huntington, WV. This is the old Huntington High School building, ground floor.

The reception is from 2-4 PM and is open to the public.

On display are over 40 pieces of artwork from watercolors to oils but focusing on Kumkum signature Batik pieces. Batik is a wax resist dying process and she worked on 100 % silk. Many of the works on display are from the family’s private collection and are not usually on public display. This will be last time most of these pieces will be put on public display. In addition to these are many of her scarves, prints and cards.












Kumkum Majumdar


Born August 26, 1946, died September 17, 2009.

An artist by heart, she always tried to create beauty in art form, either on canvas or in fabric. Color combination and cubist style were her specialty. Her paintings were a true picture of her inner fillings. She chose to concentrate on Batik, an ancient art of wax resist dying of cloth. She decorated both wearable and non-wearable silk fabrics.
She studied at the prestigious University Visva Bharati, Santiniketan, India to receive her undergraduate degree in Fine Art and continued studies to receive a post diploma in Fine Art. She also took courses at Marshall University in Commercial Art.

After marriage fine art was put on hold for a more important task. She devoted herself to the raising of her two sons. As such the space for art went empty for 20 years. After rearing her sons, she devoted the much of her time to the development of her art. Her work is in both public and private collection both in India and the USA. She is a showcase artist at Tamarack and an important member of the Renaissance Art Gallery, in Huntington, WV. She also taught Batik, so leaves a legacy of artists behind her.

Her life was a song to the importance of generosity, family, love, devotion and beauty.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Carving Workshop




Gem Carving Workshop

It was standing room only in the Kumkum Majumdar exhibition hall this past Sunday for Vince Jarrell and The Renaissance Art Gallery’s carving preview workshop.

Vince introduced fine carving to a packed room. Using his own work as examples, he took the audience through the process of turning raw materials into works of art. With examples in bone, antler, antique ivory, jade, opal and a number of other natural materials, he demonstrated the tools of the trade and answered questions and talked about technique, safety and other subjects.

This preview was the lead into a new class at The Renaissance Art Gallery for carvers. Classes will begin the end of March, weather permitting. This class will be an addition to other fine arts classes being conducted at the gallery in painting, drawing, figure drawing and digital photography.