Tuesday, June 9, 2009

The Fossil Fools Project opening at AS220 Sunday June 7, 2009

I opened my show The Fossil Fools Project and other serigraphs at AS220 on Sunday. There were two buckets filled with popsicles, ice cream cones, Klondike bars, you name it. The main gallery at AS220 was shared with a great young artist, Nate Ventura. He is 19, but had his first exhibition at AS220 when he was 5! Thus, I have some catching up to do. Because art is a competitive sport.

Having a show at As220 meant a lot to me. I learned how to silk-screen in the basement of the Empire Street location in the summer of 2002 by Matt Obert and Pete Cardoso. And while I am impressed with the swanky new printshop, I loved printing below the stage in the main gallery, with the bass pounding the ceiling and the walls, sneaking upstairs to catch part of a show, a beer, and then trekking back down for some more printing. I remember the night I finally figured out how to pull a screen without flooding or dropouts. I ran upstairs silently screaming with excitement. And did a jig by the backdoor. Ahhhh, memories. And then the printshop closed when a sewer pipe exploded and contaminated the basement. Not AS220's fault of course. But, I think we can all agree it was pretty shitty. I digress.

Thank you to everyone who came out for my big day. I would say there were two big waves of people. I was so overwhelmed by the response I kinda forgot to take pictures. The exceptions were when cute kids came to visit.


And behind the slowly melting frosty goodness and the hugs and kisses and sweet nothings, some bank was made. I sold a number of calendars and Bargain Prices, a print about the collapse of the investment banks in September of 2008. And yes, selling work is always fun, but the best part was finally showing the Fossil Fools Project to more people than just those who happen to stop by my pad.

Fossil Fools Project and other serigraphs will be up from June 7 to 27 at the AS220 Main Gallery, 115 Empire Street, Providence, RI. The gallery is open Wednesday to Friday 1-6pm, Saturdays noon to 4, and by appointment.