The space has been vacant since they moved away in February. Usually we'd have our show in the Academy's gallery. But this year, due to a schedule conflict, we weren't able to hold our show there. So I searched around for a number of outside venues that might be willing to host our show, but to no avail. As a last effort, I thought I'd ask the building's leasing director if they would let us use the Utrecht space for our show…for free!
Some things that went through in my head just before I went upstairs to her office: "She'd think I am crazy, and may have the building security escort me out of her office" "She's gonna laugh at me so hard she'd have a hernia." "Heck, what do I have to lose?…nothing but my face." "You never know until you ask."
Fortunately, she responded very well to my reasoning and actually liked the idea of having the storefront filled with paintings on the wall and lit up to showcase to the potential renters (including the Academy).
So here it is. Our 4th annual show saved.
I am so glad for the students of the club and the Academy.
About Face IV Opening Reception; December 15, 2011
Poster design by Aron Gagliardo
Until now, looking only from the outside after Utrecht moved out, I didn't realize the space was this large; we ended up not using the rear area.
Final touch-up
3 days to prepare the space, get 80 paintings ready and hang them! (while continuing with daily classes during the week before the finals week) Whew!!
Long window-front along Van Buren St.
View from the mezzanine where Utrecht manager's office used to be.
Adam Nowak wall
Adam Nowak wall
Lucas Bianch & Tom Urioste wall
Roberto Almanza wall
Jacob Sanders wall
Jacob couldn't make it to the show, driving back late from his trip to New York.
Jacob Sanders wall
James Wisdom wall
James Wisdom wall
Alex Velazquez wall
Alex Velazquez wall
John Zylstra wall
John Zylstra wall
Marcie Paddock column
Marcie Paddock column
Marcie Paddock column
Don Yang column
Don Yang column
Don Yang column
Don Yang column
Don Yang column
Don Yang column
Don Yang column Needed a heavy equipment to change a light bulb high up.
Don Yang column
The door opened at 5 pm.
Digging in!
Adam: "Chris, I am this much bigger than you are."Chris : "No way!"
Rich Kryczka charming the ladies.
Adam Nowak
Lucas Bianchi
Thomas Urioste III
Roberto Almanza
Alex Velazquez (Tom Herzberg stood his ground)
John Zylstra
Marcie Paddock
Marcie turned my camera on me.
Mark Cunningham and the painting by Marcie Paddock
Sherine Azzam and the painting by Jacob Sanders.
Conrad Javier and the painting by Jacob Sanders.
Adam Nowak and the painting by me.
Danny Rico and the painting by Jacob Sanders.
Conrad Javier and the painting by me
Rich Kryczka still trying to figure our his iPhone.
Closing time (Michigan Ave.)
Closing time (Van Buren St.)
The night before
Lucas on squeegee duty
How many art students does it take to…
How many art students does it take to…
Adam Nowak
Thomas Urioste III
James Wisdom and Tina Qi
Alex Velazquez
Good job, guys!
So glad for you and proud of you!
So glad for you and proud of you!
At the last minute I thought having a guestbook would be nice, and sent a student to find a simple booklet from office supply. Apparently, Jen Thomas got a word of it and graciously put together a handsome hand-bound book for us!
