2020 Exhibitions Archive

Big Talent, Small Works 4th Annual Sales Exhibition

November 1st- December 27th

A holiday art show and sale from some of the areas most talented artists. A wide variety of affordable pieces under $300.00. Find a small gem for yourself or someone on the gift list!

Invited artists:

• Geoff Barnes

• Keith Breitfeller

• Katherine Clauhs

• Mercedes Deleguardia

• Brian Dennis

• Blanche Guernsey

• Billy Haines

• Doug Hand

• Jennifer Kassing

• Jon Krause

• Jennifer Manzella

• Leah MacDonald

• Nancy Bea Miller

• Alex Ramos

• Bob Reinhardt

• Christine Sajecki

• Sharon Strasburg

• Matt Truiano

• Emily White

Cadence

September 1st- October 31st

In cycling and running one learns to develop a cadence, a steady rhythm in motion, all moving parts and determination in synch to see keep at the task and all the way to the end. The consistent rhythm becomes meditative, as one settles into a oneness, despite possible difficulties, but all such extraneous distractions drift away and are kept at bay. It’s not always about speed, but a consistency and the achievement of the desired goal.  There is a peace found in the time spent outdoors as one seemingly flies through space, a harmony the body all together in unison.

Our shared experience in the Covid-19 shutdown has dramatically increased some peoples concerns, anxiety, and stress, but also involvement in home life and community. For some there was a slowing down of socializing, productivity, and personal care, while others embraced the calm allowed for personal care of the mind, body, and soul, able to smell the blooming roses and take up backyard bird watching. Our “normal” patterns and movements greatly altered and new routines have been adopted as a result of the forced recalibration.

The impetuous was initially the kinetic activities, accessories, and surroundings but much has changed for us in the first half of the year and the concept seems to lend to embracing a wider notion of steady keeping at it.

Invited artists:

• Morgan S. Craig

• Perry deVick

• Kylie Grant

• Emily White

Shared Edges- The Art of Paper Design: Featuring works by Jason Koons

July 1st- August 31st

Historically the art and craft of decorative works made by cut paper spans many cultures and eras, from Eastern Europe to China and even Latin America. Paper cutting came to North America with German immigrants via Pennsylvania, but modern day artists site a variety of influences that led them to the process. It evokes a memory for many in the States of a silhouette of a family members profile, perhaps from a German, Polish, or Jewish ancestor’s collection or a souvenir cherished from trip to an Amish festival. This practice ignited a spark in modern creatives, truly a renaissance with a wide variety of subjects and results. It is true that computers can easily cut and laser a range of materials to make complex designs by the hundreds. But what is always going to be more extraordinary is the patience and forte of an individual, working by hand. Paper cutting has been taken up as the principal focus for a new wave of artisans, and they are breathing vivacity to crafts. Our region boasts some astonishing talent and they lead the way within the modern movement, returning the craft to decorating people’s homes today.

Dating back as early as 100 CE in China, paper cutting began as a decorative folk tradition focusing on landscape and floral motifs. Moving to Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries, the practice evolved as a cheaper alternative than woodcarvings for home decoration. Paper cutting arrived in North America with an influx of German and Dutch immigrants in the 19th century, and took hold in Pennsylvania.

Our Arts Community Relief- A show and sale focused on safeguarding artists' livelihoods for a brighter tomorrow

May 1st- June 30th

In response to the downturn this and every region inevitably faces Black Moth felt it had to attempt to do something to help with the resources it has. We quickly developed an exhibition exclusively featuring works by local artists to help them put their art out there to the public and in hopes to find a new collector or two. We only have a narrow window in the year’s schedule that we could adjust and fit this in to and as assistance programs lag behind its clear that people need funds now and not more claims of help later. In reaching out to some of the terrific talent here in the Greater Philadelphia Region a number of artists responded emphatically as would be expected.

Art is our life and our lives need some significant support these days. These stressful times may dampen our spirits but it certainly won’t stop us from creating. The past has shown us in difficult economic periods some of the most impacted are the arts and similar luxuries, albeit valuable components in society. Already people have lost their jobs, are desperate for assistance, and are concerned for their futures. Those of us not on salaries feel that kind of pressure through most of each year, hoping for the next exhibition and festival to earn a living. With events cut short, cancelled, and postponed the immediate future has been disruptive and disappointing, while one can imagine the rest of the year may not seem so promising either. This impromptu group exhibition is to bolster attention, to recognize and support local artists, with an immediate opportunity for sales. Art being a universal language, in that it transcends the spoken and written words, it communicates concepts, actions, and feelings to viewers proves it has value to all people. It portrays a time and place of a culture and society, reflecting the notions of past, present, and future, their values, accomplishments, hardships, and histories. It can portray an individual’s and/or group’s aesthetics and appreciations, which are equally fundamental as entertainment as well as for tranquility of mind and spirit.

The arts keep life interesting, particularly for those that practice it, but for those that willingly as well as accidentally encounter it. Public works or private made visible to passersby add vibrancy to the environments we inhabit.

Supporting the arts shouldn’t just a slogan the marketing heads slap on every campaign, but a reality for all to believe and engage in.

Invited Artists:

• Jessi Cooke

• Suzanne Francis

• Kylie Grant

• Greg Jaskot

• Stefanie Lieberman

• Leah Macdonald

• Jennifer L. Manzella

• Gillian Pokalo

• Lynnette Shelley

• Don Shoffner

• Christine Stoughton

• Rita Siemienski Smith

In addition to having our community turn their attention to the arts for this event I am also encouraging visitors to make a much needed donation to local non-profits who support those that surely needs that little extra in this time of hardship; the Ardmore Food Pantry and Narberth Community Food Bank.

Parlor Tricks

March 1st- April 31st

This group exhibition will showcase a range of styles and perspectives on illusions of seemingly impossible feats using natural means. Consisting solely of tattoo artists their original works feature the classic sleight of hand, amusement, as well as the occult.

Invited artists:

• Steve Bishov

• Anya Gladun

• Billy Haines

• Doug Hand

• Jason Maybruck

• Michael Munter

• Rowan MacFarlane

• William Thidemann

Rita Siemienski Smith

February 1st- 29th

Rita Siemienski Smith creates landscapes that are activated in their layers and layered marks while the palette calms and grounds the scene. This approach pulls the viewer into the environment for further discovery.

“Contemporary life can be recorded as angry, vulgar or obscene. I choose to relate to and be inspired by the peaceful, beautiful and spiritual qualities of man and nature.
Nature, abstracted or suggested appears as subject matter in many of my paintings. Landscapes, waterways and linear sketches drawn while traveling become idea references. Imagination alone with inspiration and invention produce the painting while intuition completes the process.“

These beautiful abstract landscapes are lush and exciting interruptions of the splendor around us and in our psyche.

Manipulations- Greg Gardner

January 2nd-31st

Gardner creates dynamic, tantalizing, and bewildering compositions with subjects. These framed and signed prints are rich in color and detail, and at 16"x 24" they truly command the space they hold. "I love the purity of traditional photography and strive to shoot the best images I can in camera, however the manipulations that are possible with digital photography intrigue me endlessly. I like to explore how this medium can become fine art used to express thoughts, emotions and dreams. The concept of the “Divine Feminine” is ever present and powers many of my visions."