Monday, June 1, 2009

Saturdays of May - Series Finale, Owen Burke, Overview

Outside shot during our Series Finale, May 30.

Matt Curreri and Joanie Mendenhall playing their closing set with Keli Ross Ma'u (not pictured). These two dedicated a great deal of time and effort to make these shows the success they were, and whats more I have a feeling they had fun doing it. These fine artists have brought something special to the gallery, and they have my gratitude for it.

For those of you who missed the shows and haven't heard their music, check it out for yourself: Matt | Joanie. Their CDs are a gift to your ears, I suggest you buy them (on itunes, Lou's Records, and elsewhere).

On this last night, the public got to experience the display and demonstration of Mr. Owen Burke's amazing hand made artisan instruments. The word of the night was "wow" as people crossed the threshold of the gallery to soak in the staggering wall o' Ukes [Etc].

The installation will be up for another week, if I were you I would not pass up the opportunity to see them all in their full display.

The man of the hour, Mr. Owen Burke.


We also heard from local act Orange Electric, a great new group [with a rather stunning drummer].

Lead singer of Oranage Electric Amanda Walker with Andrews Gallery artist Michael Meleck, whose photography has earned high marks for its scrupulous attention to light, exposure and composition.



The goal of this series was to gather a rolling momentum as we put forth to the community over the course of a month a diverse selection of San Diego artists all flexing their imaginations through different avenues in an open environment of stimulation and creativity. The result was magic. Every show was free and open to the public, and all of the artists magnanimously participated for next to nothing. To see so many talented musicians and poets perform on a backdrop of such stimulating art was a true pleasure for me, and from what I've heard time and time again, it was a boon to every member of our community.

I see this series as a not insignificant and material testament to the true potential of the San Diego community to embrace the arts in a relevant way. I want to thank all of the artists who helped make it possible, and to all of you who came out to enjoy the shows.

And by no means is this the end. Mark your calendars for the upcoming dates:

June 9th we will be graced with a performance by Big Tree, an awe inspiring musical ensemble from New York City. Then on June 13 we will host painter Erwin Dazelle from the French Basque Country for his debut exhibition in the Unite States, A la tienne! Inside the Wine, which is our June Gallery Room feature. Stay tuned for more information.

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