gRAPHICaNATOMY

Panza Gallery-
Over 200 paintings by Al Blumberg. So much to take in. Some slight variations in style but mostly portraits and figure work. Some paintings show some real insight and technique. But it�s the heart of the artists that shows through the most.

Fe Gallery opening-
Show based on the theme of size�large and small. Assortment of artists: Barbara Schreiber, Alexandra Etschmaier, Andy Holtin, Connie Cantor, John, Pena, Ally Reeves, and Alexandra Alessi.
John Pena, had a very interesting of arrangement of small cones on the wall. If you look real close you can see photos/ illustrations of sexy Latina women. After looking for a bit I read that the cones are actually diaphragms. Women�s Diaphragms come in 5 sizes all the variety of women in the world narrowed down to 5 sizes. But them men�s condoms come in only 3 sizes.
Alex had a huge sculptural piece that extended through 2 floors. That was the coolest and most ambitious piece there. They cut a hole in the floor. Gallery Owner Jill, said she does whatever she needs to for the artwork. Cool stuff. The sculpture in the basement takes on a an eerie glow from the light above, making its organic shape take on a life of its own.

The Westmoreland County Community College has a small art gallery. Currently they are showing works by Al Blumberg, a naive artist who did over 1400 paintings in his lifetime. Not only did the man have no training and support in his career, but apparently his friends and family were flat out against him “wasting his time on this crap”. Still he persevered and now that he’s dead he can get some attention. (there’s a lesson in there somewhere.)
The show was sponsored of sorts by Mark Panza.
Panza will be showing more of Blumberg’s obsessive and richly textured work at his own gallery:
Panza Gallery:
115 Sedgwick Street,
Millvale, PA 15209
412-821-0959
Opening reception:
September 23rd, 2006, 6-9pm