The Board Show: 2015 Winter Show

We kick off 2015 with a simple idea -- at least on its surface. And we cordially invite you to be there at the start: our OPENING RECEPTION takes place THIS THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, from 7 to 10 PM. THE BOARD SHOW, which runs through February 27, brings together 17 exceptional artists across a diverse array of media. Ten are OFF THE WALL veterans: MICHAEL GUINN, ANDERS HANSEN, BOB JACKSON, ALAN J. KLAWANS, ELIZABETH MACDONALD, JANICE R. MOORE, ARTHUR B. OSTROFF, BONNIE J. SCHORSKE, SUSAN STROMQUIST and RICK WRIGHT. Seven are new to our space -- by no means indicative of the tremendous talent and accomplishments that precede their debuts: MARLENE D'ORAZIO ADLER, ART BRENER, THELMA GROBES, SY HAKIM, PATRICIA SHAW LIMA, CAROLE J. MEYERS and JANE J. WILKIE. The organizing concept is this: all of our artists are Board members of THE PLASTIC CLUB and/or the AMERICAN COLOR PRINT SOCIETY. These two amazing organizations, which date to 1897 and 1939, respectively, are emblematic of our city's ongoing, 155-year love affair with membership organizations devoted to art and art-making. To offer historical perspective, before the first shot was fired in the Civil War, two other such organizations, the Philadelphia Sketch Club and the Photographic Society of Philadelphia (of which some of these artists are members, too), had already held their first meetings! The two organizations of THE BOARD SHOW broke down important barriers. THE PLASTIC CLUB, founded by women, brought gender equality to art clubs. The AMERICAN COLOR PRINT SOCIETY, also founded by women -- as was OFF THE WALL, incidentally -- was instrumental in helping color printing gain acceptance as an art form. The collegial spirit and camaraderie have stood the test of time. Each club supports its members in every way possible -- through group workshops and opportunities for one-on-one mentorship, through regular exhibitions and demonstrations of new media and techniques -- and, in doing so, inspires and actively promotes personal and professional growth. But no nonprofit organization, however great its impact, can survive without volunteers -- always dedicated, sometimes visionary -- at its center. And here is where our 17 artists, current volunteer leaders of their clubs, re-enter the picture. Their commitment and contributions sustain and add momentum and resources. They ensure these organizations fulfill their missions. They raise awareness and open doors for the next generation of members. You can say then that THE BOARD SHOW is about much more than the art you see. It's also about passion and energy that don't always make it onto the canvas or the printing press because, like the art, they need to be shared. We hope you will come and share in lively conversations with our artists, all of whom expect to be in attendance, not to mention light hors d'oeuvres, a variety of beverages, poured by curator JODY SWEITZER, and the camaraderie we try hard to nurture at every OFF THE WALL opening. In the spirit of these unique membership organizations... PLEASE JOIN US! OFF THE WALL GALLERY at Dirty Frank's NE Corner, 13th & Pine Streets Philadelphia, PA 19107 offthewallgallery@gmail.com facebook.com/OTWDirtyFranks @OTWDirtyFranks (215) 732-5010 (bar) (484) 357-6440 (cell) Philly's pioneering alternative art space, since 1978.