6 days have passed since the Showdown art exhibit opened at Hart Witzen Gallery in NoDa. I wanted to find out who won and wanted to return to the scene. The announcement was scheduled for 10pm on Friday night, October 4th, and although I tried, I found no one to go with me. What was I going to do until 10pm?
Because I didn’t feel like dining alone, this is strictly going to be an “art” blog. Sorry — no enticing food pictures. I ended up visiting the Charlotte Art League in Southend for the opening reception for Art Beyond Sight, a show of tactile art for Art Beyond Sight Awareness Month — art to benefit those with sight, and those without. As a member of CAL, I know they had a difficult time finding pieces for this show, but I did want to see what ended up being exhibited. In the end, I did not take any photos of the show — it was not the most successful exhibit they have had, but they did get the walls filled. There was also a silent auction going on for some art pieces, gift certificates and event tickets that would benefit their outreach program. The crowd was decent, but the gallery was stifling– and I went outside after a few minutes to cool off.
As I stood outside, a distinguished-looking man stepped out of the gallery with one of Stefan Duncan’s paintings…a solo tree in the center of a large canvas with grays, blacks, reds and oranges. The man seemed anxious — he stepped out into the street, then turned around and came back to the curb where I was standing. So I asked him, “Did you just purchase that painting?” — and the conversation ensued.
Blaze in the Twilight — this might be the piece that was purchased
This was the first original painting he had ever purchased in his life — my estimation was that he was in his 60’s and by his attire, he had some class. He explained that he had been a well-off businessman for years and had always been surrounded by fine things — furniture, art, interior décor, but he had never owned an original piece himself. Now, I know that Stefan Duncan is one of CAL’s premier artists and he sells a lot of work — and it’s very likeable, with trees, and colorful squiggly backgrounds, and birds, and I congratulated the man on a fine piece of art. The conversation continued.
The man had owned a multi-million dollar furniture business for years, and lost it all in the recession (the furniture recession started in the early 2000’s when manufacturing went to China, along with textiles). He was trying to simplify his life and do things that he felt mattered to HIM. All his life was spent in and around the Charlotte area, working hard, but he had never been to a local art gallery like the Charlotte Art League. A friend of his brought him tonight, and he felt compelled to purchase a piece of art — for the first time, ever. You could feel his excitement and joy!
As luck would have it, a few friends of mine were at CAL (new members, like me) and they worked in the furniture industry. Earlier, one of them pointed this gentleman out and asked me if I knew him — minutes before the curbside conversation. I said I didn’t recognize him. She felt sure she knew him, but couldn’t place from where. After my conversation with the man, I asked him to please come back inside as I wanted to introduce him to my friends. After the introduction, the light bulb lit up above my friends head — he had been extremely prominent in furniture — and afterwards she was overjoyed at meeting this icon. We discussed how cool it was that he was purchasing local art and getting back to what mattered in life. And enjoying the simple things.
Afterwards, because it was still not time to go to the Showdown, my friends and I walked across the street from CAL and had a drink at the Common Market — they had never been here. It’s an unassuming place, a small hallway with a tiny sign on the sidewalk, leads you back to a courtyard filled with music, tables and lots of people. The Common Market got it right — serve groceries, and cold beverages and sandwiches, and let folks linger while they enjoy their goods. You can buy a six-pack of beer at regular grocery store prices, a box of crackers, a hunk of cheese, and break them out and enjoy them, right on the spot. It’s a very cool, quirky and fun place. I ordered a glass of Sauvignon Blanc (only $5!) and the glass was filled to the brim. My friends had a few draft beers and we sat outside at a picnic table and chatted, people-watched, petted a few dogs and listened to the DJ scratching and turning some tunes. And then it was time for a Showdown…
Inside the Common Market in Southend — beer & wine by the glass — and groceries
The Common Market is not your run-of-the-mill convenience store.
Although I tried to persuade my friends to follow me to NoDa — they were not interested. So, I bolted and drove across town to make the announcement of the winners. Perfect early autumn weather had encouraged a lot of people to come out tonight — so it was difficult to find a parking space — and in all the mayhem, a motorcyclist had been hit by a car right out in front of the Hart Witzen gallery. Crowds had gathered. After I parked I found someone who had witnessed the accident — the motorcyclist was okay, and appeared to be more shook up than injured. Whew!
Inside, the crowd was anxious to hear who the winners were. It was 10pm, straight up. Folks were clustered around the music duo that was performing in the center of the gallery — they were using the microphone where the winning entries would be announced. I walked around some more, as the artwork had fewer onlookers than the weekend prior and I decided, once again, that my #1 favorite was Osiris Rain’s “Thriae” oil painting of a stoic girl in a lace dress, arms tied with gold bands against a silver foil background. On Facebook, as he is a “friend”, I had watched this painting take shape,- the artist posting his progress almost daily — maybe that’s why I liked it so much. I voted again.
My favorite, by Osiris Rain
There were other pieces that I enjoyed, too. And since the 10pm announcement was running behind (it was now 10:10pm), I decided to look some more.
Cher Cosper’s Beach scape
Jason Basden’s Queen Alligator piece
Lydia J. Goldbeck’s work
I like this one, too — nice palette knife work — but didn’t get the name of the artist. Sorry.
I joined the crowd again — watched the performers and texted my boyfriend. He was wanting to know who won also. He had met Osiris at a painting session at the artists studio a few weeks prior. It was 10:25pm now……starting to get impatient. And then, I got a hug.
Free Hugs from Christina — The Hugging Documentary
I received a brochure from the hugger, and the mission statement printed said “A social and human interest story based on creating change with positive intention”. I can get behind that statement. And I appreciated the hug.
The performing duo stopped — the crowd tightened — winners were going to be announced any minute……..drum roll……
Not a lot of intro — a woman walked up to the mic, situated it so it was at the right height and spat out the winners.
First Place goes to Marvin Espy. 2nd Place is Osiris Rain, and 3rd Place is Lydia J. Goldbeck. And that’s it. Showdown over.
Marvin Espy’s winning entries at Showdown 3, Hart Witzen Gallery, Charlotte, NC
I
Art Nibbler 