Art Map Burlington Article

AMB Writer Reports on First Art Walk of the Year

Have you ever tried to see Paris or Disney World in one day? That’s kind of how it feels to try and see everything during the First Friday Art Walk. Don’t be discouraged if you can’t see it all (and unlike Paris or Disney World, the Art Walk is virtually devoid of dog droppings and life-sized cartoon characters.)

Here, a few tips gleaned from participating in the very first Art Walk of 2008: enlist a few companions; plan a route, but be prepared to wander off course; talk to the artists, ask questions, and have fun. Don’t be afraid to show relative artistic ignorance and/or childlike glee. You may learn more that way.

First stop on January’s adventure was Cambrea Stone Gallery, nestled deep within 180 Flynn Ave. Christine Cambrea’s exquisite “surreal visionary” paintings, prints and cards filled the working studio, where Shawna Cross was also hard at work on her dramatic large abstracts. From there, it was time for reception-hopping downtown. Art and free food are a pretty irresistible combination, even on a cold January evening.

Dozens of Beth Pearson’s dreamlike oil paintings brightened the Amy E. Tarrant Gallery, which was crowded with well heeled theatre-goers on their way to the adjacent Flynn. Members of our party admired a group of ten small paintings with titles like House of Lame, while others availed themselves of the cheese plate and gazed at Angel Wing, reminded of an aerial view of urban piers.

Moving on, the group mingled with happy hipsters reveling at Red Square and Tribeca for openings of work by Glen Nadeau and Angela Burro, respectively. Nadeau’s geometric graphic paintings were perfectly suited to Red Square’s atmosphere; a tri-panel canvas resembling a deconstructed Union Jack was especially memorable, and the artist had printed clever brochures detailing how to become a Patron of the Arts. At Tribeca, Burro’s nightmarish paintings adorned the walls of the boutique, providing an intriguing contrast to the bright lights and racks of sleek clothing.

Around the corner at 215 College Artists’ Cooperative, a two-room gallery hosting monthly exhibitions by its multi-talented members, our party exclaimed and smiled over Jude Bond’s textile constructions, including Biscuit Quilt: Comfortable Comfort Food Comforter, nicely complemented by a plate of mini-brownies. Too late to slip into Frog Hollow’s Art Walk event without feeling rude, the group did catch a glimpse of guest speaker Jay Craven and his audience through the windows. The montage of Mr. Craven, seated on the window display platform with listeners interspersed among the venue’s colorful artwork and gifts, was itself picturesque on a winter’s night.

Finally, it was time to shuffle down College Street to the Skinny Pancake, where the final reception of the evening was unfolding. Enjoying the warmth of the venue and Gregory Albright’s paintings helped compensate for the impossibility of seeing it all.

G. BLAKE MACPHAIL

		February 2008 V.3-N.2
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Untitled by Glen Nadeau 24”x24” acrylic-on-canvas 2007		AMB Writer Reports on First Art Walk of the Year Have you ever tried to see Paris or Disney World in one day? That’s kind of how it feels to try and see everything during the First Friday Art Walk. Don’t be discouraged if you can’t see it all (and unlike Paris or Disney World, the Art Walk is virtually devoid of dog droppings and life-sized cartoon characters.) Here, a few tips gleaned from participating in the very first Art Walk of 2008: enlist a few companions; plan a route, but be prepared to wander off course; talk to the artists, ask questions, and have fun. Don’t be afraid to show relative artistic ignorance and/or childlike glee. You may learn more that way. First stop on January’s adventure was Cambrea Stone Gallery, nestled deep within 180 Flynn Ave. Christine Cambrea’s exquisite “surreal visionary” paintings, prints and cards filled the working studio, where Shawna Cross was also hard at work on her dramatic large abstracts. From there, it was time for reception-hopping downtown. Art and free food are a pretty irresistible combination, even on a cold January evening. Dozens of Beth Pearson’s dreamlike oil paintings brightened the Amy E. Tarrant Gallery, which was crowded with well heeled theatre-goers on their way to the adjacent Flynn. Members of our party admired a group of ten small paintings with titles like House of Lame, while others availed themselves of the cheese plate and gazed at Angel Wing, reminded of an aerial view of urban piers. Moving on, the group mingled with happy hipsters reveling at Red Square and Tribeca for openings of work by Glen Nadeau and Angela Burro, respectively. Nadeau’s geometric graphic paintings were perfectly suited to Red Square’s atmosphere; a tri-panel canvas resembling a deconstructed Union Jack was especially memorable, and the artist had printed clever brochures detailing how to become a Patron of the Arts. At Tribeca, Burro’s nightmarish paintings adorned the walls of the boutique, providing an intriguing contrast to the bright lights and racks of sleek clothing. Around the corner at 215 College Artists’ Cooperative, a two-room gallery hosting monthly exhibitions by its multi-talented members, our party exclaimed and smiled over Jude Bond’s textile constructions, including Biscuit Quilt: Comfortable Comfort Food Comforter, nicely complemented by a plate of mini-brownies. Too late to slip into Frog Hollow’s Art Walk event without feeling rude, the group did catch a glimpse of guest speaker Jay Craven and his audience through the windows. The montage of Mr. Craven, seated on the window display platform with listeners interspersed among the venue’s colorful artwork and gifts, was itself picturesque on a winter’s night. Finally, it was time to shuffle down College Street to the Skinny Pancake, where the final reception of the evening was unfolding. Enjoying the warmth of the venue and Gregory Albright’s paintings helped compensate for the impossibility of seeing it all. G. BLAKE MACPHAIL

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