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Maker's Mark Graduation
Over the weekend I once again visited the Maker’s Mark distillery. Back in 2005 I joined a special program they have in order to be a Maker’s Mark Ambassador. I promote my love for Maker’s Mark to all, which is no surprise to those that know me. Among the perks I get are freebies sent to me periodically through the mail, invitations to special events and parties, discounts and Christmas gifts! At the parties over the years I’ve had the chance to meet and hang out with the President, the master distiller and others. All great people. Another perk of being an Ambassador is that your name is put on a metal plate and that plate is then put on a new barrel of what will be bourbon. The reason I went to the Maker’s Mark distillery this past weekend is because I graduated from their ambassador program, the barrel with my name on it has finally matured to the point where it can be bottled. It took almost 7 years for my barrel to mature. I visited the distillery and now I have a bottle of Maker’s Mark that was made for me from a barrel that had my name on it. Cool. Very cool.
Goodbye Sara
These photos were sent to me showing the “sold” red sticker next to my painting. Sara is gone forever.
Sara
My first painting in over 5 years. This will be for sale in the 10×10 Benefit Art Exhibit and Sale.
10×10 Benefit Art Exhibit & Sale
Artworks Announces the Second Annual
10×10 Red Dot Benefit
Art Exhibit & Sale
Saturday, December 1, 2012
4 – 7pm reception
Red Dot + Artwork = Support. The Red Dot shows support of Community Arts in Trenton. Come to the Artworks Red Dot Fundraiser and put your red dot on the art that you love.
Over 100 Trenton area artists created artworks on 10″ x 10″ canvas. The work is dynamic, diverse and all created especially for Artworks. Professional, teacher and student artists created works in oil, acrylic, mixed media, photography, pastel, watercolor and more.
Each artwork sells for $100 with the funds raised going to support Artworks.
It is a chance for the novice to test the waters of the world of original art and an opportunity for the collector to build their art collection.
Art All Day – Artworks/Trenton
Artworks Announces Inaugural Art All Day
Showcasing Creativity Throughout the City of Trenton!
Art All Day will take place Saturday, November 10, 2012, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., followed from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. by the Art All Day reception and exhibition, sponsored by Bank of America, at Artworks’ 19 Everett Alley space.
You’ve experienced the magic of Art All Night, Artworks’ round-the-clock art extravaganza in June. Now mark November 10th on your calendars, when Artworks’ latest event aimed at bringing Trenton’s diverse creative community together — Art All Day — will take place.
Art All Day will showcase creativity within the borders of Trenton, in all its myriad forms, with artist studios, creative community spaces, non-profits, businesses and other venues throughout the city opening their doors to participating attendees all day.
Come see Trenton spaces where art, music, dance, theater, literature, crafts, and much more is created and presented. Speak with artists and engaged members of the Trenton community, and witness the exciting potential our city offers. Then, after a day out, be Artworks’ guest at our expansive gallery space for a reception and Art All Day exhibition, featuring work by Art All Day participants.
How does it all work? Art All Day is FREE to attend and open to the public. The self-guided tour begins at Artworks Trenton (19 Everett Alley, Trenton, NJ), where guests can pick up a map/brochure and view a group exhibit featuring participating artists on the tour. Following the self-guided tour attendees are invited back to Artworks’ expansive gallery space for a celebratory reception sponsored by Bank of America.
Art All Day schedule on Nov. 10
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. – Artworks main gallery, participating artists show (free)
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Trenton self-guided open studios/public art tour (free)
11 a.m. and 2 p.m. – Trenton art trolley tour ($10 suggested donation)
12 noon and 3 p.m. – Special edition OnaRoll BikeCarts bicycle tour (free-bring your own bike)
4 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Artworks main gallery reception (free)
Free parking is available all day and evening at Artworks, 19 Everett Alley, Trenton (off South Stockton Street, across from NJ Motor Vehicle Commission building)
Monster's Ball – Artworks/Trenton
Come to the Monster’s Ball at Artworks – Trenton THIS Saturday, October 27th. Here’s the flyer:
Get your collective monster-mashing asses out there and enjoy two bands, food, oracle/tarot readings, beer/wine, silent films, Tahitian-style belly dancing and the incredible “Art of Darkness” Halloween themed art show!
Tickets are available at the door but you can also purchase them online at www.artworkstrenton.org!
Artworks Trenton needs your talent!!!
T-Shirt Design Contest – Apply. Win. Wear.
Design the official T-Shirt for the funky downtown visual arts center that produces Art All Night and Art All Day in Trenton. We are looking for an original T-Shirt design for a new line of membership merchandise.
Prize
$100 cash, a free Artworks membership, recognition on our website, and the joy of watching everyone look stellar in the T-Shirt you designed!
Deadline
October 26th, 2012
Suggested Theme & Style
Your T-Shirt should be an original illustration: distinctive and edgy, just like the Trenton arts scene.
Things You Need To Include
• Required Text: Artworks Trenton
Things You Should Avoid
• Limit design to two colors.
• Do not use photos.
• Do not use stock images or clip art.
• Respect copyright. Do not submit copyrighted work.
Create your design
• Your file must be at least 300 dpi
• Accepted file formats: .JPG, .JPEG, .TIF, .TIFF, .EPS
Submit your design
• When you have the files ready, and know what you want the title of your design to be, email them to tshirtcontest@artworkstrenton.org. We will notify the winner on November 1. If your design is selected, we reserve the right to use your design in any manner, including but not limited to: reproducing the design, selling items bearing the design, changing or reworking the design by making color or size changes, making derivative works of the design, using the design on the Artworks Trenton website and on promotional materials.
Top 5 concerts that I've been to
Recently I’ve been thinking of the best concerts that I’ve ever been to. I consider sound quality, set design, creativity, music and of course live performance. Obviously how I experienced each show is unique to me but here’s the top 5 shows that I’ve been to. I’ve tried to include a video of that performance and a little description on how I viewed it.
1. Fever Ray – Webster Hall, NYC. 2009.
This show was extremely difficult to photograph and video. Everything was enshrouded in darkness and smoke. There were lasers. There were amazing costumes that they wore to add even more mystery to it. Those lamps throughout the set were strange. There was incense burning. It was a very odd mixture of things and it added to the mystery of the music and the performance. Hands down the best and most unique concert that I’ve even been to. It’s hard to find a video that gives justice as to how unique this show was. It’s going to be hard to top this show.
2. Coil – Irving Plaza, NYC. 2001.
This video is actually the entire performance. My experience is very different than everyone else’s. I actually had the privilege to hang out with the band the night before. Out for sushi and drinks. The band ended up using 2 of my friends from that night in the performance. Around the 50 minute marks is when they come out in their underwear covered in blood while holding a sheet of metal which the singer begins banging his head into it before kneeling into some sort of prayer. You can see it was hard to really photograph them because their suits were glowing. It was purely experimental, who knows what drugs they were on then. It was their only performance in the US and are considered on of the most influential underground bands from the last 30 years.
3. Dead Can Dance – Radio City Music Hall, NYC. 2005.
This concert was incredible. It was only 1 of 2 shows in the US that were played with a full orchestra. This video is one of my favorite songs of theirs. Live there is so much energy. However, imagine all the synthetic strings and electronic horns were actually played by the full orchestra. Added so much more to the energy level. It was a beautiful show. Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard’s voices were nearly flawless. An amazing show. I wish there was video of it somewhere.
4. John Maus – Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia. 2011.
Easily the shortest concert that I’ve ever been to. I don’t think it was even 20 minutes long. Also easily the most energetic performer that I’ve ever seen. Although this clip isn’t from the show that I’ve been to it’s from the same tour. I actually ran into him in the bathroom before the show and you can see that he’s getting into the zone. Talked to him after the show and he’s a totally normal guy. Seriously looks as if he’s handicapped from his performance though. Even though it was really just a glorified karaoke it was the only show that I’ve been too where I smiled the entire time.
5. Depeche Mode – Spectrum, Philadelphia. 1993.
Great production. Great performance. Great show. Enough said.
Artworks – Trenton Beer & BBQ
Artworks Trenton Beer & BBQ
When: Saturday, September 22, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Artworks Trenton, 19 Everett Alley across from the DMV
What: Beer, BBQ, music, & more!
Join your favorite arts organization for a friendly and relaxed BBQ featuring traditional barbecue fare, Trenton’s famous porkroll, vegetarian selections, seasonal brew, and live music. If you’re interested in volunteering for Art All Day, come to Artworks after 1pm to decorate T-Shirts and learn more about Trenton’s newest showcase for creativity, culture, and community.
Please RSVP using this form: Artworks BBQ RSVP.
For more information or to RSVP by email/phone, call Artworks at 609-394-9436 or email info@artworkstrenton.org