There’s a NEW gallery in City Arts Factory, and some of Orlando’s Best and Brightest are coming together to welcome its debut.
The new “Pop Up Gallery” will host the “SquareLando InstaShow“, where all pieces must have a square aspect ratio. There will be little square artworks, and BIG square artworks, but all will be available to purchase and take home THAT NIGHT! (December 17) Prices start as low as $5.00!
Jon GlassMan Gardner is curating this show and he asked me to submit a square sketch. This gallery is usually blocked off with a black curtain and the only other times I saw it used was as a greenroom for the dead at Dia de los Muertos and as an open area for some installation art. This past week some of the conduits were removed from a wall to open it up to hang art and track lighting was installed allowing for the spotlights of work soon to be hung on the walls.
Once I dropped off my sketch and filled out the paperwork, I decided to linger and watch the square art arrive. A demonic Mickey Mouse by Boy Kong looked particular appealing since it depicted the corporate Mouse I had on worked for. I noticed a Parker Sketch painting, and three square print by Plinio Pinto. The prints were mounted on those deep hardboard stretchers and if was hard to pick out that they were prints. There was a strong showing of work by Full Sail instructors.
As I sketched, Jon related the story of how he got the nickname GlassMan. At one point his life was turned upside down when his wife left him. He was blindsided, but realized he hadn’t been living the life he wanted the to live. He made a commitment to discover a new Orlando museum or arts venue every week. He soon realized that Orlando actually has a vibrant arts scene and he began creating once again. I bet Jon’s work is some of the first local art I purchased. He makes wonderful glass magnets that have an intricate paint pattern that reminds me of aerial photography. Jon has recently started his own auto glass business. That keeps a steady paycheck coming in while allowing him plenty of time to create when the shop is slow.
Rebecca Rose dropped off a piece. I assumed it would be one of her intricate sculpted silver rings, but it turned out to be an early etching that she had done. In all I would say about six artists dropped off work in the time it took me to get the sketch done. It is kind of fun sitting still an getting a chance to see some of Orlando’s best talent come to you. Rebecca will be exhibiting at the grand opening of the new Snap! Gallery in Downtown Orlando. I’m hoping to get a chance to sketch her at work in he silversmith studio before that opening.
Squarelando InstaShow opens Thursday December 17th from 5pm to 10pm at City Arts Factory (29 S Orange Ave, Orlando, Florida) as part of the Third Thursday gallery hop. Jon plans to put all the artwork on Instagram so if you miss the opening, you can browse the whole show on your phone. My Instagram handle is analogartist, so if to look me up, I’ll share the hashtag , link or whatever.