Bay Ridge Eagle ‘Love Is …’ Valentine Art Show Celebrates Young Artists by Harold Egeln (edit@brooklyneagle.net), published online 02-17-2011

By Harold Egeln Bay Ridge Eagle Love is… celebrating Valentine’s Day and showcasing the budding talents of young artists with the “Love is …” theme at Gallery 364, the exhibit space for The Art Room’s first show at Bay Ridge’s premier fine arts gallery and studio. Enjoying an exhibit timed for Valentine’s Day, Gallery 364, in a historic limestone house at 364 72nd St., hosted the fabulous and fascinating “Love Is …” children’s art show staged by The Art Room, a fine arts learning space for children located at 8710 Third Ave. “The children whose art is being exhibited range from age 3 to 12. They are natural artists, a talent I hope they never lose. They and their artwork inspire me!” Leigh Holliday, founder and owner of The Art Room, said at the exhibit. Her business opened last summer to much excitement and celebration by the community, with civic and government leaders applauding the new venture. Skills learned at The Art Room help children exercise their imaginations, encourage playful spontaneity, build self-expression and confidence, and teach them fine arts fundamentals of drawing, painting, sculpture and mixed media. “What a wonderful, amazing thrill to see this exhibit,” photographer Georgine Benvenuto, Gallery 364 founder and owner, said. Benvenuto re-shaped her first floor for the gallery and studio, which has hosted theme shows for nearly four years. The gallery was packed with the happy young artists and their proud relatives, as well as curious visitors such as Community Board 10 Chairperson Joanne Seminara and photographers Dave Foss and Larry Nicosia. Among the many artworks that filled the gallery’s walls and tables were the “Love Is a Rose That Never Dies” watercolor painting by Maria Lopardo, “Love Is Music” by Georgia Soumakis, and “Love is Like a Snowstorm” by Steven Fadel. The paintings and clay sculptures included “Love Is ...” various things, including my dog, ice cream, pizza, books, my family, my animals and sunshine. On one table was a sculpture by Scarlett Pappalardo of an air-dry putty clay artist with a color pallet standing in front of an easel. Gallery 364’s next theme show is “Food” with an opening reception scheduled for Thursday, March 10 at 7 p.m.

PLEASE JOIN US ON MARCH 24th, 2011 7-10PM "FOOD" ART OPENING & COMPETITION

Please join us at Gallery 364 "Bay Ridge's First Art Gallery & Studio" for our March Competition "FOOD"

GUEST JUDGES: Doug Schwab, Professor of Photography at Brooklyn College

Doug Opalski, Watercolorist

Winning artwork from our "Artists Choice" show will also be on display.

Noshes Provided by Pierre of Circles Bay Ridge and Dove Chocolates

Sponsored by Coldwell Bankers, Mary Kae Higgins

$5 suggested donation at door. (noone will be turned away) Receive a free raffle ticket with your donation Prizes donated by: The Green Spa & Wellness Center, Dove Chocolates, and The Bookmark Shoppe

Chef Daisy Martinez Book Signing March 19th, 2011

Chef Daisy Martinez FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 2nd, 2011 Gallery 364 Hosts Interview and Book Signing with Celebrity Chef Daisy Martinez BAY RIDGE, Brooklyn: Soon it will be Spring, and the winter of 2010-2011 will dissolve to a vague memory! Join Gallery 364 in a special tribute on March 19 and March 24 to one of nature's glorious bounties: FOOD. Our bodies are nourished by food; likewise, our souls are nourished by art. On March 19, Gallery 364 presents a very special book-signing featuring celebrity chef, author, and television personality, Daisy Martinez. Star of the PBS show, "Daisy Cooks!" and The Food Network's "Viva Daisy!" Martinez is the author of several bestselling cookbooks: Daisy: Morning, Noon, and Night: Bringing Your Family Together with Everyday Latin Dishes, Daisy Cooks: Latin Flavors That Will Rock Your World, and her most recent, Daisy's Holiday Cooking: Delicious Latin Recipes for Effortless Entertaining. Martinez is also a regular columnist for Every Day with Rachel Ray and Selecciones magazines. Prior to the book signing, Martinez will be interviewed by Mickey Burns, Host of PROFILES on NYC Media life channel 25 on all cable providers. Go to their website for info www.profilestvshow.net. Immediately following the interview, Martinez will take questions from the audience. A special prize drawing, limited to the audience members, will be held. Gallery 364's Open Call Artist's Competition for March, entitled, "Food" - which officially opens to the public on March 24th - will also be on display in a special sneak preview. The first 40 people who make a $35 donation (at time of pre-ordering of books) to Gallery 364 will be part of the audience for the interview, Q&A session, and will share in refreshments and noshes compliments of CEBU, Coldwell Banker Reliable Realtor Mary Kae Higgins, and Gallery 364. The $35 includes entrance to the "Food" exhibit. Space is limited, so you must reserve by March 11th . Doors open at 6PM for audience members, and 7:30PM for book signing. After the interview, doors will open for the book signing. Donations will also be accepted at the door to Gallery 364 for those who were not part of the audience for the interview/Q&A session, but wish to make a donation to support the arts in Bay Ridge. On March 24, Gallery 364 will officially open its "Food" Open Call Artist's Competition, which runs through April 21st. Copies of Martinez's books can be pre-ordered through The Book Mark Shoppe, a local bookstore, at a 20% discount, (go to www.bookmarkshoppe.com for pre-order pricing). Payment can be made in-store, online or by phone with a major credit card. Orders must be placed by March 18th to receive the discounted price. The BookMark Shoppe is at 8415 Third Avenue, 718-833-5115, www.bookmarkshoppe.com. All book sales and donations will be handled exclusively by The BookMark Shoppe. Gallery 364 is at 364 72nd St., Brooklyn, N.Y., www.gallery364.com , and on Facebook. Contact: Georgine Benvenuto, curator Email to georgine@gallery364.com 917-767-3848 Event Sponsors: Coldwell Banker Reliable Realtor Mary Kae Higgins and CEBU Restaurant For information on Mickey Burns, go to www.questmedia.net. For information on Daisy Martinez, go to www.daisymartinez.com About Gallery 364 Gallery 364 opened on May 17th, 2007, is housed in an historic 1910 limestone, and is privately owned and operated by Georgine Benvenuto, a longtime Bay Ridge resident. Gallery 364 is the only fine arts studio/gallery in the Bay Ridge neighborhood and has been featured on Brooklyn Community Access Television, NY1 and Channel 12. Gallery 364 offers affordable classes in digital and film photography, digital printing, painting, watercolor, drawing, and other media. Every month, the gallery conducts open art competitions, and the selected entries are displayed in a group show. Winners are awarded cash prizes and gift certificates to aid in the funding of creating their artwork. www.gallery364.com Gallery 364 364 72nd Street Brooklyn, NY 11209 917-767-3848 Georgine Benvenuto Gallery 364, Founder

CALLING ALL ARTISTS & PHOTOGRAPHERS ART COMPETITION "FOOD"

Gallery 364 "Bay Ridge's First Fine Arts Gallery" is pleased to go forth with our March Art Competition, entitled "FOOD".

We believe in giving just a keyword/s to our artists and see what they come forward with in terms of visual artwork. Please include an artist statement at time of entry.

If you are interested in submitting work for this competition (all mediums accepted), for consideration please call Georgine for an appointment to show your work, or email jpegs for review. No URL's please. You will be notified by email or phone of acceptance. And we look forward to seeing you at our opening reception.

The entry fee is $25.00 per piece, for work accepted, with a limit of 4 pieces per artist. All art must be ready to hang.

This competition is open to all media. Criteria for judging is as follows: Beauty (symmetry,composition, proportions, framing) Skill, Meaning, Uniqueness, and Intent.

All art will be for sale. Gallery 364 retains 30% of all sales. Gallery 364 will award: ONE "Best In Show" winner will receive $150 Cash Prize. TWO "Honorable Mention" winners will each receive $50 Gift Certificate. (Winners will be announced at Opening Reception)

GUEST JUDGES:

DOUG OPALSKI, WATERCOLORIST, AND DOUG SCHWAB, PROFESSOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY, BROOKLYN COLLEGE

Deadline for submissions: Wednesday, March 16th, 2011

A SPECIAL SNEAK PREVIEW OF ART AND A BOOK SIGNING/Q&A WITH CELEBRITY CHEF DAISY MARTINEZ IS SCHEDULED ON MARCH 19th, 2011. THE COMPETITION OPENS TO ALL ON Thursday, MARCH 24th, 2011, 7-10PM

Artists Opening Reception: Thursday, March 24th, 2011 Show will be on view, March 24th thru April 21st, 2011

Contact Georgine for more info: Gallery 364 364 72nd Street Brooklyn, NY 11209 917-767-3848 www.gallery364.com

DATE: MARCH 24th, 2011 TIME: 7PM-10PM LOCATION: GALLERY 364

"Love is....: Children's Art Show curated by Leigh Holliday of The Art Room.

Published online for Courier-Life Publications

Tuesday, February 15, 2011 Yournabe.com Brooklyn Kid's 'love' art show at Gallery 364
By Shavana Abruzzo
Monday, February 14, 2011 4:06 PM EST

Photo Credit: GEORGINE BENVENUTO

Proud pint-sized Picassos were in a class by themselves when they displayed their awesome masterpieces at Gallery 364 for Valentine’s Day.

The boys and girls, ages 3 and up, traded smiles as bright as their palettes — plus bragging rights, too — over the paintings, drawings and sculptures they made for their tender tribute to love, entitled, “Love is...”

The sweet showcase was a love affair between The Art Room, on 87th Street and Third Avenue, where the youngsters created their offerings, and the gallery, a fine arts studio and gallery space housed in a historic 1910 limestone where emerging artists from diverse backgrounds can develop, create, and exhibit their multimedia artwork.

For budding Rembrandt, Maria LaPardo, “Love is a rose that never dies” — a sentiment she expressed with her pretty pink drawing of the popular flower.

James Cona relied on his loved ones for inspiration, painting an impressive family portrait.

“Love is all the people that I know,” he said wisely.

Lil’ Stavroula Gabriel wasn’t fussy at all when it came to spreading her adoration. Her picture of moms and dads aboard a merry-go-round reflected her blossoming spirit.

“I love everything,” she effused.

And a watercolor sploshed with pie slices showed viewers a glimpse into the mind of its young artist, Cara Anderson.

“I love pizza,” she revealed.

ADVERTISEMENT[Image]The exhibit was just the cherry on the cake, said Justin Brannan, co-founder of The Art Room.

“Children who are encouraged to express themselves through art will find their thoughts, feelings and imaginations broadened and enriched.”

We couldn’t agree more.

Brooklyn Daily Eagle "Artist Choice"

Art

When Artists Choose Favorites, Bay Ridge Gallery Shows Them by Harold Egeln (edit@brooklyneagle.net), published online 02-09-2011

Valentine’s Show This Sunday By Harold Egeln Brooklyn Daily Eagle BAY RIDGE — If artists and photographers were given an opportunity to choose their favorite pieces from their own work, what would they choose? The answer is on the walls of Gallery 364, Bay Ridge’s first fine-arts gallery showplace and art class space in an historic 1910 limestone house at 364 72nd St. Its latest exhibition and sale, “Artists’ Choice,” lets artists sing, “These are some my favorite things!” “We wanted to give artists and photographers an opportunity to choose what they consider to be their favorite works. So ‘Artists’ Choice’ is our theme for this show,” said award-winning photographer Georgine Benvenuto, Gallery 364’s founder and owner. At the recent opening reception, Brooklyn College photography professor Doug Schwab and artist Laura Fantini served as guest judges, choosing the best of the artists’ best. “There’s a friendly feeling always present and enjoyed at these shows,” said Fantini, who discovered Gallery 364 through a blog. Of the art of judging, Schwab said, “It’s always a hard choice since there are so many marvelous artworks from which to pick.” Because the best artwork was so difficult to choose, instead of one “Best in Show” award, there were two winners this time, with both artists receiving $150. They were “Dance of Life,” an oil painting on canvas by Downtown Brooklyn artist Hans-Bernd Zimmermann, and “Beyond the Surface of the Glass,” a silver photo print by Anthony Almeida. There were also three honorable mentions, all large digital photo prints. These were “Free Tibet” by Larry Nicosia, “Exotic Trees” by Scott Weingarten, and “Moonlight,” a woodcut by Rosemarie Gallinari. “They were given certificates to encourage them to go on to be best in show,” said Benvenuto. She added that all the work was wonderful and superbly varied, with 46 artists and photographers submitting a total of 63 pieces that filled Gallery 364’s walls and rooms in the first-floor art gallery. The artwork also included winning entries from the last show theme “Nostalgia.” Snacks were provided by Pierre of Circles Bay Ridge restaurant, and music was provided by violinist Annmarie Weisner. Exhibit visitors, of whom there were many, received free raffle tickets to The Gingerbread Lady by the Ridge Repertory Company, whose star attended the exhibit opening. The gallery’s next monthly theme show and sale will be “Food,” scheduled to have its opening reception on Thursday, March 10 at 7 p.m. “Artists always find in their artworks what fits our chosen themes. They come through with flying colors every time. It’s really amazing!” said Benvenuto. ‘Love Is’ Children’s Art Show This Sunday As the heartbeat of Valentine’s Day spreads, the art beat is at Gallery 364 on Sunday, Feb. 13 from 1 to 3 p.m. with “Love Is,” a free show featuring artworks from the new nearby Art Room, a “fun space” for children that opened last year. The “Love Is” children’s art show is curated by Leigh Jewel Holliday, founder and owner of the Art Room at 8710 Third Ave. The skills children learn at the Art Roomhelp them to exercise their imaginations, build self-expression and confidence, and learn the fundamentals of painting, drawing, sculpture and mixed media.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FEBRUARY ART COMPETITION "ARTIST CHOICE" WINNERS

Gallery 364 would like to thank our guests and artists who participated in our February Art Competition "Artist Choice". Here are photos of the winners:

PHOTO CREDIT:

JONAS MLENAK

Best in Show Winner Painter Hans-Bernd Zimmermann

Best in Show Winner Photographer Anthony Almeida

Honorable Mention Winner Artist Rosemarie Gallinari

Honorable Mention Winner Photographer Larry Nicosia

Honorable Mention Winner Photographer Scott Weingarten

Thank you to our Guest Judges: Professor Doug Schwab and Artist Laura Fantini.

Thank you to the Ridge Repertory for suppling Tickets to The Gingerbread Lady as Door Prizes.