"stitches in time, etc." opens with much fanfare

Thanks to all of you who came out for the opening of Gretchen Feldman's "stitches in time, etc." last Saturday night! We had a full house and were very pleased with the turnout. If you haven't had the chance to see the exhibition, please stop by before June 1st.

To view candid photographs of the opening, please click here.

Have a great weekend!

Opening Thursday: "stitches in time, etc."

New abstract watercolors by Gretchen Feldman.

Please join us for the opening reception of “stitches in time, etc.” on Saturday, May 10, 2008 from 5:30 – 8:30pm. The artist will be present. Public parking is available in the garage at 14^th and U Streets.

Chinese Checkers / 2007 / Watercolor on Paper / 30’’ x 22’’

We are honored to have Gretchen Feldman show her new works at our gallery beginning this week. The paintings, which combine transparent watercolor with thick, multi-layered opaque colors, mark both a forward progression as an abstract watercolorist and a return to the artist’s prior career as a textile conservator. Many of the works in “stitches in time, etc.” are influenced by the common titles of traditional American quilts, such as Baby Blocks, Queen’s Puzzle and Chinese Checkers (pictured above). Others (the “etc.” part of the exhibition title) are inspired by microscopic imagery. In a sense, “stitches in time, etc.” contrasts the biotechnological explosion of the 21^st century with the more functional creations (quilts) of 19^th-century rural America.

As an abstract artist, Feldman balances shape, form and powerful color to capture a sense of the intangible. She draws on the past for inspiration, acknowledges the present and looks to the future. Her pieces serve both as a form of her own creative expression and as a catalyst for inquiry, inviting us to ask questions, seek answers and create a bridge between viewer and artist.

Laurel Hausler to show at "Rackets and Remedies" exhibition

NKG artist Laurel Hausler will participate in this spring's Rackets and Remedies exhibit at the Athenaeum Gallery in Alexandria, VA. This talented mixed media artist will also have a solo show at our gallery in October. 

Rackets and Remedies will explore old apothecary and the inexorable link between advertising and medicine. In addition, it will also take a closer look at how little this relationship has changed over the course of the last 100 years. 

Please join Laurel for the opening reception on May 2, 2008, from 5-7pm and a series of other events centered around this theme throughout the months of May and June. For more information, please visit the "News" section of Laurel's official website.

Rackets and Remedies will be on view from May 2 to June 15, 2008.

Recent Acquisitions!

Mary Chiaramonte's "Dead Eyes" and "Desert Floor"

Mary Chiaramonte and Ellyn Weiss recently brought in new paintings to the gallery. Both artists have continued painting in their signature styles and produced works that fascinate us. Please stop by and see their new creations, as well as other gallery artists, during the month of April.

Ellyn Weiss' "Morning Becomes Electric", "Oxford Avenue", "The Secret Life of My Ever-Fleeting Thoughts"

Stayed tuned for news on upcoming our exhibitions, and enjoy the start of spring!

Artists of the Gallery on View

Between now and our next opening on May 7th, we will be exhibiting various artists of the gallery, both new works and some old friends. Please stop by and take a look!

















View of gallery with mascot Boone

Hours: Wednesday & Sunday, 12 to 6 pm; Thursday – Saturday, 12 to 8 pm; Closed Monday & Tuesday.

Gretchen Feldman: “stitches in time, etc.” opens May 7th

Recent NKG Feature!

Many thanks to the Prince of Petworth for featuring NKG and the Water Media on Paper show on his March 25, 2008 blog entry! We really appreciate the kudos. The entry, complete with a fabulous picture of Boone, can be found here.

Gallery artists (local, national and Polish) are currently on view between now and the beginning of May. We hope you drop by and see us again soon!

Miriam's Kitchen Benefit Thursday; Last Week for NSAL Show

This is the last week to view the exhibition of paintings by the 19 regional winnners of the National Society of Arts and Letters' 2007 watercolor painting competition. The competition was won by Washington D.C.'s Jenny Davis for her "Portrait of Tess."

If you come on Thursday, you can also benefit Miriam's Kitchen, a Foggy Bottom food bank and counseling center for the homeless. On Thursday, March 20, NGK is joining several other business on the 1500 and 1600 blocks of U Street for a night of shopping and community support. Individual businesses will serve as drop-off points for donations of clothing and other essential items to benefit the clients that Miriam's Kitchen serves. Drop off your new or "gently used" blue jeans at Nevin Kelly Gallery between 6 and 9 p.m. Other participating businesses, and the donations items to be collected there, include:

Caramel 1603 U Street NW (Men's Underwear)
Habitat 1510 U Street NW (Men's Socks)
Moojoo Ken 1512 U Street NW (Deodorant)
Nana 1528 U Street NW (Vitamins)
RCKNDY 1515 U Street NW (Razors)
Wild Women Wear Red 1512 U Street NW (Hotel-Sized Bottles of Shampoo/Lotion)

Most of the businesses will be donating 10 percent of all sales to Miriam's Kitchen.

The event runs from 6 to 9 PM.

Contact Caramel boutique at contact@caramelfashion.com or 202-265-1930 for more information.

Artist Feature 11 : Molly Brose

Local artist Molly Brose is best inspired while engaged in the making of her art, taking chances along the way. Molly started out as a jewelry maker after college, and gradually returned to her childhood love of making art. The subjects chosen for Molly’s lyrical pieces consist of anything that speaks to her intuitively, from an old photograph to a phone conversation. According to Molly, “it’s gotta be worthy of a song.”

NKG has two new pieces by Molly on view right now. Both “Good Together” and “The Girl He Chose” [pictured below] feature Molly’s meticulous drawings on a smudged background of watercolor and conté. “The Girl He Chose” allows the viewer to see the subject through a zoomed-in lens. “Good Together” shows two people on horseback inside a more defined diamond shape, with a red circle overlapping the picture plane. Both backgrounds are scratched more than her previous works, and greater emphasis is given to the paintings’ linear properties (done in watercolor and graphite).

Molly’s new work continues to sparkle like precious jewels, worn as a personal ornament to remember where they came from, and where they are headed. Stop by and see them if you haven't done so already!

DCist Review of NSAL Water Media on Paper Show

Thank you to Kelly Rand of the DCist for her review of the National Society of Arts and Letters Water Media on Paper exhibition currently up in the gallery. Please read the review here.

NSAL Water Media on Paper will be on view through March 23rd, 2008.

Water Media on Paper Opening Review

Thank you to all of you who came out last night to celebrate the opening of the National Society of Arts and Letters Water Media on Paper (2007 Finalists) exhibition with us! We are the second to last stop on this national tour. This exhibit is a wonderful opportunity for young artists to explore more imaginative realms, while using a very difficult medium. Local artist Jenny Davis (first prize winner of the NSAL Competition), along with her mother and friend, were also present at the opening.

If you missed the festivities (or simply want to re-live them), visual documentation can be found here. Hope you enjoy the photos and slideshow!

Water Media on Paper will be on view until March 23, 2008.