Monthly Archives: February 2009

Park West Gallery in The Detroit Free Press: Dick Purtan’s Radiothon

Purtan gears up for Radiothon

COMPILED BY B.J. HAMMERSTEIN • DETROIT.METROMIX.COM EDITOR
Excerpt from The Detroit Free Press | Published February 27, 2009

Kicking off at 6 a.m. today and concluding at 10 tonight is Dick Purtan’s 22nd annual Radiothon. It benefits the Salvation Army’s Bed and Bread Club, a program that targets Detroit’s homeless and hungry people through shelters, feeding centers, after-school programs and mobile services.

“The Morning Show with Purtan’s People” host explains that the fund-raiser has raised about $2.3 million over the past two years. When listeners make a contribution of $120 — which can be done in a variety of payment plans — one person will be supplied with meals for a year.

People who contribute $240 (which would feed two people for a year) receive a commemorative art print by Park West Galleries, matted and signed by Dick Purtan, and the 3D animated short “Harrison’s First Day.”

This is no baloney. Despite the tough economy our community is exceptional and very giving,” Purtan says.

 

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“Why Shouldn’t Art Be Pretty? There Are Enough Unpleasant Things in the World”

Pierre Auguste-Renoir (Feb 25, 1841 – Dec 17, 1919)

Sur le bord de la Mer

Sur le bord de la Mer

Born on February 25, 1841 in Limoges, France, Pierre Auguste-Renoir was a famous French painter whose paintings are probably the most popular, well-recognized, and frequently reproduced images in the history of art. His work presents a vision of a forgotten world, full of sparkling color and light.

Renoir was involved with “The Society of Painters, Engravers and Sculptors,” which was founded in 1874, and witnessed the birth of Impressionism. He did not take up original printmaking until he was 50 years old and in 1892, he did his first lithograph, a portrait of his son Pierre.

Renoir once said: “Why shouldn’t art be pretty? There are enough unpleasant things in the world…”

Read more of Renoir’s Biography

View selections from the Park West Gallery – Renoir Collection

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Happy Mardi Gras!

Grab your beads and eat some paczkis –
today is Mardi Gras!

Happy Fat Tuesday!

Mardi Gras by Alfred Gockel

Mardi Gras by Alfred Gockel

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Peter Max Gives CNN Exclusive Tour of Exhibit “Peter Max Paints America”

 

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Park West Foundation in The Detroit Free Press

The Detroit Free PressPublic supports man battling cancer
BY ROCHELLE RILEY, FREE PRESS COLUMNIST

The news that Pioneers for Peace leader Weusi Olusola is battling Stage 4 bladder cancer prompted a massive outpouring of support Friday.

Hundreds of supporters called Olusola and the Park West Foundation the day the Free Press reported his struggle, and a fund has been set up to help offset his medical bills, which have surpassed $100,000.

His doctors have told him that his tumor is inoperable, and his one kidney that survived a shooting in his northwest Detroit neighborhood 23 years ago is too weak for chemotherapy.

He wants to seek alternative treatments, and his most immediate needs are for a $2,000 adjustable, long-term care bed that his insurance does not cover and a different wheelchair than the one he has been using. Olusola also worries about the educational future of his 11-year-old son, Andrew.

Weusi Olusola plans to fight.

“There are thousands of testimonies out there from people like myself who have been here for five, 10 years, who have overcome this thing,” said Olusola, whom doctors have given six months to live. “There are alternatives.”

To contribute
Donations to Wheel 2 S.U.R.V.I.V.E — whose acronym stands for Spiritual, Urban, Renewal Victories In View Everyday — should be sent, as a check or money order, to the Park West Foundation, 29469 Northwestern Highway, Southfield 48034.

For reservations to the 4 p.m. March 7 ceremony to honor Weusi Olusola, contact Michelle Birchard at 248-204-8414 or mbirchard@parkwestgallery.com.

Park West plans to recognize donations of $50, $250, $500 and $1,000 at the ceremony.

Learn more about the Park West Foundation

Learn more about Pioneers for Peace

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Park West Customer Corner

“We really enjoy being a part of the Park West events. We have always enjoyed art but every time we attend a Park West event, we learn so much that we didn’t know and have developed a greater appreciation for types of art we never considered before.

We especially enjoy meeting the artists. Talking to them and getting to know them makes their artwork more personal and gives us a better understanding of it. The three artists we have met – Marko Mavrovich, Dominic Pangborn and Simon Bull – are artists we’d never paid attention to and didn’t realize how much we like their work until meeting them.

Chris’ knowledge of art and his ability to convey it to us ‘new-comers’ is wonderful. We are educated about great artwork and then allowed to purchase it at great prices. Thank you for including us and we look forward to seeing you again in the future.”

Brenda & Carl S.
Webster, New York

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“Just wanted to say Thank You for the invitation to be a guest, of Park West Gallery. Bill and I enjoyed ourselves very much, and enjoyed meeting and making, I hope, lifelong friends.

I hope Park West Gallery knows what a GREAT team the four of you make. You all work very well together, and very hard and long hours to pull off such an event. I hope to see you all again.”

Kathryn S.
Palmyra, Tennessee

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“We can’t say enough how much we enjoyed the VIP cruise and that every aspect of it was above and beyond what we had expected. Thanks again for everything!”

Kim and Bill K.
Cantonment, Florida

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“It was an amazing experience. Between the artists and the classes it was all extraordinary. We considered a very special opportunity.”

Michael and Robbin J.
Lakeland, Florida

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“We had a nice and educational time and walked away with art I am sure we will enjoy for many years. Thank you and your team for a well executed, professional and enjoyable time. We look forward to another opportunity.”

Hill and Marshall G.
Boca Raton, Florida

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“We really enjoyed the cruise. Most of all we enjoyed the learning experience. You really made sure everyone was well informed on the artworks, artists and different aspects of the artists and movements they belonged to. Ranging from Tim Rogerson’s Donald Duck to the Dali we picked up, we are very happy with our purchases. We also look forward to seeing you again. Again I would like to thank you for the fantastic experience and the great art.”

Anthony and Larissa D.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida

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Peter Max Paints America Opens at Clinton Center

AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

Artist Peter Max poses for a portrait Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009 in New York.

The pop artist’s work is on three floors of the museum part of the Clinton Presidential Center for a show that begins Monday and runs through May 25.

More about this Special Exhibit

Learn more about Peter Max

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There is Nothing More Artistic Than to Love Others

Big Love IX by Simon BullArt is not the application of a canon of beauty but what the instinct and the brain can conceive beyond any canon. When we love a woman we don’t start measuring her limbs.”
~ Pablo Picasso

Love is probably the strongest and most fulfilling emotion we will experience and it underlies and informs all our enthusiasms…we, as ordinary beings become transformed for the better by love. We are literally filled with emotion, which engenders a positive outlook and truly engages us with others and the world…”
~ Peter Nixon

“Poetry and painting are done in the same way you make love; it’s an exchange of blood, a total embrace – without caution, without any thought of protecting yourself.”
~ Joan Miro

Rhapsody Love by Csaba Markus“Creativity begins with an affinity for something. It’s like falling in love.”
~ Csaba Markus

“In our life there is a single color, as on an artist’s palette, which provides the meaning of life and art. It is the color of love.”
~ Marc Chagall

“Through art, I want to share a part of myself. I want people to see the love that I put into it.”
~ Marcus Glenn

Love wants to rise, not to be held down by anything base… He who loves flies, runs, and rejoices; he is free and nothing holds him back.”
~ Henri Matisse

Crazy in Love by Alex Gockel“(My work) comes from the love to paint. That’s the love that runs in my blood and is the center of my life.”
~ Itzchak Tarkay

Love is when the desire to be desired takes you so badly that you feel you could die of it.”
~ Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

“The more I think about it, the more I realize there is nothing more artistic than to love others.”
~ Vincent van Gogh

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