Park West Gallery Sponsors Annual FCCA Gala Fundraiser Through Major Art Donation

The 17th Annual FCCA Gala Dinner was held Thursday, March 17, 2011 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. More than sixty cruise line executives, CEOs and presidents representing the member lines of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association attended this unforgettable evening of networking, entertainment and fundraising.

Park West Gallery was privileged to receive an invitation to be a partner for the premier cruise travel industry event. Park West Gallery CEO and founder, Albert Scaglione, his wife, Mitsie, and a group of Park West Executives also had the pleasure of being hosted to dinner that evening.

Park West Gallery’s generous donation of fine art for the gala’s silent auction helped raise close to $30,000 for the FCCA Foundation, benefitting children’s charities in the Caribbean and Latin America. Albert Scaglione was also honored and recognized with a plaque for being the Art Auction Sponsor.

To nominate a charitable organization in your community that would benefit from a Park West Gallery donation, please send your submission to pwgcares@parkwestgallery.com. 

“American Idol” Cast Presents a Peter Max Birthday Portrait to Judge Steven Tyler

If you’ve ever collected Peter Max artwork from Park West Gallery, you’re in the company of rock stars.

Last Thursday evening, millions of screaming fans watched as Aerosmith lead singer and American Idol judge Steven Tyler was presented with a 63rd birthday portrait painted by pop artist Peter Max.

And this isn’t the first time Tyler has been the artist’s muse. In 1997, Max painted four brightly colored portraits of the famous singer, one of which hangs in his permanent home. 

Max is known for being inspired by musicians, having recently presented  one of his signature portraits to another talented singer — Taylor Swift.

So in case you missed it, here’s Stevie Wonder singing Happy Birthday to Steven Tyler, as the American Idol cast presents him with the colorful artwork…

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Park West Gallery has enjoyed a relationship with Peter Max since the 1970s, and is the artist’s largest and longest-running dealer in the world. Peter Max fine art is available at Park West Gallery cruise art auctions throughout the world or may be purchased through our gallery in Southfield, Michigan. Visit the Park West Gallery – Peter Max Collection »

WOMC’s “Sunday Edition” Interviews the Park West Foundation Director

Park West Gallery has always been a strong supporter of charitable causes and community outreach. In fact, Park West Gallery CEO and founder, Albert Scaglione, and his wife, Mitsie, remain so dedicated to giving back, they formed their own Park West® Foundation. Since 2006, the Park West Foundation has provided a range of services for children and families in the form of foster care, family preservation, family life education, counseling, teen parent services, residential placement and adoption.

On Sunday, March 20, Saba Gebrai, Program Director of the Park West Foundation, was interviewed by Alisa Zee for 104.3 WOMC Detroit’s Sunday Edition.

Click the player below to listen to this inspirational program:

The Park West Foundation supports numerous organizations committed to strengthening positive values and leadership in communities around the world. The Foundation also hosts events for many charitable organizations each year, generating significant proceeds for many worthy causes.

Learn more at www.parkwestfoundation.org

Park West Gallery Brings Art Appreciation to Detroit Public Schools

Park West Gallery Director Morris Shapiro inspires Thirkell Elementary students with art lecture, donation

SOUTHFIELD, MI – Park West Gallery’s global goodwill initiative, Park West Gallery CARES, spread the joy of art appreciation to a group of elementary students in the Detroit Public Schools system. On Thursday, March 3, Park West Gallery Director Morris Shapiro gave an inspiring lecture to ninety fifth grade students at Thirkell Elementary in Detroit, Michigan.

(Click the player above to view the photo slideshow)

Fine art from the Park West Gallery collection was brought to the inner city school and exhibited as Shapiro spoke to the fascinated students. Park West Gallery also presented Principal Clara Smith with a framed work of art and art books for the school. Additionally, Park West Gallery generously provided each child with a gift bag filled with goodies and a small work of art by Alfred Gockel.

“I’m a born teacher at heart, and any time I am asked to share my passion with young people, I never refuse the opportunity,” said Shapiro. “The Thirkell fifth graders were enthusiastic and engaged and for me to be able to ignite a spark in their imaginations about art is an honor and a gift for me.”

“Yaacov Agam was the perfect artist to showcase for the students at Thirkell,” said Francine Grace, Beyond Basics Art Director. “It was wonderful learning how spirituality and mathematics influenced his artwork. I loved seeing the joy and amazement on the children’s faces as Morris held up each Agam painting. The entire experience was truly magical for all!”

The art lecture and donation were coordinated through a Park West Gallery’s new partnership with Beyond Basics, a Michigan nonprofit organization. Beyond Basics offers reading, writing and expanding horizons enrichment programs to students attending public schools in Metro Detroit.

“We seek to bring the best life has to offer to our children in the Detroit Public Schools,” said Pam Good, Beyond Basics Executive Director. “Our partnership with Park West Gallery enables us to do this through the creativity of artists and their work. In addition, they provided the school with a beautiful painting and wonderful art books which will continue to inspire the students and staff alike.”

Park West Gallery is committed to community outreach, having donated thousands of new items of clothing, works of art and books to charitable and educational organizations nationwide. To nominate a charitable organization in your community that would benefit from Park West Gallery CARES, please send your submission to marketing@parkwestgallery.com. 

Mitsie’s Memories: Itzchak Tarkay at Park West Gallery

A Park West Gallery exclusive,
by Mitsie Scaglione*

A few days before the Itzchak Tarkay opening at Park West Gallery, the artist came to assist in the installation of his works.

He stayed with Albert and me at our home.

On the morning of the opening, a blanket of snow had covered the trees and surrounding area in the back of our house.

Tarkay saw this and was in awe of the beauty of Mother Nature. He insisted on having his picture taken outside in the snow so he could show his family in Israel.

For us, the fun part was teaching Tarkay how to make a snowman and snowballs!

Afterwards, Abert and Tarkay headed to the gallery, where they put the finishing touches on the exhibition.

Despite the snow, Tarkay’s opening was a very successful one, where many of our Park West Gallery clients had the privilege of meeting the artist in person.

Itzchak Tarkay and Mitsie Scaglione. Photos ©Park West Gallery, 2011. All rights reserved.

*Mitsie Scaglione is the wife of Park West Gallery CEO Albert Scaglione.
→ Read more of Mitsie’s Memories at The Official Blog of Park West Gallery
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Exclusive artwork by Itzchak Tarkay is available for purchase through Park West Gallery and its cruise art auctions at sea.
→ Visit the Park West Gallery Itzchak Tarkay Fine Art Collection

Park West Gallery Inspires Seattle Students with Celebrity Artist Noah

Park West Gallery provides art enrichment, donation to the International School

Seattle, WA – Park West Gallery furthered its national outreach initiative, Park West Gallery CARES, by donating 20 works by various artists to the International School in Bellevue, Washington on February 28, 2011. Additionally, Park West artist Noah gave an inspirational lecture to art students at the International School. 

Park West Gallery artist Noah speaks to students at International School in Bellevue, WA.

The International School is a nationally recognized public charter school, ranking among the top ten schools in the United States. It serves middle and high school students in the Bellevue School District in Bellevue, WA. 

“We run a rigorous program in which students study seven years of seven subjects,” said the International School’s Nationally Board Certified Art and French teacher Enid Smith Becker. “Because of this, students have a rich experience in the arts, learning technique and developing a personal voice as they explore photography, drawing, painting, design, ceramics, glass and more. We greatly appreciate Noah’s talk as well as the beautiful artwork from Park West Gallery!”

The artist known simply as Noah is recognized globally for his amazing talent. His roster of clients includes name brands like Levi Strauss, Lexus, Toyota, CBS Television, Fox TV and The Walt Disney Company™, and numerous celebrity clients such as Craig T. Nelson, Val Kilmer, Barbra Streisand, Tom Cruise and Ted Danson. Noah gained global recognition for his work on The Learning Channel’s Rides, Universal Pictures’ 2 Fast 2 Furious, and MTV shows Meet the Barkers and Rob and Big. In 2006, Noah became the official painter for Arturo Fuente Cigars and has also teamed up with famous motor cross rider Carey Hart, of A&E’s Inked. Exclusive fine art by Noah is available through Park West Gallery and its international cruise art auctions.

“By providing seven years of arts for its students, the International School is leading the way in arts education. Through this donation and Noah’s art lecture, Park West Gallery hopes to assist this school in furthering its outstanding mission,” said Albert Scaglione, founder and CEO of Park West Gallery. “While our physical locations are in Michigan and Florida, we serve clients all across the country. We are privileged to assist these communities, like Seattle, along with our own.”

Launched in July, Park West Gallery CARES initially limited its outreach to organizations in the Detroit, MI and Miami, FL areas where Park West Gallery has physical locations. However, due to overwhelming positive feedback and subsequent requests, Park West Gallery has decided to extend the initiative to communities throughout the United States. The International School is one of many organizations that have received similar donations and artist talks provided by Park West Gallery CARES. Other recipients include the Lake Geneva Public Library in Lake Geneva, WI, the Youth Arts Corp. in St. Petersburg, FL, the City of Clayton’s public art program in Clayton, MO, and St. Mary’s Interparochial School in Philadelphia, PA.

To nominate a charitable organization in your community that would benefit from Park West Gallery CARES, please send your submission to marketing@parkwestgallery.com. 

African Wildlife Artist Andrew Bone: Park West Gallery Artist Video Series

“Don’t paint it unless you’ve studied it,
been chased by it, or done something to save it.”
—ANDREW BONE

In the following Park West Gallery video exclusive, you’ll meet African artist Andrew Bone. As a wildlife conservationist, Bone strongly believes in painting from real life. Listen as the artist discusses his fascinating background and explains his detailed process of translating nature onto canvas…

→ To learn more about the artist, please visit the Park West Gallery Andrew Bone website at www.parkwest-bone.com

→ Andrew Bone fine art is available for purchase through Park West Gallery and its cruise art auctions. Browse the Park West Gallery Fine Art Collection at http://sales.parkwestgallery.com 

Alfred Gockel Named 2011 Official Artist of Top 10 Jazz Festival

Exclusive artwork by Alfred Gockel is available at Park West Gallery and its cruise art auctions at sea. Visit the Park West Gallery Fine Art Collection →
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“Like a gifted musician, Alfred Gockel approaches his canvas,” wrote Park West Gallery Director Morris Shapiro in his recent article, Alfred Gockel: Intention and Discovery. The contemporary artist is admittedly inspired by music — especially jazz — so it’s quite fitting that the work of Alfred Gockel has been chosen to commemorate one of the nation’s premier jazz festivals.

The Official Art of the 2011 ResortQuest Seabreeze Jazz Festival (design by Alfred Gockel)

Now in its 13th year, the ResortQuest Seabreeze Jazz Festival has named Alfred Gockel as their 2011 Official Artist. The event will take place April 13-17 at Pier Park in Panama City Beach, Florida.

Nothing goes better with contemporary jazz than contemporary art, and the Seabreeze Jazz Festival Artwork and T-Shirt design for 2011 is a perfect blending of both. Created by renowned contemporary painter Alfred Gockel of Germany, the design is a visual fusion of jazz and art in one very funky design. Known as one of the “most collected contemporary artists of our time,” Alfred Gockel’s works are highly sought-after by some of the world’s top art collectors and art aficionados. The vibrant use of color and his unique style truly depicts the funky coolness yet sophistication of smooth jazz and the Seabreeze Jazz Festival. Alfred Gockel will make a special appearance at the Seabreeze Jazz Festival doing “live painting” each day with his original work being auctioned to the crowd at the end of each festival day. For the jazz-lover and art collector — this is the event to attend!

For more information, please visit www.seabreezejazzfestival.net
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Related Links:
> Visit the Park West Gallery Alfred Gockel Fine Art Collection
> Read Afred Gockel: Intention and Discovery
> Watch Alfred Gockel: Art on the Berlin Wall