Now Online! Park West Gallery Fall Sale Collection

Labor Day Weekend is almost here, kids will soon be returning to school and autumn is on the horizon. With the upcoming season quickly approaching, thoughts of decorating for holiday parties and gift-giving abound, and the Park West Gallery Fall Sale Collection offers the perfect selections for any of these special occasions.

Now through November 14, the Park West Gallery Fall Sale Collection is being featured online, with more than 350 exceptional works at exciting sale prices.

The Fall Collection boasts something for everyone, from an array of fine art by Park West Gallery’s most popular artists (old masters and contemporary favorites), to sports memorabilia, designer jewelry and Japanese woodcuts. A variety of media are available including oil and acrylic paintings, watercolors and drawings, hand-signed limited edition etchings, lithographs, serigraphs and hand-embellished graphic works.

Interested collectors may also view the Fall Collection in person at our elegant, museum-style gallery. Park West Gallery is located at 29469 Northwestern Highway in Southfield, Michigan [Directions]. Hours: Monday – Friday, 10am – 6pm and Saturday 11am – 6pm.

Browse the Park West Gallery Fall Sale Collection online at www.parkwestgallery.com/seasonal-sale.

Texas Students Inspired by Park West Gallery Artist Lecture

Last July, Park West Gallery launched our Park West Gallery CARES initiative to give back to communities across the country. Over the last year, we’ve made donations to over a dozen schools, public art programs, shelters and other not-for-profit organizations, exposing communities nationwide to fine art.

One recent donation of 20 works of art was made to the public school system in Plano, Texas.

Park West Gallery artist Marko Mavrovich was on hand to speak to a group of 60 art students participating in Plano’s summer school program.

“I appreciate Marko taking the time to share his incredible talent with our students, and I also would like to express my gratitude for the art donation,” said Kathee Ross, art teacher. “I loved it! But more importantly, the students loved it. I heard them talking about how ‘cool it was to see a famous artist paint’ in the hallways. Thank you so much, Park West!”

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 its overwhelming popularity, Park West Gallery has extended the initiative to communities throughout the United States.

If you know of a charitable organization in your community that would benefit from Park West Gallery CARES, please send your suggestions to pwgcares@parkwestgallery.com.

(Photo above: Artist Marko Mavrovich does a live painting demonstration for the Plano students.)

Art News — August 24, 2011

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“Paint Torch” by Claes Oldenburg. Photo credit: PAFA

 

• Philly’s new giant paintbrush: The “Paint Torch,” a 51-foot-long sculpture of a paintbrush by Swedish artist Claes Oldenburg, was installed on Saturday at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Situated underneath the over-sized paintbrush is a 6-foot paint glob. The sculpture will be illuminated for the first time on October 1. {via PRNewswire}

• Stealing world’s most famous painting: This past Sunday, August 21, marked the 100th anniversary since the famous theft of the “Mona Lisa.” Amazingly, it took more than a day before the Louvre realized that the painting was missing. Perhaps even more surprising, Pablo Picasso was questioned as a possible suspect in the heist! Turns out Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece was stolen by Vincenzo Peruggia, an Italian handyman who sought to return the painting to his native country. {via AFP}

• Around town: Serving up art for a cause: The ninth annual Arts du Jour will take place Thursday, August 25 at the Royal Oak Farmers Market. This popular charity preview event for Arts, Beats & Eats will offer culinary delights and entertainment, with seventy-five percent of all proceeds going to benefit ten local charities. Hours: Thursday, 5:30 pm – 11 pm. For more info and to purchase tickets, visit www.artsdujourro.org.

***Have an interesting art news story or upcoming arts event to share with our Park West Gallery Blog readers? Submit your art-related news links via email to marketing@parkwestgallery.com.

The Shortest Art History Lesson You’ve Ever Seen

Don’t know much about art history? Good news! Artist Grant Snider has summed up decades of creativity in one 6-panel cartoon rhyme. This is one of the most clever art history lessons Park West Gallery has ever seen, and definitely one of the shortest!

(via Neatorama)

> Discover more about your favorite artists at Park West Gallery!

Park West Gallery Blog Named a Finalist in CBS Detroit’s Most Valuable Blogger Awards 2011

The Official Blog of Park West Gallery is in the running to be Detroit’s MVB!

The Finalists have just been announced! After much deliberation and careful consideration of many nominees, CBS Detroit has narrowed the field of Finalists down for this year’s Most Valuable Blogger — and The Official Blog of Park West Gallery is among them!!

VOTE FOR PARK WEST GALLERY

You can vote once in each category per day and no registration is required. It only takes a second, so please visit and vote daily!

Voting is open now through September 9.

Visit http://detroit.blogger.cbslocal.com/most-valuable-blogger/blog/538-the-official-blog-of-park-west-gallery to vote now!

Thank you for voting for Park West Gallery!

‘Mona Lisa Unveiled’ in Miami

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MIAMI, Fla. – Making its U.S. premiere, Miami Dade College (MDC) brings to South Florida an extraordinary exhibition inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic portrait, the Mona Lisa. The exhibition, Mona Lisa Unveiled, will showcase various interpretations of the classic, created by artists around the world and dating from the 16th Century to modern day.

Mona Lisa Unveiled is divided into two main sections. One part concentrates on the historical aspect and includes works and documents from the 16–19th centuries. The second part is more contemporary, charting the theft of the Mona Lisa from the Louvre in 1911 and continuing with 20th century artists who reinterpret da Vinci’s painting. Featured artists range from Marcel Duchamp, Jean Margat and Salvador Dalì, to Romero Britto, as well as artists who have recreated Italy’s most famous cultural symbol with computers, videos and installation pieces.

The exhibition opens for free to the general public on August 26 and will remain on display through October 7.

For more information, please visit www.mdc.edu.

Image credit: “Mona Cat” by Romero Britto. Learn more about artist Romero Britto and view selections from the Park West Gallery Collection online at http://bio.parkwestgallery.com/artists/Romero-Britto.

There have been so many interpretations of the famous Mona Lisa. Which artist has created your favorite version? Can any really ever compare to the original? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Related Links:

• Park West Gallery CEO Talks Da Vinci with WJR
• August 10 in Art History – Louvre opens, Smithsonian established
• Romero Britto Art Exhibit at the Louvre Museum, Paris

August 10 in Art History – Louvre opens, Smithsonian established

Following is Park West Gallery’s roundup of important cultural events that took place on this day in art history.

On AUGUST 10 in ART HISTORY…

1793 – The Musée du Louvre opened to the public

On August 10, 1793, the Musée du Louvre opened to the public for the first time. This central landmark in Paris was originally established as “a national palace to house the king and for gathering together all the monuments of the sciences and the arts.” Opening day presented an exhibition of 537 works, mostly paintings from the collections of the French royal family and aristocrats. Today, the Louvre houses 35,000 works of art drawn from eight departments, displayed in over 60,000 square meters of exhibition space dedicated to the permanent collections.

1846 - The Smithsonian Institution was established

On August 10, 1846, U.S. Congress passed legislation founding the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, as an establishment dedicated to the “increase and diffusion of knowledge.” President James K. Polk signed it into law the same day. Today, the Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum and research complex, including 19 museums and galleries and the National Zoological Park.

For more on this day in art history, visit the Park West Gallery Blog archives: Artist Birthdays – August 10
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Related Links: 

• Romero Britto Art Exhibit at the Louvre Museum, Paris
• August is American Artist Appreciation Month
• Yaacov Agam at the Pompidou: Park West Gallery Artist Series

Park West Gallery Featured in Art World News June/July 2011

By now you may have heard that Park West Gallery recently earned itself quite a prestigious title. We’re extremely grateful for the honor and proud to share its recent mention in one of the art world’s best-read publications.

The June/July 2011 issue of Art World News featured an article entitled “Park West Gallery Named Best Michigan Gallery by ‘Official Best Of’ Travel Program.” Art World News is widely known as one of the most popular trade magazines serving the art and framing industry.

Download and read the full article (page 18) →

Related Links:

• Park West Gallery in Art World News: “Galleries Benefit from Art Auctions”
• ‘The Official Best of Michigan’ Park West Gallery Video
• Park West Gallery Named “The Official Best Art Gallery in Michigan — 2011”