Change: 3-Dimensional works by Steve Fremel

June 3rd-June 23rd

Artist Reception June 3rd 6:00-9:00pm

Food and Beverages will be served

Special guest musician to be announced

Change

To make the form, nature, content, future course, etc, of something different from what it is or what it would be if left alone.

    I copied this verbatim from somewhere into one of my sketch books about 6 years ago. I was going through a period of change and felt these words were to draw strength from. Change is also the jingly stuff I rarely carry anymore due to the hazards of scratching my Iphone. Heck, who am I kidding? I don’t carry much in the form of cash these days…

    My daughters love the “jingly change”. Signe and Annikka – they pick change off of the ground and collect it, just as I use to love to do. In my childhood days my grandfather Auggie owned a particular gas station in Mesa, off Broadway and Hibbert. It was called C&A Oil (C for Corena and A for August). I’d hang out there and I would always find change on the ground. I am not certain, but perhaps my grandfather had something to do with it. I never put two and two together but these days it seems to make sense. I could get a gumball for a penny. For a nickel, I could get a handful of these fruity round and flat colored hard candies (something like a spree). Man, I loved those. You could get a pineapple Fanta or a peach Nehi in a glass bottle for twenty five cents and before long it was thirty five cents. I liked popping the caps off the top of those bottles at the machine. Today my girls have to work a little harder for their sweets. They need a quarter to even begin to think about a hard gumball that loses its flavor in about thirty seconds. That gumball is a still a symbolic goal, for anyone. A penny, a nickel, a dime, a quarter – a DOLLAR! Save to get something, save to get what you want. I lost this bit of wisdom somewhere along the way. Now, I make payments on what I have or what I had, for that matter. I owe money on the money that I owe. Then, an awakening: my two girls have once again helped me to shed the light on “change”.

  This body of work takes aspects of my life and questions that I have, as well as bits of pieces of my change and puts them all together into a series that is truthfully in its self a change for me. For one, I was able to actually set aside some time to create a body of work again and it feels good, a definite change! Another change – material usage – a majority of objects found and assembled is not a norm for me. I had pondered with it here and there but not to this level. Another change is me using multiple facets of my learned skills (wood finishing, car restoration, metal fabrication, casting, enameling and others) and combining them all together to create this new body of work. These pieces showcase all of these skills, not just one particular set of them.

  I have a busy life. I have been able to accomplish many things and still have goals I want to attain. Making art has been a catalyst and a balance in my busy life. It helps solidify my thoughts and ideas into viewable, touchable objects. It’s a pretty good equalizer for me. It’s my passion, and I love to be able to share my work with you. I cannot say that my art answers all of my life’s questions. That’s ok, it does not need to. It does often bring a tongue and cheek platter to the table in the pot luck that is my life, and you are invited to join the feast. I need to be able to make light of some things. It is my nature to do so. If my art gives me just a little spark of gratification and interests a handful of people I am happy. It’s as simple as that and I ask nothing more from it. For me, this will never “change”.

Steven Fremel

Happy Earth Day

To the Artist in Residence Gallery supporters,

Dear Friends:

     I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your support in taking time to visit the gallery in El Mirage during my tenure there. In these past eighteen months your participation and involvement helped to complete the gallery experience, and I truly enjoyed meeting each and every one of you. Your interest and reactions, questions, smiles, and sometimes tears were heartfelt and powerfully moving for me.  I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to share with you myself and my work as well as some other fabulous local artists and their crafts.

     Unfortunately I will no longer be involved in the arts in El Mirage. The City council has decided to move in another direction and did not renegotiate my residency contract, and instead invited me to remove my property within five days! Stunned and bewildered, I was then locked out of the space with all of my belongings inside. This decision came as a complete surprise to me since promises to re-instate said contract had repeatedly been made. I did not willingly leave the city, as some might tell you… The sudden change of direction, not to mention the way this matter was handled has left others and me with serious questions and concerns about the future of arts in El Mirage. I supported many artists within the city and throughout the state, and it is hurtful to say that it now seems some of these local artists were key in assisting the city with its plans to remove me from the space.
    
     I was sincerely anticipating making El Mirage my home, and helping to create a new frontier for the arts here, perhaps in doing so also restoring the community’s identity. As you may know, I was welcomed here by the last city council to fill their wishes for an Artist in Residency program. I was approached after having received a grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts for a photographic body of work about El Mirage. I have been interested in this area and saddened by the plight of the city for quite some time, making it a project and a passion to help it again find a place on the map.
    
     Changing the stigma this town has garnered over the years proved not to be the most difficult hurdle to overcome, however. It is both disheartening and disappointing that the City did not have the courage to see this idea through, a program they desired and began. It seems a shame, and a complete waste. I sincerely do not know at this point which direction the City is heading. Needless to say, I have my doubts they are interested in having an arts community whatsoever, and have deceived and deprived the citizens of El Mirage the opportunity for culture and growth. Lovers and patrons of the arts everywhere know the importance of this vital human expression; a fact the current administration is either ignorant to or unaware of.
    
     As for myself, I have plenty of time now to continue to create my own art and support the arts wherever I can. My future is bright and I will land on my feet…. What is the adage, “What doesn't kill you makes you stronger”

      If you would like to express your concerns or have any questions about the way my
residency was handled, or the about the direction of the so-called arts movement in El Mirage, please contact Mayor Lana Mook or City Manager Spencer Isom.

They can be found online at:  Lana Mook      Spensor Isom

     If you are interested in my future showings, or art events with which I will be involved, please let me know and I will put your name and email in my database. Thank you again for your patronage, enthusiasm, input, interest, interaction, assistance, caring and friendship. In other, more simpler words....  Thanks for the Love!

Take care, and I look forward to seeing you soon,
Thomas Schultz

Phone: 623.236.6405,
email: thomas@thomasschultzphotography.com
website: www.thomasschultzphotography.com
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Letter to the Mayor of El Mirage

Dear Mayor Mook,

 

It is indeed sad that the members of the City Council in El Mirage

did not have the foresight to comprehend the significance of Thomas Schultz' influence in the arts.

Nor, to take seriously his years of experience. As a result, I think you will find it very hard to attract

the quality of art and artists, Thomas had to offer.

 

The fact that he provided his services to the City of El Mirage, for so little in return

attests to the quality of his character, the integrity of his work ethic and his love for the arts

 ~ even in the face of unfulfilled promises.

  

In light of these revelations, many of my fellow artists are grateful 

for not having acted on the false promises of the  'Arts Move El Mirage' only to find

ourselves stranded in a small town, with leaders unable to see the bigger picture. 

 

You may not understand now what a foolish move it was on your part, to treat Thomas with such disrespect.

'But we,  like elephants ... In the greater Phoenix fine arts community... have a long memory'.

 

Suffice it to say, you cannot create an art movement without genuine movers and shakers.

The best of luck to you trying in the meantime.

 

Artist, Kathleen D. Cone

Cone Gallery Arts, Phoenix

Bruce Charles (EMAG) response to city action

Thomas,

I just wanted you to know that I am sad that you lost your space at the El Mirage Art Gallery. I'm very sorry that things did not work out the way you had hoped. It's truly a shame, and a huge loss, for the city of El Mirage. I am totally depressed about this situation and I hope you know that Amanda and I truly supported you in what you were trying to accomplish. I'm sorry things took a weird turn. I had no idea that EMAG would be given such clout with the city so quickly. But, then again, I had no idea you would turn around and do a complete one-eighty on us.

To be honest, I truly don't understand why you chose to reject EMAG (or, in other words, your friends) as an entity that would help you accomplish your goals. We were not formed to steal your thunder or take over your vision. We literally formed in front of your eyes at Anthony and Cristina's house while watching football - with the intention of supporting YOU - and your cause. You were right there when we started this group. In fact, EMAG was - in some way - the culmination of all the shit we had talked about all summer long while we were drinking beers in my driveway. EMAG was formed for YOU, man. All we wanted to do was keep everything going when you said that it looked like the city might shut the doors on you. Don't you remember? Back in January? Watching football? You expressed your fears and concerns to us? Well, we all had your back, Tom. All the way. That is the reason we formed. For YOU. 

For you to suddenly declare you don't want to have anything to do with us was quite fucking insulting. I want you to know that I was personally hurt - and QUITE insulted - by your decision to exclude yourself from EMAG. It was a huge surprise and a large slap in the face for me. I would imagine that Amanda, Anthony and Cristina felt very much the same way. We all had a vision of working together to build something really cool - right here - in El Mirage. I thought you had the same idea. We all did. I really thought we were all on the same page. But I guess not.

I was there when Spencer asked you to join EMAG. AND, believe me, I imagine that him asking you that was quite insulting to YOU. No doubt. ESPECIALLY after all the work you had done by yourself. I totally understand being insulted by that - and feeling like maybe you deserve more credit. You DID. AND you DO. There is no doubt about it. What I don't understand is how you were willing to let everything go. After all the work that had been accomplished - you just walked away. We could still be moving forward, man. That's the truth.

I have no idea what's going to happen now. I'm really sorry that things worked out like this. I really wanted, and still want, to work with you if it's possible. I certainly doesn't feel right without you being involved. It's totally depressing to me.

Again, I'm sorry, Tom. I really am. I hope there are no hard feelings between us.

Hopefully, or just maybe, it's not too late to reconsider everything.

Let's do this man. Is it even possible?

Please let me know where you're coming from.

Bruce

Just Because You Could

Just Because You Could

You pulled wings off flies
Laughing as they leapt for flight
Only to return to the ground
Hovered over mounds in the summer sun
Singeing ants with a magnifying glass
And smiling as they smoked
Pumped up your pellet gun as hard as you could
And shot song birds
Exhilarating in the explosion of feathers
Tripped Trick-Or-Treaters on Halloween
Reveling as their plastic pumpkins
Sent sweets spilling on the sidewalk
Stuffed freshmen into lockers
Brazenly bullying them
Because you were bigger
Told the plump girl her butt looked big
Cackling as she cried
And ran to hide her tears in the bathroom
Extinguished art in El Mirage
Flexing your political muscles
And flaunting your newfound power
Just because you could

Copyright© by Cameron Milkins - 4/6/2011

EXPIRED

 Sean Rohde

 Photography Exhibition

March 17-April 16th

Artist Reception Thursday March 16th, 5:00pm-9:00pm

El Mirage Gallery & Studio

14010 N. El Mirage Rd

El Mirage, AZ 85335

map 

Limited Edition Archival Reproductions available

 

Contact Sean Rohde or Thomas Schultz for size and pricing

Sean Rohde

Thomas Schultz

Beautiful Chaos Exhibition in the news

Slideshow

Also check out the Cover Story Crossing Paths in the Phoenix New Times......

Expired Photography Exhibition: Sean Rohde

Many things come to mind when hearing the word “expired”. Death may be first and foremost for some, while others may think of milk. Expiration is inevitable for all things, living or not. Disorder comes from order, and nothing lasts forever. The American Southwest has a particularly unfriendly attitude towards so-called permanence. Extreme temperatures (sometimes low as well as high in a 24 hour period), a baking sun, dry desert winds, insects, animals…you name it, it exists here to tear down all things. As well, the Southwest is an odd mix of old, somewhat old, and the fastest-growing “new” in the country. Humans destroy the old at a rate tenfold what nature can do, and replace it with an often bland newness. Expiration is all around us, in the bare mountains, the dry desert plains, the decay of man-made and natural forms, the sun-baked storefronts with warped wood and peeling paint, the rotting automobile carcasses, and the near empty towns scattered throughout the region.
We often strive to preserve which will eventually be no more, those expired objects that surround us, and photography is one method of preservation, to create an image of what is and what was, or may soon be no more. Sean Rohde chooses to preserve the concept of expired in the Southwest with film that is also expired. More specifically, expired Polaroid instant film. Using fully manual, vintage Polaroid cameras from the 1960s and 1970s (more specifically the 180, 190, 195 and Colorpack III), he explores the deserts and towns of Arizona, California and Utah to record and preserve images of objects and places that are often gone six months after. The film he chooses includes Type 669, Type 690, and ID-UV, all color films, all expired anywhere from 1995 to 2008. Polaroid film itself is a virtually expired medium. There are those that continue in the spirit of Polaroid, but these specific Polaroid films will soon be long gone.
Sean Rohde shoots what he sees, making no changes to the environment, yet the images often display the essence of the Southwest rather than being straight shots of what is in front of the camera…a combination of film and camera choice, technique and photographic eye. The colors of red, orange and blue are present throughout the Southwest as shown in these photographs, and the colors often seem burned by our desert sun. The prints themselves are sometimes ragged and faded, which only serves to enhance the subject matter. The prints are expired objects, presenting images of expired objects, and it is worth noting that they will not last forever. They will crack and peel, curl and fade. These Polaroid prints are literal, tactile representations of the “expired” theme that is presented in the photographs. These are here to look at, these expressions of expiration…for now.
Sean Rohde has lived in Phoenix since June of 1997, having spent 27 years of his life previously in northern Indiana. Working as a registered nurse, he spends his free time shooting many analog film formats with vintage cameras. More of his work may be seen at http://www.flickr.com/photos/sjrohde and you may read his ramblings about film and camera reviews/modifications at http://moominsean.blogspot.com

Press Coverage

   It has been sometime since my last post.  It has been a little crazy around here......still working on various projects and have taken on the responsibility of the entertainment in the courtyard on Third Thursdays.  Also beginning in April the Third Thursday event will be moved to the Fourth Friday.  We are looking for musicians and performers to participate.  If you or any anyone you know would like to get involved please contact me at thomas@thomasschultzphotography or on my cell: 623 236-6405 Also this last weekend there was an article written for the AZ Republic, you can see the article here: http://www.azcentral.com/community/westvalley/articles/2011/02/07/20110207el-mirage-third-thursdays-arts-festival.html

See you on the 17th for " Beautiful Chaos" Paintings by Dante' Navarro

Mysterious Light Reception

 

Photo by: Sean Rohde

The images were hung with great attention, the cheese and crackers were layed out for consumption,   Dragons Breath incense filled the space with an atmospheric aroma as the first visitors walked through the door.  Artist Receptions are always tough for me, so many interesting people to talk too and not enough time.  Last night was no exception......The evening started off a little slow, but it did not take long to get going.  Scot Mckenzie of Elektrobahn layed down some ethereal grooves to complete the mood.  A mixture of Jimmy Swaggart, Sci-fi soundtracks, vintage synthesizer, mood music and ambient electronic; the set was a perfect match to the photography on the walls. 

Scot (Elekrobahn) will be performing at Elektrostube on February 4th at Anti_Space.  You would be a fool to miss it.......The Mayor stopped by for a photo opportunity and many artists attended; Marilyn Szabo, Bruce Charles, Sean Rohde, Steve Pastor, Josh, Andrew and Kevin and many others.  World renowned musician Joe Gallivan stopped by with his wife, artist and  musician Alicia Bay Laurel.  Joe performed earlier in the evening at the El Mirage Library with two other musicians creating a melodic rhythmic soundscape for those lucky few whom were able to attend.  Thanks to the Reiki Goddess Debra Willis Powers for her assistance in the creation of the artist statement for "Mysterious Light"

Mysterious Light: Thomas Schultz

Since time immemorial man has looked to the heavens for answers to the questions:
Where did I come from? Why am I here? And What will become of me?

"It is certainly interesting to know that we come from the stars, but even more interesting
is the realization that we're part of the cosmos, [and] although we may only be a speck in
the immensity of the universe, we are the Great Father's children, and our destiny is
linked to that of creation. Every being has a role to play, a destiny to fulfill, and so every
bit of existence is transcendent." ~~~Don Isidro, Mayan Sage

The photographs I display here are each literal photographic time capsules ~ a moment
captured and recorded under the light of the moon. Seemingly ethereal, they depict a
time and a subject, though time itself also serves as a subject. Each still depicts a
measure of the now....and the now...and the now.....to become what is shown: a singular
event within an extended passage of time. Each image portrays this time lapse; we need
only to expand our vision to see beyond and into this space. In these individual time
segments, the possibility of multiple dimensions can be conceived, and that these
captured moments create perhaps a dimension unto itself in an idea of condensed time.
This concept makes one question the relationship of time and space, and of coexisting
realities.

Our belief systems are based on experience, knowledge and intuition, therefore we
“know” what we see and feel. It would be easy to take reliable objects like the sun, the
moon and the stars for granted, especially in a world so far removed from itself. What I
feel is now more than ever we need to use our intuition and our knowledge to return to
nature, to live in the moments, to see past our accepted reality.

“Reality is the vision we have of what surrounds us, but there are other, much more
subtle realities which are more important. As humans evolved, they lost this ability to
perceive and are thus disconnected from the cosmos; in a state of neglect they seek to fill
with material goods. This only condemns them to self- destruction and is the reason a
return to the Natural Order is imperative." ~~~Ramon Carbala, Mayan Mam

The primitive natives of the Malay Peninsula believed the firmament was solid. They
imagined the sky as a great pot, held over the earth by a slender cord. If the cord broke
the pot would fall and the earth would be destroyed. They also imagined the Sun and
Moon as women, and the stars as the Moon's children. Legend tells us the Sun long ago
had as many children as the Moon, and fearing that mankind could not bear so much heat
and brilliance, they both agreed to devour their children. The Sun kept the bargain, but
the Moon hid her children. The Sun was very angry and sought to kill the Moon. As she
pursued her, the chase of Sun and Moon became a perpetual one.

It is our perceptions of time and space, which root us to a milestone, a memorable event,
a singular moment. In any lapsed segment of so-called reality, we can sometimes see
beyond what we previously knew to be possible, or what we imagined was reality, from
just the moment before. Before, that is, it slips away into another, and another, and
another; the sands of time in an endless hourglass, eons unfolding into eternity and a
greater abyss of space.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support Arts in El Mirage, and I look forward to seeing you all again soon...

Beautiful Chaos Exhibition

 
  Dante' Maritano Navarro, born in 1981 in Phoenix, Arizona.   I was named after my father’s cell mate, which has always struck me as funny for some reason.   I had a pretty rough up bringing, with a father that was never around and a mother that was a user, which forced me to move around a lot, see a lot, and experience more than I probably should have at a young age.  I am the first of five kids, three brothers and one sister, poor girl.  My two younger brothers’ were taken to foster homes and I haven’t seen them since.  My other brother is doing a five year prison sentence while my sister just got finished with her own five year sentence, but is using so her whereabouts are unknown. 
    My reasons for explaining this is not for pity, but to express how blessed I feel to be where I am, to have the talent for painting that I do, and how lucky I am to be surrounded by the people I have in my life.  All this, and to have made it out drug free and to have a positive outlook is a blessing in and of itself. 
    I am a twenty-nine year old artist and have only been painting for roughly about five years.  My medium consists of acrylics, pencil, spray paint, oil pastels, stamps, razor blades, anything I can get my hands on.  This mash up of supplies keeps my paintings interesting and varied in composition.  All of the emotion that goes into a painting produces a result of beautiful chaos and an incredible amount of detail.   I love art.  It is what I will be doing until my heart stops beating or my liver fails.  Which ever comes first. 
    I feel that it is time for other people to experience what I have to offer to the art world and because it is doing no good to have my paintings stacked under my bed.  This exhibition contains a wide variety of past and present work that represents my talent. 

Danté Maritano Navarro