So what has glamourous gallerist Nicole Henry of Nicole Henry Fine Art been up to all summer? She wasn’t lazing on the beach that’s for sure, as she has announced an ambitious exhibit that is being billed as the nation’s largest outdoor museum show.
CANVAS is more of an “art movement,” says event founder and West Palm Beach-based gallerist Henry, whose space on Fern Street in front of Wine Scene has been wowing art connoisseurs and casual viewers alike with her museum quality photos, sculptures and paintings.
The two-week multi-media art experience will run Nov. 8th to the 22nd with 20 dramatic, inspiring murals newly painted on selected buildings and infrastructures throughout the downtown district. Add to that a calendar of receptions on yachts, an early launch party on Oct. 10 plus a sensational New York City-style fashion show in the “Graffiti Garden” behind Henry’s gallery on Fern St., CANVAS is expected to draw more than 50,000 visitors over its two-week run.
Murals have been in the news in West Palm lately, as a furor erupted over the rock and roll mural that was painted over on Clematis Street, and Art in Public Places has been changing the rules of the usual game to keep up with the demand for varied, quality public art.
In NYC’s Coney Island this past summer, mega curator Jeffrey Deitch took over the famed, revitalized boardwalk and wheeled in temporary murals on flatbeds to create Coney Art Walls, which debuted in May 2015 and drew tens of thousands of visitors to the 55,000-square-foot site. The formerly vacant lot in the center of Coney Island was transformed into an outdoor gallery with illuminated walls. Artists traveled from Singapore, Doha, Barcelona, Paris, Ghent, Los Angeles and other cities around the world to paint the murals on site.
Back in West Palm, Henry says “This is so much more than a 14-day art experience. The idea behind CANVAS is to captivate the imagination and ignite both ideas and inspiration by bringing public art to the forefront of our collective consciousness here in West Palm Beach. This amazing city has not yet fully realized its tremendous potential to become an arts and cultural hub. Our CANVAS team is very excited to advance that destiny and see the eye-opening effects of our installations.”
World-renowned artists planning to participate in CANVAS include 2Alas; Bik-Ismo; Cheryl Maeder; David Walker; Eduardo Kobra; Faith47; Jean-Luc Moerman; Jeremy Penn; José Bedia; Kai; Katja Loher; Lonac; Michael Dweck; Registered Artist; ROA; Ron English; Sean Yoro (aka Hula); and Zeus. While the names may not all be familiar, the images are sure to resonate with viewers.
Building-sized murals will be seen on the sides of condominium towers, a hotel, a city-owned garage, and the elegant Royal Park Bridge that leads to Palm Beach. Additionally, unique sculptures and 3D installations will be showcased in a warehouse with its own edgy, urban vibe on Fern St behind the gallery, a space that has been considered for a gourmet market. In total, the CANVAS artwork will transform more than 20 offbeat locations within the downtown district.
A spectacular event she is describing as a fusion of fashion and art called “Your Body is a Canvas” will take place on November 20 in the Graffiti Garden. The show will be directed by Kerry Bannigan, Co-Founder & CEO of New York-based event company, Nolcha Events, and will roll out on an elevated, indoor/outdoor fashion runway.
“CANVAS is exactly the kind of event that will help our Arts & Entertainment District truly blossom,” said West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio in a press release. “We’re expanding our museums, theaters, galleries, free musical performances, and more because we are a city that wants to showcase its love and support of arts and culture. CANVAS is an experience that no one one will miss by virtue of the scale and scope. It’s fresh, exciting and very much anticipated.”
The schedule of events currently includes:
• CANVAS Kickoff and Art Auction: October 10 at a location to be announced.
• Artists begin working: November 8
• VIP Grand Opening Event: Vernissage in VIP Lounge: Nov. 18 at Nicole Henry Fine Art
• CANVAS Kid’s Day (date to be determined)
• “Your Body is a Canvas” Fashion Show: November 20 at the Graffiti Garden on Fern St.
• CANVAS ON BOARD Yacht Party: Nov 21 at the Palm Harbor Marina.
Raphael Clemente, Executive Director of the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA), says that CANVAS delivers huge dividends to all aspects of downtown life, and makes good on the DDA’s brand promise to ensure that the downtown district is Always Original. “This event will give our visitors another reason to talk about and return to our shops, restaurants and cultural attractions, while it adds a powerful new dimension to our A&E District. CANVAS is going to be a smash hit,” Clemente says.
Don’t miss the Canvas Event in West Palm Beach from November 8 to 22, featuring about 20 murals on selected West Palm buildings, including sculptures, installations and video art. For more information or to purchase tickets to attend the above events visit www.canvaswpb.org.
West Palm Beach Stretches a CANVAS with an Art Movement Event by Glamourous Gallerist Nicole Henry of Nicole Henry Fine Art Happening October and November
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