Traveling back in time, pre-blizzard, we were invited to the closing of the second Salon Series at Jordan Faye Contemporary. We were treated to brunch and a first hand look at several emerging artists’ work. The Salon Series was sponsored by The Hoffberger Insurance Group, a family business run by two brothers who hail from a family of artists and collectors, including the storied Cone Sisters. We had the pleasure of chatting with Peter and Lisa Hoffberger at brunch and gathered that they have a genuine interest in supporting Baltimore’s local arts scene. (We love finding people who share our passion.) It’s the mission of The Hoffberger Insurance Group to be the agency of choice for all things art.
The Salon Series No. 2 focused on artists who are just getting started and is a great opportunity to find excellent deals on new artists’ offerings. Here’s Evan Levine, guest artist from NYC, and Elisa J. Wells pictured in front of one of her pieces. During brunch Evan and Jordan led a discussion with the young artists present. The topics ranged from gallery etiquette and networking, to tips for productivity and inspiration. I’m certain that everyone in attendance learned a thing or two.
Pictured here is Robert Olsen with artists Aaron Pennington and Jacob Deimler. Besides being the technical director at The Theatre Project and a partner at Jordan Faye Contemporary, Robert also makes a mean frittata. We’re officially nominating Robert for What Weekly’s renaissance man of the week. Cast your vote on our Facebook page.
Later in the week we returned to Jordan Faye Contemporary for the opening of ‘Nostalgia.’ Taking in these installations is like following photographer Paula Gately Tillman through the gritty art scene of New York City in the ‘80s (complete with Warhol and a young Rupaul), across the world to places we’d like to go and back to Baltimore again. It’s a fascinating collection that makes us wish we could travel back in time to explore the cultural landscape that she’s captured here. Pictured is Paula with a piece entitled ‘Portrait of Jill,’ taken in NYC in 1984 and reprinted in 2009.
Also featured in the gallery, work by Treva Elwood shown here with Jordan Faye Block. Upon entering the exhibition these paintings draw you into their stories as if they were carefully honed folklore crafted by a masterful storyteller. Her use of color lends a subtle surrealism that gently prods one from the everyday into an unexpected reverie.
