November 4, 2023 - January 27, 2024
James Oliver Gallery
723 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA
Amidst the heat of the headlines and the holiday hurry, Cool Under Pressure displays an uplifting reclaim against both extraordinary and quotidian oppression. Here, totems of authentic valor are compounded in plaster, and poetic tributes on film illuminate common and sacred heroism. Don Bell and John Y. Wind inspire with the universal quality of their "humble" materials, each utilizing compositional elements that one might consider rudimentary. They've each incorporated a level of chemical ritual in the practice, further venerating the subject.
See | Me: Journeys
September 29th - October 10th, 2021
The Invisible Dog Art Center Gallery
51 Bergen St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Opening Reception: October 1st 10th, 6-9pm
In JOURNEYS, artists explore both universal themes and highly personal ones, lived experiences that are deeply woven through our contemporary reality in both realistic and symbolic modalities
The Time Is Yours
An exhibition curated by Don Bell
September 3 - 26, 2021
Cherry Street Pier
121 N. Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia 19106
Opening Reception: September 10th, 6-8pm
Closing Reception: September 25th, 7-9pm
The Time is Yours is a photographic time capsule that uses portraiture to examine what is, was, and is yet to come. Personal, political, socioeconomic history and more have led each of us to where we are: a protestor kneeling in prayer in front of a raging fire; a woman in front of a church angelically raising her arms towards the heavens. All moments are connected to the past. A collection of photographers spanning the globe from Pennsylvania to India offered an interpretation of this concept while documenting one of our most valuable natural resources: people. This exhibition is part of the 20/20 Photo Festival in Philadelphia which follows the theme History Informs Contemporary.
SUMMERHOUSE
June 19 - August 21, 2021
HOT•BED Gallery
732 Chestnut Street, 2nd Floor
Philadelphia PA, 19106
SUMMERHOUSE is an open call exhibition curated around the idea of escapism. Featuring 58 contemporary artists working in sculpture, painting, photography and mixed media, curator Bryan Hoffman invites visitors who seek a distraction from daily life to engage in a fantasy. After a year of upheaval and transformational cultural shifts, this artistic oasis is designed to let people take a beat, reconnect and prepare to emerge into a new world.
PPAC Members' Exhibition
July 8 - August 14, 2021
Philadelphia Photo Arts Center
1400 N. American Street, Suite 103
Philadelphia PA, 19122
Philadelphia Photo Arts Center is proud to reopen our gallery doors with the 2021 Members' Exhibition. This year, 102 members submitted to the show, making it our largest members’ show to date. Please join the celebration of our talented community at the opening reception on July 15, 5 - 8 pm.
Enjoy the opening of the Members' Exhibition during a special indoor/ outdoor event in PPAC’s gallery and outside on N. American St. Refreshments will be served outdoors, including Mister Softee ice cream and beer provided by Yards Brewing.
In the Commons
April 2 - May 2, 2021
Cherry Street Pier Gallery
Philadelphia, PA
The Philadelphia Photo Arts Center is proud to present In the Commons, an exhibition featuring photographs by 26 PPAC members at the Cherry Street Pier Gallery in April 2 – May 2, 2021. The opening reception at Cherry Street Pier is Saturday, April 10 2021, 2–4 PM EST.
In the Commons refers to the resources that belong to all of us, and so must be cared for by all of us. The commons can be our natural resources like air, oceans, parks, or our social creations like libraries, museums, public spaces, scientific research, artistic works and cultural heritage. PPAC welcomes a broad range of interpretations of this theme. In the Commons will consider the things we all have a stake in – to steward and protect, then hand to the next generation to do the same.
Life in Progress
December 2014
World Wide Mind Gallery
1306 Abbot Kinney Blvd,
Venice Beach, CA 90291
From the cobblestone streets of Brooklyn to the eclectic shorelines of Venice Beach, Life in Progress is a solo exhibit featuring photographs shot from coast to coast and beyond during a 3-year period from 2012 to 2014.
The exhibit features street photography and focuses on extracting the extraordinary from the ordinary in our daily routines. Life in Progress was displayed at World Wide Mind Gallery in one of the most vibrant and artistic enclaves in America - Venice Beach, CA.
Cinematic Streets
March 2013
Opening Reception March 2nd 7-10pm
Official Sponsor Remy Martin VSOP
ArtsCenter South Florida, Studio 201
810 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL
The moment a sun shower strikes and you scurry for cover. The moment you pause and bathe in a fading sun.
Cinematic Streets is a colorful series that captures the stirring motion and dramatic stillness of the streets. It examines the occurrence when the usual becomes unique. Each photograph was taken spontaneously while strolling through London, New York and beyond.
The series was on display in one of the most culturally rich, vibrant and energetic cities in the world - Miami Beach, FL. Few cities smile wider, dance harder, strut cooler or savor art more than the 3-0-5.
Portraits of Wisdom
June 4 - July 13, 2012
100 Pearl Street Gallery
Hartford, CT
Portraits of Wisdom is a photographic study of the enlightenment of the human spirit.
Throughout the course of several months, I stopped mostly strangers on the streets of various Northeast cities and simply asked: "What have you learned?"
It turns out you don't have to be Socrates or Plato to provide a sage and insightful perspective on life. The greatest philosophers we have are teachers, accountants, security guards, painters, retirees and waitresses; they're White, Black, Asian, Hispanic and more. The possibilities are endless.
In Portraits, I connect people's life lessons with a candid portrait, providing a rare glimpse into their souls.
