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Redux celebrates five years with live art auction

By Olivia Pool

Provided/Redux

In celebration of Redux Contemporary Art Center's five year anniversary, the Redux studio family hit the streets of Charleston Sunday and gave away many balloons. They rode a beautiful red bike and a mini-horse. The art studio will host an art auction on Friday at The Art Institute of Charleston, downtown.

PROVIDED

Artists John Crain (artwork pictured) and Debbie Hankinson will open their 'Two Unique Visions: In and Outside' tonight from 5:30 to 8 at the Harper Student Center on Courtenay Street.

Charleston's contemporary nonprofit art center, Redux, is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a live art auction from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday at the new Art Institute of Charleston building.

"Like auctions past, Redux will be selecting choice works from over 50 artists to be presented to the public," says Seth Curcio, Redux's executive director.

"Each of these works will help raise funds for existing programs, such as our community outreach, public exhibitions and artist/curator lecture series. In addition, Redux will present two new programs this year, the Transit Antenna Bus Tour and the new Redux Community Grant Program, awarding funds for socially minded art projects,"

The live auction will consist of paintings, sculptures, photographs, drawings and videos by some of the most accomplished artists in the region, including Curcio, Karin Olah, Tattfoo Tan, Mary Walker, Robert Lange, Kevin Hoth, John Duckworth, Austin Shultz, Linda Fantuzzo, Julie Henson, Jarod Charzewski, Lisa Shimko, Townsend Davidson, Kaminer Haislip, Tina Hirsig, Erik Johnson, Jessie Kendall, Dorothy Netherland, Bob Snead, Seth Gadsden, Jonathan Brilliant, Bob Brown, Michael Gray, Colleen Terrell, Leslie McKeller, Andrew Dyke, Katie Guthrie, among others.

Guests can view the works from 6 to 8 p.m., and the auction will begin promptly at 8 p.m.

There will be live music by Garage Cuban Band (members include Bill Carson, Nathan Koci, Jonathan Gray, Jack Burg and Ron Wiltrout) and Leah Suarez and Friends. Tickets include cocktails and light hors d'oeuvres, and are $25 for members and $50 for nonmembers. The admission includes a one-year membership to Redux.

In addition to the endorsement of talented artists and the esteemed Art Institute of Charleston, Red Bull, Firefly Vodka, Social Wine Bar and Fast and French are also sponsoring the event.

Call 722-0697 to reserve tickets or visit www.reduxstudios.org to pay via Paypal.

'View from Water's Edge'

Saturday, the city of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs will be hosting "View From the Water's Edge: A Piccolo Spoleto Fine Art Auction and Holiday Parade of Boats Viewing Party."

"This gala event highlights the impact that Piccolo Spoleto has made on the cultural life of the Charleston community for the past 30 years by providing access to the arts for all citizens and advocating the work of area artists, performers, writers, actors and dancers, says Ellen Dressler Moryl, founding director of the Piccolo Spoleto Festival. "Since it was launched in 1979, the Piccolo Festival has selected different artists each year to create a unique image that represents the festival and evokes its spirit, vitality, whimsy, excitement and magic. 'View From the Water's Edge' displays works by more than 80 artists, many of whom were selected to create Piccolo's poster image and all of whom have contributed to Piccolo's tradition of presenting outstanding artists and performers to the regional, national and international audiences that come to the festivals each year."

"View From the Water's Edge" is a threefold event: an art exhibition, a silent auction of the artwork on display and a gala. The show will provide prime viewing of the Holiday Parade of Boats from the Charleston waterfront.

This black-tie optional event will take place 5-9 p.m. Saturday at the City Gallery at Waterfront Park, 34 Prioleau St. Proceeds will go to benefit the outreach programs of the Piccolo Spoleto Festival. Reservations are $75 per person ($50 of the ticket price can be used as a tax deduction).

There will be hors d'oeuvres, cocktails and champagne, classical guitar by Christopher Teves, and mellow jazz by Franklin Ashley and Friends. The public is invited to view the exhibit at the gallery on the days prior to the event.

For more information or to make reservations, call 724-7305 or visit www.piccolospoleto.com and www.charlestoncity.info.

'Two Unique Visions'

Join local artists John Crain and Debbie Hankinson for the opening reception of their show "Two Unique Visions: In and Outside" 5:30 to 8 tonight at the Harper Student Center on Courtenay Street. There will be hors d'oeuvres, beer, wine and live music. Both artists will be showcasing about 20 pieces each, most of which will be available for purchase.

For more information, call 1-888-410-5671 or visit www.easterndesign.com.

Russian portrait artist

Russian-born portrait artist

Igor Babailov will visit Charleston this weekend to complete pencil sketch commissions for clients in the area. This world-renowned artist's international profile includes artist, lecturer and presenter.

"Babailov distinguished himself at the Surikov Academy for Fine Arts, Moscow, Russia, and has won awards in Russia, Canada and the U.S. He has lectured and demonstrated his skills at the Florence Academy of Fine Art, Italy; American Society of Portrait Artists; and the Art Gallery of Ontario, among others," explains Joy Millar, Portrait Brokers of America's Charleston representative.

"Regarding the life sketches, which I will be doing in Charleston, what makes them very unique and memorable is that I complete them entirely from life, regardless of the sitters' age. With children, I sit them in front of the TV, perhaps watching their favorite video, which helps to keep them from moving too much. My visual memory and expertise of working from life are the key prerequisites in capturing the likeness and character in only 30 minutes. So, with a blink of an eye, people have their portraits completed right on the spot, and the memory of participating in this traditional portrait process stays with them forever," says Babailov.

He travels extensively to client locations throughout North America and has gained recognition for his family portraits and multifigured paintings of business, government and social leaders. He works in oil, pastel and charcoal. His works are represented in distinguished private and corporate collections, including those of Pope John Paul II (The Vatican Museum Collection), President George W. Bush (Collection of the President), Former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani of New York, (Giuliani Partners, N.Y.), President Vladimir Putin of Russia, (The Kremlin); Nelson Mandela, (Presidential Collection, South Africa), Sen. Hillary R. Clinton, (Clinton Presidential Library), Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, (House of Commons); Regis Philbin and James Gandolfini.

His sketches are by appointment only. For more information about Babailov's visit to Charleston or to schedule an appointment, contact Joy Millar by calling 425-2816 or e-mail her at joymillarpba@yahoo.com.

To learn more about Babailov, visit his official Web site at www.Babailov.com.

Mary Whyte

"Regarded as one of the most important artists of our time, Mary Whyte has long been heralded for her watercolor portraits of South Carolina's coastal Gullah people, their rich heritage and culture," explains Lauren Hensarling, director of Coleman Fine Art.

"Whyte's book, 'Alfreda's World,' blends beautiful art works with her narrative of the unique relationship she shares with these influential people. Whyte has been teaching for over 20 years and is the illustrator of over a dozen children's books. She is the author of the popular instructional book, 'Watercolor for the Serious Beginner' (Watson-Guptill), which is now in its fourth printing. In her most recent book, 'An Artist's Way of Seeing,' Whyte explains all the many lessons she has learned over the years — lessons about art, and perhaps more important to her, lessons about life."

"Drawing Closer" is a radical solo exhibition of new works by Mary Whyte, in which the viewer is invited to see Whyte's entire process from conception to end result. This exhibit will conclude with a book signing and gallery tour with Mary Whyte at 2 p.m. Saturday at Coleman Fine Art.

Those attending will have the opportunity to purchase autographed copies of Whyte's nationally acclaimed books. For more information, call 853-7000 or visit www.colemanfineart.com.

'Small Works'

In celebration of five years in business on King Street in Charleston, Sylvan Gallery owners Joe and Janie Sylvan are hosting a "Small Works" show at the gallery in time for the holidays.

Small works of sculpture and oil paintings by most of the 35 artists the gallery represents will be available for purchase. Some of the artists include Rhett Thurman, Nancy Bush, Joan Potter, William Berra, Ted Ellis, Glenna Goodacre, Guido Petruzzi and many more.

For more information, visit the gallery at 171 King St., call 722-2172, or view www.thesylvangallery.com.

'Natural Rhythms'

The Sandpiper Gallery on Sullivan's Island will host an opening reception for Michael Patterson's newest body of work, "Natural Rhythm," from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday.

"The relationship of these shapes sets the rhythm for a piece and influences where the viewer's eye travels and at what pace," says Patterson, whose works frequently focus on figures, often on rainy streets, bathing in water or relaxing on a beach.

"This latest series of compelling works rendered in dramatic color, with a nod to Cubism, are large complex oils and watercolors of musicians and beaches. Along with these vibrant pieces, a recently completed series of charcoal and pastel figure studies also will be included in this exhibition," says gallery owner Julie Sweat.

This exhibit will run through the holiday season. For more information, call 883-0200 or preview the show online at www.sandpipergallery.net.

'Tree Trimming Art'

The exhibiting member artists of the Charleston Artist Guild Gallery have been busy working on artwork especially created and priced for the holiday gift-giving season with their "Tree Trimming Art Reception" taking place from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the gallery. 6 North Atlantic Wharf, just off East Bay Street.

Dubbed the "C-Note Sale," with all pieces priced at $100, $200, and $300, the show contains oil, watercolor and pastel paintings, as well as fine art photography in a wide range of styles. The show also will feature unusual Christmas tree ornaments that are real miniature paintings.

For more information, call the gallery at 722-2425.