Oxford Gallery Discovers Strohmeier

It's never too late to show your artwork.  James Strohmeier is setting that example by having his first art show at 84 years old.  Oxford Gallery discovered this unknown Rochester painter when the artist humbly contacted the gallery to inquire if they would take a look at his work.  They liked his paintings so much that they are hosting the artist's debut as part of their summer exhibit.

Strohmeier's main focus are his colorful still lifes.  Flowers, intricate folds in cloth, reflections in a silver vase or pitcher are some of the subjects he has studied and mastered in his own deliberate style. 

Strohmeier has been dedicated to painting his whole adult life.  With an office job by day, he honed his painting skills at night attending classes at RIT.  He currently works in the north light of his home studio.  Dissatisfied with the color quality of commercial oils, he happily grinds pigments to make his own superior paint.


Iris, oil

 

A Game of Chess, oil

detail of a James Strohmeier painting

 James Strohmeier's work can be seen at Oxford Gallery located in the lower level of the Roosevelt Apartment Building at the corner of Oxford St. and Park Ave. Ring the buzzer and they will let you in.

Exhibit runs through Saturday, August 25th. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, 12-5pm, and Saturday, 10am-5pm. Admission is free.  Call 585-271-5885 for more info.

Oxford Gallery

Fly Me to the Moon

The Shoe Factory Art Co-op, a cooperative art gallery on N. Goodman St., is hosting an art exhibit just down the road at Starry Nites Café on University Ave.  “Fly Me to the Moon: Celestial Bodies at Starry Nites Café” features the work of 16 local artists depicting a variety of cosmic themed imagery.  On display are moons, stars, skyscapes, and outer space fantasies in the form of paintings, mixed media, collage, and stained glass. 

Participating artists are Chloe Bennett-Larson, Phil Bliss, Beth Brown, Daniel Chadwick, Jan Feldman, Nancy Jo Gambacurta, Simoney Hanna, Kathy Juda, Mary Beth Lee, Stan Merrell, Barbara Mink, Jeanette Musliner, Mona Oates, Tom Ritz, Deanna Varble, and Colleen Virdi.

Shoe Factory director Beth Brown and Starry Nites co- owner Aaron Lefebvre believe that cross-promotion is a great way to support each other’s businesses in the Neighborhood of the Arts.  The busy coffee shop acts as a satellite showcase for the gallery and in turn, the juried art exhibit brings in new customers to the bistro while enhancing the atmosphere with original art. 

“Starry Nites Café is a street level storefront open seven days a week, day and night.  They get a lot of daily traffic”, Brown says.  “My gallery is in the Anderson Arts Building on the second floor and we are not able to be open for as many hours.  Although our art openings are popular and very well attended, it’s great to offer more exposure for our artists.  I’ve always wanted to work with other businesses in the neighborhood and this is a nice arrangement.”

The public is invited to meet the artists at a free reception for “Fly Me to the Moon: Celestial Bodies at Starry Nites Café” on Sunday, June 10^th from 2-4pm.  Artwork is available for purchase as well as the café’s usual fare.   Patrons can enjoy specialty drinks, gourmet coffees, beer and wine, homemade soups, salads, sandwiches, and desserts. 

The exhibit runs through August 25^th.  Starry Nites Café is located in the unique Flat Iron Building at 696 University Ave., Rochester, NY 14607.  Open daily.  Call (585) 271-2630 for hours or visit www.starrynitescafe.com .

Artists that missed the deadline for the current exhibit can enter the next Shoe Factory/ Starry Nites show in September called “Clouds in my Coffee”.  Submit your artwork by August 11^th.  For more info, visit the Call for Artists page on the Shoe Factory’s website at www.shoefactoryarts.com . 

The Shoe Factory Art Co-op’s gallery is located at 250 N. Goodman St., Studio 212, Rochester, NY 14607. Phone: 585-732-0036 Email: studio212@shoefactoryarts.com  

"000000 - From Drupal Series", DeannaVarble

"Dance of the Planets", Jeanette Musliner

"Tyrian Purple", Mona Oates