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OFF THE WALL GALLERYAT DIRTY FRANK’S

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TENTH ANNUAL JURIED EXHIBITIONTENTH ANNUAL JURIED EXHIBITION

NEW YEAR IN THE OFFINGDecember 28 — New Year’s/Mummers Hiatus

January 9, 2015

January 11 — 2015 Winter Exhibition

February 27 Opens Thursday, January 15, 7–10 pm

March 1 — April 17 Mary Liz Memorial Masters Exhibition 11

Opens Thursday, March 5, 7–10 pm

April 19 — May 29 2015 Spring Show

Opens Thursday, April 23, 7–10 pm

Thursday, May 7 Submission Deadline for

11:59 pm Tenth Annual Community Juried Show

May 31 — July 31 Tenth Annual Community Juried Show

Opens Thursday, June 4, 7–10 pm

SPECIAL THANKS SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR JURYTO OUR JURY

We consider ourselves supremely fortunate to be able to call on

such talented volunteers every May and November, who sort through

hundreds of entries to craft our biannual juried exhibitions—and then

award prizes. ON THE GRID was no exception as our four invited

jurors each put in about a day of time and provided insights that we

cannot quantify. We are deeply grateful for their enthusiastic service.

RUSSELL BRODIERUSSELL BRODIE artist and musician; 2014 Mary Liz Fellow

russellbrodie.com

ROBERT YONG LEEROBERT YONG LEE artist and fi lmmaker; member, The Plastic

Club and Photographic Society of Philadelphia

VERONIKA SCHMUDEVERONIKA SCHMUDE artist, urban explorer and lighting

technician; member, Photographic Society of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Sketch

Club and Rittenhouse Square Artist Guild jpgmag.com/people/VeronikaS

JODY SWEITZERJODY SWEITZER artist; instructor, University of the Arts;

curator, Off the Wall Gallery jodysweitzer.com

MARLISE M. TKACZUKMARLISE M. TKACZUK artist; program coordinator for

continuing education, Moore College of Art & Design; member, The Print Center

marlisetkaczuk.com @MarliseMTkaczuk

ON COVER, TOP: Alexandra Orgera’s “Tangram,” Rob Lybeck’s “Moravian Grit,” Jocelynn Tice’s “Spaced,” ON COVER, TOP: Alexandra Orgera’s “Tangram,” Rob Lybeck’s “Moravian Grit,” Jocelynn Tice’s “Spaced,”

Ed Snyder’s “Open Hydrant”; MIDDLE: Annette Newman’s “Outbound,” Bob Gorchov’s “City Dog”; Ed Snyder’s “Open Hydrant”; MIDDLE: Annette Newman’s “Outbound,” Bob Gorchov’s “City Dog”;

BOTTOM: Jim Biglan’s “Dive Bar,” DoN Brewer’s “Dollar General”BOTTOM: Jim Biglan’s “Dive Bar,” DoN Brewer’s “Dollar General”

John BaccileOn the small scale, we’re

people of flesh, blood, hopes

and fears. On a bigger scale,

we’re a city of glass, steel,

order and chaos. Both scales

are us—reaching out to

become more connected.

“In the Jawn”

manipulated

digital photograph

50.

Jessica BarberMy work is characterized by an interest in the urban and

industrial environment, especially in the city of Chester, as

well as the effect of this

environment on the human

experience. Images in this

series, like this one,

encompass portraits of

human adaptability to these

spaces, as well as depictions

of these structures

themselves as they ooze

vitality or descend into decay.

“Refined Structure 1”

monoprint

250.

Glenn BengeStreet photography frames meaning, captures the instant,

freezes time and space. That is my goal. Henri-Cartier

Bresson calls it the ‘Decisive Moment.’ I call it my ticket to

ride: the best possible use of my eyes and my small-motor

reflex that clicks the shutter. Working with a telephoto lens

allows me to crop an image... (continued on the next page)

Visit John online: johnbaccile.com

Visit Jessica online: jessicabarberfineart.com

Meryl BonderowThis photo looks out from Bartram’s

Garden to the Grays Ferry refineries

across the Schuylkill. You can feel

the tension between the two sides:

industrial relics that once spilled

oil into these waters viewed from

a historic green space soon to be

connected to Center City by the

Schuylkill River Trail.

Glenn Benge(continued) ...on the fly, remove a lot

of clutter at the edges of what I want

to see. “Fly-Bye” catches two young

ladies balancing, one guided very

carefully along a tight wire, another

just floating on her own path.

“Fly-Bye: Mt. Airy Village Fair”

digital photograph

250.

Jim BiglanEvery great city has its

famous and infamous dive

bars. After living in New

Orleans, Chicago and

Philadelphia, I’ve had ample

experience with these places.

This drawing is not a specific

place but a composite of

many places I’ve been to.

“Dive Bar”

ink on paper

200.

Visit Glenn online: bengephoto.com

See more of Jim’s work: google.com/profiles/james.biglan

“Riverside”

digital photograph

50.

closest to home

DoN BrewerThe Dollar General Store that was located at 25th and South

Streets was a great resource for my community. The low

prices helped to serve folks both rich and poor who stopped

in the store for everything from bacon and eggs to cat and

dog food. I would see some

people counting out pennies

to buy toilet paper, and I

saw relatively wealthy

people stocking up on

laundry detergent. The

staff was so friendly,

kind and helpful, and

all of the young people

who worked there were

African Americans.

Over time, I learned

their names and they

knew mine. There was

always a line at the cash

register and I’d often see

friends and neighbors.

Real estate development

and gentrification put the

Dollar General out of

business. It’s been replaced

by a Petco Unleashed that

sells high-end pet food.

The corner store that was

a thriving, busy place

that employed blacks is

now full of expensive dog food and an all-white staff—and

it is now virtually empty of customers. Petco moved into my

neighborhood to compete with the two existing pet supply

stores, The Philly Pack and Doggie Style, stocked with the

same products and offering similar services. The nearest

Dollar General is now at 26th and Jackson, too far to walk.

mary-rowe memorial jury prize: best of show

Visit DoN online: donbrewermultimedia.com

“Dollar General”

digital photograph on plexiglass

265.

This photograph, printed on Plexiglas, is of the metal racks

that once lined the sidewalk outside the Dollar General store,

which received daily deliveries of basic supplies to serve the

community. Now Petco Unleashed only serves the wealthiest

of dogs and cats.

Paula Brumbelow BurnsBridges enabled the urban

grid to expand to the

suburban frontier and people

to travel easily between them.

Shown are the suspension

cables that allowed the

Brooklyn Bridge to span the

East River and create one of

the first successful bridges of

this style. These suspension

cables ensure the safe

crossing of 150,000 vehicles

and pedestrians each day.

Vincent BushI instinctively draw hearts each time

I pick up pen and paper. The heart is

a universal symbol of love, to which

all people relate. I interpret both

human feelings and iconic cultural

symbols with my imagery.

Visit Vincent online: vcabdesigns.com

“Suspension” “Keep the Lights On”

digital photo 35mm silver print

100. 85. (below)

“Rocky Love”

digital print

30.

multiple framed prints available

Urbanization trends within the

Pacifi c Northwest have followed

the natural land where build-

ings are built bigger and taller

and quickly begin to block the

natural views of the mountains.

This photo captures how this

built environment has physically

blocked the view of the harbor

and mountains. Additionally, when the lights are always on, light

pollution further removes residents from connecting with nature

and the skies above.

Nicole CliffordMost of my work highlights the endurance of urban

architecture in decay. Abandoned spaces can be stunning

both in terms of their architecture and the fascinating objects

left behind, often replete with historical context and detail.

Decay as artwork evokes a

sense of melancholy, a debate

between loneliness and solitude

and an excruciating beauty

that is difficult to capture

without human expression.

My goal is to force both to

collide: to photograph the raw

beauty of these spaces and to

photograph others interacting with these

spaces—others who may not have felt

the impetus to explore the spaces or to

become part of them

without my intervention

and persuasion.

Matt CohenPhiladelphia

is a place of

possibilities

with many

opportunities for expressing who we are. I enjoy taking

photographs that capture the spirit, exuberance and sincerity

of people doing just that. Whether at a planned event, in a

public space or through a message crafted on an abandoned

building, I find these qualities in the faces, movements and

creativity of my subjects.

“Waiting for the Green Light,

Philly Naked Bike Ride” (above)

“Dilworth Plaza,

Opening Weekend”

digital photographs

150. each

See more of Nicole’s work: jpgmag.com/people/NicoleClifford

“Double Basin”

digital photograph

120.

Jacque FerrettiThis grouping of faces is part of

the “Talk on the Street” series I’ve

been developing over the past

five years. In each case, I never

looked at the person speaking.

I simply wrote down random words

overheard on my city walks. These

sketches were my reaction to what

I felt from hearing their statements.

I created each in just a few minutes

in order to quickly translate into a

face what they were trying to say.

Visit Jacque online: jacqueferretti.com“Talk on the Street”

mixed media on canvas

500.

Leroy ForneyModern life and commercial enterprise require vast quantities

of materials used to temporarily protect, promote and facilitate

goods for purchase, only to be immediately and thoughtlessly

discarded as trash. Much of this throwaway material has been

ingeniously designed both for strength and for visual appeal.

It influences our perception of the products it contains, yet

we are largely unaware of its design and specialization. The

artwork created for this

exhibition elevates and

repurposes these materials,

and is composed of

items scavenged from

Philadelphia’s trash bins

and sidewalk debris.

(in our 3D space,along with

Julius Scissor’s “Hairy Lox”)

“Bouquet” “Explosion”

urban object urban object’

collection collection

“Shelter, Row on Row”

UPS box and SEPTA forms

50. each

Visit Leroy online: leroyforney.com

Julia FoxMy work attempts to capture the character of unique

architectural structures in the cities I have lived in. As a

tribute to the entropy of the architectural inspiration, I often

embellish the physical features of structures in hopes of

communicating both the

nature of its development

and the degree of

the structure’s

deterioration. It also

helps me explore the

unique features that

initially attracted me.

Architectural portraits

like this one focus

on the effects of time

and contemplate the

relationship between

the structure of the

building and whatever

history it may represent in

the city in which it was built.

Wayne FranksI was

intrigued

by the word

“Grid” in the

title of this

show. My

art usually

reflects

my interest in geometry; as a result, I wanted to enter and

share art that reflects the geometry of the city. This view of

Olde City is a case in point, clearly incorporating many grids.

Locations here in Philadelphia or New York City are most

often the subjects of my cityscapes.

“Olde City Philadelphia”

silkscreen print with watercolor

185.

“Cleaners”

oil on particle board

85.

See more of Julia’s work: cargocollective.com/juliafox

Visit Bob online: flickr.com/photos/bobgorchov & facebook.com/RobertGorchov

Rachel GliddenWhen I think of urban life, I think of

the density of people weaving their

lives in and around one another.

Now I pause to wonder why this

image is of a solitary person. The

indicators of his urban connection

are the vastness of the surroundings

and City Hall right behind him.

“Man in Crosswalk”

digital photograph

125.

“the city” “city dog”

acrylic and ink acrylic and ink

on canvasette on canvasette

185. 180. (above)

Bob GorchovTo me, particularly with my

hearing aids (in both ears),

walking in the city is like walking

through the set of a Fellini film:

sounds (horn blasts, bits of

conversation, hammers

pounding, cars screeching), as

well as colors, signs and lights,

assault me from all sides. And

scattered throughout this mayhem

are dogs—walking on leashes

with their owners, taking leaks on

trees and fire hydrants, sniffing

out other dogs.

The city is more to me than

sounds and dogs, but

sounds and dogs are a big

part of it. These paintings are

intended to express how the

city has imprinted its presence

on my imagination.

most scratchable underbelly of the grid

Visit Rachel online:rachelgliddenphotography.blogspot.com

Ted GutswaI was born and raised in Philly

but was away for 30 years.

Since returning, I’ve seen

that the city has changed

for better and for worse, but

I’ve always loved this city

because it’s been my home. And

I continue to love Philly—the good and

the bad. This photo, taken three blocks

from City Hall, is of fellow citizen who

lives literally on the grid. Sad as this is, he is our neighbor.

Robin HarrisonRobin loves Christmas, yarn,

ornamentation and cats.

“Bundles, North 5th Street”

mixed media assemblage

110. for both

Robert Yong LeeThe Grid mediates our experience of the

natural world, and that includes our

experience of sky and daylight. In “Roof

Work,” the Grid has elevated a worker into

the sky. At the same time, it frames and

dominates man

and sky alike.

“Elevens” shows

an architectural

homage to sky and light; the

sky returns the favor, as sunlight

collected and scattered by the

surrounding glass canyon illuminates

structure, detail and human life within.

Find out more about Robin’s community: cisworks.org

“Living on the Edge”

digital photograph

50.

“Roof Work” “Elevens”

digital photo digital photo

150. 125. (above)

Rob LybeckBeing primarily a photographer of

the built environment, including

cityscapes and streetscapes, I

cannot help but be affected by what

goes on in and around the urban

structures I photograph. This photo

offers one glimpse of the kind of

scenarios I encounter in my travels.

“Moravian Grit”

digital photograph

200.

Stephen MillnerI am drawn to the complexities of

cities, and my art is often about

discovering the “key” to a given city:

that essential element that, if you

understand it, makes everything fall

into place. Whether a city is radial—

expanding from a central point—or

gridlike—parallel streets with perpendicular

avenues—it has a unique character and

warmth. I often include images and maps

from other places, but my

heart is in Philadelphia.

Bill MyersOne day I was driving up the 2600 block of North 26th Street, right below Lehigh, when I saw this coffin with a body in it, just sitting on the sidewalk and carrying the message, “We need to stop the shooting of people in the City of Philadelphia!!!”

See more of Bill’s work: psop1860.ning.com/pro ile/billmyers

“I Want to Live!!!”

iPhone photograph

100.

“Sugar”

mixed media collage

185.

Visit Steve online: stephenmillner.com

best ref lection

of the grid

See more of Rob’s work: facebook.com/pages/Rob-Lybeck-Photography/468507533199777

Visit Michael online: pictage.com/170540

best stop

on the grid“Outbound”

digital photo

150.

“Ghost Train” “Umbrellas”

digital photo digital photo

160. 160. (above)

Michael NathanPhiladelphia is a blue collar city. The

mail carrier takes a moment to refresh

and rest in his letter box.

“City Heat”

digital photograph

150.

Annette NewmanSEPTA facilities

are often dirty and

deteriorating—yet

somehow they can

also be beautiful and

intriguing. They

often are where

you can find all

of Philadelphia

blurred together

for a pleasing perspective of the city.

Tri NguyenI walk the streets of Philadelphia

looking for moments that are

extraordinary in their simplicity. I

capture normal scenes of everyday

urban life that elicit stories in the

mind of the viewer, placing them for

a fleeting second in that location or

into the

life of the

subject

of the

photo.

best distil lation

of the grid

Alexandra OrgeraThis photograph was taken within

a few blocks of my home. As I

walk around my neighborhood,

I am continually inspired by

the visual “collages” formed

by unintentionally overlapping

structural and natural elements.

Whether interpreted socio-

economically, historically,

spiritually or purely visually, these

elements can offer insights about

the life of a city and the people

who reside within it.

Gene RenziOn the Grid, to me, means

the City alive, never

sleeping. Things are always

happening: celebrations,

picketing, shopping, dining

and traveling. You name it

and it can be found.

“Turning Lanes, Atlantic City”

medium format photograph

silver gelatin print

250.

“Tangram”

digital photograph

65.

HAVE WORK TO SHOW US?HAVE WORK TO SHOW US? Submit a digital portfolio:

offthewallgallery@gmail.comoffthewallgallery@gmail.com

Chuck ShultzA vacation in New Hampshire is

an eight-hour drive from the place

I am used to knowing. I was torn

from the city I love and found myself

in the white mountains of New

Hampshire. There is no difference.

The flume flows through the gorge.

I was reminded by mountains, creeks

and rivers something about the city I had

overlooked. The frame you see is also part

of the composition. The layered frame of the city is suited for

high buildings and a busy cross street. Philadelphia and New

Hampshire are naturally different—but the same.

Julius ScissorSome people in Philadelphia eat them.

This is an assemblage

made with hair from

Philadelphians.

“Hairy Lox”

mixed media assemblage

1500.

Veronika SchmudeMy photographs all focus on

the decay of the Grid, from

roadside trash and landfills

to graffiti and blight and

the detritus left by man’s

abandonment and nature’s

reclamation. The Grid, for me,

is what is left behind.

“Curbside Comfort”

digital photograph

150.

“Untitled (NH & Phila)”

oil on canvas

350.

See more of Veronika’s work:jpgmag.com/people/VeronikaS

Visit Julius online:juliusscissor.com

Ed SnyderThis image, captured at the Philadelphia

Navy Yard, makes a bold statement of

manmade shapes against the Delaware

River and New Jersey sky. The Navy

Yard remains a secret, as most people

think it is off-limits to the public. Guess

what? It’s not! The city is slowly building

it into an amazing industrial park. I like

photographing here because it still has

something of a forbidding nature to it.

The open hydrant image is one of the most

iconic of “city” photographs. It is a rare,

albeit illegal, source of urban fun and relief

to landlocked residents during hot asphalt

summers. Cracking open a hydrant has all

kinds of metaphorical meanings as well,

giving a sense of freedom and control to

people who may lack either.

“Boats and Planes” & “Open Hydrant”

digital photographs 200. each

Mina Smith-SegalLove Park in Center City is for me

the best scene to paint. I can sit

there with my paints and brushes

and sheets of polypropylene

and paint for hours en plein air.

I observe it all—photographers,

wedding parties, musicians,

protesters, the homeless, City Hall

workers, tourists and of course

the skateboarders. The sights are

fascinating. All people deserve to be

there—and yes, definitely the artists.

May Love Park continue to flourish.

See more of Mina’s work:plasticclub.org/smithsegal.html

“Love Park Rocks!”

watercolor 280.

best movement

through the grid

See more of Laura’s work: instagram.com/laurastorck

“#philly_mannequin_ChestnutStreet”

digital photograph

150.

best representation

of a medium

Laura StorckTraversing our vast city on any

given day, one can witness

the perfect trifecta of urban

growth, decay and renewal. Like

automatons, we walk among one

another, preoccupied, in private

worlds of our own. But we can’t

deny our yearning for beauty, self-

expression and human connection.

It persists in spite of urbanization

and its effect on our humanity.

Michael TantarosA city has many attractions, distractions

and intersections, but I tend to find what

I am looking for in the midst of all there is

to experience.

“Intersections”

mixed media construction

650.

Jocelynn TiceThe night life in Philadelphia is

a vibrant scene. Captured are a

couple of Space Pirates at one of

their favorite venues, Trilogy.

“Spaced”

pastel 800.

Visit Jocelynn online: jocelynntice.com

Emi TravaliaElsa was a queen who made an

eternal winter. I wanted to be

Elsa in this photo because she

has power over nature. But the

photograph is of our city and

fall is the season now. My sister

helped me by taking this photo,

and Elsa has a sister who

helped her, too—Anna.

Noa TravaliaSky blue is one of my favorite

colors. On a perfect day,

there is nothing in the way of

the squares and rectangles

of the buildings working

together, towering over us

and sometimes looking like

something else completely.

Doesn’t the Comcast Center

look like a giant flash drive?

“Sky-Blue Flash Drive”

digital photograph

40.

Wa-oo-ba-keThis painting represents my metaphysical

perspective on the nature of life: building

atoms evolving to supporting social

communities of equality in pockets of the

big city—just like what we can discover

right here on the ‘lily pad’ of Dirty Frank’s

and Off the Wall Gallery.

“The Big City People Who

Lived on the Little Lily”

India ink and acrylic

50.

Visit Wa-oo-ba-ke online: waoobakeartwork.com

(with Noa Travalia) “Let It Go”

digital photograph

40.

Katherine WeberOut of place (and out of step)

in downtown Fort Worth, these

cattle are apparently rehearsing

for a parade.

The Saint hits

the streets

of Lower

Manhattan on

his feast day. He was making his way

to the two-headed snake girl when we

spotted him jaywalking, pausing to

sanctify a sausage hoagie and waiting in

line for a cannoli. Later he hopes to win a

plush dolphin.

“San Gennaro on the Move” “Urban Cattle”

digital photographs digital photograph

150. for the triptych 200.

Jaither WestJaither paints the world

around him and the people

that inspire him. He is

always looking and learning.

He learned to become an

artist from his grandmother.

“On My Street”

acrylic on canvas

200.

STAY CONNECTEDSTAY CONNECTEDWITH SOCIAL MEDIAWITH SOCIAL MEDIA

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Twitter & Insta: @OTWDirtyFranks@OTWDirtyFranks

Find out more about Jaither’s community: cisworks.org

Our best wishes for aHAPPY & CREATIVE NEW YEAR! We look forward

to seeing you often in 2015.

Still in 2014, join us Sunday, December 14 at

Dirty Frank’s to welcome back Traveling Wares,

a Philadelphia holiday shopping tradition, fi rst

organized by our curator Jody Sweitzer in 1993.