Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition by Salmagundi Club (2009)

Posted on July 10, 2009 by John O'Keefe Jr.

This was the big day, the Opening Reception and Award Ceremony for the 2009 Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition by Salmagundi Club, my first exhibition in New York City. The reception was to take place between 6:00 and 8:00 PM. But first, we planned to leave Connecticut early and see some of the sites in the city.

Walking Around New York City – 2009 Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition

We planned to leave early and see some New York City sites. Our friend Joan Shackford (president of the Cheshire Art League of Cheshire, Connecticut) accompanied us.

John O'Keefe and family at Washington Square in New York City — Our first stop was to visit Washington Square.
(located just a few blocks from the Salmagundi Club)

Joshua and Danielle at Washington Square — **Joshua and Danielle in Washington Square**

From Washington Square, it was down to SoHo for some lunch. We enjoyed a lovely meal at an outdoor Italian restaurant. We planned to visit some art galleries but learned that many had moved uptown to the Chelsea area. However, we did manage to find a few galleries to visit.

John O'Keefe and family with Joan Shackford at outdoor restaurant — **Stopping for lunch in SoHo**

On the way back to the Salmagundi Club, our group split; Jennifer, Joan, and Danielle made a detour to the bakery Magnolias, and Joshua and I went straight to the Salmagundi Club.

Opening Reception and Award Ceremony (7-10-2009) – Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition

The big moment had arrived! Almost like clockwork, at around 6:00 PM, the gallery started filling, and it soon became a packed house.

*“The Field’s Edge”* by John O’Keefe Jr.

Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, The Fields Edge by John O'Keefe Jr. — *“The Field’s Edge”* by John O’Keefe Jr.

Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, Joshua, Danielle, Jennifer, Ernie Sterlacci, and John O'Keefe Jr. — **Joshua, Danielle, Jennifer, Ernie Sterlacci, and John O’Keefe Jr.**

Ernie Sterlacci, Joan Shackford, Jennifer O'Keefe, and Ernie Sterlacci — **Joan Shackford, Jennifer O’Keefe, and Ernie Sterlacci**

Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, guests start arriving

Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, more guests arriving

Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition

Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, Ernie Sterlacci and John O'Keefe — **Ernie Sterlacci and John O’Keefe Jr.**

Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, Joshua and Danielle hanging out — **Joshua and Danielle hanging out in front of the Salmagundi Club**

Award Ceremony – Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition

Around 6:45 PM, the Award Ceremony started. The artwork at this show was exceptional, and I was honored to have been accepted to be among such great artists.

Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, guest assemble to view award ceremony

Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, guests viewing the award ceremony

Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, Danielle and John O'Keefe Jr. — **Danielle and John O’Keefe Jr. pose for a quick picture.**

Enjoying the Exhibition

After the Award Ceremony concluded, people began moving around and mingling again. Joshua spent most of his time listening to the live jazz band The Jeevan D’Souza Trio. He had recently begun learning to play guitar, and he was not going to pass up a chance to see live musicians playing up close.

Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, The Jeevan D'Souza Trio — **The Jeevan D’Souza Trio**

A little later in the evening, a close family friend, Ann Benedetto, who lives near the Salmagundi Club, showed up. Ann was my mother’s best friend when they grew up together in Astoria. Ann lives and works in Manhattan and owns a clothing store in Tribeca called “ANue.”

Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, Ernie Sterlacci, Ann Benedetto, and John O'Keefe Jr. — **Ernie Sterlacci, Ann Benedetto, and John O’Keefe Jr.**

Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, Ann Benedetto and Ernie Sterlacci — **Ann Benedetto and Ernie Sterlacci**

The evening was exciting. I met several artists, and we exchanged congratulations on being in the exhibit. Later, I was introduced to the president of the Salmagundi Club, Claudia Seymore, by another elected member, Christine Ivers. I know Christine from the Connecticut art scene. Christine and Claudia sponsored me, and I filled out a membership application and submitted my portfolio, which I hope will be approved. The reception ended around 8:30 PM, and it was time to head back to Connecticut.

Heading Back to Connecticut – 2009 Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition

Joshua snapped the following photos as we left the city. They are pretty good, so I decided to close this journal entry using them.

Jennifer and John O'Keefe in New York City

Joshua O'Keefe photograph of New York City streets

Joshua O'Keefe photograp himself in New York City — **The best photograph of the evening, Joshua’s self-portrait!**

Concluding Thoughts

So ends the Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition by Salmagundi Club. Today was another one of those days that was overwhelming for me. My art journey feels like it just keeps getting better and better. My previous success at the Lyme Art Association and a possible elected membership at the Salmagundi Club. I couldn’t be more pleased.

Check out the drop-off for this exhibition.

Annual Visual Arts Exhibition by Cheshire Art League (2009)

Posted on June 6, 2009 by John O'Keefe Jr.

Cheshire Public Library
Cheshire, Connecticut

The 2009 Annual Visual Arts Exhibition by Cheshire Art League presented an opportunity for me to fulfill a new role I had with the organization. I was accepted onto the Board of Directors at the Cheshire Art League with the assignment to improve the league’s online presence. This included a complete redesign of the league’s website. I attended most functions and recorded the events to collect material for web page entries. 17 league events were documented between 2009 and 2011, starting with this 2009 annual exhibition.

(Note: I resigned from this assignment in 2011 to pursue my online frame business Painting Frames Plus; unfortunately, the new web designer for the Cheshire Art League did not upload the events I recorded. I will try to re-post them on this site as time permits. The below pictures are just a sampling from this exhibit.)

Event Literature – Annual Visual Arts Exhibition

Cheshire Art League Event Prospectus — **Event Literature**

Receiving and Hanging – Annual Visual Arts Exhibition

Joan Shackford, Angela Orsene and Ann Hearn receiving the artworks — **Joan Shackford, Angela Orsene, and Ann Hearn**

Paul Miller and Tom Mayer hanging the artworks — **Paul Miller and Tom Mayer**

Opening Reception and Award Ceremony – Annual Visual Arts Exhibition

Annual Visual Arts Exhibition and Award Ceremony

I didn’t know it then, but Christine Ivers would become my sponsor for membership in the Salmagundi Club in New York City. Christine’s specialty is working with pastels, and is an excellent artist. I first met Christine at this Annual Visual Arts Exhibition by Cheshire Art League.

About the Judge – Annual Visual Arts Exhibition

Power Boothe publicity photograph — **Power Boothe**

Power Boothe, Dean of the Hartford Art School, University of Hartford, is a recognized abstract painter. He has had twenty solo exhibitions in New York. His work is represented in many public collections, including the Metropolitan Museum, the Guggenheim Museum, the Whitney Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art. Boothe has designed sets for Obie Award-winning productions, collaborated as a visual artist with choreographers and musicians, and has received numerous NEA Inter-Arts grants. In 1975 he was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts Artist Fellowship for painting, and in 1985, a Guggenheim Fellowship for painting.1, 2

Footnotes:

Image of Power Boothe from hartford.edu ~ 2014
Bio. information for Power Boothe from the exhibition brochure

Solo Exhibition by The Picture Framer & Gallery (2008)

Posted on September 30, 2008 by John O'Keefe Jr.

My first Solo Exhibition by the Picture Framer & Gallery was excellent! In these early days, and with a lot of effort on my part, my renewed love of creating art and entrance into the local art scene was moving fairly quickly.

The Picture Framer & Gallery, View through front door — **(See my paintings hanging inside)**

Solo Exhibition – Event Literature and Promotional

The Picture Framer Event Poster — **Event Brochure**

Press release for John O'Keefe Jr's solo exhibition at the Picture Framer & Gallery in Cheshire, Connecticut in September 2008 — **As printed in the Cheshire Herald on August 28, 2008**

Solo Exhibition – Opening Reception (9-6-2008)

We held the reception despite a visit by tropical storm Hanna. Even though the poor weather discouraged most from attending the exhibit reception, we had a good group. Jennifer and I learned later that our local county was under a tornado warning during the event. Still, people came to see the exhibition opening, and I had the opportunity to talk with them about my paintings. We had refreshments and a good conversation. I was delighted with my first solo exhibit.

Solo Exhibition, Opening Reception, Main Gallery, Wall 1

Solo Exhibition, Opening Reception, Main Gallery, Wall 2

I selected eleven works to exhibit at The Picture Framer & Gallery throughout September. One of the more miniature paintings had sold, and another was still on exhibition at the Mystic Art Center. Therefore I had a mix of originals and reproductions displayed. The quality of the reproductions is so good that several visitors commented that they could not tell the difference between the originals and the reproductions.

Solo Exhibition, Opening Reception, Main gallery, Quests 1

Solo Exhibition, Opening Reception, Main Gallery, Guests 2

Solo Exhibition, Opening Reception, Main Gallery, Guests 3

Solo Exehibition, Opening Reception, Main Gallery, Guests 4

Solo Exhibition – People that have helped me!

Below are pictures of me with people who have helped promote my art business.

Opening Reception, Ann Hearn and John O'Keefe Jr. — **Ann Hearn owns and operates The Picture Framer & Gallery**

Opening Reception, Rob Lyon and John O'Keefe Jr. — **Rob Lyon owns and operates Sound Color**

Opening Reception, Joan Shackford and John O'Keefe Jr. — **Joan Shackford is the current President of the Cheshire Art League**

Solo Exhibition – Some Final Thoughts!

Below are pictures of friends and family that have encouraged and supported me. So many people supported me with Solo Exhibition by The Picture Framer & Gallery. Thank you!

Opening Reception, Sue Smith — **Sue Smith**
Close family friend

Opening Reception, John O'Keefe Jr. and his family — **John O’Keefe Sr.** (Dad – far left)
**Lynn Ambrosini** (Mom – left)
**Jennifer O’Keefe** (Wife – right)

Annual Visual Arts Exhibit by Cheshire Art League (2008)

Posted on April 30, 2008 by John O'Keefe Jr.

2008 Annual Visual Arts Exhibit by Cheshire Art League at Cheshire Public Library. — Cheshire Public Library,
Cheshire, Connecticut

The 2008 Annual Visual Arts Exhibit by Cheshire Art League was my first art show. The exhibit was held at the Cheshire Public Library in a dedicated space.

Even Literature – Annual Visual Arts Exhibit

2008 Annual Visual Arts Exhibit event literature by the Cheshire Art League. — **Event Brochure**

Hanging and Receiving (4-2-2008) – Annual Visual Arts Exhibit

I volunteered to help hang the exhibit. In addition, my family, wife, and children also assisted with the hanging process. During the hanging, I met several artists I would get to know better in the coming years.

Annual Visual Arts Exhibit, Member artists hanging artwork for exhibit — **Hanging**

Annual Visual Arts Exhibit, Member artists hanging artwork for exhibit - group pose — **Hanging Team**
(from left to right)
Paul Miller, John MacKay, Jennifer O’Keefe,
John O’Keefe, Dale Spaner, Danielle O’Keefe,
Angela Orsene, Joan Shackford,
and Joshua O’Keefe (taking the picture)

Award Ceremony and Reception (4-9-2008) – Annual Visual Arts Exhibit

With great excitement and anticipation, we arrived early for the award ceremony and reception. There were about 40 people in attendance. As a result, I met and talked with many people, including some artists in the exhibit. During the evening, I received an award and cash prize for my painting, “River Through the Adirondacks.” My family and I had a good time at the 2008 Annual Visual Arts Exhibit by Cheshire Art League.

'River Through the Adirondacks' by John O’Keefe Jr — *“River Through the Adirondacks*” by John O’Keefe Jr.

Annual Visual Arts Exhibit, John posing with award next to wining painting — **John O’Keefe Jr. and “River Through the Adirondack’s”**

Meet the Judge (4-30-2008) – Annual Visual Arts Exhibit

John O'Keefe and Dianne Gorrick — **John O’Keefe Jr. and Dianne Gorrick**

“Technique and brushwork with attention to detail outstanding. The use of the difficult color green is well executed. Distance – good 3D effect. Hudson River School quality.” ~ Dianne Gorrick

About the Judge – Visual Arts Exhibit

Professional artist Dianne Gorrick — **Dianne Gorrick**

Artist Dianne Gorrick’s formal education in the visual arts includes a Bachelor’s Degree from Purdue University and a Master’s Degree from Wesleyan University.

She is the recipient of two National Endowment Fellowships; a research grant concerning the Hudson River School of Painters and a fellowship to attend Dartmouth College, where she studied the art and culture of New England.

A painter and teacher with over thirty years of experience in the visual arts, Ms. Gorrick is represented in many private and public collections, including a prestigious sculpture installation for the Russell Library in Middletown, Ct. A lengthy exhibition history includes the Wadsworth Athenaeum, the New Britain Museum, the Slater Museum, and the Ward-Nasse Gallery, SoHo, N.Y.C.

Ms. Gorrick is an elected artist at the Mystic Art Center and the Essex Art Association. She is a member of the Ct. Plein Air Painters Society and the Lyme Art Association. Working in oils and watercolors, landscapes are the artist’s favorite subject matter. 1

Footnotes:

Biography information for Dianne Gorrick from her website.