Spring Auctions by Salmagundi Club (2010)

Posted on March 18, 2010 by John O'Keefe Jr.

Important news to announce, I was recently accepted as a member of the Salmagundi Club! I thank Claudia Seymore and Christine Ivers for sponsoring me. My first member event is the Spring Auctions by Salmagundi Club. I decided to submit two small paintings at this event, and I included two short videos showing me going through the auction process.

Event Literature – Spring Auctions

Spring Auctions by Salmagundi Club, Brochure front — **Front View of Event Brochure**

Spring Auctions by Salmagundi Club, Brochure back — **Back View of Event Brochure**

Exhibition Drop-Off (2-27-2010) – Spring Auctions

We made it safely to the drop-off for the 2010 Spring Exhibition and Auction at the Salmagundi Club. Recently I participated in a local auction near my home, but this was a much bigger event. I am very excited to go through this process at the Salmagundi Club. I entered two early and more miniature paintings, “New England River” and “The Road Home.”

*“New England River”* by John O’Keefe Jr.

Spring Auctions by Salmagundi Club, John O'Keefe Jr. with paintings 'New England River' and 'The Road Home'

Spring Auctions by Salmagundi Club, John O'Keefe filling out entry form

Opening Reception (3-5-2010) – Spring Auctions

I had one of my paintings accepted into the Exhibition/Action (“The Road Home”), so we planned to take the family to the opening reception. However, due to poor planning on my part, we did not make it to the opening reception on time. We left Connecticut too late and hit heavy traffic upon entering New York, which proved fatal for us, making it to the opening reception on time. We did film the day’s events and produced the following video.

Salmagundi Auction Part 1 of 2
(A short 11-minute and 15-second video documentary of John O’Keefe Jr. at the Salmagundi Club 2010 Spring Auctions. Opening Reception Day!)

John O'Keefe's painting The Road Home at The Salmagundi Club — John O’Keefe Jr. painting “*The Road Home.*“

Salmagundi Club post reception main gallery — **Salmagundi Club main gallery – post reception**

Auction Day (3-18-2010) – Spring Auctions

The auction day went better than the day we had for the opening reception. We arrived in New York early enough to have dinner and be at the auction well before the auction start time. I was nervous when my painting came up, but that soon turned to excitement when it sold. After the auction, Jennifer and I mingled for a while, and we met several well-known artists, including Del-Bouree Bach and Charles Bierman.

Salmagundi Auction Part 2 of 2
(A short 10-minute and 2-second video documentary of John O’Keefe Jr. at the Salmagundi Club 2010 Spring Auctions. Auction Day!)

Jennifer and John O'Keefe eat at Knickerbocker's Bar & Grill — Jennifer and John O’Keefe Jr.
at Knickerbocker’s Bar & Grill in New York City

Helen Dayton and her award winning watercolor 'Old Door Renewed' — Helen Dayton and her award-winning watercolor “*Old Door Renewed.*“

Charles Bierman and John O'Keefe talking after the auction — **Charles Bierman and John O’Keefe Jr.**

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.

Painting Drop-Off for the Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition by Salmagundi Club (2009)

Posted on June 27, 2009 by John O'Keefe Jr.

Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, Salmagundi Club — Salmagundi Club,
New York, New York

I was expanding my reach out of Connecticut and into New York City. My first out-of-state exhibit was at the Salmagundi Club. Join me as I journey to the painting drop-off for the Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition judging and selection process.

Artwork Dropoff (6-27-2009) – Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition

Jennifer and I woke the family early for our trip to New York City, where we would drop off my painting entitled “The Field’s Edge” at the Salmagundi Club. We always include the children in these activities connected with my paintings – We try to make these trips a fun family outing. I was incredibly excited about this trip because this exhibition is my first showing outside Connecticut and in New York City at the prestigious Salmagundi Club of all places. Very Exciting!

Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture Exhibition, Drop Off

Visiting Uncle Ernie Sterlacci in Astoria, Queens, New York

Once the painting was safely delivered to the Salmagundi Club, we traveled to Astoria, Queens, New York, to visit with my Uncle Ernie. He lives in the house where I spent most of my childhood summers, which always brings back memories when I visit. Also, we took some time to have dinner at our favorite pizzeria down the street.

John O'Keefe and Joshua hanging out on the front stoop — **Joshua O’Keefe and John O’Keefe Jr. hanging out on the front stoop.**

John and Jennifer O'Keefe — **Jennifer O’Keefe and John O’Keefe Jr.**

Ernie Sterllacci — **Uncle Ernie Sterlacci**

John O'Keefe and family about to eat dinner. — **The family getting ready to enjoy a meal.**

Visiting Aunt Anne Fucich in Astoria, Queens, New York

Before returning to Connecticut, we had to stop and visit my Aunt Anne Fucich, whom we affectionately call Teta Annie. She was my first art instructor as a child and is 92 years old and still living on her own in Queens. We stayed for a while, reminisced about the early days, and talked about art. Teta Anne was very excited about my painting that was accepted into the Salmagundi Club exhibition.

Teti Anne Fucich at her apartment in Queens, New York — **Teta Anne and my family relaxing at her apartment in Queens.**

Artist Anne Fucich posing for the camera — **Anne Fucich**

Below are some thoughts Teta Annie shared with us during the visit:

“People say painting is stressful, but I think it’s the opposite. Because once you begin, the ideas start flowing, and before you know it… poof… you have a painting.”

“My problem was that once I started, I just could not stop… I’ll just finish this color, and then it was I’ll just finish the next color and the next, and I just could not stop once I started.”

“I don’t think parents teach their children to be interested in art the way they used to. Today everyone watches T.V. It’s T.V. all day long, and people are not out and doing things. A little boy in my building sits in front of his T.V. from 9:00 in the morning until who knows when. I guess the mother is resting or something… (Laughter) …Give the kid a box of crayons and a coloring book, and let him start that way.”

Artist Anne Fucich saying goodby — **Until next time.**

The next time we will be back in New York is for the opening reception. I hope you enjoyed this little journey, my painting drop-off for the Annual Non-Member Painting and Sculpture 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