OCTOBER 11 THROUGH NOVEMBER 22, 2008
Opening Reception: Saturday, October 11, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
"Talkabout" Gallery Discussion: Saturday, October 18th, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

The Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial presents the first exhibition in the thirty-first season of the three-part Wind Challenge Exhibitions at Fleisher — the Delaware Valley's premier juried artist exhibition program. This season's nine Challenge artists were selected from a field of 368 applicants to exhibit in one of three three-person exhibitions. The first of this year's Challenge Exhibitions features a sculpture installation by Timothy Belknap, ceramics sculptures by Cheryl Harper, and paintings by John Slaby.

The exhibition begins on Saturday, October 11th, with an opening reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and continues through November 22nd, 2008.

Both the exhibition and the opening reception are free and open to the public. Gallery hours are 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with additional hours of 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Saturday.

Timothy Belknap is doing us all a favor by focusing his artistic energies into designing an energy-efficient vehicle of the future. For his latest project, Belknap has converted an old Craftsman motor into a part bio-diesel, part solar-power ice cream truck. As the artist himself says, “Necessity is the mother of invention, but perhaps only a distant cousin to art.”

Mr. Belknap received his B.F.A. from the University of Illinois and his M.F.A. from Tyler School of Art, Temple University.

Image: Timothy Belknap, The Future Is So Bright, 2008
(photograph by James G. Mundie)

Cheryl Harper's ceramic figures occupy the world of the pants-suit. Her witty sculptures are made by combining her observations as political analyst, art historian, average voter, and occasional activist. She states, “As in many preceding cultures to our own, the public demands its' leaders to be icons, stepping into necessary roles acceptable to the masses.”

Ms. Harper received her B.F.A. from from Tyler School of Art and her M.F.A. from the University of Delaware.

Image: Cheryl Harper, detail: The Teaching Gore, 2007, stoneware, 31 x 12 x 12 inches

John Slaby's small paintings are filled with instances of subtle care and deep attention. He focuses his brush on that which has been thrown out — cigarette packettes which he finds on the street and in the trash. Each detail of these containers are copied, by hand, onto a canvas cut to mimic the box, so that the trash of the industry may become Slaby's art of tomorrow.

Mr. Slaby received his B.A. in Fine Arts from West Chester University of Pennsylvania.

Image: John Slaby, detail: Marlboro Reds, 2008, acrylic on paper, 14 x 9 inches

On Saturday, October 18, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., artist/teacher Lisa Volta will lead the Challenge "TalkAbout", an in depth dialogue with these Challenge artists and audience. Admission is free.

Fleisher's exhibition programs are supported in part by Dina and Jerry Wind, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, Independence Foundation, the Philadelphia Cultural Leadership Program of The Pew Charitable Trusts, and donations from more than 2,000 student members and friends.