Progressive Galleries

On October 2nd take part in Progressive Galleries’ ‘First Friday Homage to the Classics.’ Opening-night of Eric Armusik’s month-long exhibition My Place in History will begin by asking you to decide if a contemporary realist painter achieves the apogee of the Old Masters. After an evening of contemplating the artist’s ego, the night will culminate with a newer sort of mastery in a mellifluous jazz journey performed by saxophonist Jonathon Ragonese and pianist Steve Rudolph.

Armusik employs oil-on-panel figurative art and the techniques of Caravaggio to chronicle the timeless narrative of a life’s journey and to question the mode of Modern & Contemporary Art. Creating an experience that is both deeply visceral and electrifyingly intellectual, Armusik contends that through a quality of craft unfamiliar in the 20th & 21st century he has maintained an honesty and vulnerability that is profound to contemporary viewers, and in doing so, that he has achieved an artistry on par with Europe’s great masterpieces. Confrontational in rhetoric and form it is evident that Armusik demands our attention; the question is, however, does he demand a respect equal to the icons of Gombrich’s History? After careful and enthralled consumption, I have weighed his claims and have come to my own conclusion. Now, it’s your turn.

Beginning at 7 p.m., a dynamic jazz duo will provide a nimble backdrop for the digestion of Armusik’s weighty questions. Soprano & tenor saxophonist Jonathan Ragonese will be down from New York where he currently studies at the Manhattan School of Music with composer Bob Minzer. Accompanying Ragonese will be Steve Rudolph on piano. A fixture in the Central Pennsylvanian jazz scene and founder of Central PA Friends of Jazz, Rudolph currently lives in Harrisburg where he has spent the last 30 years being an advocate for the jazz genre. Reflecting the sage sounds of the veteran performer and the fresh refrain of the nascent musician, Rudolph and Ragonese are sure to close the night with a performance that should not be missed.

It all starts at 5 p.m. on the 300 Block of Queen Street in the Old Candyfactory that is home to Lancaster’s favorite burgeoning ‘Progressive’ Gallery. So come out on Friday October 2nd: enjoy a narrative, consider a craft, throw in a verdict, tap your foot, partake anyway you see fit, but don’t miss the First Friday kick off of My Place in History.

Whether you’re staying close to home for the last official weekend of summer or taking one last road trip, Progressive Galleries has a show for you. Brooklyn-based duo Hank and Cupcakes’ mini-tour celebrating their latest CD release will make a stop at Progressive Galleries’ Lancaster location on Sept. 18 and the Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center’s Stage on Herr on Sept. 19.

“During the Millennium Music Conference we were able to work with Hank and Cupcakes, and since then they’ve been in the Harrisburg and Lancaster areas a handful of times,” says Jonas Hair, Progressive Gallery co-owner. “In the few times they’ve played down here they have already generated a following, and they are very good.”

The pair of regional performances marks a recent addition to the showcases Progressive Galleries has been running for several years at Der Harrisburg Maennerchor’s Cathedral Room, and since February at the Lancaster space, located at 323 N. Queen St.

Regional show

“We were excited about this and we wanted to make it regional, and since Progressive Galleries opened up a Lancaster location we are able to cover both regions. So what we are doing is bringing Hank and Cupcakes in on Sept. 18 during Music Friday, which is big in Lancaster, and they are going to rock it out and have their CD for sale here,” says Hair.

“And then the following night we are going to do the show at HMAC Stage on Herr. This will actually be the first Progressive Galleries show at the space so we are excited to work with them.”

The band hails from Brooklyn and consists of two members. Their music has been described as Electro-Pop, but according to Hair, their energetic performance style is what sets them apart.

“Every time they’ve played everyone in the room is either dancing or staring in amazement at what’s going on,” says Hair. “So it’s a band that you really need to see live to get the full grasp of them. One drummer, one bass player, that’s it — that’s the band. But yet they pack more power than a lot of bands with four or five pieces.”

At the Lancaster show, the 3100-square-foot gallery space will still be featuring the display from the September First Friday event.

“We have many different types of art up. It’s a much larger display space so we have much more artwork down here,” says Hair. “It’s interesting because its the premise of the events that we held in Harrisburg, and with the success with them we took that and created a five-day a week out of it down here in Lancaster.”

Progressive Galleries also hosts regularly scheduled showcase events at its Lancaster location, as well as in Harrisburg.

“The showcases themselves artistically remain as action packed. We still showcase projection and live painting, says Hair. “As far as turnout and interest it’s still there, people are really supporting us. We got to a point that we were able to expand to cover two areas of Central Pennsylvania. Now we can actually bring entertainment in from out of town and showcase it over multiple night mini-tours, and we are really excited about that.”

Hank and Cupcakes will perform in Lancaster starting at 9 p.m. at Progressive Galleries, 323 N. Queen Street.

The show is BYOB. The Harrisburg show will take place at HMAC Stage on Herr, 1110 N. Third St. in Harrisburg. The show begins at 8 p.m. with Max Jones and the Joyriders opening. Admission is $5.

Article courtesy of The Sentinel Online

www.mediaboomtown.com

See flyer below for details

Every once in a while a night comes along where the friends are great, the music is outstanding and the atmosphere is unforgettable, a night that leaves you complete. And let’s face it, ladies and gentlemen, times have been tough; every single one of us deserve one of those nights…

Progressive Galleries is proud to make this happen. Friday, August 21st, Progressive Galleries presents a profusion of musicians and artists all under one roof that will never be duplicated! Perkasie, Aortic Valve and Nelly Kate will fill the room with a sensory experience for the eyes and ears while the art lining the walls will add an element of intrigue and enticement.

A final stop on their national tour, this Friday Night Explosion will provide Perkasie a homecoming not to be forgotten. No stranger to the local music scene, WXPN hails Perkasie as: One of our favorite new local discoveries…. Described by the Philly Weekly as “bubblegum baroque pop,” and frequently compared to Bright Eyes, Perkasie are more Puff The Magic Dragon meets Lynyrd Skynyrd meets O Brother Where Art Thou than Woody Guthrie meets Left Banke meets The 1910 Fruitgum Company. Just the idea of that has the senses working overtime! – Bruce Warren, WXPN.

Also closing out their Northeastern tour, Aortic Valve continues the musical journey with an exploration of time, space and connectivity. Aiming to capture what is ultimately human, VjcA overwhelms the senses with the spectacle of imagery marching in the cadence of DJ Evolution’s thunderous beats. A/V provides all with a chance to experiment and react to the relationship between audio and video, presentation and creation, individual psyche and human consciousness.

Coming into town from Staunton Virginia is Nelly Kate. She will take us all on an exploration into minimalist Pop and is no stranger to the eclectic and avant garde. While she has been compared to The Blow, Mirah and Feist, Nelly brings her own style by taking certain elements of Pop and constructing experimental melodies and ballads. We are thrilled she is joining us this evening.

The musical presentation is as original as the art on the walls. 6 different artists work will be showcased and for sale on the spot this evening. The bar will be serving and the lighting will be dimmed to a fine hue. We invite you all to come out to something very special and different as this will be a night to remember. We ask you to forward this message to all who are also in need of a night like this and together, we will all blow the roof off of the place! The Cathedral Room is located on 221 North Street Hbg Pa 17101 and we ask for $5 that goes to the acts performing for the evening. This event will run from 7PM – 1AM.

Thank you,

Jonas and Walter

Come join us this August in our tribute to the female artists of Progressive Galleries. All month long we will be delving into the creative force that drives these 12 spectacular women.

To kick this journey off, Progressive Galleries of Lancaster will host a can’t miss First Friday event. In addition to the perceptive artwork that will be lining our walls, a live musical performance will be given by Jessica Smucker of The Sleeping World. Starting August 7th at 5 p.m., the X Chromosome Exhibition will be unveiled and an evening of art, wine and music will ensue.

The X CHROMOSOME Exhibition will be an exploration of the human experience and our relationship with nature. Photographer, Lynn Rossi, uses elaborate stage sets to capture the duel nature and irony of life. This asymmetry of human existance is emphasized by the use of space in Jennifer Peachy’s highly individualized portraits and the skewed humour of Danielle Charette’s work. The theme of shared human experiences is further enhanced by the works of Jody Wright, Abigail Burnette-Peake, Kat McIver, Nelly Seitz Smith and Ursula Gullow.

Wright’s Pop Art portraits of dogs, which are seemingly so simple, resonnate with a joy of life we can all relate to at the best of times while the delicate brutality of Burnette-Peake and the haunting fluidity of McIver capture the darker sides of our existence. The stacatto rhythm of life is then marked by the beat of Smith and Gullow. Smith’s use of negative space to enhance her subject matter creates a sense of separation that is at times felt by even the most extroverted of people. And Gullow’s gesture inspired paintings mark the indefinable and ephemeral moments that make up the narrative of an individual life.

On a more immutable note, this idea of shared human experience is highlighted by an investigation into a relationship common among all humanity: our interaction with nature. Carrie Wissler-Thomas, our very own Scottish Colourist, and Karen Weihs, who can be described as a Carolina Colourist, have a luminescent, musical quality achieving the vibrancy of life that is seemingly found only in our mind’s eye. Bee Sieberg and Anne Davis use rich color and texture to create moments near and dear to the heart of Central Pennsylvania: Sieberg attains the quintessential farming community whereas Davis effects that moment of peace we feel so often during the summer months, the calm after the storm.

These expressions of humanity will be punctuated by the brillant performance of Jessica Smucker, who will provided us with music as captivating and varied as the Strong Women of Progressive Galleries.

So beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday August 7th, come out to enjoy the prolific voyage with us, and be sure to ride early and often.

Contact:
Jonas Hair & Walter Diehl
art@progressivegalleries.com
323 North Queen Street
Lancaster, PA 17603
Ph: 717.295.2440

LANCASTER – July First Friday Explosion! Over 30 talented 2D and 3D artists on display and Brooklyn’s finest HANK + CUPCAKES rip it up with their mesmerizing brand of music. Don’t miss this hot July night! 5-11. Suggested $5 donation.

HARRISBURG – July 11th, Saturday Night! “The Greatest Funeral Ever” CD release party upstairs in the Cathedral Room @ Der Maennerchor! 221 North Street.

YORK – Progressive Galleries (White Rose Gallery Project) hosts a constant exhibit located in York Square on every floor of The White Rose Business center!

Progressive Galleries Lancaster is open for business 5 days a week! Tuesday – Saturday 11-6 or gladly by appointment 717-295-2440

Thank you for your continued support!! We love it when you come visit us! Stay cool Central PA

Progressive Galleries was experiencing some technical difficulties and had to be taken down and restructured. The site should hopefully be fully functional again over the next few days. At this point the only thing that needs to be readded is the gallery. The rest of the site should be working. If you find something to not be functioning correctly please email admin@progressivegalleries.com and let us know.

Thank you for your patience in this matter!

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