Annual Visual Arts Exhibition by Cheshire Art League (2009)

Cheshire Public Library
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
Annual Visual Arts Exhibition and Award Ceremony
Annual Visual Arts Exhibition and Award Ceremony
Ellie Bender and Christine Ivers
Ellie Bender and Christine Ivers

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:

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

Solo Exhibition by The Picture Framer & Gallery (2008)

The Picture Framer & Gallery
The Picture Framer & Gallery,
Cheshire, Connecticut

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)