Ken McCalla's Spring 2010 Open Studio Weekend

Join artist Ken McCalla as he unveils his latest paintings at his Balham studio this Easter weekend 3/4 April 2010, between 10am - 10pm. Admission free.

Ken has been producing art of all mediums for over 20 years and is one of the founding members, along with Jennifer Lewis and Alvin Kofi, of the leading black art collective, Colour & Movement.

This studio event has become the curtain raiser for Ken's many art promotions and brings together clients, visitors and friends to this relaxed and creative environment.

Also, at 11.30am on both days there will be an artist presentation. So why not stop by on your travels this easter weekend, you won't be disappointed,

Ken McCalla's Spring 2010 Open Studio Weekend 13, Letchworth Street, London SW17

Fairfield Spring Craft & Gift Fair

One of the most rewarding aspects of this job is the opportunity I get to meet clients past and present. Yesterday a number of you dropped in at our stand at the Fairfield spring craft & gift fair in Croydon. This was our first display for 2010 and we showcased our selection of Zimbabwean, Kenyan and Tanzanian stone and wood carvings. Many of you also took the opportunity to take advantage of our framing services by bringing in your artwork.

I wish to thank those of you who made the trip down and hope to see you again real soon.

For details of coming events click here

PARISIAN WEEKEND

We arrived around 3pm at Charles de Galle airport after a flight lasting less than an hour and took the Paris metro to Porte d'Ivry where we had a room booked at The Best Western hotel. After freshening up, and not wanting to waste time, we set off to meet friends for a drink at the perfect watering hole along the Seine called Cafe Fou, located just in front of the Bibliotheque National de France. It looked great, if only it was open!

We decided to re-arrange our drink for the following day and the two of us headed to rue du Faubourg-Montmarte and joined a lengthy queue of diners waiting for a table at Chartier. Not strictly a brassiere, this one time working-man's soup kitchen has appeared in every budget guidebook for decades. There's constant animation from a swarm of waiters who scrawl your order on the edge of the paper tablecloth and return with your food with breakneck speed. Unfortunately the food wasn't as memorable as the atmosphere. We rounded off the evening sipping organic vin rouge in a small bar located in a quaint arcade just off Montmarte which suspiciously had no wine list or price guide.

Saturday morning, after filling up on patisseries, scrambled eggs, toast etc, we set off for a cultured day at Musee D'Orsay where we enjoyed the current exhibition, Art Nouveau Revival, as well as the museums wider collection. I was delighted to see works by African American painter Henry Owassa Tanner (1859 - 1937) who, taken by the inspirational spirit of the city and its cosmopolitan flavour, made Paris his home.

His most famous painting The Banjo Lesson (Hampton University Museum), was painted out of his concerns for the way African Americans were depicted in paintings. The scene in the Banjo Lesson shows its subjects in noble light.

Later that evening we dined at popular African restaurant, Massai Mara 66 Rue Armand Carrel, 75019 (nearest metro Jaures). The food was first class as was the service and the resident guitarist (a doctor by day) creates a mellow mood. After bidding farewell and promising the Cameroon proprietor that I will return to her establishment we set off for Wine & Bubbles (why don't we have this in London....a wine merchant with a bar to enjoy wine and cheese into the early hours.....very bourgeois I hear you say! Final stop, DUC Lombards Club de Jazz at 42 rue des Lombards 75001 (nearest metro Chatelet) where we caught the after show jam session - get there early as nobody seems to leave the joint!

Sunday's pace was somewhat slower but did manage to scoot around Notre Dame before heading back home.

The Journey: Cultural Expressions Exhibition

Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy (MBE) heads a line up of 8 African Caribbean artist's exhibiting work at forthcoming exhibition The Journey: Cultural Expressions.

London Borough of Haringey in association with Alexandra Galleries will be hosting the exhibition as part of Haringey's Black History Month celebrations. The exhibition will be on view at libraries and galleries throughout the borough and will highlight the the transient nature of people from the African Continent, their values and cultural expressions.

Black History Month has been celebrated across the UK every October since 1987 and is a time when we highlight and celebrate the achievements of the Black community and uncover hidden and concealed history about our communities. The Journey: Cultural Expressions runs from 1 - 30 October 2009, admission free. For details of all participating artist's and how to view the exhibitions click here

Open Studio Weekend 4/5th July 2009

Artist Jennifer Lewis will be opening the doors to her studio this weekend as part of the Streatham Festival 2009. Visitors can view her paintings, sculptures, jewellery and other works which will be on sale during the weekend, along with other artist's, at the Streatham Artist's Studios.

Jennifer is a painter, jewellery designer and sculptor living in south London. She began her career as an artist in the mid-eighties designing multimedia material for warehouse parties and clubs. She now works on community projects and private commissions.

Festival fans will be flocking to Streatham in July for a week-long celebration of music, art, dance and lots more besides. Starting on Saturday July 4th with an open-air fun day at the top of Streatham Common, over 40 events will take place throughout the week, ranging from concerts and comedy to walks, talks, films and open air theatre.

4/5th July 11.00 - 5.00pm - ASC Studios, 47c Streatham Hill, London SW2 4TT Tel: 07950212326

New Release at Afro Hair & Beauty 2009

Visit our stand at Afro Hair & Beauty live on 24/25th May 2009 at Alexandra Palace, London, N22.

We will be featuring the latest work by LA performance painter David Garibaldi who, rumour has it, will be visiting these shores in June (listen out for more details).

Alexandra Galleries will be collaborating with UK artist Alvin Kofi to present an inspiring collection of contemporary black art at the bank holiday weekend event.
Afro Hair & Beauty Live

Lightening Bolt

As Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt added the 150 meters world record to his growing tally, his fellow Jamaican, artist Rowan Roberts, launched his special tribute to the champion. Entitled Lightening Bolt (see picture).

This open edition print will soon be available exclusively through Alexandra Galleries. Prices start at £8.50 for A3, £18.00 for A2 and £40.00 for A1. For further details contact us at alxgallery@aol.com.