October 16–23, 1997
critic pick|art
art
Public art by John T. Scott in a New Orleans office building.
Brandywine's 25th
Happy silver anniversary to Philadelphia's Brandywine Workshop! Now located in a beautifully remodeled firehouse on the Avenue of the Arts, Brandywine was founded in 1972. The not-for-profit facility has exhibited computer-designed graphics, pencil drawings and paintings, but it is nationally recognized as a center for offset lithography. Brandywine has enabled over 200 artists-in-residence, including Romare Bearden, John Dowell Jr., Edgar Heap of Birds, Kenneth Noland, Jules Olitski and Howardina Pindell, to make over 300,000 prints.
Noted for its emphasis on cultural and aesthetic diversity, Brandywine plans begins its 25th anniversary celebration weekend this Thursday with an awards gala. In 1976, Romare Bearden was the first recipient of the James Van Der Zee Award, which this year will be presented to New Orleans sculptor and recipient of a MacArthur Foundation "genius" grant John T. Scott. Brandywine's 1997 Lifetime Achievement Award, which is given to non-artists who have advanced opportunities for young artists of color, will go to Meyer "Pat" Potamkin, a noted patron of Philadelphia arts and civic organizations.
Brandywine Workshop: Twenty-five Years of American Printmaking, 60 prints from Brandywine's collection of work produced in its own studio, includes work by Sam Gilliam, Bettye Saar, Samella Lewis, John T. Scott, Robert Blackburn, Camille Billops and E.J. Montgomery, who will attend a special VIP reception on Friday, Oct. 17. The exhibit opens to the public with a reception at the Workshop on Saturday afternoon. The fun continues for those who have registered for the Master Artists Workshop with Sam Gilliam, Bettye Saar and John Scott. A reception and jazz concert featuring Ellis Marsalis will be held at the Philadelphia Clef Club next door to the Brandywine Workshop.
Brandywine Workshop: Twenty-five Years of American Printmaking, opening reception Sat., Oct. 18, noon-5 p.m., 730 S. Broad St., 546-3675. Master Artists Workshop begins at 6 p.m. on Oct. 18; jazz reception at the Philadelphia Clef Club begins at 8 p.m.
