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Just Opened

Goldfish Gallery


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Published: Sep 30, 2008

Opening reception Fri., Oct. 3, 6-9 p.m., exhibit runs through Nov. 1, Goldfish Gallery, 2214 Frankford Ave., 267-639-3609

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Less than a week before its first opening reception, the carpet is just being installed at Goldfish Gallery. The room is vacuous, save for several large watercolors — some as big as 17 feet — by Irene Sfakianos, the local artist and curator who is opening the space.

Sfakianos, speaking candidly as she scurries to and fro with preparations for the inaugural exhibit, appears more frazzled than her work — consisting of ethereal landscapes and reflections of the natural world, burnt sunsets and aqueous abstractions that practically shimmer in dazzlingly stroked watercolors — would suggest.

But the excitement is evident as she speaks about her neighborhood's art scene and the future of her gallery, which will serve as a space for Fishtown painters, sculptors and photographers to show their work in the comfort of their backyard. Sfakianos has a photo exhibition and mixed-media show scheduled for November and December, respectively. Additionally, she plans on taking advantage of the generous wall space by hosting screenings for the growing number of local filmmakers in need of a venue.

Of course until Oct. 3, Sfakianos is basically living in the soon-to-be-completed gallery in anticipation of the opening night exhibit. In addition to her own work, the show will feature ceramics by Justin McDonald, minimalist sculptures by Robert Aiosa and Schuyler Blanchard, and an entire wall of electroplating, metallic work and jewelry by Rebecca Pulver.

With a name like Goldfish Gallery, it shouldn't be long before people catch on, but it wasn't always that charming. "We wanted [a name] that is Fishtown-ish," says Sfakianos. "I was saying 'How about Trout? No, Fish Sticks.'"