An Afternoon at BLAM!

Sys Oppenlander @ Litmus

One of our newest members to join the BLAM! creative art studios, Sys Oppenlander, is going to be a featured artist at Litmus Gallery and Studios this Friday as part of

downtown Raleigh's First Friday Art Walk!

Opening Reception:

Friday, March 2nd, 2012

6-9pm

Spring has sprung at BLAM!

There is just something about springtime that makes us want to change things up and rearrange, get rid of clutter, and start something new! And, this spring we are pleased to announce the addition of TWO new wonderful studio mates at BLAM!...Sys Oppenlander and Juley Striegel. Both are well loved NC abstract artists with ties to the Triangle. Over the next few weeks they will be settling into their new spaces and we are so excited to share our eclectic space with them! This winter, our longtime friends and fellow Blammers Stacey Kirby and Sarah Blackmon moved out of their creative nests at BLAM! and have resettled into new workspaces. You can find Stacey at the Cargo Collective in Durham (http://cargocollective.com/staceykirby) and Sarah is busy shaking things up at the new CAM in downtown Raleigh! We have all shifted spaces, which has provided a much needed excuse for cleaning and purging all sorts of junk (both the mental and physical kind.)

Please be sure to check out Sys and Jules' websites to get a better look at their beautiful and inspiring work!

And, check back soon for updates for upcoming open house dates and studio events in 2012.

http://www.sysoppenlander.com/

http://www.jstudiosdesigns.com/

Printmaking Collaboration at BLAM!

Jen explaining the proof for planning the process of the print.


Jen Coon inking the polymer plate for printing.

Jen Coon and Coralie Courbet (France) reviewing a print hot off the press. The polymer plate (bottom left corner) is the first layer in this edition of collaborative prints. Next weekend, the wood block layer of the print will be added. Dave Wofford of Horse and Buggy Press will be adding the final layer of text. (Jen will have to give further details about the project once she is free!)

A long awaited update!

Wondering what we've been up to? You can find out soon - Blam! is having a show at The Morning Times Gallery in downtown Raleigh this September.

Since our last post, poet Michelle Seaman has pulled up her tent stakes and moved to DC (we miss you Michelle, and Binney says hi!). It was wonderful having her and around, and the poetry nights she brought to Blam! were relished by all. Best of luck to her and Benjamin in their new home.

Here's a shout to another former studiomate, Greg Giles ("the animal"). Greg painted like a madman at Blam! for several years, providing us with a dynamic and evolving installation, before moving to Tanzania to teach art at an international school. He and his lovely wife Kate are sorely missed here. Check him out: http://www.greggae.net/

Phoebe and Sarah have expanded their workspaces and lost no time gettin' a groove on. Both have been painting up a storm! Their industry illustrates that Blam! is a magic space for creating and finding solutions.

Stacey, Lee and Jen have been deeply immersed in the Bain Project for almost a year. There's a lot to tell - and here's just some of it: http://www.bainproject.com/. To add to the excitement, Lee gave birth to perfect little Lydia, weeks before opening day. Congratulations, Lee and David! Stacey and Jen have returned to home base with all its comforting energy and varying soundscape, and are happily picking up where they left off!

Welcome New Artists!

Blam! has two new artists: Phoebe Briley and Sarah Blackmon. We would like to welcome both of them to the Blam! family. Please come by to meet them and see their work at our next open studio.

The Open Studio was a success!

Thank you all for coming out to support our art efforts on Sunday! The open studio was success! We had more than 50 people attend and enjoy the prints, poetry, performance and peace. View photos of the event here. (We are still developing our documentation skills...)

Thanks again!

Blammers