Category Archives: News and Notes
Starting the Year off Right
2011 was a happy year for us at the Handler Studio. As December drew to a close, Murry decided to donate a recently finished large acrylic painting of Caribou, seen from a great distance silhouetted against the dark horizon, to an animal rescue farm in Oregon. His cousin is a principal in a non-profit venture, which cares for horses, other large animals and abandoned pets in an idyllic rural setting. There they provide opportunities for at-risk teenagers, lonely elders and volunteers to care for the animals and at the same time, soothe their souls. Lloyd was delighted with the offer and agreed to pay the shipping costs for the large painting which he planned to place in the upcoming April fund raising auction. Murry took the painting to PakMail for packing, crating and shipment on Thursday.
Friday evening we drove to our friends’ home in Pittsboro for drinks and dinner. During the evening, Murry casually mentioned the gift of the painting, which both our hosts had seen several times at the studio, and its journey off to Oregon. Tom listened to the story with intense interest, but said nothing. After a delightful meal and many glasses of wine, we returned home and to bed. At exactly 9AM the next morning we were awakened by the jangling phone. Our hostess from the evening before, noticeable excited, was asking where she could contact the auctioneer, or Murry’s cousin, or any other way she could get a hold on the Caribou painting. “You see”, she said, “I was so touched by the way Tom reacted to the ‘loss’ of the Caribou painting, I want to buy it as a gift for his birthday in January. I had no idea he loved it so much.”
Murry hurriedly told her to hang up and give him a few minutes, he thought it might be possible to retrieve the painting before it left N.C. Murry called PakMail, which was closed for the long New Year’s holiday. Because he often ships Murry’s works across the country and abroad, Murry keeps the owner’s private home number. He reached PakMail and asked if the painting had left Chapel Hill. “NO, it’s a holiday week-end, why are you bothering me now. It will go out first thing Tuesday morning.”
Murry explained that’s exactly why he was bothering him, he did not want the painting to be shipped at all. There would be a replacement sent in about a month.
Murry retrieved the painting in time, Tom’s wife was joyous at her success and Tom got his surprise birthday gift.
And the Handler Studio made its first sale of 2012.
Migration
Winter 2011-2012 News
Holiday Greetings and best wishes for a wonderful New Year!
After a glorious and busy fall, The Handlers are in full winter mode.
We’re looking forward to a number of shows already scheduled for 2012, where we hope to see you. Before we tell you about those, here’s a brief recap of our Autumn activities.
In September we hosted our Autumn Studio Invitational for a small group of guests. Murry showed his new works, and gave a brief talk. This was followed by our usual libations of good wine and tasty snacks. About 20 guests enjoyed the evening and were captivated by Murry’s latest paintings, all new additions to his popular Mythica Series. The female figures in mixed media can be seen on his web-site here.
October was a hectic month, with a variety of shows and charitable events. The Annual Carolinas AIDs Services was held in Raleigh and Murry’s donation was purchased at the traditionally lively auction. The event was preceded by the artists preview reception where we were treated to wonderful hors d’oeuvres,wines and the good company of participating artists and craftspeople.
A really fun October activity was Art in the Village, the first outdoor show held on the lawn in Fearrington Village Center. The weather was perfect and we had an eye-popping crowd turnout! There are 50 artists living and working in studios in Fearrington, about 20 of them displayed their works on the lawn and enjoyed brisk sales.
Chapel Hill Magazine devoted a full article and web page to three of the artists, Murry was one of them. There was a great photo of us both in the August issue. This link will bring you to the photo and a Q&A interview featuring me and Murry. www.chapelhillmagazine.com/articles/more-from-the-artist-studios-at-fearrington-village
Corporate Sale in October
One of my favorite pieces from Murry’s “Whimsy in Black and Gray” Series was sold to a biotech corporation in the Triangle. It hangs in the new corporate lobby. The piece consists of 4 48″ x 12″ linen canvases with 5 smaller canvases mounted on them. One has fallen from the metal hook and is illustrated as on the ground in a trompe l’oeil effect.
Another October event was a major show of Murry’s Social Commentary paintings. The reception on Oct. 21 at the Durham Art Guild brought out a large number of friends and many new folks to see Murry’s interpretation of political/social issues of our day. His piece on environmental concerns, ‘Beyond Earth’ was especially talked about, as was the ‘Jewish Jesus’,with its contemporary meaning for stereotyping and bigotry. The piece ‘In Memoriam’, commemorating 9-11 was especially timely since it was the 10th anniversary of that tragic event. We are grateful to Tom and Kathe Dunder for allowing the painting to be on loan and seen by a wider audience.
Upcoming Shows
January 6 through March. Duke Eye Center will exhibit the Attitudes Series of prints, along with Daybreak and a pair of acrylic paintings, Nod to Thelonius.The Duke Eye Center Connector Gallery, between the Wadsworth bldg. and Arie Bldg., is open Mon. through Fri. 7AM-6PM and free to the public.2351 Erwin Rd., Durham.
Mid-Feb. Art and Design Showcase at Briar Chapel Community in Chapel Hill. Newland Builders sponsors this event and reception, which will highlight design trends and feature Murry’s artwork in several model homes. Details to come.
April Saxapahaw Artists Gallery. Under discussion is a ‘feaured artist’ event to coincide with the newly relocated Gallery in the buzzing Bohemia on the Saxapahaw River. Dates will be announced.
August-Sept. Murry will be the featured artist at the intimate, lovely Liqidambar Gallery in Pittsboro. This is a fairly new venue and has had wonderful art and craft work on display. Dates will be announced.
Mythica Series
The sensitive paintings in the Mythica series, with their dream-like and ethereal quality, evoke images of goddesses and muses from ancient tales.
The major work in this series was purchased by a collector for his Chapel Hill, NC home. Having recently accepted a long-term teaching position in the Far East, he rented his home and decided it best not to leave the painting in a rental arrangement.
The piece measuring 51” x 103”, acrylic and mixed media on canvas, is again for sale. It has been offered to several NC museums and it is under consideration. We are empowered by the owner to negotiate a sale, please contact the artist for more information. The original price was $18,500. All offers will be considered, this is a unique opportunity for a discerning collector.
Mythica
Social Commentary Solo Show Reception
Murry Handler’s Social Commentary/Political Theme exhibition was the focus of a public reception on Oct. 21. An interested crowd of visitors viewed the works and read the commentary with interest, while enjoying wine and hors d’oeuvres compliments of the Durham Art Guild.
The show continues through Nov. 13.
Visit the web-link to read more. http://durhamartguild.org/news/social/commentary/murry/handler
Juried Black and White Show
| July 12, 2011 | to | August 21, 2011 |
FrAnk, the sophisticated Art Collective in Chapel Hill is presenting a Black & White show with the juried artists limited to only black and white palettes.
This is, as many of you already know, Murry’s preferred approach and his forte. It will be fun to see a gallery filled with so many artists creative approach to this challenge.
A reception will be held on Friday, July 8 from 6-8pm, 109 E. Franklin St.,Chapel Hill. The show runs through August 21.
Durham Art Guild Members Show
| July 12, 2011 | to | August 7, 2011 |
In spite of the record heat, Murry Handler will be busily exhibiting in two group shows in the triangle area and preparing for two solo shows in Sept.
Durham Art Guild is presenting its Annual Members Show. For this year’s event Murry has produced a new acrylic painting called Andromeda.
It’s part of the series Mythica, in which Murry uses a light wash of gesso and prismacolor pencil to ‘find’ the figure in the drips and pools of paint with which he captures the human form. The dream-like figures are evocative of mythical imagery.
The public reception is on Friday, July 15 from 5-7 and the show continues through
August 7. The Durham Art Center is at 220 Morgan St.
Spring 2011 News
April – May News & Notes
Art of the Auction at the NC Museum of Art
Over 500 artists from across N.C. and surrounding states submitted works to a distinguished panel of jurors who then selected the 100 or so pieces to be auctioned off as a benefit for the N.C. Museum of Art Foundation. We were delighted to learn that Murry’s painting Trees #4 was one of those admitted to the show.
The Museum was bustling with over 200 guests, dressed to the nines for the first Auction to benefit the Museum’s Foundation. A DJ entertained, while café tables draped in long red cloths were waiting for us to place our samplings of hors d’oeuvres and wine tumblers. After enjoying several of the delicious tastings we strode over to the gallery displaying the paintings, where Murry’s Trees #4 was on the wall directly opposite the entry.
Seeing his name tag, a distinguished looking fellow in sports jacket and tan slacks introduced himself and his wife, and said “We just bought two of your prints from the Frank Gallery in Chapel Hill. They’re hanging in our living room”. The evening was indeed going very well!
In addition to the silent auction of paintings and photographs, a selection of crafts, jewelry and sculpture was offered for bidding. A live auction of a week in France, a week-end in Wilmington at a private sea-side retreat, and a tour of NYC’s art world with Museum Director Larry Wheeler were some of the special offerings.
Living with Art at Flanders Gallery
A one-man show of Murry’s paintings was held at Flanders Gallery in Raleigh on May 14. Sponsored by Morgan Stanley/Smith Barney, the show was called Loving Art/Living with Art and featured a power point presentation by art historian and consultant Michael Mezzatesta, the Mary and James Semans Director Emeritus of Duke U. Museum of Art. Over 40 invited guests had an opportunity to view Murry’s recent series of multi-panel acrylic paintings, Whimsy in Black and Grey.
Artist Studios at FV Outdoor Salon
The new Organization Artists Studios at Fearrington Village held its first networking social and informal gathering for the many artists living and creating in Fearrington Village, NC. With over 40 artists and craftspeople living in this community near Chapel Hill, the group has as its goal to create an arts destination for the many folks who visit the Fearrington Inn and its gardens, the Fearrington House four star restaurant, and other boutique attractions in the Village. Enid Handler who is serving as facilitator to help the group get started, spoke briefly at the meeting and outlined its aims and progress to date. Open Studios are planned for the fall, along with a juried show at the Granary Restaurant in the Village Center. Visit the group’s web-site here.
Warm regards from the Handler Studio. Hope your summer is a fun-filled time!
If you would like to visit the studio, just let us know and we’ll be glad to have you.
FrAnk Art Gallery Gala
There was a large and very happy crowd in Chapel Hill, celebrating the First Anniversary of the Frank Art Gallery on Franklin St. Off the Wall was the event, where each ticket holder was able to select his choice of art donated by participating artists. For $200 a ticket, guests were able to select from, hand-made furniture, jewelry, wood turnings and paintings valued at up to $2,000.
Murry’s “Masks #2” was selected by a family from Ohio who came to Chapel Hill for the event. Click on image below to see all the pictures from the Gala.
Earth Action Month
Earth Action Month is being celebrated in Chapel Hill with a number of art-related events. To recognize the importance of conservation and care of our environment, Chapel Hill Town Hall is displaying ‘Beyond Earth’, Handler’s wry social commentary on man’s disregard for our planet. The five section acrylic painting at 6’ x 10’ makes a major statement. It will be on display until May 2 at Town Hall, on Martin Luther King Blvd.
Also hanging in the same lobby area is Handler’s diptych, Whimsy in Black and Gray #4, 18” x 10’.
Museum in Raleigh Gala Auction
| May 6, 2011 | ||
| May 21, 2011 | ||
| 8:00 pm | to | 10:00 pm |
| 8:00 pm | to | 10:00 pm |
| 8:00 pm | to | 10:00 pm |
Murry’s painting Trees #4 has been selected for the first fund-raising auction by the N.C. Museum of Art
by a distinguished panel of jurors.
Close to 500 artists submitted artwork for the Museum’s benefit and Murry’s black and white acrylic painting was one of those accepted.
The free preview is on Friday, May 6 at the Museum in Raleigh. The gala Auction is on May 21 with signature cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, followed by dancing at the after-party.
We hope those of you in the triangle will join us for the fun at one or the other event!
